The K29 Titanium one-handed folding knife from Bergkvist made a very good impression in our test. Not only does it look great, but working with the sturdy handle and sharp blade is also great fun. The set is very well thought out and, in addition to the knife, also includes a belt pouch, a spanner and a small whetstone for travelling. However, the folding release mechanism is a little awkward. Safety instructions would also have been desirable, as a sharp knife is not a harmless product. One plus point is the sustainability and design of the packaging.
Advantages
✅ Very sharp blade
✅ Sturdy construction
✅ Wide range of possible applications
✅ Integrated belt cutter
✅ Set with whetstone and belt pouch
✅ Sustainable packaging
Disadvantages
❌ No safety instructions given
❌ Sluggish folding mechanism
❌ No manufacturer’s address given
The first impression
The packaging and labelling
ℹ️ Here we take a closer look at packaging. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor. In addition, adequate protection of the product must of course also be ensured.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Product protection | Carton is sturdy, product sufficiently protected | 100 points |
| Sustainability Packaging | No unnecessary packaging waste or plastic film was used, the item was packaged compactly | 100 points |
| Packaging convenience | Packaging can be opened without tools, but some skill is required when detaching the blade from the intermediate piece | 95 points |
| Miscellaneous | Very high-quality packaging, also suitable as a gift | 100 points |
| Total | 99 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The K29 Titanium folding knife from BERGKVIST arrived in a precisely fitting Amazon box, which means that no relative movement of the product packaging in the Amazon box is possible. As expected, the product packaging was undamaged. This is good, because it is very elegantly designed and is therefore also ideal for storing the knife permanently.
The product packaging is a matt black box made of sturdy cardboard, which consists of an upper part and a lower part. The two parts fit together perfectly so that they stay closed even without a lock. When the upper part is removed, the knife is revealed, which is attached to an intermediate piece made of recycled material. The spacer is moulded to the shape of the knife and holds it securely in the packaging. With a little skill, the knife can be detached without damaging the spacer. Below the spacer is another compartment with the belt pouch, an Allen key and the enclosed whetstone, which is wrapped in protective paper. There is also a cardboard sleeve in the product packaging, which contains a brochure.
Overall, the K29 Titanium folding knife from BERGKVIST makes a very good first impression. This is due to the very elegant packaging, which dispenses with unnecessary plastic film and at the same time protects the product during transport.
After unpacking
Package contents and instructions
ℹ️ Most people’s first impression after unpacking is immediately memorable. Are the contents of the pack complete and does the manufacturer make it as easy as possible for me to use the product straight away?
| Criterion | Remark | Points achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Package contents & scope | Knife, hexagon socket spanner, whetstone, belt pouch | 100 points |
| Instructions for use | In German, concise but understandable, no safety instructions | 70 points |
| Contact information | Can be found in the brochure, manufacturer’s address is missing | 50 points |
| Total | 73 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The set contains four items: In addition to the knife, a whetstone, an Allen key and a leather-look belt pouch were included. The hexagon socket spanner has different spanner sizes on the short and long sides so that the knife can be dismantled with it.
Instructions for using and sharpening the knife can be found in the brochure. This is shown with two clear illustrations, which also enables the first-time buyer of a folding knife to handle it correctly. Unfortunately, there are no safety instructions, which would be advisable when handling a knife. The brochure also contains contact information. This includes a website, an e-mail address and a telephone number. However, the manufacturer’s address is not given. Instead, it is stated that help is available quickly and easily in the event of product defects. It is also stated that part of the proceeds will be donated to “Kinderarmut in Deutschland e.V.”. In addition to the useful information, the brochure also contains a motivational text from the manufacturer BERGKVIST.
Overall, the product presentation and the scope of the set appear well thought-out and customer-friendly, but the manufacturer’s address and safety instructions are missing.
The first time in your hand
Product processing and appearance
ℹ️ Before we start the practical test, we take a close look at the product processing. How high quality are the materials used? Is the look and feel satisfactory?
| Criterion | Remark | Points achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Visual appearance | Eye-catching and elegant at the same time | 100 points |
| Processing | Very high quality, wood and metal fit together perfectly | 100 points |
| Stability | Very stable, nothing bends or is loose | 100 points |
| Sustainability of the product | Included sharpening stone also ensures long-term sharpness | 100 points |
| Total | 100 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The knife makes a very good impression as soon as you pick it up, which can be attributed to several factors: Factor one is the appealing design. The frame and blade are grey. Four wooden elements are screwed onto the frame, which together form the handle. The combination creates an eye-catching yet elegant look, which increases the pleasure of using the knife.
Factor two is the very good workmanship. The wooden elements and metal frame fit together perfectly despite the curved shapes. Nothing rattles on the knife, nothing wobbles and it makes a very stable impression.
Finally, the weight of the knife also plays a part in the first impression. Although a large part of the handle is made of relatively light wood, the knife is relatively heavy. This is due to the sturdy frame and the solid blade, and makes a high-quality impression when held in the hand. This is also due to the wooden elements, which make the handle feel pleasantly warm in the hand even when the metal is cold.
The knife can also be kept permanently sharp thanks to the whetstone supplied. The knife is also screwed together, making it easy to disassemble and reassemble. Together with the robust construction, this ensures a long service life, which makes the product sustainable.
This is what our practical test showed
Does the manufacturer keep its advertising promises?
ℹ️ Our practical test is the most relevant and therefore the most important. Here, the product has to undergo a wide range of criteria and tests. We check the functions and product promises of the test article.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Folding in and out | Folding out works perfectly, folding in requires strength in the fingertips | 90 points |
| Cutting vegetables | Very sharp blade | 100 points |
| Wood carving | Little effort required | 100 points |
| Cutting through fabric | Cuts without problems | 100 points |
| Grip ergonomics | Belt clip interferes with right-handers, otherwise good | 90 points |
| Total | 96 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
To test the knife, it must first be unfolded. This can be done with just one hand, as indicated by its designation as a one-handed knife. Pressing a lever opens the blade by around 40 degrees. To open it fully, the blade must be pressed onto the object to be cut or a second hand must be used. The blade engages precisely and is firmly attached to the handle. To fold it back in, a leaf spring inside the knife must be pushed to the side to unlock the locking mechanism. To do this, the fingertip must be pressed and held very firmly on a very small surface while the blade is moved. The lever for unfolding the knife prevents the knife blade from accidentally folding onto the fingers holding the leaf spring. The lever blocks the blade from folding in completely on these fingers.
Tests show that the blade is very sharp. Together with the sturdy construction, it is a lot of fun to use during the test. The knife offers a wide range of applications for which it can be put to excellent use: Cutting vegetables is just as easy as carving wood or cutting through fabric. However, it is noticeable that when the knife is held firmly in the right hand, the belt clip cuts slightly into the palm of the hand. This is less of a problem for left-handers, as the belt clip is then located on the side of the fingertip, which can adapt better to the contour. However, because the belt clip is screwed on, it can be released using the spanner supplied. The belt pouch, which is also included, provides a good option for stowing the knife on clothing.
To summarise, the knife made a very good impression in the test due to its excellent usability. Although there are minor disadvantages with regard to the belt clip, this can be overlooked due to the well thought-out set and the very good quality.
Price/performance ratio
and ratings from consumers
ℹ️ Finally, we look at how the product compares to the competition. Can it keep up with the competition in terms of price and quality? Would we generally recommend buying it? We also analyse consumer reviews and check whether the critical and positive reviews are actually justified.
| Criterion | Remark | Points achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Price / performance ratio | Good price/performance ratio | 90 points |
| Rating cut | 4.6 out of 5.0 on Amazon | 80 points |
| Total | 85 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
On the Amazon platform, consumers have given the product an average rating of 4.6 stars. One common complaint is that the tip of the blade breaks off. Many customers like the look and quality very much. In our practical test, we were able to confirm that the appearance and quality were good. The tip also survived our test.
Prices of up to €100 are charged on the Internet for equivalent products. Very inexpensive products are available for as little as €10. The K29 Titanium one-handed folding knife from Bergkvist is currently priced at €41.97, which puts it in the middle price segment. The price ratio is reasonable for the quality and scope of services you get.
Overall result
| Weighting | Points achieved* | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. packaging & labelling | 15% | 99 points |
| 2. package contents & instructions | 15% | 73 points |
| 3. product processing & appearance | 20% | 100 points |
| 4. in the practical test | 30% | 96 points |
| 5. price/performance & consumer reviews | 20% | 85 points |
| Total | 92 points |
