Lee Valley has launched a new Veritas knife for someone else to buy you.
Officially called a “Hacking Knife,” the new Veritas knife is advertised as being “exactly the type of knife everybody wants but will not buy for themselves.”
I think the phrase “workshop knife” is a little softer, but the name doesn’t matter much given that it looks like a mini cleaver.
The blade is made from 3/16″ thick A2 steel, with the edge ground to a 24° angle. Its handle scales are made from anodized aluminum. Lee Valley is bundling it with a leather belt sheath.
Lee Valley says that their new knife is “meant to be beaten,” and they include product images showing the knife being whaled on with a hammer.
It can be used for cutting, splitting, or carving tasks.
This is basically a beater knife with a thick blade and long flat cutting edge. Lee Valley doesn’t mince any words in describing this as a tool for crude use.
I appreciate that Lee Valley’s not pretending this is some kind of precision cutting tool, although I suppose it could be, depending on what you use it for.
Price: $85
COO: Made in Canada
Their assessment is also spot-on – this is something I could definitely use, and while I’m fond of Veritas tool and blade steel quality, I can make do with something a lot cheaper for miscellaneous chopping, splitting, and cutting tasks where finish quality doesn’t matter.
This is the kind of tool where one’s need for it becomes apparent in time – or doesn’t.
I think they could or should have also beveled the front edge, turning it into a chisel knife. After all, the knife blade is made from the same steel as their chisel and plane blades.
The Mora Chisel Knife, which is currently under $16 at Amazon, comes to mind as a less expensive alternative.
