|
Joker CN33 Hunting Knife  The Joker Sporting Knives Factory (www.jokerknives.com) in Albacete Spain was founded in 1987. Their cutlery is well known in Europe and much of the world. They are proud to offer a wide range of hand crafted sporting cutlery that also incorporates modern technologies. The Joker CN33 knife blade is fabricated from Krupp 4166 molybdenum-vanadium steel. This is the steel that is used extensively by Krupp and Grohmann in their knives. Krupp 4166 steel is roughly equivalent to American 420HC, which is used exclusively by Buck Knives. It is hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 57, higher than most other moly-vanadium steels. This makes it very tough. While it does not retain its edge as well as 440HC steel, it is easy to re-sharpen when needed. The 14cm #33 blade pattern is one of Joker's staples and it is offered in both the Joker Outdoor and Hand Crafted lines. The difference being the latter's stag handle is terminated with a hand carved boar head. Specifications
In this age of mass production and machine fabrication, it was a pleasure to test and review a knife that was made the old fashioned way. Joker's skilled craftsmen make knives one blade at a time, by hand. For readers past fifty, this knife will generate a good deal of nostalgia. Some of the best known knife makers in the world, including the late Bo Randall, meticulously fit a stag antler onto the tang of their custom knives. Many of those knives are still in service and have become family heirlooms. The craftsmen at Joker knives have done the same thing with this blade. This is an excellent all-around hunting knife for field and/or camp use. It is a versatile, medium size knife, measuring approximately 11 inches in overall length with a 5-1/2 inch, hollow ground, drop point blade. It is big enough to tackle any field dressing job. The cutting edge has enough curve in about the forward 1/3 of the blade's length to allow you to skin your game after it has been dressed. The stag antler handle provides a very positive grip, even when wet. The large bolster/finger guard is polished stainless steel. The top of the blade has a gentle concave profile directly in front of the handle that provides a place to rest the thumb of your cutting hand when extra pressure is needed. A good hunting knife requires a good sheath for both safety and convenience. The bull hide leather sheath for this blade is one of the toughest we have ever encountered. It is essentially the same thickness as the bull hide from which our saddles are made. The stitching thread is thick and tight. As an extra measure, it is double stitched across the front to insure that the sheath will not come apart. The Joker CN33 hunting and outdoor knife is as functional as it is beautiful. With proper care, it promises to become a family heirloom that can be passed along to the next generation. |