Skol Knives outdoor knives handmade in the UK

Batoning Wood for Bushcraft: Why a Strong Knife Matters By Skol Knives – Handmade Bushcraft Knives from England One of the most useful skills in bushcraft and wilderness survival is the ability to process firewood with nothing more than a knife and a piece of wood. This technique is called batoning, and when done properly it allows you to split logs, reach dry wood inside wet branches, and prepare kindling for a fire. A well-made bushcraft knife — like a hand-forged Skol knife in 1084 high-carbon steel — is more than capable of handling this task. What Is Batoning? Batoning is the process of using a wooden club (a baton) to strike the spine of a knife, driving the blade through a piece of wood to split it. This technique is commonly used in bushcraft, camping, survival training, and wilderness living because it allows you to process firewood without carrying an axe. Instead of chopping, the knife acts like a wedge, splitting the wood along the grain. Why Batoning Is Useful in Bushcraft...

Hand Forged Rasp Knives – Reclaimed Farrier Steel Reborn | Skol Knives UK There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a tool that has already lived a hard working life and giving it a new purpose. These two latest Skol Knives creations began as high-carbon farrier rasps — tools once used to shape and maintain horses’ hooves. Today, they’ve been transformed into rugged, functional bushcraft knives built for real outdoor use. If you’re searching for a handmade rasp knife in the UK, or a reclaimed steel bushcraft knife, these are exactly that — practical tools with real character. What Is a Rasp Knife? A rasp knife is made from a farrier’s rasp — typically high carbon steel similar to 1095 or O1. These rasps are tough, wear resistant and designed to cut aggressively, making them excellent candidates for knife making. At Skol Knives, each rasp is: Annealed for shaping Ground to profile Heat treated for edge retention Tempered for durability Finished to preserve the textured rasp patte...

Best Handmade Kitchen Knives in the UK (2026 Guide) If you’re searching for the best handmade kitchen knives in the UK, you’re probably looking for something beyond mass-produced stainless sets. Handmade kitchen knives offer better balance, superior edge geometry, and natural materials that age beautifully over time. But what actually makes a great British handmade kitchen knife? Here’s what to look for — and why small-batch makers like Skol Knives are gaining serious attention. 1️⃣ Steel Quality Matters The foundation of any great kitchen knife is the steel. High-quality handmade kitchen knives in the UK commonly use: 12C27 stainless steel AEB-L stainless 14C28N 80CrV2 (less common in kitchens) Premium powdered steels like Elmax For everyday kitchens, 12C27 stainless steel is one of the best balanced choices: Fine grain structure Excellent edge stability Good corrosion resistance Easy to sharpen Reliable heat treatment The Pure Edge Kitchen Collection by Skol Knives uses 12C27 specifi...

Pure Edge Kitchen Knives Handmade 12C27 Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives by Skol Knives When it comes to choosing the right kitchen knife, performance matters — but so does craftsmanship. The Pure Edge Kitchen Knife Collection by Skol Knives is a small-batch range of handmade kitchen knives crafted in the UK using premium Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel, finished with solid oak handles and copper pins. Built for daily use. Designed with intention. Made to last. Why Choose Handmade Kitchen Knives in the UK? In a world of factory-produced blades, handmade kitchen knives offer something different: Individual attention to grind and balance Premium materials selected with care Natural handle materials with character Small batch production Built by a real craftsman — not a machine Skol Knives produces British handmade kitchen knives designed for cooks who value quality, control and longevity. The Pure Edge Kitchen Pair The Pure Edge range currently includes two essential kitchen blades: 🔪 95mm ...

The Nessmuk Knife History, Design, and Why It Still Matters Today In a world of oversized survival blades and aggressive “tactical” designs, the Nessmuk knife stands quietly apart. Slim, practical, and deeply rooted in outdoor tradition, it’s a knife designed not for show — but for use. The Nessmuk pattern comes from the writings of George Washington Sears, better known by his pen name Nessmuk, a 19th-century American woodsman, author, and early advocate of lightweight wilderness travel. Who Was Nessmuk? George Washington Sears (1821–1890) was a small-framed man in poor health who nevertheless spent much of his life travelling, camping, and hunting in the forests of North America. Writing for Forest and Stream magazine and later in his influential book Woodcraft, Sears promoted a radical idea for the time: Travel light. Carry only what you truly need. Know how to use it well. This philosophy shaped everything he carried — especially his knife. The Original Nessmuk Knife Unlike the larg...

Why Elmax Steel Is One of the Best Knife Steels in the World When it comes to high-performance knife steels, Elmax consistently sits at the top of the list — and for good reason. Used by premium custom makers and respected worldwide, Elmax combines edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness in a way very few steels can. At Skol Knives, we choose our steels carefully. Every material we use has to earn its place through real-world performance, not marketing hype. Elmax does exactly that. What Is Elmax Steel? Elmax is a powder metallurgy stainless steel produced by Uddeholm, a world-renowned Swedish steel manufacturer. Unlike traditional steels that are cast from molten metal, powder metallurgy (PM) steels are made by: Atomising molten steel into microscopic powder Compressing it under extreme pressure and heat This process creates an exceptionally fine and uniform grain structure, which is the secret behind Elmax’s outstanding performance. High Carbon, Done Properly Elmax contai...