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Corneta Wotan review - Brazilian Steel in Southern California
9/28/2013 Okay, alright! 4 months later and now I have time to beat up the Wotan. I will start off with specs today with a thorough report of the testing on Monday.
Knife - Corneta Wotan - a collaboration with Knife maker Peter Hammer and Corneta of Brazil for contracted sale to Brazilian Police Special Forces Division
Material:
Drop forged 1/4" 52100 Ball Bearing Stainless steel with integral Guard (57-58 HRC)
Textured Kraton handle
Matte Black Epoxy resin coating
Ballistic Nylon sheath with a pivoting snap closure for ambidextrous carry (nice touch)
Dimensions & specs:
Blade - 6" from tip to guard, 5-1/4" Hollow grind cutting edge
Handle - 4-3/8" from guard to butt of handle
OAL - 11"
Weight - Knife = 14.2 oz, Sheath = 4 oz
First Impressions was it is a brute of a knife that felt good in the hand with the textured Kraton handle ensuring a good grip. The balance seemed a little forward of the guard, but having researched the requirements for the contract that was awarded for this knife explains that away. The sheath is efficient to the task of a quick withdrawal, although the constant testing I did forced the snap cap to remove itself from the pull tab. I was being really aggressive for this to happen.
I did proceed to put an edge on the knife that I like, the edge may not be suited to the testing I plan but I can adjust for that back to the one that came with the knife.
I will be back on Monday with test results and Pictures.
9/30/2013
The testing is done & the results are in.
I will say the testing was limited to what I had on hand at my house, Scraps and junk. But that is not to say I couldn't come up with some decent tests,
Entrenching, Chopping/notching wood & sharpening stakes: For this I used a real world Urban application, Dry pressure treated wood used for planting stakes and dried Bamboo.
- Entrenching applications, all I did here was thrust it into my back lawn 50 times, (My kids watched this through the screen door and are wondering why I don’t like my lawn.)
- Chopping and notching was a breeze, I even feebly attempted to “fuzz” the end of the stake, nice little curls were the result.
- Sharpening wood stakes was effortless, even though the wood was hard and dry the pointing was easy and made for extra shavings for a fire starter,
- Sharpening of Dried Bamboo was also easy.
- Used the tip to drill a hole in a piece of Sch 40 PVC pipe, start to finish was 45 second.
- Pry bar testing was done this morning with a pallet, no problem.
Cesar gave me this list of review testing ideas, one is for:
Combative Testing
- Being that I am out of practice & the fact that there is no one willing to spar with me, the testing is limited. So the limited testing here was done with “Shadow sparring”.
- The weight of the knife is not so heavy that it is unwieldy; it would lend assistance in downward thrusts and pommel strikes. This was tested using a piece of 3/8” thick piece of HDCB (High Density Card board) that was a part of a long forgotten Crib.
- The integral Bolster was key in the manner that I did not worry about my hand moving forward of the handle during thrusting and downward strikes.
- The final test was defense from another knife or blunt force weapon. I assumed from its experience with wood and PVC that this left only to test it against another knife. Unfortunately for the Wotan, my carry yesterday was the Benchmade Contego. Now to be fair the Contego blade is made of CPM-M4 hardened to 64 HRC. The 52100 Stainless Wotan is only hardened to 57-58 HRC, it didn’t have a chance. I used the spine of the Contego to chop down on the spine and cutting edge of the Wotan. This caused damage to the knife, denting the spine and creating divets in the edge.
My personal opinion and rating-
Being what it is, a purpose driven Combat/tactical fixed blade, I really like this knife. I had reservations about the steel, but during the testing I was constantly checking the edge by curling paper and it kept curling paper until the Contego bit it. It is still going into my bag, but it will make a trip to the Sharpener first.
My Rating 1-5 (5 being the highest) = 4.8 Because nothing is perfect and this could only improve by using a higher end steel and better protective coating.
Recomendation- Since I traded a Case Mid Folding Hunter for this knife, I am not aware of the MSRP of this knife. But, I am extremely happy with that trade. I figure if it MSRPs around $150.00 get it.
Replies to This Discussion
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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on -
Great review Brad.......as usual!
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Permalink Reply by Clay Strong on
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I like that knife. I like the integral guard and the long ricasso and the lanyard. The blade thickness lends itself to a hollow grind with plenty of steel for strength. It doesn't surprise me that divets/chips were made in what is essentially a razor edge. I would much prefer this grind in a combat/tactical knife myself. Care would have to taken to avoid marring the finish while sharpening. The relationship between military/law-enforcement personnel and their equipment is such that proper care is expected. 52100 steel is a very good alloy steel. It isn't a true stainless, but would only rust if under the worst of conditions. The least amount of any oil (even body oil) will keep it in excellent shape. Thanks for doing these tests. "El Brut" es muy macho.
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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on
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Brad,
Excellent reciew and perfect timing. We have the chat on Brazillian knives tonight. I will be sure this gets included!
It sure seems to have held up well to a varity of tasks
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Permalink Reply by Brad T. on
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Well, I actually posted on Monday morning in my Amateurish review blog, but Steve explained to me that the "Sharper Review" group was a better platform for it. Hog was right.
I have 4 other Brazilian knives to review:
Corneta Lockback Hunter, Corneta Electrical stripper, Zebu Electrical stripper & Hot Steel Tactical Fixed Blade.
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Noot on
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Looks like a bunch of fantastic value knives. The one reviewed is especially cool. Look like a PRIME candidate for modifying. 52100 steel, integral bolster, slap a nice wooden handle on it and you have a knife worth every penny.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on
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I would imagine after that series of tests some re-profiling of the blade to get those chips out. It would appear despite the wear the knife just plain held up to stress.
Don't know if would be quite as heavy duty with a wooden handle?
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The Brute will have it's edge re-profiled, I don't think I will change anything else about it. Not even a new coating, He earned his scars.
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One thing I would like to do is give a link of this review to Peter Hammer who is a friend on FB. Always curious what the designer would say and perhaps we can encourage his participation?
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Definitely. The designer should know about all reviews of his designs.
Steve Hanner said:One thing I would like to do is give a link of this review to Peter Hammer who is a friend on FB. Always curious what the designer would say and perhaps we can encourage his participation?
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Permalink Reply by Cesar Scavone on
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I have just invited Peter Hammer to be part of iKC!
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Well he knows! He definitely knows!
Peter Hammer: hope you know I'm a creator of the WOTAN project when i work together CORNETA in brazil, and the knife "HOT STELL" ia my work too, whit my student Silvana Mouzinho.
Peter Hammer: If you look whit attention in the Mark of the WOTAN you will read "CORNETA BY HAMMER" and hammer is me Peter Hammer.If you want know any thing about WONTAN project talk whit me.
Peter Hammer: Who would have guessed that, practice test by someone outside of Brazil about the knife that I created, the WOTAN.
Steve Hanner: Yes, you created an incredible knife that is very tough and tested!
Peter Hammer: 'm very glad for your impression.
Cesar : Yesterday I speak a little about Brazilian Knives at IKC and I was very specific in mention you as the Father of WOTAN, as well the Hot Steel knife with Silvana! BTW, I mentioned you as one of the best bladesmiths of our country, and do not have lied about that!
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We actually have had two people join iKC one here a knifemaker and one I think a collector from Brazil on FB all beacuse of your review! Nice work!
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