Which Roselli Knife Should You Buy? A Buyer's Guide

Roselli knives are made by hand in Harmoinen, Finland. Most of them are traditional Finnish knives: a forged blade, a curly birch handle and a leather sheath. The line isn't big, but the models look alike at first, and it's fair to ask which Roselli to get.

This is a plain Roselli knife guide for the models carried at Fencerow Supply Co.: what each one is for and who it suits.

The short answer

If you only buy one, start with the R100 Hunting Knife. It's the one I'd start with. A few years back I was field dressing a deer and wasn't happy with the knife I had on me. That sent me looking, and the first thing that caught my eye about Roselli was the curly birch handle.

It's the shape Roselli is best known for, and it covers the most ground: field dressing, camp chores and everyday cutting.

— Jon

Roselli knife comparison

For hunting: the Hunting Knife (R100)

Roselli says this knife was first developed for moose hunters. The blade is about 4 inches of forged carbon steel, shaped for skinning and field dressing, on a curly birch handle. It's about 8¾ inches overall.

Pick this one if you want a single knife for deer season and camp.

For a longer-lasting edge: the Hunting Knife in UHC (RW200)

This is the same hunting shape in Roselli's ultra-high-carbon steel, hardened to around 64 HRC. Roselli says it holds an edge longer than their standard carbon steel. It needs a diamond sharpener, and steel that hard should be kept off bone.

Pick this one if you already know you like the R100 shape and you'd rather sharpen less often. If you aren't sure which steel suits you, read Carbon Steel vs. UHC.

For carving and fine work: the Carpenter Knife (R110)

The Carpenter has a slim, straight 3¼-inch blade and is about 7⅝ inches overall. It's the one I'd pick for carving and fine work.

Pick this one if most of your cutting is wood, rope and food, not big game.

For a short, stout blade: the Grandfather Knife (R120)

The Grandfather Knife has a blade 3 inches long and 1¼ inches wide that sits close to the hand. It's about 7 inches overall. The short, wide blade gives you a lot of control.

To me it's the jack of all trades of the bunch. Pick this one if you want one knife on you for whatever comes up.

For whittling and smaller hands: the Little Carpenter (R140)

The smallest of these. It has a 2¼-inch blade with a rounded tip, a finger guard, and a handle sized for smaller hands. It's about 5¾ inches overall.

Pick this one as a first real knife for a kid who's ready, with an adult alongside, or as a light knife for a pack.

By special order: the Heimo

The Heimo 4" Bushcraft Knife is Roselli's full-tang knife, with a 4-inch blade. It takes a little longer to reach you.

The Roselli axe

The Short-Handle Axe (R860), $189, has a 3½-inch carbon-steel edge on a 14-inch birch handle. It splits kindling and does camp work. There's a groove that lets you hold it right behind the cutting edge, and I like the control that gives.

Carbon steel or UHC?

Both are carbon steels, not stainless, so both will darken with use. That gray patina is normal. Standard carbon is easier to sharpen. Roselli says UHC is harder and holds an edge longer. The full comparison is in Carbon Steel vs. UHC: Which Roselli Should You Get?

Keeping it sharp

One diamond plate and a few minutes will keep any of these sharp. See How to Sharpen a Scandi Grind Knife.

Still not sure?

If you'd like some Roselli knife advice for your own use, email me at jon@fencerowsupplyco.com and tell me what you'll use it for. I answer every email.