Dicerox Lagertha Knife Review: Is Sweden’s luxurious Bushcraft blade worth the cost?
The next generation of “rust-proof” steel, a bulletproof design and legitimate (literally) chops: Dicerox Lagertha generates a lot of respect – and a healthy price tag.
It is not every day that you get a glimpse of the future. Even rarer are the occasions when you only for a moment feel that you are on the verge of something big. But when such things take the form of a piece of high-tech steel that bears the name of a mythical Viking queen – yes, you go to an interesting time to meet.
For me, this journey began with an email from Dicerox – a small Swedish knife maker that only offers three products. Its Fenrir ax and Kalina EDC sheet aroused my interest, but that was it Lagerthaa full-size bluer of one bushcraft knifewhich caught my attention as a bunch of strikers.
According to Dicerox, the magazine takes its name from (the probably fictional) Lagertha, “the shield maiden and ruler of what is now Norway, and the famous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok’s one-time wife.”
Historically correct or not, Lagertha’s character is also a mainstay in the hit History Channel show “Vikings”. If the name sheet is half as tough as her character on TV, I knew I was in for a treat.
Briefly: Dicerox Lagertha is a robust, utilitarian design weighted by certain quality control issues and a high price tag. Although the knife itself is an explosion to use in the field and really skilled in the backcountry, it struggles to live up to the luxury standards required by its price level.
Overall, it is a fun, capable blade that I would like to see with more affordable materials. The company experiences growing pains outside the gate, but it is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
I put Lagertha through the steps so you can see if the benefits of this magazine outweigh its disadvantages. Read on!
Dicerox Lagertha: Review
Outside the box
At first inspection, the rustic character of Lagertha is immediately obvious. At 9.25 inches (235 mm) from shaft to stern, the knife weighs a respectable 6.24 ounces (177 g). The blade itself has a length of about 4.7 inches (119.5 mm), with a back width of 0.16 inches (4 mm).
A quick trip to the cutting board confirmed that yes, it’s a bit wide to slice onions. But while food preparation may not be its strong point, the kitchen is not dangerous to the blade.
This is due to Lagertha’s choice of medium. Dicerox manufactured this blade from VANAX steel, a nitrogen-based technology marvel. Compared to popular steels like the M390, the VANAX offers superior hardness and durability.
And due to its high nitrogen content, this alloy exceeds the range “stainless” and ends up near “rust-proof”.
However, there is a downside. Unlike softer steel, users will find the VANAX harder to grind when it finally starts to become dull. And where a material like 1095 will warp if pressed over its capacity, harder steel is more likely to shatter instantly.
It is a trade-off of newer materials compared to the old tried and tested, but for many, rust protection alone can seal the deal.
On the field
The Largertha moves through wood in the way that its name separated the lines of the enemy. The thick, wedge-like blade spreads the material as it cuts, and the wide shoulders are a perfect target for the baton.
As good as the back of the knife is for aiming and scraping, it is slightly less suitable for generating sparks. Still, a few sweeps with the fire steel (and a cotton ball soaked in Vaseline) were all that was needed to create a roaring flame.
This is without a doubt a user knife. Some beautiful leaves come in perfect casings, with perfect edges and polishes so bright that you can see every pore on your face reflected in their surface.
Lagertha, on the other hand, is decidedly utilitarian. It is a piece of cut and bevelled miracle steel, with an edge as straight as a highway. At no point did I feel that it lacked reach, weight or durability.
The problem
In other words Lagertha is fun. It fits well in the hand, tears up tough tasks and was generally a pleasure to cuddle with. This is where I get stuck: According to the manufacturer’s website, this knife sells for $ 425. It’s a lot of money for a piece of metal with two pieces of wood screwed into the sides.
I am not saying that Lagertha is not capable; on the contrary (as the test images show).
And its VANAX pedigree weighs a lot. But in this price range, you are not just competing against The A1s of the paring knife of the world, you have left them in the financial dust.
If you are going to live in that kind of space for luxury tools, it is better that you get it right.
And unfortunately, my tester did not. It came with a rather dull edge, although I could fix it on my own. But then there is the sanding, which showed signs of uneven finish.
The handle screws were also not completely level with the surface of the wood. Then there is the vagina. While the ride comfort and quality of its material is there, the seams are a bit rough.
All of these are relatively minor issues on a work-ahead knife. But when we talk about a $ 400 plus sheet, it’s the kind of detail that matters.
The Creator’s response
Before I completed the review, I contacted the people at Dicerox and told them about the problems above.
As for the dullness of the blade, the company confirmed that my tester was handmade with whetstone. They have a professional Tormek grinding system inbound, which should solve the problem.
About their choice of steel, here’s what they had to say: “We have discovered that the price of Vanax is very high and will discourage some people, but we wanted to start with a premium steel. We will also produce Elmax versions and we is also looking at Sleipner steel for upcoming runs. ”
When it comes to the handles, there are some changes underway. The plan is to replace the screws with pins, with a possible range of aluminum or carbon fiber scales instead of the above-mentioned wood. “We are also introducing other handle materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum,” they said.
Mixed conclusions
I must admit: This one makes me confused. On the one hand, Lagertha represents an interesting idea. I love the design and its simple implementation. VANAX is really a choice outside the box, and its edge retention and corrosion resistance definitely give it a step in the field.
But sometimes you have to consider the cost. How much is a stainless steel knife worth to you? And are you willing to put up with a little fit and finish on the road?
For me, I would like to see Dicerox offer Lagertha in a slightly more accessible steel. This would give potential buyers the chance to experience the design in a more affordable entry point. And honestly, until QA / QC reaches the price level, I think these knives belong at a lower level.
But damn, Dicerox is close to something really interesting here. And if nothing else, it seems like they have a plan to deal with the problems I’ve experienced. If they can get to a point where their production matches the quality of their design, they have a chance at something special.