So, What Exactly Is A Scandi?

[W.Polensky]

I've been looking at scandi-style knives in several forums, and have read a couple articles about the scandi blade configuration. The knife I made with a Mora blade cuts like a dream, and I like the style. But some of the threads I've read seem to say there's more to the style than just the blade shape. What do you think defines the style, and are there some books around that describe scandi traits?

Thanks,
Warren

[Martyn]

It's a difficult one to pin down. But from what I've learned from the Scaninavian members here (there are a lot), the term Scandi - is short for Scandinavian, obviously - which comprises Denmark, Norway and Sweden (sometimes Iceland and Finland to make "Nordic Countries"). Thats a big and diverse area. When the term is applied to a knife, it's used loosely in a generic fashion to mean a fairly short bladed knife, with a sabre grind and a large fat handle. To define a "Scandi" knife any tighter than that and you'd start to see regional variations creeping into the definition. Some knives have charicteristics that can be pinned down as "typical" to a particular village or region of a country. In some cases, even down to a family of knifemakers. There are also distinctly dfifferent "models" of scandinavian knives (with longer blades etc) with distinctly different purposes. Their style is defined by their purpose.

I think if anyone tried to pin it down more than is above, they would be missing the origins of the style. I doubt you'd even get agreement on whether the style should have a secondary edge bevel or be zero ground, or even whether the bevels are ground flat or slightly concave. There is a lot of subtle variation from region to region and country to country - but I'm sure one of the Scandinavian knifemakers will be along shortly to correct any errors I may have made and to explain with real authority. :)

[Jirka_CZ]

Sure there will be a lot of more accurate answers from scandinavian knifemakers.
But as for me - I completly agree with the definition above. I would add two more signs of what I consider as a scandi knife.
1) rat-tail / hidden tang
2) no guard

[handwerker]

At the very least, it is not one of these:
http://knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/762240/tp/1/
click on the link in the first posting, scroll down and have a barf-bag ready.

[Basemetal]

Might be wiser to ask "What are Scandies?" since there are many traditional patterns.

[dBu24]

At the very least, it is not one of these:
http://knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/762240/tp/1/
click on the link in the first posting, scroll down and have a barf-bag ready.


IMHO, that thing was "engineered" by a drunken assembly worker @ Issakki. He might have spoiled a big box of them so now they are trying to rescue some.

They sure look ugly and dumb.

I have one of those ( the good ones, that is) but "re-engineered" that handle by grinding away that annoying finger guard so now it is a great knife for general use in those dirty jobs unfit for the more expensive ones.

David

Oh.... and what is a "scandi"? I don't know but when I see one I recognize it.:]

[Trond]

I think Martyn pretty much nailed it :) I also agree about thke rat tail tang, the guard on the other hand can be found in some of the scandies :)