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This sturdy Forseti Damascus Steel knife has a 3.25 inch folded steel blade with a highly attractive finish. With a fine grip G10 handle, through tang and a lanyard hole this knife is thick and sturdy enough for campcraft and hunting but appealing enough as an heirloom gift too. With a great leather sheath, knife oil and stunning looks if you want a ‘works great looks great’ outdoor knife this is for you.
Full Review
I believe that most knives you need come under one of ‘the three C’s’. Combat, Carry or Campcraft. This hunting knife places itself firmly in the campcraft/hunting category so if you want to stab zombies take a look at the splendid Ka-Bar and if you want a fantastic Every Day Carry take a look at the superb Lightoller Knife instead. If you want a workhorse for hunting and camping then read on….
What is Damascus Steel ?
Damascus Steel was originally forged in India, Sri Lanka and Khorasan from a type of steel called Wortz steel about a 1000 years ago. It was renowned for its sharpness and strength and its swirled pattern that was distinctive.
The Forsetti Steel Blade
The Hunter Knife Blade is high carbon which means you get a very VERY sharp edge from it. There is a slight trade off though with this type of steel compared to stainless steel and that is that the damascus steel will require you to be more careful in the wet with it. I suggest anytime you use the knife for anything ‘dirty’ you wipe the blade clean and dry and also regularly wipe the blade with a light mineral oil ( or even household cooking oil) just to its wiped and then buffed clean. This thin layer will ensure the edge stays keen and the blade doesn’t get a few rust spots on it.
The blade is a roughly a 3.25 inches blade giving the overall length of just over 7 inches with the handle. Its well balanced and hefty when you hold it in your hand and the through handle tang is thick and very well fitted through the handle. The drop point tip and 3mm thickness of the blade gives you a strong edge and the 256 folded layers makes a stunning pattern finish which is different for every single knife. There are also a forefinger groove and ground ridges along the spine gives the user plenty of leverage when using the knife as well as a hole cut in the end of the handle that you can attach a lanyard or line to.
Handle
The handle on the Hunter isn’t wood at all! Although it looks like a rich cherry wood its actually G10 which is a fibreglass laminate which I’ve seen used on a number of good quality mil spec knives in the past. The advantage is that it has a texture added to give it superb grip even when your hands are wet. This is a departure from the usual Forseti line and I like it for this particular type of knife.
Leather Pouch
The Forseti Hunter Knife comes with a leather pouch /sheath that can also attach to a belt loop. I’ve noticed that they now also include a small container of knife oil too in the presentation box.
It’s the little things that make you smile ….
When you open the box from Forseti the first thing that hits you is the smell of pine. The knife itself comes with a charming wooden slide top box that’s filled with straw and has the knife nestled inside. Its a nice touch. You can also see the knives have a generous application of oil on the blades too and arrive incredibly sharp.
Gripes
I love the design and I’m impressed by the blade. Usually this is the bit where I have a bit of a moan about one thing or another but I find it hard to be critical about a knife that balances hand made unique appeal with quality and price. My only real gripe is how quickly they seem to sell out. If you look at the Forseti site they make these handmade knives in small batches and they can sell out FAST… in fact I’ve seen some sell out in a matter of weeks and not return.
Who is this knife for ?
This is NOT a decorative knife for the wall or a display cabinet. This knife is perfect for a very stylish Campcraft or Hunting use and its blade length and design means that it is unlikely to break any state laws when you carry it. It’s just at home being used out on trails as it would be at home. Its that rare blend of a truly well made tool but one that’s crafted in a way that you enjoy holding it and using it way beyond it simply being there to do a task. Because of the nature of the manufacturing you’ll also notice that every knife is unique.
Lifetime Guarantee
All Forseti Knives come with a lifetime guarantee.
Verdict
This sturdy Damascus Steel Hunter knife has a 3.25 inch folded steel blade with the nicest finish I’ve seen on the Forseti range. With a fine grip G10 handle, through tang and a lanyard hole this knife is thick and sturdy enough for campcraft and hunting but appealing enough as an heirloom gift too. With a great leather sheath, knife oil and a guarantee this knife sharpens easily. If you want a ‘works great looks great’ outdoor knife this is for you.
PURCHASE $120Specs and Details
HUNTER DAMASCUS STEEL FIXED BLADE KNIFE SPECIFICATIONS
- Overall Length: 7.5″
- Handle Length: 4.25″
- Blade Length: 3.25″
- Blade Material: Damascus Steel 1095/15n20
- Blade thickness: 3mm
- Damascus pattern: Twist
- Tang: full tang
- Number of layers: 256
- Grind: Secondary bevel
- Handle Material: Red and black G10
- Includes a full-grain leather sheath, a wood presentation box, and 3ml. bottle of premium knife oil with dropper
About Forseti Steel
The secret to forging authentic Damascus steel knives has long been lost, but Forseti Steel stays as true to the tradition as we can by commissioning blade-smiths with Damascus ancestry to hand-make all of our blades. The artists behind the enamoring water-like patterns of folded and pounded steel have all learned their skills and techniques from the generations that worked the metals before them.
In addition to paying tribute to the Damascus practice in technique and appearance, Forseti Steel shows its respect for history’s heroes, legends, and characters with our knives’ names and inspiration. The 12″, Hugh Glass Hunting Knife, for example, honors the the mountain men and frontiersmen who tried to tame this land and is a blade we are certain Hugh Glass would have wanted to carry on his expeditions.
All of our knives are made by hand. You read that correctly. Every one of our knives are painstakingly crafted one at a time. That is why no two knives are the same. The knife you receive will be similar to what you see on our site, but will vary slightly due to the materials used and individual craftsman that builds the knife. Our quality and craftsmanship is unparalleled. For that reason, we offer a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee. If you don’t like the knife for any reason, send it back and we will refund 100% of your money, including shipping. Plus, each of our knives comes with a lifetime manufacturing defects warranty. We promise, you will not be disappointed.
