, Sharp User Team
Here is a knife I am particularly fond of: the Reiff F6 Leuku.
I rarely use medium-sized knives like this one (overall length: 28.5 cm), as I prefer a small blade / large blade pairing, but its design won me over completely. It has everything you could want from an outdoor knife: it is simple, clean and functional.
The blade, about 15 cm long and Nordic in style, has a sabre grind that makes it stronger and more effective for heavy work such as splitting wood. A stonewash finish gives it a slightly worn look that I really like. It also hides the small scratches from normal use, although, as you can see, some still show if you use it harder.
The straight edge, which I am especially fond of, handles a wide range of tasks. Beyond the usual ones, it is particularly handy as a “plane” or for fleshing hides before tanning, and it is much easier to maintain than a curved edge.
The steel is CPM 3V (carbon steel), which offers great resistance to breakage, easy sharpening and moderate corrosion resistance. It is my only knife in this steel, and frankly it was a great surprise!
The handle has G10 or micarta scales (your choice) of a good thickness, which makes it very comfortable to use. They are also removable, allowing a full clean after jobs such as skinning game or outings in very humid areas.
Its length (about 13.5 cm) may bother some users, while for others it will be an advantage, as it offers two grip positions: one forward for standard work and one to the rear for chopping cuts. To my great delight it also has a lower guard, which adds safety in use.
The sheath, available in kydex or leather at purchase, is very well made. I chose leather and am more than satisfied: the leather is of good quality and the finish is excellent. This “sock” type sheath hangs very low, as it is mounted on a belt loop with a ring so that it does not follow the movements of the leg and avoids the feeling of wearing a “splint”. I like this way of carrying because it lets you wear a backpack with a hip belt without the knife getting in the way. For those who dislike a knife that can move “freely”, the sheath has a hollow rivet at its base so you can pass paracord or similar through it and tie it to your thigh, which limits swinging.
Now for the sore point and its only flaw: the price. At around CHF 440 it is not within everyone's reach and is quite an investment. Other knives such as the Esee 6 will do the job just as well, will be just as reliable, and cost half as much. The price is explained by the quality of the materials and by the fact that a small company makes them; you could almost call it craftsmanship.
On the other hand, if you do decide to own one, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. This knife exudes quality and will serve you faithfully in all conditions.
In conclusion, this is a knife with a beautiful line made for the field, easy to maintain, strong and comfortable to use. Its only drawback in my eyes is its relatively high price.
- Arnaud -