Gear Review – Kinni Forge K2 Landing Net, Sanborn Canoe Limited Edition Collection
Overview:
Those of you that know me well are likely aware of my passion for chasing trout with a fly rod. You may also be acquainted with my particular weak spot for art and unique, handcrafted items. The place where these two interests intersect has led to bamboo fly rods, trout oil paintings, hand-made fly wallets, and wooden landing nets coming into my possession, and that brings me to this review.
I was recently introduced to Kinni Forge and their unique collection of stunning hand-made, steam-bent landing nets. Kinni Forge is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and was founded by John Cain – combining his passion for both woodworking and fly fishing. It began with a simple idea: create landing nets that are as beautiful as they are functional. Each net he makes is a testament to the time-honored tradition of steam bending wood, a craft that requires patience, precision, and a deep appreciation for nature's materials. All of John's pieces are beautiful, but what particularly caught my eye was the K2 limited-edition collaboration with one of my favorite brands, Sanborn Canoe.
The Sanborn K2 model is a sleek-tapered 15-inch hoop design with a black rubber mesh basket,10-inch handle, and the bold accent colors and patterns Sanborn is known for. The frame is crafted from four layers of steam-bent, sustainably sourced hardwood – offering exceptional strength and durability – and finished with several applications of tung oil, a custom Sanborn Canoe paint job, and then seven coats of UV resistant clear varnish, ensuring a lasting, protective finish that stands up to the elements.
It was a combination I simply couldn't resist, and my order arrived just in time for the final fishing outing of the season (maybe). As beautiful as it was, I wasted no time putting it's function to the test on a rough-and-tumble trout-chasing outing with my buddy Ozzy for this review.
The Sanborn Limited Edition Collection K2 nets retail for $475. Kinni's regular built-to-order K2 nets retail for $425, with a variety of stunning pre-made options available for $250. The smaller (12-inch hoop) built-to-order K1 models sell for $350. Kinni also offers completely custom net creation for $500, and you can add a personal touch to any net with custom laser etching on the handle for $35.
What I Like:
Beauty: All Kinni Forge nets are made from high-quality wood, carefully selected for aesthetics, strength, and flexibility. The steam bending process allows John to shape the wood into smooth, graceful curves, and the finished product is nothing short of breathtaking. Much like a wood-stocked rifle versus a synthetic or a bamboo fly rod versus graphite, there's just something special about the organic beauty of a hand-made wood net.
Attention to detail: It's obvious that the makers at Kinni Forge pour their hearts into crafting every net, demonstrating sharp attention to detail in every step of the process. From the wood selection, to the shaping, the basket lacing, and the paint and finish, the little details of the net are remarkable – tightly controlled while still maintaining the nuances that are the true beauty of something built by hand.
Tough and useable: After a couple of my previous wooden nets went MIA or gave up the ghost in just a few year's use, I switched to using Fishpond's Nomad series of thermoplastic polyurethane nets. They are tough as nails, and honestly great nets, but much like a synthetic stocked gun or graphite fly rod, they lack the beauty and character of a classic wood landing net.
Kinni threads that needle with exceptionally beautiful products that are built to be used. Their layered steam-bent construction creates a frame that is lighter and stronger than a non-steam bent mass-produced alternative, while also allowing the handle and hoop to act as a continuous structure. This improves durability when landing larger fish and reduces the chance of cracking at stress points. And the multiple layers of protective topcoats ensure their nets are designed to withstand years of exposure to water, sun, and handling.
The Kinni Forge website proclaims that their nets are "built for use, not just display," and Ozzy and I definitely put that to the test on our 8-hour float. There's nothing gentle about the canoe outing we undertook and the abuse our gear went through – it's fair to say this net saw a year's worth of use on this one long Sunday outing. And I can confirm that net held up it's end of the promise on toughness.
Unique/one of a kind: Because each Kinni net is handcrafted and built-to-order, no two are exactly alike, each with its own unique character of wood, including the occasional minor imperfection, which adds to the charm. And, the available custom laser etching allows you to make your net truly personal.
What I Don't Like:
While I tend to primarily review gear that I like and would recommend, I always strive to provide balance and objectivity by pointing out a few things that might be a drawback, or at least something to think about. That being said, I need to put a big disclaimer on the three points that follow as these are truly minor considerations and in no way diminish my complete affection for my Kinni Forge K2 net.
Price: Yes, $475 is a lot of money, but when you understand what goes into the building of each net, it gives that price some context.
John begins by sourcing hardwoods chosen for structural strength, stability, and grain character. The lumber is first milled into precise strips using dedicated jigs to ensure each layer of the frame is uniform and predictable during bending.
Every net is built around a solid hardwood core that defines the handle and internal structure. The profile is laser etched onto the blank, rough cut on a bandsaw, and then sanded precisely to its final geometry. Custom cut brass reinforcements are fitted into the core to add durability at key stress points.
Wood strips are placed into a custom steam chamber where heat and moisture soften the lignin within the fibers. This allows the strips to bend without cracking while retaining their structural integrity once cooled. Exact temperatures and timing are closely controlled and are part of Kinni's proprietary process.
The softened strips are then bent around custom molds and clamped into position around the core. After drying, the strips are removed, coated with adhesive, and clamped again to create a permanent laminated structure. This multi-stage forming process ensures the frame remains stable and does not spring back over time.
The laminated assemblies are left to cure under controlled conditions for a carefully determined period. This stage allows the adhesive to fully crosslink and ensures long-term durability in changing humidity and temperature.
Once cured, each frame is planed, routed, and hand shaped to refine the profile of the handle and outer frame. A channel is machined around the perimeter to accept the net bag, and all stitch holes are precisely drilled. This stage transitions the net from a structural component into a finished tool that feels balanced and comfortable in hand.
The wood is then sanded through multiple grits before receiving a penetrating oil treatment that enriches the grain and provides moisture resistance. In the case of the Sanborn collaborative, the nets are then sent to Sanborn for custom paint application, before returning to Kinni where protective topcoats are applied in multiple layers with sanding between each application. This finishing system is designed to withstand years of exposure to water, sun, and handling.
After curing, the net bag is stitched into the frame by hand, completing the transformation from raw lumber to a finished fishing tool.
In all, each net has somewhere between 40 and 50 hours into the build.
So, are Kinni Forge nets expensive? Yes. But, based on the time, effort, and quality of materials that go into each of them, I'd say they easily justify the associated price tag.
Handle Length: The handle on my K2 Sanborn model is 10 inches. It's the perfect length for a wading net, but a tad on the short side for a boat net. Luckily Kinni allows you to customize the handle length on most nets to reflect your personal style and intended use. For a boat net I'd opt for 14"-18" handle.
Round Shape: The K2 Sanborn model I have features a classic rounded hoop design, and honestly it looks great and worked perfectly for landing all of the fish we caught, but if I'm being picky, my personal preference is for a slightly more oval-shaped hoop. For that shape, Kinni has introduced a K3 model that features a slightly narrower hoop with a more organic silhouette and a subtle, shallow transition from the frame into the handle, though it is not currently offered in the Sanborn Limited Edition series.
Perfect For: A Kinni Forge landing net is a timeless piece, perfect for the avid trout angler who truly appreciates classic design, quality craftsmanship, and a product as functional as it is beautiful. It would make a great gift for that difficult-to-buy-for person on your list, and the custom engraving option adds an additional level of personalization that make it truly one of a kind.
Overall Rating: 5/5
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