Review - Svord Peasant Knife

[Benner]

The Svord Peasant knife is a modern made version of a knife used for 300-400 years in Bohemia and Bavaria.  The maker, Bryan.W.Baker, has used old fashioned and low tech methods to produce his modern day folder - the Svord Peasant knife, which is a friction folder that consists of a handle that pivots around a blade with a large tang which is then held by the user to act as a lock.  With this design there is no locking mechanism in the knife itself so there are very few parts to this folder.  In fact, when fully dismantled the knife is made up of a total of just 8 parts.  This not only makes for a very reliable and very maintenance free knife, but also for a very cheap one, which is the whole point of the Peasant knife.



The whole knife from the ground up has been made to be available at a low cost.  The fact that it is made up of so few parts means that manufacturing costs are kept low so the cost to the consumer is kept low in relation to this.  Everything about the knife has been stripped back to reduce costs, no part can be removed without compromising it's already basic function.  Even the packaging consists of just a plastic sleeve and a sheet of paper – there aren't any fancy boxes here!  But that is the whole point of this knife.



The knife comes available in 2 types – plastic scaled and wooden scaled, the plastic being available in 8 different colours.  The wooden version was available first but more recently the newer plastic versions have been on sale.  For me, the cheaper plastic versions are the way to go.  Sure they aren't, to some, as pretty looking nor as solid feeling in the hand, but this knife is about budgets and keeping the cost down, so it just feels right to me to go for the cheapest version available.  We aren't going for luxury here!



Upon arrival you can see that this is a cheap knife, but that is exactly what you have just bought.  The blades edge needs a little touching up just to get it to hair popping sharp and once done it takes a really good edge.  You can also see the odd burr on the plastic handle from the manufacturing process.  If you choose to, you can dismantle the knife, which requires just 1 flat headed screwdriver, and with a smooth file can remove these burrs in minutes.  This however is not a necessity and I'd sooner see the cheaper knife price as a result of these minor imperfections appearing on the knife.



When you get hold of the Peasant knife your first focus is on the length of the tang and on how you are going to carry it.  Svord themselves have a leather sheath available but if you are like me and pocket carry, the sheer length can look intimidating.  Fear not though.  When placed in the pocket with the tang up and with the handle curving in towards the body, it fits most pockets very nicely.  In fact, with the very low weight I barely notice it's even there and is more comfortable than a smaller heavier knife. 



Being a non-locking knife, the Svord will be a good candidate for every day carry (EDC) in many areas of the world that prohibits the carry of a locking knife.  For UK knife users this is a good option for those that want to EDC a folding knife, but do bear in mind that the cutting edge is a shade over the 3” mark.  This of course can be easily shortened with some patience.  The funky colours made available also detract from it's knife image and make it more friendly looking to non-knife carrying folk, a big consideration to make if planning to use in a viewable area. 



One addition some may miss on this knife is the lanyard hole.  Due to it's very simple construction however, adding one would be a cinch.  I have seen many modifications to the knife, most consisting of custom scales as they are a relatively simple and cheap modification to do.

So how does it cut?  Well it cuts great.  After a few moments putting on the razor sharp edge, the thing cuts very well and with the lightweight and decent sized handle, feels comfortable to use.  It  also has the ability to be opened with one hand, and again, in an attempt to keep costings down, the Peasant knife has no washers so keeping it clean and functioning as it should is an easy task.



So overall, should you buy this knife?  The simple answer is – yes!  I have read negative reviews about this knife in the past and it's mainly down to the fact that the reviewer simply doesn't get what this knife is all about – a dirt cheap folder that pretty much anyone can afford to use and to carry. This is a no gimmicks knife and is all about the cutting – which is what a knife is all about.  When it arrives it is ready to go, but has the option of the owner doing finishing touches to the blades edge and the handles.  These are just that though “options” and so you have that choice.  With it's dirt cheap cost, buy these and stash them in the glovebox of your car or in your bag.  It will always be ready for you when you want it.  And, if any problems do crop up, the knife is backed by Svord's lifetime warranty.  This truly is “a knife for life”.

For more information on the Svord Peasant Knife or to see other products available by Svord visit www.svord.com.

[Neil]

I was given one by Mike last year and agree its a great basic knife.  I briefly considered making a wooden handle for it but felt that kind of missed the point

So all I did was sharpen it up and use it. 

[MultiMat]

I have found myself putting Svord's Peasant knife on my Ebay watch list quite a bit latterly  .

Nice review Ben  . I REALLY like your SVORD

[sawman]

Interesting folder, though I don't imagine it's suitable for sheath-carry...

[Freudian Frog]

Interesting folder, though I don't imagine it's suitable for sheath-carry...

Why not?

[sawman]

Because of its long spine when closed, unless you want that just sticking up from the top of the sheath 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Bugger, I may have to order one now

Bloody fine review Ben mate

[Benner]

Bugger, I may have to order one now

Bloody fine review Ben mate

You should.  They are the kinda thing everyone should have. 

[Sean]

Thanks for the great review Ben.  I love the looks of it.  I love it when makers leave the raw steel
finish up near the spine, it gives it a great rustic look IMO. 

[Benner]

Same here.  In this case it makes each one just that little bit different and all part of being made by hand. 

[Sparky415]

Bugger, I may have to order one now

Bloody fine review Ben mate

You should.  They are the kinda thing everyone should have a few of.  

Fixed  

[Gareth]

I was given one by Mike last year and agree its a great basic knife.  I briefly considered making a wooden handle for it but felt that kind of missed the point

So all I did was sharpen it up and use it.  

Sharpened it quite well as I recall (not my fingers BTW).


Nice review Ben, I certainly want to pick one up at some point.

[Neil]

I was given one by Mike last year and agree its a great basic knife.  I briefly considered making a wooden handle for it but felt that kind of missed the point

So all I did was sharpen it up and use it.  

(Image removed from quote.)
Sharpened it quite well as I recall (not my fingers BTW).


Nice review Ben, I certainly want to pick one up at some point.

It's not like I didn't warn him that it was proper sharp

[Benner]

Is that all a sharpmakers work Neil?

[Neil]

Yep, I don't think I got exotic on that one

[Shane769]

How much do these things weigh? I don't normally care, but this might be a good idea for backcountry use. Also, I just found one in yellow on eBay.ca


EDIT: OOOO and an orange one!

[Sean]

I'm so tempted to get one of these! 

[Freudian Frog]

I'm so tempted to get one of these! 

I've been going back and forth on these for a couple years.

[Benner]

Do it 

[Benner]

Just so you all know, shortly after writing this review I sent the link to Bryan himself and this morning got this reply;

Hello Ben ,
thankyou for the review ,I liked it ,its always nice to hear peoples comments ,and you were right on the money they were designed to be inexpensive ,basically its just a New Zealand opinel , it has proven to be one of my most enduring designs ,
keep the edge ,
regards Bryan Baker

I think it's great when someone takes time to reply to a customer and takes time to read something like this. 

[MultiMat]

Just so you all know, shortly after writing this review I sent the link to Bryan himself and this morning got this reply;

Hello Ben ,
thankyou for the review ,I liked it ,its always nice to hear peoples comments ,and you were right on the money they were designed to be inexpensive ,basically its just a New Zealand opinel , it has proven to be one of my most enduring designs ,
keep the edge ,
regards Bryan Baker

I think it's great when someone takes time to reply to a customer and takes time to read something like this. 

Its a bit odd that the best price for a Svord I can find is from the US , New Zealand is so close to Oz  .

[Benner]

Happens with most things though.

[Nikos]

Just so you all know, shortly after writing this review I sent the link to Bryan himself and this morning got this reply;

Hello Ben ,
thankyou for the review ,I liked it ,its always nice to hear peoples comments ,and you were right on the money they were designed to be inexpensive ,basically its just a New Zealand opinel , it has proven to be one of my most enduring designs ,
keep the edge ,
regards Bryan Baker

I think it's great when someone takes time to reply to a customer and takes time to read something like this. 

Its a bit odd that the best price for a Svord I can find is from the US , New Zealand is so close to Oz  .

... and yet so far... no?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Just ordered one

[Benner]

Maybe I should speak to Bryan about some sort of commission? 

[Shane769]

BLUE ON EDCDEPOT! MINE!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Maybe I should speak to Bryan about some sort of commission? 

Ask for a true UK legal one while your at it

[Neil]

Maybe I should speak to Bryan about some sort of commission? 

Ask for a true UK legal one while your at it

To which the reply should be.  Lazy bugger, grab a stone

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Maybe I should speak to Bryan about some sort of commission? 

Ask for a true UK legal one while your at it

To which the reply should be.  Lazy bugger, grab a stone

Oh I will

[Sean]

well, i put a bid on one so we'll see how it turns out in a week.