Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1086092
TECH SPECS Overall length: 140 mm Blade length: 84 mm Blade thicknes: 3 mm Steel: 56-58HRC 8Cr13Mov by Russian knifemakers and sold under VN Pro line. The Cobra push dagger is one of them. Viking Nordway Cobra was designed by Alexandr Birukov (known from other "nasty" toys like balisong and kerambit knives designed for NOKS company). Co- bra is available in following versions: • K323MR with rubber grip and sanded blade • K323T1R with rubber grip and blackwashed blade • K323T1 with micarta grip and blackwashed blade • K323P with wooden grip and polished blade I've put my hands on the K323P. BLADE Push dagger is obviously a dag- ger and according to Birukov interview from 2016, the Cobra was dagger in the first iteration. Unfortunately, according to the Russian law it had to be modified and top cutting edge was converted into false edge and the blade is no longer per- fectly symmetric. No one says it can't be re-sharpened… The use of the false edge didn't have a negative feedback on the aggressive and deadly design The sleek blade with distinct fuller near the grinds and small dace looks marvel- ous. The highly polished in typical Russian style steel makes it looking even better. The esthetics of knife are high, but the workmanship is totally different. There are so many errors, some very obvious. The finish is "medium" level. The almost mirror-like polished steel has traces of machining, the cutting edge is even on the one side and wider near the tip. The finish of the grind cuts could be better too. According to the markings on the blade it was made from 56-58 HRC AUS8 steel, but I've found information that it might be 8Cr13MoV. The Birukov claims that it is a typical VN Pro steel, similar to Jap- anese AUS8. HANDLE The handle is designed tasteful- ly, but it is far away from being simple. It perfectly matches the blade making it a coherently consistent. Front of the handle is spike-shaped what highlights the lines of the knives and beveled fin- ger grooves makes the knife sophis- ticated. The only thing out of place are the Allen screws of the handle and the hole in the middle of the grip. Ergonomics is perfect. Just after I picked the knife up, I felt how the wavy lines of the grip increase the comfort of handling. The beveled back part extends up to thumb pad, so the grip is full. The handle does not move or pinch. It might be the most comfortable knife I ever had, for sure most comfortable push dagger I had. KNIFE