Hultafors HVK GH Knife

Hultafors HVK GH Knife


Manufacturer: Hultafors, Sweden
Model:  HVK GH
Blade material: SK5 high carbon steel
Blade length: 93mm
Blade Width: 2.5mm
Grind: Scandanavian
Handle material: High density PP plastic with Santoprene rubber grip
Overall weight: 80g
Overall Length: 208mm
Price: £5.34
Source: Tools direct
Shipped from: UK

Introduction
The Hultafors HVK GH is a budget swedish craft knife based on the traditional Puukko of finland.
These knives are the staple tools of  Swedish craftsman ranging from wood carvers to electricians but recently have also been repurposed by the growing number of "Bush crafters" and "Preppers".  Hultafors knives promise offer high quality at bargain prices and this model comes in at a very reasonable £5.34 which is a good start.

The knife blade is made from SK5 high carbon steel which is hardened to around 58-60 HRC, promising high strength and a long lasting edge. 
Blade thickness is 2.5mm and length measures around 93mm. The knife isnt full tang, meaning it does not extend to the end of the handle. Rather this is more three quarter tang which is a good thing. The blade will stand less chance of breaking in the handle if excessive force is applied. Compared to some bargain knives (which have very short rat tail tangs) this adds a little extra piece of mind.
The spine of the blade is rough and rounded. Not finished with a flat edge. Nothing that cannot be remedied with a file after all, they are selling these at a low price so attention to the cutting edge is more important.

The handle is made from tough polypropylene plastic with a Santoprene vulcanised rubber covering which ensures a high performance grip.
Ergononically the handle is well shaped to fit most hands although would probably suit those with a shallower grip profile.

When it comes to criticisms then the only one would be the quality of the cutting edge. Its sharp and everything but cut at different widths on either side of the blade. Hard to explain really. It's not the end of the world but it's annoying when you are reminded of it.
Overall build quality is good for the money and as the price is so low they are pretty much disposable. Who cares if you lose it?
As a tool its offers a wide range of uses from peeling vegatables to the fine carving of wood. Probably not the type of knife for prying or using as a axe - its not heavy duty. A useful knife to have about for everything else though. Not bad at all.

PBK Sportsman Lock Knife

Changes in the way you buy Knives in the UK 2018

Due to the ever growing scurge of Knife related crime in the UK the government have decided to take some punitive measures to tackle the problem and rather than going after the little gits who attack people with common Kitchen Knives they thought it would be a much better idea to penalise the majority of law abiding citizens instead. Sometime in the near future it will be illegal in the UK to buy Knives and pointy objects from the Internet and have them shipped to a private address thus causing a problem to buyers and sellers of Knives and as a result many online retailers are in a state of panic right now frantically slashing prices to clear stock whilst trying to work out what will actually be outlawed for sale. On the one hand this change in the law is causing some online businesses to sweat a bit whilst on the other it means that the good old general public gets to make some great purchases in the interim. 

I decided to take advantage of the situation.......

PBK Sportsman Lock Knife

Manufacturer: PBK

Model: Sportsman

Country of Origin: China

Price: £2.99

Supplier: Blades&Bows

Blade grade: 420 Stainless Steel

Blade Length: 3.25 Inch

Scales: Anodised Aluminium

Type: Liner lock 

UK Legal Status: Illegal to carry in public without good reason

Whilst looking at the discount section of Blades and Bows I saw this little locking Knife being peddled for the very reasonable price of £2.99! (There is a standard shipping charge added to all B&B orders but this works out as minimal when multiple items are bought).
I decided to buy this Sportsman Knife along with a few others (more on those in the near future) and waited patiently for them to arrive.
Within a couple of days a small parcel was pushed through the letterbox and landed with a thump on the carpet.
The parcel was well packaged and well presented. Each of the Knives in my consignment were in their own individual cellophane bag within an outer white coloured cardboard box. Nothing too fancy but then I didn't pay a lot for them in the first place.
First impressions of the PBK Sportsman Knife are very good. It is very well made for the money. The blade is made of a good-ish quality 420 grade Stainless Steel. Allegedly containing a higher amount of carbon for strength. As this item is from the peoples republic claims of this nature should be treated with caution. That said the blade does seem quite strong and well made - especially for the money. The edge on the blade is really sharp straight out of the box and not dull or roughly ground which is a surprise on a Knife as cheap as this. This Knife features an oblong cut out on the blade to assist in opening.

The Handle on this Knife is made from a light weight Anodised Aluminium with a tactical/skeletal look about it. Holding the Knife firmly in the hand is quite comfortable and the level of grip is good.
The rivets which hold each of the scales are well assembled and the simple liner lock within the handle is strong and dependable. So far I cannot find anything to complain about.

Overall this Knife is brilliant for the money. It represents the best quality Knife at the lowest price in the UK right now (probably)
Highly recommended