HOKC Finka-C / Финка-С Model 342-009406: From Russia, With Love - Lemmy.World
Сколько лет, сколько зим, Comrades. I am back once more. Here is an NKVD NKD,
with a special credit going to user @[email protected]
[/u/[email protected]] [https://lemm.ee/u/Squiddick17] for bringing this
particular knife to my attention.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/18701139-a134-4efe-bfc9-1d3697ca7523.jpeg] It
may surprise you to learn that I don’t reflexively buy an example of every knife
that crosses my desk these days. But I did with this one, because it has
something that is, if you squint at it in the right light, a pocket hook opening
mechanism like the Wave opener on my beloved Kershaw CQC-6K. I am, naturally,
all about those. [https://lemmy.world/post/19541317] So I got out my $60, and
down into the rabbit hole I descended, feet first. This is the HOKC, or NOCKS or
even KNOX as they are sometimes rendered, Finka-C. This is a knife designed by
one Alexander Biryukov, who is certainly an individual I wouldn’t know from a
hole in the ground. HOKC or however they’re Romanizing their name at the moment
is a Russian knife company who outsources much of their production to China. I
understand this sort of thing is out of vogue these days, perhaps doubly so, but
nevertheless I found this knife pretty interesting. Since these knives are made
in the PRC, it is a given that they have been ripped off and cloned in great
quantity by the Chinese. That was apparently the fate that befell our friend
Squiddick, and while I can’t prove my knife is the genuine article it sure as
shit showed up with a lot of Russian on the box and you can view our subject on
the manufacturer’s web site here,
[https://noks24.ru/catalog/nozhi-skladnye/finka-s-na-shaybakh-342-009406/]
verbatim, which leads me to believe that mine is probably real. This is broadly
a reimagining of the Soviet NR-40 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NR-40] combat
knife used throughout World War II, only with a modern twist and converted to a
folder. These were colloquially known as the “scout’s knife,” or “finka,” so no
points for guessing where this knife got its name.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/3506767f-f45f-46ff-9018-f0920ff55e9c.jpeg]
This is turning into a big wall of text, so here – I’ll break it up with another
photo. Damned if this knife doesn’t look cool. It’s available in a few finishes
but I absolutely had to get the most ostentatious one available. HOKC describe
this as “brown” but the highlights on its G-10 scales are in reality very
orange. HOKC of course make a tantalizing array
[https://noks24.ru/catalog/nozhi-skladnye/] of knives, most of which I predict
will be damn difficult to get your hands on in the West. In addition to several
variations on the Finka theme, other points of note are additional hook openers,
[https://noks24.ru/catalog/nozhi-skladnye/mangust-2s-337-100406/] this groovy
tanto arrangement, [https://noks24.ru/catalog/nozhi-skladnye/ronin-344-100407/]
and a Finka balisong
[https://noks24.ru/catalog/nozhi-skladnye/finka-b-black-207-509406/] rendition
that I think just became my primary mission in life to obtain.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/952bcd6f-8d29-4bd2-83c0-90d07e6bd6eb.jpeg] The
first thing that will probably leap out at you regarding the Finka-C, other than
its sheer size (it’s 10-1/4" long when open) is the funky integrated crossguard.
This has the one forward, one back style that mimics the original combat knife
from which it was derived. They’re built into the blade so their positions
reverse when you open it. The lowermost one becomes an effective finger guard,
and the one on the spine of the blade serves as a hook opener so you can, with a
bit of practice, snap this off of your pocket hem and have it automatically open
when you draw.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/4d81680d-cc61-463f-bfba-c4523365c9a1.gif] This
does in fact work, I am pleased to report, which is a damn sight farther than
most other presumptive non-Emerson/Kershaw pocket hook openers manage to get.
This is because HOKC have basically completely ripped off Emerson’s design, with
the cheerful knowledge that where they’re located there probably isn’t a damn
thing anyone can do about it. It’s not as nice to draw as an Emerson/Kershaw
knife, though, and that’s because of this:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/ff730f2c-2a66-4bd7-a629-146adc39872f.jpeg] The
Finka-C positions itself as some kind of fighting knife and therefore has very
deep machined channels cut into its scales, presumably for grip while Spetsnaz
operators or whoever the hell are using the thing while wearing gloves. But that
makes the scales snag on your pocket just a little too much, when the only thing
that should be snagging is the hook. The clip is also not nearly as nice as the
one on any of the CQC Kershaws, is a trifle too small, the recurve in it is too
narrow, and it’s too tight. I ameliorated matters somewhat by grabbing the clip
and giving it a hearty bend away from the handle, loosening its preload. But
really it could stand to maybe have a spacer added beneath where it mounts. Or
in the extreme, maybe it just needs the one ridge directly beneath the clip’s
contact area to be ground off. Kershaw, Emerson, and Zero Tolerance solve this
by eschewing the scale altogether on the clip side and just presenting a smooth
flat surface. This… doesn’t. It’s likely to work better on heavier, stiffer
fabrics. But I only wear lightweight hiking pants these days so it’s kind of a
raw deal for me. The clip is not reversible either, by the way. It’s set up
suitable for right handed users and that’s all you get.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/3e3db386-f280-4565-96e0-afb80fe2d75d.jpeg] The
Finka-C’s other trick is having a hold-open for the lock. That’s the little
switch thingy just forward of the pivot here, with the grip knurling in it. This
is a deeply stupid feature.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/015dbf8e-8fe0-4368-bba0-3ed8008ccf01.jpeg] The
Finka is a regular liner locker at its core, just like the Kershaw and Emerson
CQC’s. So once again, nobody’s managed to pair a novel locking mechanism with a
pocket hook opener. But its lock is quite positive, a bit stiff, and nearly
completely recessed into the handle. Therefore the chances of it “accidentally”
becoming unlocked during use are so close to nil they’re probably negative. By
the way, this is very much like unto the one on some variants of the the CRKT
M16 (a knife which this in some ways superficially resembles), and other LAWKS
safety equipped knives, although it’s fully manual so is not equivalent to the
AutoLAWKS system. I’ve always felt that the genuine LAWKS was dumb, too, for
what it’s worth. Nobody’s knife needs two locks.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/e74c4f89-f721-47f3-ba00-ad28fbd4d987.jpeg] But
nevertheless, there it is. Slide the tiny toggle upwards (if you’re holding the
knife edge down) and a small hook rises into place blocking the liner lock from
moving far enough to disengage with the blade. A near microscopic “on”
inscription on the blade just forward of the pivot indicates the locked
position. The lock does not detent in either position and is very easy to move
with basically no resistance. Fortunately it’s tiny, so it’s unlikely you’ll
engage it by accident, and it thankfully also can’t be manipulated at all when
the knife is closed so at least you can’t lock it shut. It’s also trivially easy
to defeat if it annoys you, which it probably will. We’ll get to that in a bit.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/07dc3972-4a36-4603-80f9-3d2609bd95d1.jpeg] The
Finka-C has HOKC’s rather distinctive giant slotted screw on its pivot. The
inscription in addition to HOKC’s logo and “Series ‘T’” is the model designation
in Russian, and “Design by A. Biryukov.” It is a flipper and/or pocket hook
opener. “But wait,” you say. “There is a plainly visible thumb stud right there,
you nerd.” That’s not a thumb stud. This is something else strange about the
Finka. The studs (there’s one on either side) are way too close to the handles
for you to get any purchase or leverage on them. You can thumb open the knife if
you prefer, but only using the hook. The studs are actually the endstops for the
pivot, and rest in two opposing semicircular pockets on either side of the
handle, one each for the open and closed positions. This is once again eerily
reminiscent of the CRKT M16. It’s a clever idea, regardless of whose it is,
because it removes the weak point of the traditional end stop pin which in this
case is sure to be repeatedly hammered by a longer (and thus heavier) than
average blade with the wielder snapping it open of the pocket all the dang old
time. # The Numbers Somehow, we haven’t gotten to these.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/e7867d9b-b0ef-4095-a671-7af486b72b65.jpeg] The
Finka-C is huge. As stated, it is every bit of 10-1/4" long, opened. It has a
massive 4-7/8" long blade made of D2 that HOKC describe as a “Bowie” profile,
and it very nearly is. The blade is 0.140" thick at the spine, fullered, and be
still my heart, it is even flat ground. It’s not the absolute beefiest of boys,
[https://lemmy.world/post/22223033] but it’s still definitely above average and
the increased thickness is welcome to add durability against the likewise
increased length. The blade’s spine is square but its corners are chamfered, so
while it’s a little more comfortable it will alas be useless for striking your
ferro rod. There is a choil at the base of the blade, though, the forward half
of which may just be sharp enough to do that job. It also means the entire edge
is theoretically usable. The Finka is of course quite large when closed as well.
5-3/8" by my measure, and a hefty – not to mention possibly auspicious – 0.666"
thick not including the clip. The crossguard arms are of course the widest
point, at 1.916". It is needless to say a very meaty lad, a total of 162.4 grams
or 5.76 ounces. Believe it or not this is actually helped along by only having
one full length steel liner; the majority of the non-locking side of the knife
is just comprised of the G-10 scale. I don’t know if this is a weight or cost
cutting measure, or both. Largely because of that, though, I would not rate the
Finka as suitable for duty as an actual trench knife. This despite the fact that
at its length the Finka-C is probably just about at the minimum I would
personally consider truly suitable for a pure “combat” type of knife. That’s not
polite to say in public anymore, of course, so I’ll also point out that it’d
make a dandy camp knife if you had a particular desire to make such a thing a
folder rather than fixed. The crossguards or finger guards or whatever you want
to classify them as do introduce the age old problem of precluding you from
bringing all of the edge down on a flat surface, but the blade is long enough
and has enough of an upsweep that even so the forwardmost third or possibly a
little more can be used for cutting board work. That’s an overall usable range
of just over 2" by my measure, which to be fair is pretty much the entire edge
length of a lot of lesser knives to begin with. For EDC use, it’s probably a
shade or three too large for most people. But perversity breeds all kinds; don’t
let me tell you what to do.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/8caf656c-c22d-46da-9a45-840b64fb9b24.jpeg] In
addition to its clip the Finka-C does have a lanyard hole. Given how finicky it
is to draw and deploy via its Wave, finding something to fill this with may
actually turn out to be advisable. Some fluorescent orange paracord would be
favorite in this case.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/1c21a97b-b51f-452f-995f-4c375daa304c.jpeg]
Here’s the return of an old friend we sure haven’t seen in a while: My Kershaw
CQC-6K, which has no doubt been sorely missed as the obligatory comparison
object in many of my recent writeups. In case in particular it seemed especially
fitting to welcome it back. The Finka absolutely towers over it.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/4f54c350-68ca-46de-98cc-0fbb14aa822c.jpeg]
Side by side like this, you can see that the pocket hook on the Finka is
significantly larger than on the Kershaw CQC. I guess theoretically this might
help it work better on thicker fabric, but I don’t have a way to scientifically
prove that to you. It sounds good on paper, though, so we’ll roll with it. #
Devils Lurking In The Details Or rather, are there any? Given the famously
sterling reputation of Russian manufacturing – boots that dissolve in the rain,
stationary tractors, and cars made from old pants – I don’t blame you if you
enter into this with, let’s just say, some doubts. To be honest, I did too. And
then being made in China for the Russians? There may never be a more textbook
example of out of the frying pan, into the fire. Well, here’s the thing. The
Finka-C is actually perfectly competently built.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/fd4a35cc-2c64-4980-b4cd-1629e3273d1c.jpeg] I’m
just as astounded as you are, really. The fit and finish on the components is
all just peachy. The blade is nicely centered, too. There’s no lash, nothing
wiggles, nothing scrapes, nothing rattles, and none of the fasteners arrived
stripped. The lockup is positive and appears to have been hand tuned. Yes, I
realize that getting excited about this is kind of a low bar, but it is cleared
nonetheless.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/91649c6e-1e7d-4aab-a8ea-c8dd4755ea0d.png] The
edge grind is quite serviceable out of the box, and is sharp enough in my
opinion to be put into duty right away. Producing julienne shavings off of a
post-it is no problem. I don’t see any telltale signs that the edge has been
burned, but time will tell if it retains its sharpness as D2 should. The
entirety of the blade has a pleasing tumbled finish which is consistent and
looks quite nice. It’s had a nice finishing pass done on it and doesn’t show any
machine marks on the faces.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/3ff8dbab-50a4-4393-9b40-5cb23954c570.png] The
point profile is good, with the grind carried through consistently all the way
to the end on both sides without any weirdness.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/6768d1d3-10e0-4947-8171-305eb9f0dbc7.png] The
edge is of course mildly out of true, with the left side of it (looking down on
the edge from above) observably shallower than the right.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/e2c8ca8c-6a61-4230-8a0b-f8f700fd8d41.png] This
is to be expected given the origin and price, and not at all unusual even for
budget models from the brand name makers. It would be a little nicer if it
weren’t, of course, but the Finka’s simple geometry and refreshing lack of
anything in the way of your stones (including thumb studs!) ought to make it as
easy as it gets to reprofile to your preferred angle when the time comes. #
What’s Inside I’m just chuffed to bits to report that my Finka-C came right
apart with no fuss. All of the above adds up to my conclusion that I must have
received the genuine article. Fakes of this are quite prevalent, which is how
this whole odyssey got started in the first place. At present I think the best
indicator of a real one of these versus a fake – other than the price, of course
– is the presence of the clip. HUAAO and some others are hawking knockoffs of
this, which is a pretty damn rich sauce given what this is and its origins, but
all the fakes I can identify universally lack the pocket clip. So if you spot
one without it, run.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/fefef4c5-0f87-4e6d-9ebe-d63cd4f20e4b.jpeg] All
of the fasteners take a T6 Torx bit, except for the pivot screw. You will want a
large slotted driver for that. You can just about undo it with a dime, but the
slot is straight and not dished, so a proper screwdriver is probably better.
Inside you get brass pivot washers and a generous helping of what appears to be
silicone based lubricant all over absolutely everything. The handle halves are
separated by a single piece G-10 backspacer, and it’s nice to see that while
this comprises part of the lanyard hole, it’s also reinforced there with one of
the steel liners.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/abedb532-e217-459e-9db5-2556539081b3.jpeg]
Underneath the right hand scale is this surprise, which is what I alluded to
earlier. There’s a partial length substructure under here housing the pivot, and
it’s anchored on the other end by engaging with one of the scale screws. But
most of the length of that side of the knife consists only of the G-10 scale and
the liner does not extend the full length on that side. The other liner is full
length, the scales are very thick, and G-10 is actually fairly stiff stuff, so
there are no noticeable rigidity issues. However, the jury is still out on
whether or not this will be a weak point if you try to inflict some kind of
heavy duty use on this knife. This is how e.g. the Kershaw Skyline successfully
does it, and many others besides. But usually knives that try this trick are
much smaller EDC jobbies that are not positioning themselves as the spiritual
successor to a Soviet fighting knife. If nothing else, their much shorter blades
can’t apply nearly as much leverage to their pivots even if they’re used
unwisely.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/33639a0e-012e-414b-b194-aa7640a04e69.jpeg]
Here’s how the safety lever works. It’s a simple single piece, and just rotates
around the main pivot screw. It’s trivially easy to defeat by simply not
reinstalling it; its thickness is not necessary for the proper reassembly of the
knife and the head on the pivot screw is more than wide enough to bridge the gap
it sits in without it. If you were truly paranoid you could replace it with a
plain washer.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/a4b820ba-e48d-4543-b561-148fe5015f69.jpeg] The
female side of the pivot screw has an anti-rotation flat, and there is indeed a
matching flat on the hole it goes through on the liner side of the knife, so for
once it’s not just purely decorative. I’ll bet you a dollar the fakes don’t
bother broaching the anti-rotation hole in the liner correctly.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/877ca112-0a46-41be-941e-57ea56b6ba78.jpeg]
Maybe this serves to better illustrate how the Finka’s lockup and endstop
not-thumb-stud works.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/bde39470-bf17-4294-8fca-27890e2872ab.jpeg] The
hardware. There are two screw lengths: The shorter ones go through the scales
directly into the steel liners, and the longer ones go into brass inserts in the
G-10 backspacer in between the two halves of the handle. # Unboxing Since this
is a new knife, the box is still on my desk. We’ll have a look at it while we’re
at it. Knife boxes are generally not terribly exciting, my bona fide milk crate
full of the damn things notwithstanding. But the Finka-C is the only knife I’ve
ever bought that showed up in a box – not on a hang card – in the open position.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/42466530-26e6-45d6-9434-77b3448fb796.jpeg] I
suppose that’s not terribly interesting, but the large block of authentic
Russian bumf on the back might be:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/95e24ab7-be8b-41af-93c7-f092c3da9fea.jpeg] The
long paragraph at the top repeats the marketing blurb which notably name drops
not only the Lawks safety but also the Wave opener, verbatim. Somehow, I’d
highly doubt that either of the above have been dutifully licensed from their
respective owners. It also lists the Изготовитель, manufacturer, as “Linear
Group LTD., Room 1412, Tian Plaza, No. 49 North Yunnan Road, Nanjing, PRC.” So
that answers that. The smaller block down in the lower right corner is the
typical set of care instructions and admonitions. Do not use for throwing, do
not give to children, that sort of thing. But it also goes out of its way to
note (on the top line), “This is not a cold weapon and has no restrictions on
circulation (distribution) or carrying.” This “cold weapon” thing is a wrinkle
of Russian law that I don’t pretend to understand, and the internet tells me the
definition is rather complex. What an idiom, though. Still, how nice to know
that this doesn’t count as a “weapon.” One wonders just what the hell does,
then. In my US state the Finka is more than large enough that carrying it
concealed in public would require the same permit as a firearm. (Maybe the
Ruskies are cooler in at least one respect than I thought.)
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/567c6eb9-9400-4cf4-be61-64617c272370.jpeg] The
front of the box is considerably less amusing, although the logo and web address
are printed in shiny silver foil. # The Inevitable Conclusion I really like the
Finka-C. I like it so much that I wrote this entire column without making one
“In Soviet Russia, X Y’s you” joke. You probably didn’t even notice, did you? I
don’t know if the Finka is the absolute superlative largest Wave opening knife
you can buy, but it’s definitely got to be getting there. If that’s what you
want and you’d like it without spending an insane amount of money on a Zero
Tolerance or an Emerson, maybe give HOKC a shot. It’s a shame about the lock,
but it’s easy enough to discard. A CRKT M16 would be an easy substitute for this
if you’d like something from stateside, but none of those have a Wave on 'em.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/790bf60b-d0de-4f74-bbd2-baba37942d0a.jpeg] And
there is no denying that the Finka-C both looks and feels bad ass. Well
deserving of the space in the middle. That’s got to count for something.