Cudeman Colibri II Olive Wood (135-L): the field knife that weighs just enough
Designed for anyone who scrutinises every gram of their kit without giving up precision, the Cudeman Colibri II with reference 135-L works as a dependable secondary tool for the outdoor enthusiast. A scaled-down version of the classic Colibri I, it carries on the Albacete knife-making tradition in a very light body that almost goes unnoticed on the belt or inside the backpack. Its discreet character makes it comfortable over long days and yet decisive when it is time to dress game, turning it into the regular backup for those who work in the field.
The knife's lines do away with ornament to keep what matters: a firm grip, a clean cut and a restrained weight that lets you spend hours on detail work without fatigue setting in.
Reasons to choose this model
- Nimble handling: at barely 110 grams and in a very compact format, it lets you work in tight areas without your arm aching after a while of use.
- Integrated safety stop: the fin-shaped guard rises from the blade itself and acts as a solid brake, so your fingers do not slip towards the edge even when moisture is involved.
- Cutting precision: the 8.5 cm blade with a drop-point profile and hollow grind fits neatly into the narrow gaps of the joints and gets the most out of the meat.
- Warm, natural handle: the olive wood matches the temperature of your hand on cold mornings and offers a pleasant contact that a synthetic material can hardly equal.
Steel and edge behaviour
The blade is made from molybdenum vanadium steel hardened to 54/56 HRc, a combination that holds its edge well and copes easily with the technical dressing of any animal. That metallurgy also offers good protection against corrosion when it comes into contact with blood or with humidity-laden environments. Thanks to the geometry of its grind, restoring the edge out in the field is straightforward with a fine-grit stone, so it is easy to keep a sharp edge from start to finish of the task.
Construction and sturdiness
Its restrained size should not be mistaken for fragility. The Colibri II is a full tang knife: a single sheet of steel 3 mm thick runs through the whole piece from the tip to the end of the handle. That continuity removes the usual weak points and gives a feeling of total solidity in the hand. That said, given its slim profile and its vocation as a field scalpel, it is best reserved for fine cutting and not used as a lever on thick bones, so as not to spoil the refined geometry of the edge.
Handle and real grip
Control of the cut rests with a set of natural satin-finish olive wood scales. This wood is oil-treated at the factory to bring out its grain, and its natural pores help maintain traction even with hands dirty from work. Flat aluminium rivets fix the wood permanently to the chassis and shape a compact 9.5 cm handle that fits naturally into the hand during meticulous tasks.
Sheath and carry
For carrying, comfort and discretion come first. It includes a good-quality brown leather sheath in vegetable-tanned hide, made in Spain. Its classic vertical-carry cut lets you fix it to the belt without getting in the way or snagging in dense vegetation, while the leather holds the tool firmly for silent carry and a well-protected blade.
Common uses
- Dressing and fine butchering: it is practical for working through tendons, opening joints and tending to the delicate parts of the animal thanks to its manoeuvrable format.
- Small game: its size makes it ideal for preparing partridge, rabbit or hare cleanly and at a good pace.
- Backup on driven hunts: the support tool that always goes with you, to prepare lunch, cut cord or tidy up the stand without any fuss.
Care and maintenance
- Cleaning in the field: after processing a catch, remove any residue with soap and water and dry the blade thoroughly before storing it in the sheath.
- Caring for the olive wood: as it is natural wood, it is worth applying linseed oil or specific waxes from time to time to nourish the pores, prevent dryness and revive its shine.
- Touching up the edge: a light pass on the honing steel before each outing keeps the grind cutting like the first day.
- Caring for the leather: do not dry the sheath next to radiators or near an open flame, and apply neatsfoot grease occasionally so the hide stays supple and resistant to moisture.
The Cudeman Colibri II (135-L) makes it clear that compact dimensions are no obstacle to effectiveness in the field. A hunter's piece designed to perform reliably season after season, available at Navajeria with shipping across mainland Spain.
