Old North Europenean Knife

RobT · 2nd December 2007, 01:58 AM

Hi Tatyana Dianova,
According to The Knives of Finland by Lester C. Ristinen, "A much lamented "blood grove" was ground into the blades by the Kauhava knifemakers beginning in 1905. Finnish knife purists were dismayed and the Finnish author, Sakari Palsi, in his book titled "Puukko" complained that the grinding of the useless, borrowed blood grove is a travesty in puukko manufacture.". If Mr. Ristinen is correct, your blade dates to post 1904. You might do well to contact Mr Alan Maisey of the keris forum. I believe he collects puukko. If he is as knowledgeable about puukko as he is about Javanese keris all your questions will be answered.
Sincerely,
RobT

Rich · 2nd December 2007, 09:36 AM

Here's a few pictures of various "puukko". All are 20th C made.

Rich S

Rich · 2nd December 2007, 09:38 AM

And a couple more pics:

Rich S

kronckew · 2nd December 2007, 07:32 PM

a couple of mine, top one is an older one, unsigned.

the bottom one is a late 20th c. marttiini custom from their gallerie art range, signed j. marttiini - finland alongside the fuller.

Rich · 2nd December 2007, 09:19 PM

Your top puukko is likely by Iisakki Jarvenpaa of Kauhava Finland.
I have one exactly like it, also unsigned and one exactly like it
signed Iisakki Jarvenpaa. For some reason, Jarvenpaa made a lot
of unsigned blades in the mid 20th C. No idea why. They were and
are the largest Finnish knife company.

Rich S

Jim McDougall · 3rd December 2007, 04:11 AM

Thank you so much for these great illustrations Rich!!! It seems all I've seen is line drawings of these (Faktor) and to see them fully illustrated shows what incredibly attractive knives they are.
Kronckew, those are some beauties you've got there! I think if I was going for a hunting knife it'd be one of these......gotta be careful about saying that out here in Bowie country!!

All best regards,
Jim

P.S. I think we lost Tatyana but I'm glad to have a thread on these!

Jeff Pringle · 3rd December 2007, 06:49 AM

This recently showed up at my house, looks like the blade is made from non-commercial steel. 12" or 30 cm overall length.

kronckew · 3rd December 2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

...
Kronckew, those are some beauties you've got there! I think if I was going for a hunting knife it'd be one of these......gotta be careful about saying that out here in Bowie country!!

...

thanks for the kind words.

with a name like 'jim', a bowie would seem to fit

my 'user' is a bit newer and considerably cheaper, got two of these carbon steel Mora's (e.jonsson) for under $10.

the grip is actually wood under that paint, i've cleaned it off the other one and it appears to be birch. while i've got a few bowies, they are not really field knives, not unless you're in a combat zone anyways.

2nd December 2007, 01:58 AM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 564	Post 1904 Hi Tatyana Dianova, According to The Knives of Finland by Lester C. Ristinen, "A much lamented "blood grove" was ground into the blades by the Kauhava knifemakers beginning in 1905. Finnish knife purists were dismayed and the Finnish author, Sakari Palsi, in his book titled "Puukko" complained that the grinding of the useless, borrowed blood grove is a travesty in puukko manufacture.". If Mr. Ristinen is correct, your blade dates to post 1904. You might do well to contact Mr Alan Maisey of the keris forum. I believe he collects puukko. If he is as knowledgeable about puukko as he is about Javanese keris all your questions will be answered. Sincerely, RobT

2nd December 2007, 09:36 AM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Here's a few pictures of various "puukko". All are 20th C made. Rich S Attached Images

2nd December 2007, 09:38 AM	#3
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	And a couple more pics: Rich S Attached Images

2nd December 2007, 07:32 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,239	a couple of mine, top one is an older one, unsigned. the bottom one is a late 20th c. marttiini custom from their gallerie art range, signed j. marttiini - finland alongside the fuller. Last edited by kronckew; 2nd December 2007 at 07:44 PM.

3rd December 2007, 06:49 AM	#7
Jeff Pringle Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 189	This recently showed up at my house, looks like the blade is made from non-commercial steel. 12" or 30 cm overall length. Attached Images

2nd December 2007, 09:19 PM	#5
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Your top puukko is likely by Iisakki Jarvenpaa of Kauhava Finland. I have one exactly like it, also unsigned and one exactly like it signed Iisakki Jarvenpaa. For some reason, Jarvenpaa made a lot of unsigned blades in the mid 20th C. No idea why. They were and are the largest Finnish knife company. Rich S

3rd December 2007, 04:11 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,474	Thank you so much for these great illustrations Rich!!! It seems all I've seen is line drawings of these (Faktor) and to see them fully illustrated shows what incredibly attractive knives they are. Kronckew, those are some beauties you've got there! I think if I was going for a hunting knife it'd be one of these......gotta be careful about saying that out here in Bowie country!! All best regards, Jim P.S. I think we lost Tatyana but I'm glad to have a thread on these!