Knives of the Norsemen

Justin · 13th July 2005, 03:54 PM

Im glad to see so much interest in these guys,maybe someone can help me with a question.These little knives supposedly date back 1000-2000 years and yet I have seen very few that look any older than the 1930s-1940s,were are all of the 19th century and earlier models?

Andrew · 13th July 2005, 04:08 PM

Good question, Justin. I wonder if this is a function of these knives' function. Are these working knives/tools? If so, I would expect most owners to use them untill unusuable, and then discard/replace.

spiral · 13th July 2005, 04:42 PM

My names Spiral and Im a Pukkoholic!

Well more of a kukriholic actualy! but I do have a couple of quality Scandanavian knives.

Anyway! So Is this Norwegian Staskniv counted as a pukko?

The maker is Loune with a rampant lion with axe trademark on the blade, & a flower on the probably nickel silver ring around the top of the scabbard.

Ive found out that Tarould Louen {1825-1901} & Elias Louen{1865-1954) were considered amongst the top 5 master craftsman church carvers in Norway & they both made these knives .

The grip & pierced sheath is slow grown holly wood, & its all seems very utilitarion despite is carving.the blade is 3.5inch. oa. in scabbard 9in.
Perhaps The most skilfull part, but easy to overlook to my mind was perhaps the tapered & gently stepped oval hollowng of the inside of the scabbard to match the external profile of the knife. That bits not so showy but not many men could do it as smoothly & finely as this is done.

Even the fret work varies on each side of the scabbard , so it was carved through not fret sawed.

Instead of a horse, the head resembles the dragon caved on the original Viking long boats.

I wonder if its possible for anyone here to date when this was made? & which craftsman. made it? or am I asking the impossible?

Not sure whether my other one counts as a true Pukko either? often called a finnish knife in Sweden , I belive?

its a Standard, 4inch blade 1874 style Swedish barrel knife , with a Finnish masur birch handle.

By Joh Enggstrom, so that predates c.1915 I would presume.

I realy like them both!

All comments, thoughts & info welcome!

Spiral.

Lew · 13th July 2005, 04:51 PM

Hi Spiral

That is one nice looking puukko the carving is exquisite I am green

with envy.

Lew

Rich · 13th July 2005, 09:13 PM

IMHO, the Norwegian staskniv is in the puukko group as
are most Scandanavian knives.
The Swedish barrel knife would be if it were a fixed blade.
Don't know about folding puukko :-)

BTW - my wife collects Swedish Barrel knives. Has
about 50 of them; all sizes fromm 10inch (closed length)
to about 1 inch; most with wood handles; but a couple
rarities in ivory; another in tortise shell. They were
also copied and made in India (these usually have the
typical carving set type carved handles).

I just got a absolute mint L & K Kauhava "Scout Knife"
off ebay. (These have a guard and basically look like
any western style hunting knife). Red galalite handle
with aluminum hook pommel and brass guard.Amazing it is mint
considering the company went out of business in 1945
according to Ristinen's book.

Rich S

Lew · 13th July 2005, 09:58 PM

Rich

You are a lucky man to have a wife that likes to collect knives. Most of my knife collecting buddies have wives who think we are out of our minds the wives just see them as rusty old junk

Lew

Rich · 13th July 2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Rich

You are a lucky man to have a wife that likes to collect knives. Most of my knife collecting buddies have wives who think we are out of our minds the wives just see them as rusty old junk

Lew

Just because my wife collects knives doesn't necessarily
mean she doesn't think I'm out of my mind :-)

Rich S

Battara · 13th July 2005, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Rich

You are a lucky man to have a wife that likes to collect knives. Most of my knife collecting buddies have wives who think we are out of our minds the wives just see them as rusty old junk

Lew

In my case, my wife does not think my stuff rusty old junk (though she swears I'm out of my mind regardless

).

I like that pukko, Spiral. I'm with Lou - beautiful carving!

13th July 2005, 04:42 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	My names Spiral and Im a Pukkoholic! Well more of a kukriholic actualy! but I do have a couple of quality Scandanavian knives. Anyway! So Is this Norwegian Staskniv counted as a pukko? The maker is Loune with a rampant lion with axe trademark on the blade, & a flower on the probably nickel silver ring around the top of the scabbard. Ive found out that Tarould Louen {1825-1901} & Elias Louen{1865-1954) were considered amongst the top 5 master craftsman church carvers in Norway & they both made these knives . The grip & pierced sheath is slow grown holly wood, & its all seems very utilitarion despite is carving.the blade is 3.5inch. oa. in scabbard 9in. Perhaps The most skilfull part, but easy to overlook to my mind was perhaps the tapered & gently stepped oval hollowng of the inside of the scabbard to match the external profile of the knife. That bits not so showy but not many men could do it as smoothly & finely as this is done. Even the fret work varies on each side of the scabbard , so it was carved through not fret sawed. Instead of a horse, the head resembles the dragon caved on the original Viking long boats. I wonder if its possible for anyone here to date when this was made? & which craftsman. made it? or am I asking the impossible? Not sure whether my other one counts as a true Pukko either? often called a finnish knife in Sweden , I belive? its a Standard, 4inch blade 1874 style Swedish barrel knife , with a Finnish masur birch handle. By Joh Enggstrom, so that predates c.1915 I would presume. I realy like them both! All comments, thoughts & info welcome! Spiral. Attached Images

13th July 2005, 03:54 PM	#1
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 180	Im glad to see so much interest in these guys,maybe someone can help me with a question.These little knives supposedly date back 1000-2000 years and yet I have seen very few that look any older than the 1930s-1940s,were are all of the 19th century and earlier models?

13th July 2005, 04:08 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Good question, Justin. I wonder if this is a function of these knives' function. Are these working knives/tools? If so, I would expect most owners to use them untill unusuable, and then discard/replace.

13th July 2005, 04:51 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Spiral That is one nice looking puukko the carving is exquisite I am green with envy. Lew

13th July 2005, 09:13 PM	#5
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	IMHO, the Norwegian staskniv is in the puukko group as are most Scandanavian knives. The Swedish barrel knife would be if it were a fixed blade. Don't know about folding puukko :-) BTW - my wife collects Swedish Barrel knives. Has about 50 of them; all sizes fromm 10inch (closed length) to about 1 inch; most with wood handles; but a couple rarities in ivory; another in tortise shell. They were also copied and made in India (these usually have the typical carving set type carved handles). I just got a absolute mint L & K Kauhava "Scout Knife" off ebay. (These have a guard and basically look like any western style hunting knife). Red galalite handle with aluminum hook pommel and brass guard.Amazing it is mint considering the company went out of business in 1945 according to Ristinen's book. Rich S

13th July 2005, 09:58 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Rich You are a lucky man to have a wife that likes to collect knives. Most of my knife collecting buddies have wives who think we are out of our minds the wives just see them as rusty old junk Lew