Scandinavian Grind Best Edge For Bushcraft Knives

Scandinavian Grind | Best Edge For Bushcraft Knife

What is a scandi grind?

A scandi grind (or V grind) (also called a scandinavian grind) is a knife edge with a wide flat bevel that runs to the edge of the blade.

The image above shows the shape of a scandinavian grind knife edge.

The scandi doesn’t begin tapering until closer to the edge.

There is no secondary bevel.

Advantages of the scandinavian grind

– The long flat bevel provides excellent control of the cut.

– Excellent control in woodcarving.

– scandi grind prevents the knife from slipping off easily.

– Bites into the surface without getting stuck.

– Can be sharpened ‘razor sharp’

– Since more of the blade is the same thickness as the spine, the design provides good strength for batoning wood.

– Great for making feather stick / firestarter shreds

– The scandinavian grind can be resharpened easily without changing the angle of the edge.

– Very easy field sharpening.

– No sharpening jigs. Just lay flat scandi edge on stone to work the entire surface.

– This is very easy if you are a freehand sharpener. Easy to “feel” the bevel and get the correct sharpening angle.

– Use spine with a fire steel to spark a fire.

Scandi Grind Angle

There’s not one specific angle that all knife manufacturers use. However, when it comes to sharpening a scandinavian grind, it’s easy because the long continuous bevel is obvious – which goes right out to the knife edge.

Using a sharpening stone, the bevel lies flat against it.

For exact specifications, check your individual knife manufacturer / model.

Scandinavian Grind Knives

The scandinavian grind edge is common with Mora bushcraft knives.

One reasonable choice is this one:

Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Fixed Blade Knife
(view on amzn)

Morakniv Bushcraft Knife

Morakniv has been manufacturing knives in Mora, Sweden since 1891.

Bushcraft Carbon Black Scandi Grind Knife

A great fixed blade knife for bushcraft.

Blade: 1/8″ carbon steel hardened to HRC 56-58
Blade length: 4.3 inches
Total length: 9.1 inches
Weight w/sheath: 5.7 oz.

Advantages

– Specially ground spine for use with a fire starter
– Scandi grind, very sharp
– Robust for batoning wood
– Prep tinder, feather sticks
– Carve shelter stakes
– Process wood

 
Note: Although you’re able to sharpen this grind to a very sharp edge, over time the scandi grind will require more sharpening than others. But that’s okay because it’s easy to sharpen!

Here’s an interesting video tour of the Morakniv facility in Sweden:

[ Read: Knife Sharpening Angle List ]

14 Comments

  1. The Scandi grind is great, I’ll stick to my old Friend, The K-Bar. With the kydex sheath, hard to beat IMHO.

    Stay safe,

    Doc

  2. Have carried puukkos with a “skandi” grind for years. My Finnish heritage.

  3. Mora: have a few Companion versions. After reading the article, started thinking of my knife inventory, that sparked the thought-I need a boot knife.

  4. The most bang for a buck. I don’t know how the Scandanavian’s build so much quality for so little price but I’m not arguing. I don’t know how many pukkos I own, but it certainly is over a dozen. They range from brand new Frost and Moras, to vintage Helle, Jarvenpaa (sp?) and others. The older knives are less blocky, but are still plenty strong for everyday tasks.

    I don’t see much difference between the Scandi and Saber grind though. Both provide a strong back for the sharpened opposite end. Not so much for thin slicing or filleting small pan fish – that is where the standard pocket knife takes over.

    Thanks for the post.

  5. Originally published 2 years ago, I felt like updating it this morning. Knives are practical “tools”. Do any of you have a scandi grind knife? Or a Mora?

    1. Ken J
      Purchased a Mora for acdh a few years back, another one for his collection of knives.

    2. I do Ken. I have a couple companion knives and the fire knife from Mora. They are great knives at low cost.

  6. I wish they were sold by popular retailers. That would be awesome. Of course if they did that than the quality would suffer. Quantity vs. Quality…

  7. I pretty much always use a similar grind to this, easier for honing and creates a much finer blade.

  8. Grew up using a machete out in the Everglades, have done mocha cutting down stuff with them. I always have one in the truck. Killed snakes, small gators, and a coyote with one. Works as a back up also, should my Glock 19 go empty.

  9. The grind is fine for knives. Don’t think it appropriate for other cutting tools like axe or hatchet.

    As I get older my grip isn’t as sure as it once was so I prefer a knife with a more pronounced guard as a safety against slips. Just my opinion and no slight against Moro .

  10. Darn it Ken,

    all extra funds right now are supposed to be going towards a 10/22 build….don’t own a Morakniv……and it is only about 36 bucks…..

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