Raven PK1 Knife

[Aussiepom]

I thought people might like to read an article I've just read. It's about the evolution of the Raven PK1 knife. There are some interesting comments in the background of the design. I don't know how to do an automatic link, but it's at paulkirtley.co.uk

 

[sandbender]

"...I don't know how to do an automatic link..."

Like this...

The Raven PK1: Evolution of a Knife

And very pretty it is too.

 

[Mesquite]

And very pretty it is too.

That it is too.

Mmmm shiney...

 

[JonathanD]

Now to get hold of one to do an 'epic' review.

 

[The Lord Poncho]

I read that article about its development, and I think I really need one of those knives now! I may be being overly gullible, and I’m not usually one that falls for clever or veiled marketing, but I found myself thinking 'that makes sense' in quite a few places as i read it.

Then I went onto the makers website and saw the price. Oh well! It's probably well worth it, and to me (and I admit I know far less about knives than many here), it looks like a bit of an advancement of the classic accepted bushcraft design. Nonetheless, I'm not sure I could justify one at that cost. Would love to see a third party review though!

 

[Dark Horse Dave]

I too think it looks and sounds great, and Paul's description of its evolution is honest, interesting and credible. I imagine the price is probably fair - but alas more than I can afford!

 

[Something In The Woodshed]

Its a beautiful knife but in my opinion its been dressed up and way over priced. A knife made from O1 with brass and Tufnol scales should not be priced at half a grand. Its a basic design and I could give you the name of ten makers who could produce a better knife with better materials at half the price. This is no dig at an individual knife maker, or the chap behind the design. I just think people see what happened with the likes of the Ray Mears Woodlore and think they can do the same. The difference is that Ray did not set out to produce an expensive knife with inexpensive materials, it was all down to supply and demand that increased the prices.
I would love to see the knife reviewed, but I do think its just a lot of marketing fluff. Would liked to be proved wrong though..
Save your money and go with a well known maker..

 

[sandbender]

I probably have too much money tied up in expensive cutlery already so I cannot imagine I'll be getting one, looking forward to a review though, JonathanD and Southey are probably just the chaps.

However if Paul wants someone to put one through its paces in what will probably be quite a harsh Transylvanian winter, he can drop me a line.

 

[DaveBromley]

that is pretty...... must resist.........

Dave

 

[FGYT]

interesting

RWL 34 is a NO extra cost option

wonder if thats 5.2mm RWL to give the same thickness when ground down to the 3/16" of the O1
or its 4mm same as the Damasteel No P13

then again for the price

 

[forestwalker]

Just looking at it I would be more tempted by it for hunting, the deeper drop point would be better for skinning, about as good as the old Puma White Hunter. And -- as PK says -- it is nicer for a hand covered in blood and gore than the standard woody design handle. But if one looks at the proverbial "craftsmans knife" (Mora or Skookum) then it is further away than the normal woodlore. I think I'll wait for FGYT to get my nessy done and keep using either a sami (mora blade) or the Julius Petterson woodclone for everything other than moose abuse.

 

[JonathanD]

Its a beautiful knife but in my opinion its been dressed up and way over priced. A knife made from O1 with brass and Tufnol scales should not be priced at half a grand. Its a basic design and I could give you the name of ten makers who could produce a better knife with better materials at half the price. This is no dig at an individual knife maker, or the chap behind the design. I just think people see what happened with the likes of the Ray Mears Woodlore and think they can do the same. The difference is that Ray did not set out to produce an expensive knife with inexpensive materials, it was all down to supply and demand that increased the prices.
I would love to see the knife reviewed, but I do think its just a lot of marketing fluff. Would liked to be proved wrong though..
Save your money and go with a well known maker..

Really? I've been around the custom knife world for a few years now and know Raven quite well as they aged a sword for me. The quality is on a par with the few top UK knifemakers, and I know of no maker in that league that would offer a custom knife to exactly those specs for half the price, especially a fully custom hand ground and shaped example using no jigs at all that also include bolsters. You also have to remember when you buy an Alan Wood Woodlore, that you are paying for his work commissioned through a third party retailer and not direct from Alan himself. Besides, you'd still be had pushed to commission a knife direct from Alan for less than £300. Of course you pay a premium for his work, but he is at the top of the game, so you should expect that. It's the same with every other industry that sells quality bespoke items. Look at the mass produced factory made knives that are quality on Heinnies site. Even those are above the £200 mark, and they are churned out in their hundreds.

 

[Something In The Woodshed]

JD,
I will admit that the quality is right up there and some of the work on the website is remarkable. I too have been around customs for a while but for whatever reason I have never heard of Raven.
If I am honest I would love to see one in the flesh. I did jump the gun a bit as my first thoughts were a market ploy for a knife that may not be worth 'as much'. But I am starting to think otherwise now after digging a little deeper.
As for Alan, well I never pay full price. But you are right price wise.
M

 

[JonathanD]

I can understand that as Raven is a very very specialist company and concentrates mainly on historical blades and doesn't advertise too much. I think even Paul thought the same thoughts as you initially before he became aware of Ravens history. It was only through a passing interest in ye olde English swords and artificial ageing some years ago that I became aware of the outstanding skills that they have in that area, as well as their blade crafts. Their work is right up there with the very topmakers you are familiar with, and may exceed in other areas due to their specialist skills in historical blades. I haven't seen the PK1.. yet, but I am confident that it will be made to the standards you would expect from a high end custom commanding the RRP it is listed at. Now to convince Paul and Raven to let Southey and I take it into out respective toilets for a loo review.... well, that is Southeys territory, I'd take it to the woods and faff about.

 

[FGYT]

JD,
I will admit that the quality is right up there and some of the work on the website is remarkable. I too have been around customs for a while but for whatever reason I have never heard of Raven.
If I am honest I would love to see one in the flesh. I did jump the gun a bit as my first thoughts were a market ploy for a knife that may not be worth 'as much'. But I am starting to think otherwise now after digging a little deeper.
As for Alan, well I never pay full price. But you are right price wise.
M

his stuff is amazing if you look at he swords and fantasy stuff even more so when you handle them and he tells you that the swords are ruffed out with an angle grinder and the rest is by hand always something to marvel at the Knives show

see the swords of night and day which for the price are a bargain and a show of a master Bladesmith

but the Bushcrafter in Basic O1 and scandi ground not so much a bargain extra cost if you want the blade a little longer but no extra for RWL 34 blade ????????????? considering the RWL is alone 10x the cost of the O1 and its HT of RWL is a similar factor or more

I have no doubt after seeing the Raven swords etc up close first hand that the Fit and finish etc will be immaculate but unlike the swords these will actually be used at least

ATB

Duncan

 

[Retired Member southey]

Ha! I am saving up for one already! 2 years and it shall be mine!!!

 

[FGYT]

Ha! I am saving up for one already! 2 years and it shall be mine!!!

by which time the waiting list will be 10 yrs

 

[Retired Member southey]

I know, which will give me time to save for a full suit of armour to go with it

 

[JonathanD]

I know, which will give me time to save for a full suit of armour to go with it

Do you think Paul will let me apply a bush hammer test to his?

 

[Retired Member southey]

I think you should at least ask.