(I posted this review on Britishblades yesterday. I thought it might be of interest to folk here who, like me, might have been hankering after a UK legal folder with a Scandi grind. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not represent the views of BushcraftUK, its members or staff. Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, is merely coincidence.)
I received my much-anticipated PK70 folder from brisa.fi today. I've been keen to try this knife as I liked Enzo's locking folder (the unfortunately named "Birk") and I have wanted a UK legal edc folder with a scandi grind for ages.
The knife is available with full flat grind blades, too. All are CPM-S30V (unlike the Birk, which also comes in D2). There are a variety of options for scales (eg. Curly Birch) and bolsters (Reindeer horn, titanium etc). I chose the cheapest option -Scandi grind, no bolster, CF scales. Unlike the Birk, unbolstered knives have full width scales.
From the website it appears the bolstered models do not have a pocket clip but this is only an observation.
Here are stats for the PK70 range, lifted from the Brisa website:
Length: 160/92 mm
Weight: 80 g
Blade length: 70 mm
Blade thickness: 2.5 mm
Steel: CPM S30 V
Grind: Scandi (Sc)or Flat (F)
Finish: Satin
Lock: No lock, slipjoint
Frame : Stainless 1.2 mm
Clip: Stainless
Washers: Bronze
Screws: Torx 6 . Pivot Torx 8
Bolster (B):Titanium 6-4
Scales: Interchangeable
Brisa also sell the knife without scales and a drill guide/template is also available so DIY scales will be easy.
So what is it like?
The short answer is, it's gorgeous.
I love its sleek, purposeful lines- very "scandinavian". The nail nick adds a charming scowl. These side-lit pics make the grind lines on the flats and bevels look more coarse than they appear in reality. I like this style of CF finish- very tactile (not too tactical) and pleasing to the eye.
Since most people will be familiar with the excellent Spyderco UKPK I have done some comparison shots:
It doesn't look so tidy when closed, but still a compact package:
That nail nick is positioned much nearer the tip than most designs. This makes it much easier to open as you have a longer lever to overcome spring pressure. This is just as well since there is very little blade showing to grip when closed. One-hand opening is NOT a realistic option without modification (this will appease our Danish friends):
It's a little thicker than the UKPK. The polished, stainless pocket clip (not repositionable) adds another 30% thickness:
Despite the lack of choil, I find I can safely initiate blade closure, without moving my fingers from a full grip position, using my thumb on the spine. The sharpened portion of the edge does not contact my finger unless I am gripping the handle unusually far from the pivot. There is a distinct halfway detente position but care should still be taken when closing.
In hand shots (it's quite dinky but not annoyingly so.)
Fit and finish are superb. There are almost no perceptible gaps and the blade is perfectly centered. There is no play in either plane once "locked-up". The grinds are symmetrical.
The pocket clip is slightly clumsy-looking but it has plenty of clearance for thick pocket edges (the Cactus trousers pictured are very chunky). The knife carries tip-up and this cannot be changed (without drilling and tapping new holes.) The clip design allows deep and discreet carry:
The Birk and UKPK ride higher (although I haven't pushed the Birk as low as it should be so it isn't an accurate representation, sorry!)
What do I think after this short period of ownership?
Pros:
The fit and finish of this example is exemplary
Good quality materials (assuming they are the same as my Birk in CF and S30V)
Scandi or Flat grind options
UK legal EDC
Deep pocket carry
Looks good when open
Pocketable
Pleasant CF, nicely chamfered edges
"Clever" nail nick
Price
Easily Customisable with aftermarket Brisa kits
Cons:
Clip a bit clunky-looking (might be better in satin finish?)
Only one clip position (but this avoids untidy spare holes)
Looks a little untidy when closed- exposed tang may snag?
Lanyard hole edges quite sharp -may fray the CF or the lanyard material?
Summary:
I've only had this knife for one day and as we all know, there is a tendency to gush over shiny new things. However, my initial reaction is that the knife offers a great value EDC option for a very reasonable price. This model was 79 Euros on offer (but just over 90 euros to get it to my sweaty mitts.) I expect the Flat Grind version will suit most people better but for now, this knife is the answer to one of my previously unanswered knife prayers! (Spyderco Slippy in serrated H1 being another...)
The proof of the pudding is in the eating, so I'll post more when I've had a chance to use it. I see it as a go anywhere whittler/wood-worker and this, plus everyday tasks, is what it will be used for.
Thanks to Brisa and Dennis for this new range. I have no conflict of interest/ulterior motive with respect to this product and this review, etc.
UPDATE: I've polished the bevel (a bit) and carved a spoon from a blank as a test of comfort and function as a basic pocket whittler:
Halfway -no blisters yet!
As much as I'm going to do before letting it dry a bit, will still need a lot of thinning and shaping:
There are a few hotspots but as I write this, no blisters have appeared:
The spoon is far from finished but the knife has been put through several hours of use (much of which would have been done by axe/saw if I was not doing this as a test.)
My intended role for this knife was as a UK legal whittler and it has excelled in this task. The blade is still plenty sharp enough for more carving. I haven't closely inspected the edge yet but with the naked eye there isn't any gross chipping or rolling. I'll do some macro shots to check this.
I'm still very pleased with this knife.
I received my much-anticipated PK70 folder from brisa.fi today. I've been keen to try this knife as I liked Enzo's locking folder (the unfortunately named "Birk") and I have wanted a UK legal edc folder with a scandi grind for ages.
The knife is available with full flat grind blades, too. All are CPM-S30V (unlike the Birk, which also comes in D2). There are a variety of options for scales (eg. Curly Birch) and bolsters (Reindeer horn, titanium etc). I chose the cheapest option -Scandi grind, no bolster, CF scales. Unlike the Birk, unbolstered knives have full width scales.
From the website it appears the bolstered models do not have a pocket clip but this is only an observation.
Here are stats for the PK70 range, lifted from the Brisa website:
Length: 160/92 mm
Weight: 80 g
Blade length: 70 mm
Blade thickness: 2.5 mm
Steel: CPM S30 V
Grind: Scandi (Sc)or Flat (F)
Finish: Satin
Lock: No lock, slipjoint
Frame : Stainless 1.2 mm
Clip: Stainless
Washers: Bronze
Screws: Torx 6 . Pivot Torx 8
Bolster (B):Titanium 6-4
Scales: Interchangeable
Brisa also sell the knife without scales and a drill guide/template is also available so DIY scales will be easy.
So what is it like?
The short answer is, it's gorgeous.
I love its sleek, purposeful lines- very "scandinavian". The nail nick adds a charming scowl. These side-lit pics make the grind lines on the flats and bevels look more coarse than they appear in reality. I like this style of CF finish- very tactile (not too tactical) and pleasing to the eye.
Since most people will be familiar with the excellent Spyderco UKPK I have done some comparison shots:
It doesn't look so tidy when closed, but still a compact package:
That nail nick is positioned much nearer the tip than most designs. This makes it much easier to open as you have a longer lever to overcome spring pressure. This is just as well since there is very little blade showing to grip when closed. One-hand opening is NOT a realistic option without modification (this will appease our Danish friends):
It's a little thicker than the UKPK. The polished, stainless pocket clip (not repositionable) adds another 30% thickness:
Despite the lack of choil, I find I can safely initiate blade closure, without moving my fingers from a full grip position, using my thumb on the spine. The sharpened portion of the edge does not contact my finger unless I am gripping the handle unusually far from the pivot. There is a distinct halfway detente position but care should still be taken when closing.
In hand shots (it's quite dinky but not annoyingly so.)
Fit and finish are superb. There are almost no perceptible gaps and the blade is perfectly centered. There is no play in either plane once "locked-up". The grinds are symmetrical.
The pocket clip is slightly clumsy-looking but it has plenty of clearance for thick pocket edges (the Cactus trousers pictured are very chunky). The knife carries tip-up and this cannot be changed (without drilling and tapping new holes.) The clip design allows deep and discreet carry:
The Birk and UKPK ride higher (although I haven't pushed the Birk as low as it should be so it isn't an accurate representation, sorry!)
What do I think after this short period of ownership?
Pros:
The fit and finish of this example is exemplary
Good quality materials (assuming they are the same as my Birk in CF and S30V)
Scandi or Flat grind options
UK legal EDC
Deep pocket carry
Looks good when open
Pocketable
Pleasant CF, nicely chamfered edges
"Clever" nail nick
Price
Easily Customisable with aftermarket Brisa kits
Cons:
Clip a bit clunky-looking (might be better in satin finish?)
Only one clip position (but this avoids untidy spare holes)
Looks a little untidy when closed- exposed tang may snag?
Lanyard hole edges quite sharp -may fray the CF or the lanyard material?
Summary:
I've only had this knife for one day and as we all know, there is a tendency to gush over shiny new things. However, my initial reaction is that the knife offers a great value EDC option for a very reasonable price. This model was 79 Euros on offer (but just over 90 euros to get it to my sweaty mitts.) I expect the Flat Grind version will suit most people better but for now, this knife is the answer to one of my previously unanswered knife prayers! (Spyderco Slippy in serrated H1 being another...)
The proof of the pudding is in the eating, so I'll post more when I've had a chance to use it. I see it as a go anywhere whittler/wood-worker and this, plus everyday tasks, is what it will be used for.
Thanks to Brisa and Dennis for this new range. I have no conflict of interest/ulterior motive with respect to this product and this review, etc.
UPDATE: I've polished the bevel (a bit) and carved a spoon from a blank as a test of comfort and function as a basic pocket whittler:
Halfway -no blisters yet!
As much as I'm going to do before letting it dry a bit, will still need a lot of thinning and shaping:
There are a few hotspots but as I write this, no blisters have appeared:
The spoon is far from finished but the knife has been put through several hours of use (much of which would have been done by axe/saw if I was not doing this as a test.)
My intended role for this knife was as a UK legal whittler and it has excelled in this task. The blade is still plenty sharp enough for more carving. I haven't closely inspected the edge yet but with the naked eye there isn't any gross chipping or rolling. I'll do some macro shots to check this.
I'm still very pleased with this knife.
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