[ArfinGreebly]

Something a little different for your enjoyment.

I received today a Swedish "Swiss Army Knife" by EKA (Eskilstuna, Sweden) with Bubinga wood handles and . . . a Wenger blade set and mechanism. Sold as the EKA Executive Major, and retails for $55 and up. Mine was delivered for just under $30.

So, although it comes in an EKA box, and has their warranty, and has their trademark Bubinga wood scales, the actual steel parts are all Swiss.

So, yes, a Swedish Swiss Army Knife. With a straight face.

Both sides, showing main blade, can opener, awl/punch, corkscrew, scissors, nail file & cuticle tool, and screwdriver/bottle opener.
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0327-Knife/Smaller/2008_0327-Knife002.jpg

http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0327-Knife/Smaller/2008_0327-Knife003.jpg


Detail of the main blade
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0327-Knife/Smaller/2008_0327-Knife004.jpg


Close up of blade detail
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0327-Knife/Smaller/2008_0327-Knife008.jpg



Pay no attention at all to the other cutlery cluttering up the pictures. I have no idea what they're doing there.


Interestingly, the wooden scales are actually heavier than the usual plastic, so the knife has an unusually solid and hefty feel to it.

For those to simply must have one, please see Ragnar's Forge, under the EKA catalog section (http://www.ragweedforge.com/eka-catalog.html) for more information.

Or you can hope that another one shows up on eBay.

See my thread on Euro Knives for more data on the likelihood of that.

[Stainz]

Ah, a Swiss-made Swedish knife... kind of like the high priced Falkniven F1s... heralded as great Swedish knives - but 'Made in Japan'!

Stainz

PS Beautiful knife... you did quite well!

[ArfinGreebly]

I'm glad they chose Wenger to source these.

I much prefer the "hook" style can opener that Wenger makes over the "push" style that Victorinox does. I got used to the lift-and-pull action early in life (my old Imperial Officers Ulster has that hook opener).

The only tweak I think might improve it would be if the awl had an "eye" for heavy sewing. I can live without the Phillips screwdriver (the tip of the nail file can be pressed into service for that) although, frankly, I do more screws than corks by an order of magnitude. However, given the "Executive" name, I can see how one could imagine the corkscrew being more important. More of a white collar tool.

All in all, I'm happy with the tool combination.

The wood scales lend a certain richness to the knife's feel, and it's not likely to get mixed up with someone else's red-handled gizmo.

A keeper, I'm happy to say.

[Valkman]

Your desk looks like mine! Knives everywhere!

Dude, you have the fever bad!

[CZ.22]

You like Sodbusters, Arf?

[Skofnung]

Dern it! When I clicked on this thread, I thought Frosts or Eriksons had produced a SAK. I got all excited.

Not that there's anything wrong with a good Wenger, but the thought of a Victorinox style Tinker with a Scandi-ground blade calls my name in a big way.

Your desk looks like mine! Knives everywhere!

That makes at least three of us... Life is grand ain't it!

[ArfinGreebly]

Your desk looks like mine! Knives everywhere!
Sorry to hear that, man.

I ran out of space in the tool boxes, and they spilled over. I should have a new box in a few days.


You like Sodbusters, Arf?
Well, yes, actually. However, the ones you see there are the ones I obtained to test and determine whether I was going to like the pattern in use as much as I liked the look.

I have a Case 3138CV and it's little brother the 3137CV that are untouched, other than to photograph them, and its twin (another 3138CV) is one the way (yeah, the same guy had another one). I just got a 2138SS that's in pretty poor shape (scratched, a one millimeter gouge out of the spine -- looks like melting from an electrical short -- and a whole bunch of rust and crud in the spring). I put an edge on it and brushed most of the crud out. Good snap, tight pivot, good scales. It'll be fine when I'm done.

There are others. My preliminary results have led to obtaining the second Böker and a fistful of Case. The Kissing Crane KC43CM small sodbuster was a disappointment, and I'm glad it wasn't the first one I tested.

I now have to get a Moore Maker sodbuster so I can compare it with the Case & Böker. Them ole Moore Makers is kinda pricey.

Also hiding among the sodbusters there is a white bone handled U.S. Classic Wharncliffe Half Whittler that is surprisingly well made. It's not a Holley, but it's better than what I paid for it.


Dude, you have the fever bad!
Do not.

I can quit any time I want.

I'm . . . just not ready yet, is all.

:D

[sixgunner455]

Yeah, me too. I can quit anytime I want. I just don't want.

Oh, and Arf? You've got it way worser than I do. I don't even have a soddie, let that many of one style.

/whistles to self/ nope, there's no pictures of my penknives. Nope. Not one anywhere, you can't prove it.

[coelacanth]

bubinga wood is pretty tough stuff and it takes a nice patina over time as well so I think you'll be happy with it. I've often wished for a SAK type knife with all the functionality but updated with better materials and scaled up by about 20% to make it a stronger more capable tool. Yes, I've heard of Leatherman and own several, but an unobtainium, uber strong, locking blade, poultry shears version of the ubiquitous SAK would have me hooked big time.