Believe me when I tell you that JOKER is one of the most reputable manufacturers and one of my favorites among Spanish manufacturers. Greetings from Spain!!
In Scandinavia the only knives with guards are children's knives. They don't stab things with a knife but, use the edge as intended. Guards get in the way using a knife properly for things like carving which Scandinavia has done for every day items for centuries.
They don't stab with them? Puukkos and similar style knives have been used for a very long time as weapons and tools, look up what the finns did to the russians with mostly guardless puukkos . The contures help keep the hand in place, it was also taught when thrusting to curl your pinky behind the butt of the handle. Even many old seax knives didn't have guards and we all know how prevalent that weapon was. If your conscious of it you won't have an issue.
The puukko is the evolution from notching and batoning to actual wood carving. Once you learn to only use your wrist, not your elbow or shoulder like a child, there is no risk of cutting yourself
Sad Report. Many will say, and maybe they are correct… that I ought not have done what I just did. I enjoy a one stick fire in my backyard fire pan and I make a lot of them. I like to use a salvaged, or scrounged piece of 2x4 from a pallet. Bone dry and probably kiln dried… short story, I unboxed my Joker Pukko and went out in my yard to make a fire with a piece of 2x4 15” long or so. I started to baton off a piece 1” to 1-1/2” thick… The first two whacks with my baton, I noticed the handle vibrating more than usual… the third whack… my blade snapped cleanly off at the cap where the blade meets the handle. I collect knives useful for Bushcraft tasks and have done this many times using many knives. Never broke one before. This is a beautiful knife and I definitely will replace it in my collection… I like Joker knives for the value and I have a Joker Nessmuk and an Ember which have both easily accomplished this same task… I took out a different pukko, a Condor Terrasaur which costs half as much and used it to baton through this piece and complete my fire. Bottom line… it’s a very pretty knife at an attractive price… but my experience was that mine wasn’t tough or durable at all. The design with the end caps, while aesthetic seems to create a stress point. You can probably use one of these to carve forever… but don’t expect to get any hard use out of it.
Aaron, Great video with Joker Knives. I own the Nomad. Love that knife. I did as you had mentioned in review of the Nomad and glued the button snaps. It kept coming undone in the field. Since glueing, no issue. Definitely, the Nessmuck and The Grandfather Puukko knife are in my sight. Beautiful blades. Joker is no Joke.
I believe the use or purpose of a guard on a knife is for a survival knife because the chances of your hands being cold and your mental facilities not being the best could possibly lead to slipping on the knife. I myself find the puukko style feels like an extension of the hand they are just beautiful thank you for another great video and making me spend money I don't need to on another knife😅😊
Lol I have small hands for a guy and it doesnt bother me one bit. I'm only here for a few years and then I will be with Jesus Christ. I tell you that. While I'm here I will enjoy the simple pleasures of life such as a nice knife. Last week I received the Joker Aguila flat grind knife and I love it. Thank you Aaron for your content. Your videos are one of my simple pleasures in life. Praise God for letting us be entertained by something so simple as a knife. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.
There are numerous references about Finnish soldiers effectively using traditional puukkos in hand-to-hand combat during the Winter War. In order to effectively and safely use a knife without a guard, the heel of the handle rests against the palm, so the hand cannot slip onto the blade. This way of holding a knife is sometimes called the "Finnish grip", although it is known everywhere in other parts of the world. The characteristic pommel of the traditional puukko makes it convenient to use the knife in this way. The ancestors were not stupid. There is a video on youtube called "Using the Knife without a guard-James Williams" where James Williams explains why knives of his design don't have a guard and how to use a knife without a guard to stab.
👍 Nice review. I have always liked Puukko knives. This one looks like a very good one. A Norwegian friend told me once the children’s knives have finger guards, adult knives did not. Not sure I 100% agree with him, but very few Scandinavian Puukko & Leukus style knives have finger guards. 🤷🏻♂️
@@Jasshcsm So, my Norwegian friend was not just telling me a tall tale. Good to know, thank you. I thought he was serious but with him you never know. 😂😂😂
The Joker factory also makes some models for TBS and Casström. Not having a handguard on this model is not a problem for the experienced but might be for the newbie. The difference between the old Mora model 510 and 511. I remember the Fallkniven H1 actually having a warning about the knife being for professionals since it has no handguard. Of course I'm talking as camp knife and not a soldiers knife. When heavy stabbing gets involved I do recommend a hand guard.
I’ve got a few puukkos and as long as you’re not stabbing anything it’s not a problem. A well made puukko has an excellent handle that doesn’t induce much slipping.
You can absolutely stab with them, just ask the Russians what the Finns did with their puukkos. Knives without guards have been used as weapons and tools for far longer than knives with guards. Still in the nordic countries guards are reserved for children. A man in Russia stabbed a bear to death with his yakut knife without issue. No guard on them either.
@@wis1024 I don’t disagree. But my statement is targeted at the average individual who hasn’t grown up with this as part of their heritage. Me personally, I’m not of Norse heritage but I’ve handled them enough to feel somewhat safe using one for self defense. That being said, will never compare myself with someone who grew up with using a puukko as part of their heritage.😁
Thanks for the review Aaron. None of the links take me to the knife and when I type in Joker Puukko or even Joker Knives on each site, I don't get any results with the knife. Perhaps your video sent buyers clamoring for the knife and all of the US inventory is now gone? I'll stay on the hunt for it. I don't know how much I'll ever use it but it's beautiful enough just to admire in my collection. Thank you again!
Joker Knives are especially good as an option for us in Australia. Amazon AU has them for excellent prices. Both my orders took only a week from order to my door, with FedEx, all the way from Spain. Come to think of it, I don't have a puukko. Hmmm. :D
That's a pretty knife, Aaron. I also love 14C28N, but I have to confess, 12C27 has been really good to me in my environment too, and I'd happily take either.
Love Joker knives. I have 3 x fixed blades. Good fit & finish - have held up to regular camp & woodcraft use. Great traditional feel. Regarding handle & lack of guard - it all comes down to use. Lack of guard really helps when doing woodcraft (and hunting) - allows for complete freedom regarding hand hold etc. Also, lack of guard makes it fit deeper & easier into a sheath - no straps just plenty of friction to hold the knife in. This style of blade is not intended for hard stabbing, piercing or chopping which are the tasks you really need a guard for. Makes a great medium use camp/utility/woodcraft knife.
Thanks for the video. I've got the same concern with that style grip and no guard. I'll stick with my Joker Campero. A great knife that covers all I need from it, and its a bit safer to work with when conditions are wet and slippery. I think most all Joker knives are beautifully made. Quality work.
Your suggestion about super glueing the button snaps on the Joker sheaths is exactly what I did with my Joker Nomad. I also added a polymer liner to the sheath to stop the blade from trying to cut it's way out. Anyway, Joker knives are decent quality and great value. You're spot on with your reviews of them. Cheers!
So just curious, how large are your hands? Mine are 4 or 5XL with 17 ring finger, 9 1/2"wrist and can no longer find gloves. Where do you all find watch bands or gloves?!
No, no, no!!! Batoning a puukko!?! OMG!!! )) In the areas where such knives belong, one will always have an axe. That's a cool knife. Good old and time proven design, polished by the Finns through ages. The sheeth is strange with that button. Totally out of place. But the suspended loop is exactly what one needs. People wear it in the front, on the belly not like on the side so that whatever you do, it will be at hand and not in the way. Genious! And so strange to see it among palm trees )))
What would be your reckommendation for a bushcraft knife for someone who don't like a scandi grind? Sometimes i think, i am the only one that does'nt like scandis, for my own reasons.
Joker sheaths are made from sawdust leather glued together, compressed, and then buffed smooth. This is the primary reason I do not give Joker knives away at company events, or as gifts. Bark River makes full-grain leather sheaths which is the real reason we purchase from Bark River rather than Joker.
You must have gotten a low end one, or you don’t know how to identify real leather because the one that came with mine is definitely full grained. vegetable tanned leather… me thinks you just trying to justify paying way too much for your barki
You can get a pukko with a contoured handle that makes the lack of a guard not matter. Marttinni is one company that makes them, and they are amazing knives. IMO, the Marttinni is a better knife than a Mora for not much more money.
Love JOKER Knives! Recently l got my first one, a EMBER with Flat Grind and Firesteel, both with nice Olive Wood Handles. I guess it would not be my last one :)
Nice review and nice knife. I have no practical reason to get one but I like puukos for the historical aspect and this one, there's a lot to like with the sheath and design features. Thanks for the rundown, since I wasn't familiar with this one and Joker makes a _lot_ of knives.
IF - a big condition - you don't do stuff you shouldn't BE doing, the Puukko format is perfectly safe, a thing that kids learn in Norse country @an early age.... 😀👍
I think your better off buying one made in the nordic country's. They have this style pretty well figured out and have been making this style and similar for over 1000 years. My grandfather came from Norway and told me it was rare to see a man without his jaktkniv on his belt.
G'day Aaron, yep another cool design from Joker. I'm with ya though, a bottom guard for negligible extra steel would provide additional confidence and safety in use. Probably very unlikely you'd be doing any stabbing with this, though I can still see some risk if doing bow drill, sockets, holes in timber, perhaps bowl carving and such, anything where a push and twist motion is required. It would obviously necessitate a change in the sheath form too, but ultimately I'd rather have it than not have it. Cheers Duke..
I wouldn't be surprised if the makers of joker knives also make the casstrom knives. I know that casstrom are made in spain and the curly birch they use is very similar to this. The sheaths are also very similar.
Actually the Casström Knive Blades are made from JOKER in Spain. l have the Casström Lars Fält Knife and the JOKER Ember. You see they are pretty similar (that´s nothing bad, love each one)
EXCELLENT JOB, EXCELLENT DESIGN, EXCELLENT SHEATHS, EXCELLENT HANDLES, EXCELLENT BLADES, FANTASTIC SHARPNESS, BUDGET FRIENDLY, NO NONSENSE. FAVORITE ONES, NOMAD, LYNX, NESSMUK, PANTERA, BUSHCRAFTER, EMBER, NORDICO, GRANDFATHER PUUKO, MONTANERO AND AGUILA. PERFECT. ALSO, I VOTE CUDEMAN BUSHCRAFT KNIVES AND J&V CDA FROM SPAIN. ALSO, THE CASSTROM KNIVES THEY MAKE THEM IN JOKER. AFFORDABLE PRICES AND THE PRICE IS LESS THAN THE QUALITY THAT YOU GET FOR THE SPANISH KNIVES, IN GENERAL. CHECK FOR AITOR SAFARI JR , TOO. BRAVO.
Great video. I’m a big fan of a Puukko. Which I think means knife and sheath. You should check out Martiini knives. They have some great models. They use a lot of reindeer antler in some of their handles. Very attractive. Super sharp.
Yepper. The Marttiini knifes are great too. I have the Arctic and that thing is smoking sharp. Only have to strop it and I have done two walking sticks with it without stropping. They hold their edge incredibly well. Glad you mentioned them.
Yeah but martfiini doesnt have the quality they used to have and i found, that they dont hold the sharpness for as long as many others. Heimo Roselli makes great puukkot anf lauri LPT blades are good too. Ahti, Eräpuu, Isaakki Järvenpää are all good makers. And then there are also smaller makers like Saku Honkilahti. My favourite carving knive is the Heimo Roselli nikkari (carpenter) Puukko.
A couple light hammer taps on the outer rim of the button snap should help snug it up a little bit. As for a firesteel loop, those rivet holes would allow for an easy add on of either kydex or leather.
@gideonstactical I'm considering getting a Joker Montanero in either flat or scandi. Any chance of reviewing the Montanero? I didn't see too many reviews for the knife on RU-vid.
Speaking of puukko and full handle, you should check out the J-P Peltonen Sissipuukko (Ranger Knife) M95. A souped up version of the Finnish puukko originally for military use.
Good morning Aaron. Quick question for you. In the past, you’ve mentioned selling some knives that you didn’t want to keep. Based on your experience, where is the best place/ website to sell used or unwanted knives/ gear? If other subscribers want to chime in on their experience selling items, I’d appreciate that as well. Thanks in advance.
I love my Joker Puukko. It’s my favorite puukko knife. The 14C28N steel is great and the curly birch handle is gorgeous and super comfortable. I don’t find that a finger guard is necessary because it fits my hand so well and doesn’t slip even when my hand is wet or sweaty. The only complaint I have is the spine isn’t sharp enough to scrape a ferro rod or shave wood but that’s a minor thing in my opinion.
I have that puukko and other Joker knives. Exceptional quality and price. Traditional puukkos are underrated, great slicers, cutters, stabbers and all food prep. The 5-8 inch Leuku will do any job a so called bushcraft knife will do. Why do you think the Laplander Reindeer people have used them for centuries!
I have plenty of jokers, the ursus, nordico, nomad, montanero, ember in scandi grind and on the way there is the lynx, love all of them and can't wait for the lynx to arrive and test it out! Great blades , amazing!
I imagine that button doesn't snap tight because there's no reason for it to and it probably saves the leather a bit. What, are you worried someone will come up and yank that whole sheath off of you or something? If your belt is tight (idk why it wouldn't be) then it would stay on your person, even if the button fails. I actually HATE carry a fixed blade because it's always in the way of everything. My hands and backpacks always hit them... They get in the way when I'm trying to sit down or get in and out of a truck, etc. I think that is something I'm going to need to figure out for myself, just like how you want to get used to lack of finger guards lol... But, my point is that I would realize immediately if my fixed blade fell off
I myself like the Scandinavian knives. I really don't know how many Mora knives I have. Backpacks in the cars the garage and I use them here on the property quite a lot. I have one that's really beat up but it just keeps on going it's a heavy duty companion. Great review
Kellam, wood jewel, ahti, and other Finnish brands have similar puukkos that match quality and price, and are made in small Finnish owned and operated companies.
What do you need a guard for? It's only use is to prevent you from accidently slip on the blade and cut yourself while stabbing (forward motion), which I never needed to do yet. I've seen people stabbing into a deer to get through the hide when opening it - I keep my knives sharp and slice them open, if not with the first cut, so with the second or third one. I don't know about Joker knives, but 3.2mm thick blades (=1/8"=0.125") are also used by Mora (e.g.Garberg, Compagnion HD etc.) and they chose a slightly steeper angle (27° instead of 22°) to withstand heavier work, that they are supposed to be used for. If you take the angle a bit down, they slice as well as thin blades - maybe not carrots or potatoes, but I prefer a full flat grind for food-prep anyways. Rather annoying experience to harvest pine resin for fire making first and afterwards cutting up veggies for lunch with the same knife.
The last Joker I looked into, it was made in some 3rd world country. I went with a Helle, they're handmade in a little workshop in Norway. I love my Helle Harding. (It's worth it to me to pay a little extra for quality, heritage & support a company who takes care of their employees.)
I have two Joker knives, a Nomad for heavy chores and a Campero for less demanding chores....both have served me well....have no complaints.....by the way, they are made in Spain, and I do not consider them a third world nation.....they have been making blades that conquered the world for many years.....they know what they are doing....
For thousands of years humans have been using knives without guards. If it was that big of a problem, they would have put one on. So don't worry about it. Guards are for stabbing motions (martial), not bushcraft. It's the same with jimping. All hype.
I agree, the Puukko handle is a huge issue for me. That is why I will never buy one. There are so many great bushcraft knife designs out there that are much safer, I will never miss a Puukko. You got to love our knife options in our knife world!
Very cool handle but the snap issue is a problem, though easy to fix with a little elbow grease. Happy with my Morakniv Garberg that I got with a leather sheath ($52) a couple years ago. Great video and blessings abound! 🙏
I hear what you're saying about companies making grips way too small. I wear XL leather gloves, and generally need to stretch them a little to make them fit right. my hand fills a BK scale fully. I tend to like Puukko blades, they have a long tradition of being solid performance blades. I really like danglers, I would like to see a ferro rod on it, but I always have a couple on my person anyway, so i can deal with that. / good review, thanks.
Is that a full tang Tim i have a thing about uknives i prefer full tang and a scandy vex grins knives ro me there the sharpest out there for bushcrafting knives yoy ould use for surgery lol jk jk lol
I never liked any knives with a guard. Im 63 and I used knives since I was a kid. A guard just is in the way to use a knife to the fullest and doesn't make sense. Kitchen knives, butcher knives, steak knives etc dont have guards. So why are some people obsessed with it? Im a great fan of Scandinavian type knives, no guard, no useless choil, the blade starts right at the handle, just perfect for real use. 👍
Why would you ever slip on the blade???? Its not a combat knife so there is no need for stabbing anf thus no danger of slipping onto the blade. Worked for centuries and is still perfect
