Woodlore Knife Pro

[juttle]

Surely, if it's not made by the original maker of the woodlore, Alan Woods, it's just another clone that many makers can, and do, produce at more realistic prices?

 

[scarfell]

Not sure if those saying its too thick and clumsy have noted that the description states that the blade has a distal taper and that the tang is tapered, so the only place the stock is 5mm is at the blade/handle junction, maybe just a bit forward. I would want to see a picture from the spine before I absolutely hung my hat on that, but it is what is described. That could make it handier than the old Woodlore.

I am interested in the handle thickness too. That was a place that the Woodlore scored over knives that used Micarta, which is typically available in only in 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 and 1". Hard to make a hand filling sculpted handle when the material is only 3/8. Maybe they have sourced something that was thicker. I am sure it will be comfortable.

As I have got older I have become less bothered by the price of things like this. Value is a very subjective thing and people who are in business have to price to their market. You and I might not be that market. If they are selling a name as well as a product, people will pay more than the base cost of the materials and maker's time, maybe just for confidence that the design will be better thought out and tested than from someone without the same bona fides. If no one buys, then they either drop the price or stop offering it. Such is the way of the world and criticising it is kinda a waste of breath. I am not in the market for a fancy watch, or any designer label clothing either.

Whether it is pointless to criticize or not, isnt the point; Mr Mears has made a profession out of learning a craft because he couldnt afford to do many of the other things his peers were doing, its not completely unreasonable to expect someone to hold onto the things which made them the way they are, when they are positive attributes.

It is unreasonable to expect someone not to "sell out" given the chance however, we would all do it if the opportunity arose; but its worth saying it for what it is imo; doesnt change my opinion of what he does in the slightest

 

[bowji john]

Steve makes lovely knives

You don't have to pay quite that much if you directly to him or wait until he has a sale

That is what I did and I've been using one of his classics for 10 years or so

Have a look at his website

http://www.swc-handmade-knives.co.uk/

 

[Mesquite]

Steve makes lovely knives

You don't have to pay quite that much if you directly to him or wait until he has a sale

That is what I did and I've been using one of his classics for 10 years or so

Have a look at his website

http://www.swc-handmade-knives.co.uk/

That is very true but if you did that it wouldn't be a knife designed by Ray Mears would it?

I also seriously doubt he would be allowed to make that design and sell it cheaper direct to the public either

 

[HillBill]

If that blade has a distal taper, its only very slight. You can tell by the grind height along the length of the blade. It changes very little. A useful distal taper on a 5mm stock knife would have the grind at the tip far lower than it is... assuming a constant bevel angle of course, as i expect that has.

Looking at it, i'd hazard a guess that it only loses about 1mm along the whole length.

Not sure if those saying its too thick and clumsy have noted that the description states that the blade has a distal taper and that the tang is tapered, so the only place the stock is 5mm is at the blade/handle junction, maybe just a bit forward. I would want to see a picture from the spine before I absolutely hung my hat on that, but it is what is described. That could make it handier than the old Woodlore.

I am interested in the handle thickness too. That was a place that the Woodlore scored over knives that used Micarta, which is typically available in only in 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 and 1". Hard to make a hand filling sculpted handle when the material is only 3/8. Maybe they have sourced something that was thicker. I am sure it will be comfortable.

As I have got older I have become less bothered by the price of things like this. Value is a very subjective thing and people who are in business have to price to their market. You and I might not be that market. If they are selling a name as well as a product, people will pay more than the base cost of the materials and maker's time, maybe just for confidence that the design will be better thought out and tested than from someone without the same bona fides. If no one buys, then they either drop the price or stop offering it. Such is the way of the world and criticising it is kinda a waste of breath. I am not in the market for a fancy watch, or any designer label clothing either.

 

[Mesquite]

If that blade has a distal taper, its only very slight. You can tell by the grind height along the length of the blade. It changes very little. A useful distal taper on a 5mm stock knife would have the grind at the tip far lower than it is... assuming a constant bevel angle of course, as i expect that has.

Looking at it, i'd hazard a guess that it only loses about 1mm along the whole length.

Close but not quite there

From the blurb about it

Expertly crafted from O1 High Carbon Tool Steel, tapering from 5mm to 3.5mm, the blade features a flat Scandinavian-style bevel.

 

[HillBill]

Ah, never saw that.

Close but not quite there

From the blurb about it

 

[bowji john]

Steve's designs are not based on any imagined 'Utopian' shape created by media created 'experts' - of which there are many

I'm not knocking what Woodlaw does - just suggesting that there are many quality products that exist outside the media world

He has several designs that work and are both functional and beautiful - he is not the only one either - innovation is all around us - don't just stick to what is popular

 

[scarfell]

I think people imagine there is more to woodlore than there is, Ray had the (original) knife designed for himself, to fit his hand and style; any claims that its the perfect knife for everyone havent come from him/woodlore


The marketing of the "Pro" does seem a little different

 

[John Fenna]

It is a nice looking knife and I think I would like using it ... but I could never afford it!

 

[scarfell]

Reminds me of a fishermans knife, but i wouldnt like to fillet a fish with it...even bushcraft style ripping the spine out, which as an ex fish monger, infuriates me

 

[Klenchblaize]

For that price I would expect a 1 day tutorial in correct use by RM. And with a nice woodland lunch thrown in FOC!

Speaking of Rolex watches I wouldn't rule out a Limited Edition RM Submariner given of a green dial, bezel and heavy-duty matching canvas strap with the Woodlore logo on the deployment clasp. Circa £10K would seem albout right?

K

 

[robevs73]

Anyone who spends that much money on an 01 bushy is nuts, it's just a way to make money off people who think it's going to increase in value in a few years.
And I was worried about putting my knives up a few quid to cover ever increasing material and postage costs.......

 

[Monikieman]

I dont want to upset the 'Ray applecart' and I know this was covered before after his comments at the Bushcraft show.

However, personally, I'm still left wondering why you need such an expensive knife when he was having a go at bushcrafters for surrounding themselves in a Narnia of goods!!!!

 

[sunndog]

On the plus side.........i do like the blade shape, shape not thickness

 

[dewi]

Make a name for yourself in certain circles, and you too can charge lots and lots for a knife with your name on it.

Alternatively, leave it to the dopey ones to buy the over priced knives and just enjoy life.

Meanwhile, if I need a knife, there are many makers about who make really rather lovely knives.

 

[woodsorrel]

It appears that the sheath lacks a firesteel loop. Did his earlier knife sheaths have one?

- Woodsorrel

 

[Robson Valley]

I looked at the price. That's obscene. I can hire a knife sharpener guy to tag along on the trip for that price.
Honestly, I'd like to read his defense. There's nothing to encourage bushcraft in the offering.

 

[slowworm]

Honestly, I'd like to read his defense. There's nothing to encourage bushcraft in the offering.

Something like: we're a business, similar knives have huge waiting lists, many people can afford them and they'll end up selling for more than the RRP second hand. They also sell knives starting at £12 so plenty to encourage bushcraft from them.

I don't understand these threads, if you don't like it or think it's too expensive there's plenty on offer elsewhere.

 

[Corso]

I'll stick to Mora's thanks...