A limited quantity made. The set for life.
At Kasperi, we create items that forge lifelong connections. In 2020, we teamed up with Roselli, a Finnish bespoke knife and axe manufacturer who shared our values of life-lasting quality. This spirit of collaboration led to the renowned Explorer Set. The following year leads to the Mk II version, with the introduction of the Kasperi Puukko. Our vision of the quintessential Finnish utility knife.
This year, we're introducing the Explorer Set Mk III first in Black. Together with a matching Kasperi Puukko with the Firesteel and the Axe, the Explorer Set Mk III readies you for a life off the beaten path. While each of our creations is unique in its own way, occasionally something truly magnificent emerges. The Explorer Set Mk III is such a product, available now in very limited quantities. Secure yours before they're all gone.
Imagine being at ease on your journeys. The satisfaction of owning a piece that is built to last, a true companion for all your adventures. The joy that comes from knowing your backpack was hand-crafted with passion – in Finland. Made out of high-quality German and Italian vegetable-tanned full-grain leather – this backpack is made to be by your side for a lifetime.
The Fold Top backpack is a stylish and functional choice for any occasion, whether you're hitting the trails, traveling, or going about your daily life. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended use, while its good looks make it a great match for both casual and formal settings.
The unique design of the saddle leather back frame distributes weight for the comfortable carrying of heavier loads. The wide leather straps conform to the contours of your shoulders for an exceptionally comfortable fit.
But don't just take our word for it, read the reviews below as well as the test on Carryology. If you still need more information, don't hesitate to ask through the form below or email.
OBS: Shipping on Fridays when the backpacks arrive at our studio.
Why this pack?
Design
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Made for use with great load distribution and versatile rigging options.
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Outstanding comfort as the leather conforms to your body over time.
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Timeless design that builds character over time as the leathers patinates.
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Handcrafted in Finland with a passion for quality by our friends.
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Engineered for repairability with strong materials that make repairs possible.
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Built to last to leave something for the next generations.
Features
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Six sturdy attachment points for attaching hiking equipment, fishing rods or camera tripods.
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Front pocket to keep your everyday carry conveniently at hand.
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Detachable laptop sleeve for up to 17” laptops or documents.
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Adjustable capacity with the extension strap that’s stored inside.
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Built-in carrying handle for easy travel in buses, trains and planes.
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D-ring key loop for never losing your keys.
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Stay safe and visible by attaching a rear bicycle light to its attachment point.
Details
The Explorer Set Mk III includes
Extended:
Backpack Materials and Origins
- Cutting and sowing: Handcrafted in Finland
- Frame and back: Sturdy German SOHRE tannery’s vegetable-tanned bovine saddle leather
- Folding part: Supple Italian Virgilio tannery's vegetable-tanned bovine leather
- Laptop sleeve: Recycled PET felt – made in Finland
- G-buckles: Marine-grade stainless AISI 316 steel – laser cut in Finland
- Roller buckles: Chromed steel – Sweden
- Yarn: Waxed polyester yarn – Italy
- Rivets: Copper plated steel – Italy
Backpack dimensions
Main compartment: Width 30cm, Height 45–60cm, Depth 16cm
Front Pocket: Width 20cm, Height 14cm, Depth 4cm
Felt Sleeve: Width 29cm, Height 43cm, Depth 4cm
Volume
27 liters at maximum capacity
The Equipment
The Explorer Set Mk III
Kasperi Puukko w/Firesteel – The original multitool. Crafted By Roselli
Designed by us and handcrafted by Roselli, the Kasperi Puukko is our take on the quintessential Finnish puukko. The puukko is a utilitarian type of knife made for handling a large variety of tasks. For Finns the puukko is the original multitool.
The skill of using a puukko in versatile ways safely is not only useful but also a great source of joy. In Finnish tradition, the puukko is used for absolutely everything. It was used for making fire, carving, making shelters for the night, preparing a meal and eating. The Kasperi Puukko is made to cultivate these wilderness skills.
The shaped handle is made out of gorgeous stained curly birch and treated with linseed oil for a firm grip even when wet. The burly 4mm thick blade and the full tang structure make it handle rougher tasks with ease. Roselli's signature Ultra High Carbon steel keeps the edge like no other. The secret behind Roselli UHC steel's superior cutting performance and sharpness lies in the small carbides which are formed in the steel. The carbides themselves are almost as hard as diamond and make the blades very sharp and durable. This also means the knife performs beyond the knife's rated HRC hardness as HRC testing cannot measure the hardness of carbides.
Our custom sheath made out of vegetable-tanned leather protects the blade and lets you hang the Puukko safely on your belt. The Firesteel that’s housed on the sheath makes the Kasperi Puukko a valuable tool for creating a fire.
Bear in mind that while the UHC steel offers unparalleled blade performance, this also means that the blades should be handled with care. The hardness of the steel means that small rocks between the blade and the wood can cause blade edge damage. Edge damage can be fixed by sending the knife to Roselli's lifetime sharpening service. When batoning or splitting wood with the knife, you should take care to use the knife on the clean side of the log and not drop the knife on hard surfaces. For corrosion protection, rinse the blade from any salt, then dry and oil the blade. By keeping your blade oiled, you'll make sure the blade will stay sharp and strong for ages.
All knives and axes made by Roselli include a lifetime sharpening service. So in case the blade of your knife or axe needs servicing, just ship the product and Roselli will take care of it!
Kasperi x Roselli – Firesteel
The firesteel is a tool with which you can create sparks. It comes incredibly handy when you want to start a fire, and is, therefore, a self-evident tool to carry with you. The Firesteel is used with the backside of the knife to strike sparks on a prepared “primer” tinder - for example, dry birch bark that is rasped with a knife to create a flammable kindling. Once you get the kindling ignited, it is gradually fed with larger sticks until you have a campfire. The Roselli Firesteel fits in its own compartment on the Kasperi custom-made knife sheath.
Product Data
Steel: UHC steel, hardness: 62-63 HRC
Blade length: 110 mm
Total length: 240 mm
Blade thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 220 g without sheath – 340 g with sheath and Firesteel
Handle: Stained curly birch
Sheath: Vegetable-tanned leather
Kasperi x Roselli Axe
Kasperi x Roselli traditional Axe with a custom handle is an effective wood-cutting tool, whether used while camping or at the summer cottage. The wide blade angle prevents the axe from getting stuck, and in addition to woodcutting, it can be used for whittling as well. This special edition comes with Kasperi's custom-made leather sheath to protect the edge. With the supplied Kasperi utility straps, you can attach the axe to Kasperi Fold Top -backpack. The axe handle is made from birch and is stained and coated with linseed oil to ensure a firm grip, even when wet.
All knives and axes made by Roselli include a lifetime sharpening service. So in case the blade of your knife or axe needs servicing, just ship the product and Roselli will take care of it!
Product Data
Steel: Carbon steel, hardness: 60 HRC
Blade length: 90 mm
Total length: 400 mm
Weight: 720 g
Handle: Stained birch
Sheath: Vegetable-tanned leather
Delivery
Shipping on Fridays when the products arrive to our studio.
Worldwide
Products are delivered worldwide via Posti, UPS, and Express Mail Service (EMS). Options for your area provided at checkout. Shipping fees are between 20€ and 50€ depending on your location and chosen delivery options. Delivery times vary between 3-21 days.
To see your options in more detail proceed to checkout.
Finland
Products are delivered via Matkahuolto to the nearest pickup point of the address provided. In Helsinki a bicycle courier option and pickup appointments are also available.
Tracking orders and Support
Customers are notified and sent a tracking number by e-mail to the address provided.
Contact us for tailored support or requests with the form below or via email.
FAQ
How should I care for my leather backpack?
You can start using your backpack straight out of the box. Leather works well even in bad weather conditions, and getting wet is fine as long as it is properly cared for. Of course the harder use, the faster patina, but that only ads character to the pack.
Treat with wax every 4-6 months or when the leather feels like it's drying, treat lightly with wax. Wipe the leather to clean it. With a cloth spread a thin layer of wax on the leather. Allow the wax to permeate overnight and then polish the remainders off with a cotton or wool cloth. The scent of tar will fade away in a couple of days, if a lot of wax is applied, this will take longer.
We recommend using natural products like bees wax based products or natural oils. Synthetic leather protection can block the pores of the leather. This will reduce the leather's ability to absorb wax and oils - ultimately reducing the lifespan of the backpack.
How long is the break in period of the leather backpack?
We believe that leather is the best material for backpacks because it conforms to our bodies over time and can last for decades while remaining in good condition.
Like all high quality leather goods, Kasperi backpacks also have a break-in period. It will take a couple of weeks of active use for the shoulder straps to start forming to your body. If you experience any pressure points, squeeze the straps lightly with your hands from the pressure points to help it form faster.
Closing and opening the G-buckles is also stiff at first but as the leather loops softens and form over time it will become fluid.
With proper care and use, these packs develop a unique patina and become more personal by the day.
What about repairs or service?
We believe in the “right to repair”. Every aspect from structures to material thicknesses are considered for repairability. Because our bags are designed to last for decades, it is inevitable that they will require servicing at some point. The hardest wearing parts like the shoulder straps are made from 3mm leather so that they will last for decades of use.
The hardest-wearing parts (i.e. shoulder straps) are made from 3mm leather for longevity and the whole structure is designed with serviceability in mind.
All knives and axes made by Roselli include a lifetime sharpening service. So in case the blade of your knife or axe needs servicing, just ship the product and Roselli will take care of it!
