A slice of cheese, an apple, a package that needs opening. None calls for a large survival knife or a multitool full of extras. The WESN Samla takes the simpler route: a small sheepsfoot blade, a slim handle, and a traditional folding mechanism without a blade lock.
Price: $79
Where to Buy: WESN
The Burlwood version costs $79 and pairs Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel with phosphor bronze washers and an included leather sheath. It’s a compact folder for camp-kitchen prep and everyday cuts, not a hard-use workhorse. The blade shape explains the first part; the non-locking mechanism explains the second.
A Small Blade Built Around Slicing
The Samla’s 2.45-inch sheepsfoot blade has a relatively straight cutting edge, with a spine that slopes down toward the tip. Think slicing against a cutting board rather than piercing with the pronounced point of a drop-point or clip-point blade.
For cheese, fruit, and smaller ingredients at camp, that shape makes sense. The straight edge also suits opening packages and trimming lightweight materials. You don’t get much blade length for larger ingredients, though, and the subdued point isn’t the one to choose for piercing jobs.
Sandvik 12C27 is a stainless steel commonly used in Scandinavian knives. Its combination of corrosion resistance and relatively easy sharpening fits a small knife that could move between food prep and everyday cutting. Stainless doesn’t mean you can put it away wet: clean and dry the blade after use, especially after working around food or moisture.
The steel name only tells you so much. Heat treatment, edge geometry, and sharpening all affect how a knife cuts and how long it holds an edge.
No Lock, So Keep the Cutting Deliberate
The Samla is a friction folder. There’s no liner lock or frame lock mechanically securing the blade open, and that changes how you use it. Pressure in the closing direction can fold the blade back toward the handle.
Keep the work to controlled slicing, maintain a secure grip, and avoid pressure that could close the blade. Forceful cuts, twisting, and demanding outdoor jobs belong with a different tool. If you’re used to a locking folder, don’t bring the same handling habits to this one.
Phosphor bronze washers provide bearing surfaces around the pivot as the blade opens and closes. They’re a familiar component in folding knives, but they aren’t a substitute for a lock. The Samla keeps the construction simple by leaving out that additional locking hardware.
For someone who likes traditional pocket knives, that simplicity is part of the appeal.
Burlwood, Slim Dimensions, and a Leather Sheath
At 3.25 inches closed and 5.7 inches open, the Samla doesn’t ask for much room in a pocket, backpack, or camp cooking kit. It’s 0.25 inches thick, and the Burlwood version weighs 1.34 oz (38 g).
The wood grain gives it a different look from the aluminum, titanium, and synthetic handles common in modern everyday carry. It fits the simple blade and traditional construction without adding visual clutter. As with other wooden handles, take reasonable care around moisture to preserve its appearance and condition.
There’s no pocket clip or lanyard hole. Instead, you get a leather sheath to store the folded knife and keep it separate from other equipment. That suits the traditional design, but it also means you won’t be clipping the Samla directly to the edge of a pocket. If that’s how you prefer to carry a knife, factor in the different arrangement.
Who Is the Samla For?
The $79 Samla puts its appeal in the details: burlwood, a slim profile, and a small blade shaped for controlled cutting rather than a collection of extra tools. It’s a straightforward option for campers, hikers, and everyday carry enthusiasts whose cutting jobs stay small and light.
The lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, with repair or replacement for qualifying problems. Misuse and neglect aren’t covered, so follow the care and usage recommendations.
Price: $79
Where to Buy: WESN
Choose it for the traditional design and the kind of cutting its short sheepsfoot blade suits. If you need more blade length or a mechanical lock, those are reasons to pick a different folder, not jobs to push this one into.
