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Reader Survey >Casström No.10 SFK Micarta Knife UK Review: A True Workhorse
- Last updated: 30/09/2025
The classic Casström No.10 is undoubtedly one of the best knives you can get, and it is hard to think of a way to improve it. That said, Casström has made a few changes and tweaked the design, and the result is the new Canvas Micarta version, which has some interesting features.
Firstly, they have switched to A8 Mod steel, which is cryo-quenched and hardened to 58-59 HRC on the Rockwell scale. This is an incredibly tough steel with very good chip resistance, making it ideal for heavier jobs like splitting wood. The 4” blade is 3mm thick, and the full tang construction makes for an extremely rigid build, with the overall design among the strongest I have seen. The blade is perfectly finished and looks immaculate.
The Scandinavian grind ensures clean and precise cuts on a wide variety of materials, and it is straightforward to sharpen in the field. This is one of the most versatile and efficient outdoor knife grinds, easily sharpened on a basic stone to an excellent edge. Straight out of the box, this is one sharp knife! Even after splitting and shaving a large quantity of wood, the knife remains sharp, and a few strokes across a stone, plus a bit of stropping, restore it ready to cut meat cleanly.
The sharp blade of the Casstrom No.10 SFK next to a pile of fine wood shavings.
Interestingly, Casström states that the Scandinavian grind can actually benefit from the addition of a secondary micro-bevel, enhancing its durability, particularly if the knife is going to be used for a lot of heavy tasks like batoning timber or at low temperatures. This is achieved by adding a 20-25 degree angle on each side (40-50 degrees in total), which is easy to do.
Moving away from traditional wooden handles, Casström has fitted this knife with a durable Canvas Micarta grip. This material is really strong and resilient in all conditions, and the grip is excellent even when wet or greasy. The ergonomically contoured shape is comfortable to use, even for prolonged tasks, and the slightly rough texture is not abrasive on your hands. The hardware on the handle is all brass.
The new Micarta handle gives a comfortable and secure grip
The 3mm full tang gives exceptional strength and rigidity
The hot-waxed sheath is crafted from 3mm-thick vegetable-tanned European leather and is treated with neatsfoot oil to give it natural moisture resistance. The stitching is of very high quality, and the sheath has a drainage hole to prevent any water from accumulating inside.
This is a tough tool. The thick A8 Mod steel has good chip resistance and is extremely rigid, and splitting medium-sized pieces of wood is no challenge at all. Ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities, its robustness makes it a real workhorse for serious bushcraft, and its sharpness makes it perfect for smaller, finer tasks too. With an overall length of 9”, it is a substantial tool and, even as a die-hard wooden handle fan, the Micarta both looks good and works extremely well as a handle material. This type of knife is an investment and, if correctly looked after, it will last for decades and prove its worth over and over.
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