First look at a Svörd Peasant Knife

[@fatmangaming2720]

I've owned one of these knives for years, They are absolutely wonderful. The steel and the way the blade if forged really make this knife worth owning. It will take a razor sharp edge and hold it for while. Takes a bit to get used to, but they are great knives.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I agree! I'm pretty happy with the knife. I takes getting used to but once you're used to it, the knife is a terrific little slicers (okay, maybe not so little but terrific all the same!)

[@jeff6989]

I have the mini. It's a good back up or a knife you leave in you fishing vest .

[@stevepenney2073]

carrying mine for 2 years now,...blue mini peasant.Its a good knife.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

They are quite amazing.

[@Jutte777]

I added a self made PVC washer on the bottom screw to protect bottom pivot screw. Also epoxied two 8mm Dia rare earth magnets ( north side facing each other) on either side of the wooden scales/sides. Magnets help securely hold the blade when closed and when opened. I adjusted the front pivot so it's fairly loose to aid in opening. With the blade open - the blade is held super secure by the magnets - can't flick it closed as magnets too strong. Also won't open in your pocket. Beeswax and boiled linseed oil on wooden handle and it's just a pretty useful knife/tool for all us peasants.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Nice modification. Thanks for sharing. I like the magnet idea. I'll need to try that our!

[@Sanguivore]

I’d love to see a video on your mods! Seems perfect for me.

[@KnifeDetector]

Thanks Tobias!!! That was a great look at how this knife works!!

[@charlesschrader2988]

Just got mine best knife I own for the money. I will buy more for my collection and carry.

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

I have the regular size plastic handle one & the Giant peasant knife in Wood. I've carried the plastic one, but never carried the humongous one.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I really like the knife. Blade steel is pretty decent. I doubt I will pocket carry but I have it near the work bench and grabe it (on purpose) for numerous cutting chores. Yes, it is a bit of a novelty, but it is fun to use once you get used to it.

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias mine came friction tight, but not so bad I couldn't one hand open it & close it. The tang sticking out helps keep it upright in the pocket & it's something to pull it by. I really like the design being simple. On my plastic one, the pin stop prevents it from coming in contact with the blade when closed. I find it as useful as a sodbuster pattern that can be opened with one hand. Kind of like a clunky oversized Case RussLock without the linerlock. I watched a Forged in Fire where they all had to make a friction folder like the peasant knife. Some came out huge. 😄 I don't carry mine often, mainly because I have so many knives I try to rotate them into a week or so of carry. Now that I'm retired, I don't get very many cutting opportunities, other than cutting myself 🤣

[@jerryprice5484]

Just got mine in the mail, I like it because it's just a basic knife along the lines of Opinel's. I'm also thinking about sanding the scales and going with a linseed oil finish and maybe a little design work with a wood burning pencil.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Sounds like a fun project

[@richardmcginnis5344]

i like the hollow grind on a knife, and that speed open strike it on the side of your leg and bring it forward open like the old notched straight razor, beautiful, i have a black label speed dial that catches the top of the pocket coming out and opens but i don't carry it a lot since its a bigger knife and isn't meant for anything but fighting

[@patricegarnierlobo25111967]

i have one of this svord peasant in carbon steel but with the polymere handle this is a great knife for every day and outdoor , i buy this boy in 2000

[@HydraBox777]

These knives are really nice in the kitchen as a paring knives, never had hotspot issues in my hands. The plastic handle versions squeeze the blade, instead of the blade tip hitting the brass pin. The easiest way to open with one hand is to hold the knife upside down, tang in hand, then use your thumb on the scale to open. You either love or hate these knives, I personally love the cleanability, steel, and simple nature. Thanks for the great content, and happy New Year

[@skcamerican]

I have one of the mini plastic versions and like it. Great garden knife, super light in the pocket, not fancy, easy to open and close. You do have to tune the handle tightness to suit - mine is snug like yours. I do love the blade. I don’t EDC it, just use it as a dedicated garden knife.

[@jessetembo1979]

I often wondered about these. I like the historical aspect - paying homage to a centuries old style of design, but the execution here leaves me wanting. It would be cool for the collection, but I don't think this is one I'd spring for as an everyday user knife.

[@francescolombrici188]

I have no problems working with a friction folder (i do), more robust and less things to go wrong in a farm environment. This One has a very long tang, maybe too much to be comfortable in the pocket. This Is a very old and common pattern in the alps and the rest of central Europe. However models like our Italian "vernantin" or the french "lentille" (lentil, as the tang extension Is called) have less intrusive extensions, easier to carry. They are also simpler, with One piece handles and less hardware.

[@bruc33ef]

I have three of these in plastic. Love the design. Let me walk you through the correct one-hand opening: 1. Hold the knife in your hand with the tang pointing down and toward your palm. 2. Press the tang with your palm while pinching and pressing the handle with your thumb and index finger. 3. Follow through until the knife opens completely. Bingo. BTW, if the set screw is suitably snug, the blade tip does not bang against it when the knife is closed. A very underrated and versatile knife.

[@gizmocarr3093]

I think making a friction folder would make a great knife-making project. I believe the pattern dates back to Roman times. I could see making one from a broken sword or fixed blade knife could work to make one.🤔

[@bdh3949]

Thanks for breaking down the Svord knife Tobias, I was curious also. Interestingly when I was in grad school I interned with a curator at Valley Forge Historic park. In one display there was a Revolutionary War folding knife with pretty much the same properties. As I recall it was smaller and had a round (small coin like) piece on the end/top of the extended tang that sat flat on top of the handle when opened...and it was recessed so that even after 200 years it still felt smooth in the hand.

[@Sanguivore]

That’s super cool! And a very interesting mod idea.

[@jerryprice5484]

I ordered one from Chicago Knife Works after watching your last video. They do have a simple sheath for four dollars but I plan to make one. The knife just caught my attention due to it's simplicity and hand forged look.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

The simplicity of the design is definitely one of the major selling points. (not to mention the price!

[@jeroenvoss6231]

Well thank you for the review Tobias, i was already hesitant about this knife pattern, now i'm convinced it really isn't for me. I do have friction folders, but this is just something i wouldn't use. Happy New Year.

[@felinebline7154]

I "was" going to pick one up... Thanks for the review. Happy New Year!

[@bishop6426]

Hi Tobias: I really like this knife. I have a large one in wood with a leather lanyard loop. A beautiful and simple design. There’s a knack to opening one handed that other subscribers have posted. The lanyard that I attached extends the tang farther out so it’s easy to close the knife one handed as well. With a bit of practice, the knife opens and closes surprisingly fast. Very comfortable in my extra large hand.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

It would seem easy enough to notch the handle if one wanted the blade to seat deeper with a lanyard added. This is one of those knives that would be great for the beginning customer.

[@Sanguivore]

Helpful review! The breakdown and assembly was extra nice.

[@johnelder4273]

Happy New Year Tobias! That's a very cool knife from a collectable/historical prospective. I would buy one just to have it, but it would not make my daily carry rotation. I really like the slip joint "Brown Mule" I think it was called that you showed us some time back with a wooden handle but similar to a Case Sodbuster. That knife would satisfy my love of nostalgia without cutting my fingers, LOL! But I throughly enjoyed you sharing this classic style friction folder with us, thanks!

[@ZipZoom-h1h]

I have a full size & a mini. I think they're a wonderful knife in terms of actual knife use stuff, great shape blade, good steel, resharpen easy. Tang sticking out is their biggest detriment. Definitely get a mini if you are thinking of carrying one. Otherwise the full size are so cheap, great to have in the car, toolbox, fishing box and your not going to stress about it getting dirty, damaged or even lost.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

So true. And so easy to clean up and care for.

[@slick_slicers]

I’ve never had one of these, but I couldn’t count the number of times I’ve had one in my basket, but didn’t complete. I will one day. The small ones are uk legal too. The Tops Tac-Raze has a special sheath to keep it closed, but it’s much more expensive. It’s my wife’s favourite knife.

[@deniskozlowski9370]

Great video. Very interesting knife but I feel you'd need to carry it in a sheath or slip to carry it safely. I plan to pick one up eventually.

[@LeashMechanic]

Looks like there’s enough room within the scales so that it should have been easy to engineer the stop bar to be a couple millimeters north of its current location in order to prevent the blade tip from contacting that metal compression screw body when closed. That’s the deal breaker for me. If you hadn’t shown that aspect I might have sprung for it as a picnic knife so thanks for such a thorough review! It does make me want to look for a better made competing peasant knife

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

While blade is actually caught by stop pin so there really isn’t actual blade rap. Also when you tighten the screw, the blade is really can’t reach the screw. stop pin. I have experienced no actual blade rap. I will play with it for a while and see if it develops. I think you do have a legitimate concern but I’m not 100% how significant it is.

[@LeashMechanic]

Thank you! It was looking like metal on metal contact when the knife is closed was unavoidable which would be unfortunate since it does have an otherwise appealing cachet! The more I consider it though, even if there was contact it would be nothing that a quick few swipes on a rod couldn’t touch up. Anyway thanks again and hey btw as a completely unrelated aside I was trying to look up a knife term and by random chance while Googling ran across a web page of yours titled A Pocket Guide to Knives. I found the answer there to a totally dumb question I had that nonetheless no other page had. I also read the Bio that you put up there and with that and looking over that site all I can say is “Respect!” and what a great resource you’ve put out there! 🙌🙌🙌

[@GenWivern2]

Thanks Tobias. If they sold just the blade and the hardware I'd be in like Flynn, but knowing for a certainty that the handle would get tossed straight away makes me feel like I really ought to make one from scratch. There's a lot to like though, about the sheer simplicity and that splendid non-stainless blade.

[@MadMadCommando]

They do make that. It’s called the kitset

[@Tracy81258]

Great review as usual. I’ve been thinking about getting one of these as well, as I love the whole historical thing when it comes to these sorts of patterns. Have you ever bought from Baryonix knife works? Benjamin there will thin down and sharpen the edge for only a few bucks. Very worth it, I might add. Anyway, greetings and salutations my friend and best wishes for a happy, healthy new year.

[@justice111203]

The way you open this knife one handed is by grabbing the knife (closed obviously) with the spine/tang of the knife against your palm. Then use your thumb to push the handle of the knife away from the blade and "squeeze" it open. It naturally opens the knife to the safe position with your hand wrapped around the extended tang and handle. As long as you hold the knife this way it is safe to use and can not close on you.

[@danielrobinson7872]

It’s very similar to a Japanese Higonokami in how it functions, though the tang is much shorter and lays flat on top of the handle. Your thumb rests nicely on it. I’d recommend one for any collector. Truly a Japanese grandpa’s knife.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I keep meaning to get a Higonokami simply because of its historic importance. I definitely want to make sure that I buy one made in Japan. @slick_slicers has done a few videos on the Higonokami. Pretty cool knives.

[@Cuccos19]

Put a right sized rubber O-ring on the back pivot, than the blade won't cut into the brass. I did it with mine, and it's works nicely like that. I think the only plus improvement should be added in the factory and that is all.

[@pauledmonds7316]

Have you thought of putting a small nylon washer between the handle scales on the rear rivet?

[@luisrider7475]

Simple. Effective. Awesome piece in a collection. What's not to love!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

That is definitely one way to look at the knife. No doubt it is not for everyone but for the people who like it, it is going to be a joy to use!

[@enjaymarine]

Where your knife tip touches the opposite Chicago screw to the Pivot end is not ideal. As there is a fixed "Stop Bar" in one handle scale, the solution is to shorten and re-profile the tip of your knife slightly, just enough for the new tip to miss that screw post. Add a drop of LocTite 2400 in each Chicago screw thread and you solve the looseness problem too. Then, when the blade loosens up again, with age and use, you can add either a slightly thicker brass or PTFE washer on each side of the blade pivot screw - with another drop of thread-locker to finish. Brass, as you know is "self-lubricating" so that was always preferred material for bearing surfaces. PTFE needs no further explanation and is very slippery indeed.

[@TheStreamingEnderman]

I like the mini one! Or the Svörd Swörd! (Yes, that's real). I love your videos as always Mr. Gibson, they're very calming!

[@h-sa4771]

These type of knives have certainly a lot of attraction to them. As a modern alternative to this one, I strongly recommend the ESSE Pinhoti, which is a fricgtion folder from the bushcraft specialists, is about the same size, with a very nich blade that features a scandi grind (1095 carbon steel) and super comfortable micarta handles. I really do love it and it is so very well designed and well made as you can expect from ESEE. The handle is excellent shaped, that allowes many ways of grapping it. Check it out and give it a try. I can only recommend it. Cheers from Switzerland!

[@yuriseluchenko4483]

Thank you, Tobias, for great review - excellent work!

[@felinebline7154]

Good for a Peasant collection

[@otroblogdemarcelo]

I add a teflon washer in the bottom screw, small so the knife can rest on it. Cheers from Argentina!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Cool. Thanks for sharing!

[@davidkurle5418]

I'm one of those people who rotates their carry knives alot, and I completely see where you are coming from with this one. I like the fact that this pattern has been around for such a long time, but I can almost guarantee that if I had one in my collection it wouldn't see alot of pocket time. But it's a very cool knife, and I appreciate the look at it, buddy!

[@loopmantra8314]

There's only one proper peasant knife in my book - Old Bear classic L Yummy! The locking mechanism, the finish... everything. Could use a better steel to really compete with the Opinel, but still I'm loving it, can't recommend enough. One of the prettiest knives I've got, perfect combo between EDR and camp/survival blade Do check it out if you haven't, you gonna love it I promise!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I just recently acquired an Old Bear. I'll be talking more about it soon. I have to say, the collar lock on the Old Bear is far superior to Opinels. I'm sure I will get more of them.

[@NorthStarKnifeReviews]

I just posted a Svord review a couple of days ago 😂 Great minds… I carry mine semi-regularly. I like the connection to the past.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I'll need to check it out. I've been way off my game when it comes to checking out other channels as of late due to the holidays! On my way now to yours.

[@terrillschneider3778]

Thanks Tobias

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks, Glad you liked it!

[@herbertsmith6416]

Happy new year tobias.

[@kabayan9746]

I have the svord peasant and mini peasant wood with its leather sheath for collection. Great tool knife not for edc though (atleast for me). And for the polymer plastic handle I got one in the work bench, one in the toolbox, one in the drawer and one in the camping gear box. It would'nt hurt your bank so why not grab one and see for yourself. Yes I'm just a peasant. LOL

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I absolutely plan on buying the one with the clear handle. I definitely find them useful but with a few caveats. Definitely worth the price you pay.

[@propblast82nd]

I have a blue one

[@jerryprice5484]

The fact that it comes apart so easily tells me that the wood scales can be customized either by sanding and even re-staining to suit I consider another selling point.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

And even replaced if one so desires. I really like that it was designed with easy of disassembly.

[@EdwinDekker71]

Reminds me of a higonokami knife a bit

[@artawhirler]

Watch this video, and you'll know why Opinels were invented. But it's still interesting! Thanks for showing us!

[@JuhaAaltonen]

Glad I saw your video. Now I don't make the mistake of buying such a poorly executed knife.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I wouldn’t say poorly executed but I would definitely say it is not for everyone. And while it is only $20-$25 that could very well be money better spent elsewhere for many knife people. I’m glad the video helped you make the correct decision for you.

[@janospeto831]

This is not a pocket knife! 🥴 😂 🤣 👍

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

No, probably not. But then again ... if the peasant were to sew a pocket onto his trousers just large enough for the folded knife; he could carry the knife tang pointing upward safely and securely.

[@censusgary]

Peasant knives in the 17th century might have had handles made of bone or horn or antler, or even brass, but G10 or Micarta or GRN? Nah. So wood it is.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I'll be picking one up in a new synthetic but I do agree with you. It just won't be a proper peasant knife!

[@censusgary]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias You could call it a 20th- or 21st-century peasant knife, but not a 17th-century style knife. Are there still peasants now? I guess so?

[@ericdpeerik3928]

17th century peasants would have no access to antler. You can't hunt on your lord's land and keeping the evidence would be foolish 🤪

[@yuriseluchenko4483]

Seriously?! Over $200 for this knife??? Oh, I totally understand the point about the steel, but still... The lack of the lock limits safe usage of the knife. Sorry, but this is a raw product meant to be on the display not for heavy use.

[@Countryboy071]

£20 here in the UK, I think its 20 Dollars. Funny you mention display. It actually says not a display item as its a bit rough finish on my suppliers list😂 I display knives and use most at some point (except some expensive and rare models). However I do display this as I find it more practical to carry something that is more practical for edc, I usually carry something inexpensive such as a civivi as I tend to lose things ! Honestly an opinel is more practical than the Svord if you're a peasant 😁🤟

[@johndudley5761]

Just tighten its up wit liplock !

[@alexdetrojan4534]

That knife is a hot mess.

[@rustyknifelover4463]

I enjoy peasant knives. I like it.