Two Finnish Knives for comment

katana · 23rd November 2006, 07:56 PM

Recently bought these.....I understand that Finland has a great knife making tradition....however, not knowing a great deal about these knives I bought them 'impulsively' ....... can anyone tell me if they good examples...in fact any comments/info greatly appreciated.

I know the smaller knife is a Puukko and a dear little thing it is ......and sharp

14.5 cm OAL ...blade 6.7 cms. The handle looks like 'cork' but isn't.

The larger sheath knife is very 'comfortable' to hold has engraved name,

19cms OAL with a 17.5cms blade

Rich · 23rd November 2006, 10:31 PM

The smaller one is a Finnish Leukopuuko, could have been made by a
variety of makers; Iisakki Jarvenpaa, Marttiini, etc. The sheath is
a homemade replacement. The handle is curly birch. Common utility
knife of Finland.

The larger is by far the better. A true Finnish Puukko made by
Iisakki Jarvenpaa (I think that's what it reads in the fuller) from
the town of Kauhava (Finland). Major maker for over a hundred years.
The handle is stacked birch bark. The sheath dates it. The sheath is
pressed paper which was only used at the end of WW II and very
shortly thereafter. The emblem on the handle is the Finnish National
Crest. An excellent example.

I hope this stimulates the "puukko fever" in you. I've been collecting
and studying them for several years. There are two good Scandinavian
knife forums: one on Bladeforums and other on British Blades.

Rich S
(aka Old Puukkophile)

katana · 23rd November 2006, 11:31 PM

Thanks Rick,
I must admit they do have .....something.....They feel 'right' in the hand and considering neither has been recently sharpened they have 'keen' edges.......seems these knives live up to their reputation.
I am very pleased that they are good examples, you certainly know your 'stuff'. Not so certain about the Finnish pronunciation

....but I would imagine some Finnish words would give you a MEGA HIGH score in the game 'Scrabble'.........especially with 'triple word score'

23rd November 2006, 07:56 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Two Finnish Knives for comment Recently bought these.....I understand that Finland has a great knife making tradition....however, not knowing a great deal about these knives I bought them 'impulsively' ....... can anyone tell me if they good examples...in fact any comments/info greatly appreciated. I know the smaller knife is a Puukko and a dear little thing it is ......and sharp 14.5 cm OAL ...blade 6.7 cms. The handle looks like 'cork' but isn't. The larger sheath knife is very 'comfortable' to hold has engraved name, 19cms OAL with a 17.5cms blade Attached Images

23rd November 2006, 10:31 PM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	The smaller one is a Finnish Leukopuuko, could have been made by a variety of makers; Iisakki Jarvenpaa, Marttiini, etc. The sheath is a homemade replacement. The handle is curly birch. Common utility knife of Finland. The larger is by far the better. A true Finnish Puukko made by Iisakki Jarvenpaa (I think that's what it reads in the fuller) from the town of Kauhava (Finland). Major maker for over a hundred years. The handle is stacked birch bark. The sheath dates it. The sheath is pressed paper which was only used at the end of WW II and very shortly thereafter. The emblem on the handle is the Finnish National Crest. An excellent example. I hope this stimulates the "puukko fever" in you. I've been collecting and studying them for several years. There are two good Scandinavian knife forums: one on Bladeforums and other on British Blades. Rich S (aka Old Puukkophile)

23rd November 2006, 11:31 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thanks Rick, I must admit they do have .....something.....They feel 'right' in the hand and considering neither has been recently sharpened they have 'keen' edges.......seems these knives live up to their reputation. I am very pleased that they are good examples, you certainly know your 'stuff'. Not so certain about the Finnish pronunciation ....but I would imagine some Finnish words would give you a MEGA HIGH score in the game 'Scrabble'.........especially with 'triple word score'