Zlatoust Hasky Wood

Most of the Zlatoust knives that I’ve seen have been highly decorated – often too decorated for some tastes – but the knife on test is quite restrained in decoration, in fact it looks to be a simple well made working tool, with only some Cyrillic inscriptions on the left side of the blade just forward of the bolster and an engraved wolf (or husky?) head on the right.

The 5 ¼” blade is made of 95X18 stainless steel and like most Zlatoust knives it is incredibly sharp and highly polished – almost chrome like. This is an out and out hunting knife, and the shallow drop point shape of the blade is almost a spearpoint, as there is a bevel on the spine just to the rear of the useful tip. There’s also a grooved section at the bolster end of the spine, to enable a close control hold when needed.

The wooden grip is smoothly textured and has an integral pommel designed into its shape. The grip feels comfortable but there is no guard, just a leather spacer and a polished metal bolster that looks like it may be made of nickel silver. A brass ferrule pierces the base of the grip for the attachment of a lanyard.

This is an unusual knife with a very distinctive design – particularly the blade shape – and is certainly more subtle than some of the Russian knives you come across. It is supplied complete with a typical Northern European deep carry leather sheath and a certificate of authenticity.

PRICE: £81.95