Finman Utility Knife 101

Up to a few weeks ago, didn't even notice these on RagWeed's website. I figured what the heck for $12, might as well bundle one with a couple other items. Now I am regretting not buying 2-3 more. Tested initially on Honey & Black locust whittling and the blade is really-really sharp out of the box.
Mark Young did an excellent Youtube review of the Finman. Which is where I found that RedBeard carried these. Hopefully these will be still in stock when I place my next knife blank order.

This little Finnish answer to the 'Mora 511 Basic' has entirely exceeded all expectations! In fact, i'm legitimately torn now: could this $12 knife comfortably replace every other knife I own--maybe even outperform them? This is a Lauri Metalli 80CRV2 blade. That means it's 59HRC. But Lauri has thinned the edge almost to a zero grind (which you won't find on many production Puukos that use Lauri blades) and--this is the clincher--has hollowed out the grind too. This means it'll cut marginally better than regular scandis because there's less drag. It also sharpens easily because you're only removing the heel and shoulder of the bevel when you lay it flat on the stones. Kauahavan Puukopaja adds a hollow grind but you're looking at $75 plus for one of those, and it's literally the same blade. Not even Ahti hollow grind their Metalli blades, and those are still excellent knives.

What you're getting here is a knife with cutting performance and edge retention to rival $100+ knives. All you're sacrificing is a pretty handle. I love a pretty handle like any other knife nut, but I'm not even sure I'd call that a sacrifice as the grippy plastic has such a comfortable, ergonomic shape, and is, of course much more resistant to the elements than wood--making it more functional. The sheath is phenomenal. Two simple pieces of plastic: the knife clicks in with much more retention than a Mora--even my Mora Bushcraft. It'll clip in either side too.

As Redbeard points out in the description there were cost savings in the manufacture by inserting the blade into the handle when warm, instead of moulding the handle around the blade. The result is some gapping in the transition between blade and handle. You could take it or leave it. I'll spend 2 minutes filling the gap with some epoxy and it'll be solved. In contrast, the Mora's always look more factory "perfect". Is this a better tool though than a basic Mora? Maybe even a Companion or HD? Yes, it is. The blade material and heat treat; the hollow ground high scandi, the ergonomic handle and the functionality and retention of the sheath make this a more functional, even if slightly less polished tool.

Got these for my groomsmen, superior cutting performance to any of my moras. I'm glad I got one for myself as well!

Came very sharp. I love the scabbard too!

The utility of this little knife will embarrass the more expensive blades.