Karesuando Ptarmigan

If you are looking for a handsome all around stainless sheath knife you may want to check out the Ptarmigan. It is also known as the Grouse or Willow Grouse. I lucked into my knife. Being a handmade knife each one is slightly different. Mine happened to fit my hand perfectly in all grip positions. The steel while not extremely hard sharpens to a shaving edge easily and holds the edge well. I live where in winter it not uncommon to have daily highs of -20. When it gets that cold if steel is too hard edges chip out easily. I frequently use this knife at those temperatures and have not chipped out yet. The edge will roll a bit if enough pressure is put on it but rather that than a broken out chunk of blade. The handle is in my opinion quite good looking, the sheath is stunning. Karesuando makes many similarly bladed knives, with slightly different handles one of which may suit you better. Some of the other similar models are quite a bit less expensive but I am guessing the blades are probably of the same steel and same heat treat. This knife has features that make it suited to my use. Stainless blade, no corrosion problems if it is in a damp or wet sheath for several days. Medium sized Scandi blade great for general camp use and capable of opening up a downed game animal if need be. Not great for skinning but will serve in a pinch. I am usually in the woods wood cutting or trekking not hunting in any case so I actually need a knife more for fire sticking, camp chores and food prep than for processing game animals. I am especially pleased with this knife's whittling and wood shaving capabilities, something you should expect a Scandi to be good at. I bought the knife firstly because it seemed to suit my intended use, secondly it fit my hand perfectly, and lastly because I wanted to treat myself to a knife that is a looker as well as a worker. By the way the pommel really does resemble a Ptarmigan head. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Like I said I wanted to treat myself and am extremely satisfied. Worth it to you? Only you can answer that. If is is tempting check it out and some of Karesuando's other knives as well. Maybe you will want to treat yourself as well.

I purchased this knife whilst I was in the cold harsh north of Sweden at the Tofsingdalens national park whilst camping with my friends from Gothenburg and the Czech Republic in Slogbogs around the lakes. This knife totally out performs its size, its batons to a certain size and feather sticks through wood like butter and I would highly recommend it hands down. A breeze to sharpen and you can get it hair shaving sharp in no time

Absolutly outstanding!! Brilliant looking knife, fits perfectly in my hand and arrived razor sharp!! Just what you need in a knife. Using this knife will surely be a dream come true!