Mora Eldris with Neck Knife Kit (All Colors)

Joe

Functional not Fancy

I finally finished my Lauri Rhombic knife. I think it’ll make a great “woods” knife. I’ve been trending to longish egg shaped handles that get smaller at the butt. I find they are easy on the hands and i can shift knife grips smoothly.

The sheath has a Lauri insert and is intended to be a true Puukko cross draw. I don’t wear a belt so the dangler is a soft shackle style to be affixed to a belt loop. In that position the dangler doesn’t interfere with my pack’s waist belt.

Lauri Rhombic 95 HD Carbon Steel Blade (Ragweed Forge Exclusive)

beautiful little blade

I bought this as a gift for my sister. It is a beautiful little knife, light weight and well balanced. It comes with a pretty nice sheath, but I made a custom one for the new owner. I am already considering buying another Helle blade for myself.

Helle Eggen H3LS

David M

High value Sami-style Puukko

Puukkos made in the Arctic Circle are a little different than most of their Southern Finnish cousins. They usually have Leuku-style flat/flared pommel; handles feature wood and reindeer antler pieces; and sheaths are deeper fit with reindeer leather twisted thong attachments. Kauhavan makers do imitate this style, but it is a deliberate nod to the Sami heritage. I wanted a true Sami-style Puukko made in Northern Finland, so I went for a Wood Jewel. Loved the knife! Sheath was pretty good, but it is "latigo" leather (chrome tanned leather that undergoes a second tanning process with vegetable tannins). Latigo leather dyes better than straight veg tan; is more water resistant; and is more pliable. But veg tan is the gold-standard for sheaths as veg tan can be wet-moulded; is firmer; you can burnish the edges; and it patinas over time. I just made my own veg-tan sheath because I liked the knife so much (see pictures).

This is a nice knife. I gave it five stars despite the sheath because the knife steals the show. You've got your standard 80CRV2 Lauri blade with the same HRC 59 rockwell hardness as you'll get in most Finnish knives. It hasn't been thinned as with Ahti or KPP to remove the thin secondary bevel, but given the pricepoint, and the fact that all knives need regular sharpening anyway, it doesn't matter to me--Just sharpen it.

Because most Finnish makers are not bladesmiths (they're mostly all buying their blades from Lauri Metalli), the joy in trying out a particular knife brand is in the style of handle: that's the real work these makers do. Candidly, I am stunned at the handle work on my Wood Jewel. Perhaps Wood Jewel's proximity in Kolari to Masur Birch forests in the Arctic circle allows them to source the more highly-grained pieces at lower costs? Buying a block of this wood in the U.S. with this level of figuring to make my own handle would have cost about 2/3ds the total MSRP of this knife! There's no question that Wood Jewel are using more highly figured birch wood than all of its competitors--hands down. The reindeer antler sections within the handle are a very classy, much less common touch when compared to some of the Southern Finnish makers. KPP has a few models with antler but they're coming in between two/two-and-a-half times the price. Erappuu uses some antler, but I can't find them in the U.S.

You can tell the hafting is all done by hand and eye. Several more expensive makers (Ahti and KPP) actually use a machine to automate the handle shaping of some of their models. While that makes them consistent, there's a certain charm lost in it. My Wood Jewel's ever-so-slightly asymmetric handle exudes old-school character that is a big plus for me. As you look at the hafting under the light you can see the odd, subtle, stray grind mark in the brass bolster as the craftsman pressed too hard against the belt. I actually like these kind of attributes. Somebody actually made this! The fit of the blade into the brass bolster is 100% flawless. On much more expensive knives I've had to use a touch of epoxy to fill the gaps. Not here: It's as tight fitting as a mora blade into a plastic mora handle. Seamless! Very well done.

Finally, this particular model is the perfect size. Full four finger grip on the handle. The blade length is long enough to cut through an onion or potato, but short enough for good control in carving. An exceptional all-round outdoors knife.

Wood Jewel WJ-VI

Kevin B.

Redbeard Cares So Very Much For His Customers and It Shows!!!

Recently, I passed on very particular knife due to some more pressing obligations. Sometimes, you just KNOW a knife feels right and it's "yours". When telling Redbeard this story, he graciously offered to help me find one for the Christmas season. I originally declined as my heart was set on this exact one, in which I was sure it was now destined for someone else. Low and behold an opportunity presented itself for this one! I asked Redbeard if the offer still stood and if he could procure it as I could not directly. He went to work and was able to work his EXCEPTIONAL customer service magic to make it happen. I received the knife from him today and absolutely love it.
For years I have been a loyal and extremely happy customer of Redbeard and Ragweed Forge and have had the pleasure and HONOR to call him a friend. THIS is why. He truly cares about his customers and goes out of his way for them. I have raved about his business for years and love him being my primary procurer of shiny, pointy things. Redbeard, THANK YOU, so very much, for all that you do for me and for all of your customers. You are a blessing to deal with and I cherish being one of your customers. You know I'll be back again as always and will strive to bring others as well! It's nice to be able to stake your own reputation on someone else's business and care with absolutely no hesitation whatsoever. You take such great care of all and we so very much appreciate it!

Ragweed Forge

David M

End of the quest?

This might be that proverbial "grail" knife that knife enthusiasts are always in search of but rarely find. It doesn't have many bells or whistles; it's just elegant in its simplicity, and eminently capable. Even the sheath bears mentioning its own right: it's the best design I've ever used (with a roller mechanism that grips the finger guard). The leather looks to be veg tan, died during tanning. It's the good stuff for sure.

There's a balance to this knife design that has been struck to make it so useful. The grind in the blade is so high, that it actually cuts tomatoes with similar finesse to an Opinel. But, the stock is still so thick that it batons through wood like a hatchet. In the picture I uploaded, I sliced a tomato thinly with ease after making six feathersticks and batoning two aspen logs. The knife is also perfectly weighted in the hand; balancing evenly on the forefinger toward the front of the grip... and that grip! The grip is even better than the Mora Bushcraft Black (which I thought was already as good as a handle could get).

If there's a criticism it's that the spine won't strike a ferro rod. I'm not sure why that functionality is omitted from the design, but frankly, after you've tried this thing, you simply won't care. Just use the metal striker than comes with your ferro rod.

Context is everything though. If you're only interested in wood carving, then just buy an Ahti or KPP knife-they are a true scandi grind with a barely visible microbevel, and they will make curls on a feather stick until the cows come home. But if you want to strike a balance between carving, food prep, and some heavier camp chores, this is your knife. And that extra length really helps with food prep and grabbing food out of the fire. I don't see how you could top this knife for bushcrafting and camping.

Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko Uncoated (Leather Sheath) FJP143

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Kevin B. (Athens, US)

Redbeard Cares So Very Much For His Customers and It Shows!!!

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Rando (Ashland, US)

3 Orders

A great source of hard to find items. Quick as it should be, customer service is quick to answer questions. I purchased some Helle blànks and all are perfect. Trying a Laurie Little Leuka to emulate a Grandfather knife, so I ordered one of them also. Priced right. Thanks

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Lynne LG (Rowlett, US)

Mora 2000!!

I ordered this knife last Thursday and it has already been delivered!! Excellent shipping and fast service....oh and the knife - hubby LOVED it!! Will definitely be ordering from Ragweed Forge again!! Thank you so much

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Casey (Talladega, US)

Great Products

I purchased 2 Laurin Metalli blades from Ragweed, as well as some finger guards. These blades are very high quality and everything arrived on time. I will definitely be shopping here again!