Swedish/Finnish/Norwegian knives

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
Recently, I have developed a slight fascination with Nordic knives. In my eyes, they are simple, elegant and functional, as most knives should strive to be.

Besides, these knives are highly affordable, and they are pretty cute, too. Some of stubby but most have a traditional flavour that seems to get better with age.

These days, knives that have clear and deep roots in history are only savoured by those who are knowledgeable and mindful of their rich past and heritage.

I have read up a bit about these Swedish/Finnish/Norwegian knives. I find them quite fascinating. Like I say, simple, elegant and true to their function of cutting, chopping and slicing.
 
My first Puuko was a KP, forged "silver steel" now sold thru Kellam. That converted me right away. An extraordinary cutter, very simple. elegant, tough and, frankly, beautiful. But not cheap. These folks in Northern Europe really knew and know how to make and use a knife.

I would love to acquire more knives like that of similar quality, and even some of the more decorative ones. There is a fairly extensive network on the net. But I think the right way to do it is to go over there for a show, tour the shops and do some camping, hunting, climbing, kayaking etc.

Some really outstanding work and designs.

I've never been troubled by the absence of guards at all. But I'm told some folks are.
 
Hi all, finally registered after years in lurk.

Finnish knives are great! They haven't been able to produce an internationally known brand, such as Fällkniven, but as you said, they sure know their knives. No guard, minimal hilt, straight stubby blade, usually some high-carbon steel, and very reasonably price if you can go there and visit the shops. A friend of mine has an extensive collection of Marttiini, Iisakki Järvenpää, Lapin Puukko, Kauhava and other tongue-twisting brand knives, and I have to agree, they are beautiful and they perform. Although some manufacturers are making cheesy watered-down puukko-cum-Bowie-hybrids, complete with cross-guard and cordura sheaths, thus sacrificing the age-old elegance of the design for that tactical :barf: look, most serious knife companies still produce the real thing.

The Kauhava knives especially caught my eye, with a bronze horse-head hilt and a flashy belt and sheath combo. The knives come in pairs, one small and one large, and there's a story that the small one is spreading butter on bread and putting little kids in their right place; the big one is for settling "businesses" among men.

Roselli is a name to remember as well. Very rustic, even primitive, thay evoke thoughts of hunters and fishers in the deep northern forests. They make nice hatchets as well. I have a small carving knife from Roselli, named "Mummonhammas" (grandma's tooth).
 
Welcome to the forums, Askari!

That is a nice account of your knives.
 
I have 2 Finnish made knives and have been using one of them lately to carve on hardwood for a walking stick. It was made by Kay Vikstrom of Finland. It was made to be a user and has about a 3.5" long forged blade with a very plain sheath and handle. This knife is a great cutter and holds an edge better than any other knife I have ever used. Puukko handles are very comfortable to hold on to. I also like the dangling style sheaths alot. Both of the sheaths for the Puukko's I own have wooden inserts at the bottom half of the sheath. Besides keeping the sheath rigid and allowing protection from the sharp blades this also allows me to keep the knives stored in their sheaths without any signs of rusting. I am not sure if this was intentional, but it seems to work out this way. I have to agree with you that these knives are very elegant and functional.
 
Hey, Askari, welcome to the forums. That's a great first post!
 
Scandinavian knives are very good knives. They have been serving those people for generations, must be something to them!
 
I love scandinavian knives. Especialli because of Hi-Tech Laminated blades.

Helle makes laminated blades almost for every knife they made - nobody here doing this. I had discussion on Spyderco forum about laminated steel, but as I understand after all this words - they are not able to do something like this so far.

Helle knives just look traditional and old designed because of proven by generations wooden handle (most comfortable I know) but for real they are on the edge of mettalugry science with this stainless laminated blades.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Hey Ed,

Just wondering where you purchased your Finnish customs? I have been looking for a custom puukko. Thanks!
 
I have an inexpensive carbon steel pukko I got from Kellam at a gun show. It is a lot of knife for the money and a great cutter.

The Scandinavians know how to make knives that cut.
 
berettaman, Was fortunate to find Jukka Hankala and Kay Vikstrom at the Badger knife show in Janesville, WI this last March. Kay speaks English and was able to answer my questions about the knives they both had on display and about the steels they used. I bought one knife from each of them. I have not used the knife made by Jukka Hankala yet. I emailed Kay and he said he is hoping to be back in the USA next year, not sure if he will be at the Badger show again though. He said he would email some knife pictures to me when he could. He also said he does most of his forging in the colder months as he has a small shop. They both have websites:

http://users.reppu.net/j.hankala/englanti/etusivu/front_page.htm

http://zap.to/kaitsu

I am not sure about ordering from them via email, but it gives you something to look at.
 
Golok, HJK - thanks for your kind words! :)

I just realized that one of my favourite beaters is Finnish, a nearly 15" leuku from Marttiini. This Finnish friend of mine with the collection gave it to me. Nowadays long leukus are mostly novelty items and souvenirs but they still work. It's a kind of machete but with a convex ground, thick, straight blade and a very attractive birch handle; mine has genuine silver buttcap and bolster as well. I was told that the leukus of the northern Sami people (actually the natives of what is now known as Scandinavia) were made that way to chop down small trees for Sami teepee-type dwellings and for slaughtering reindeer. So they bear very little resemblance with the short, hollow or flat ground blades known as puukkos.

Learning about indigenous cultures is an excellent excuse for knife collecting, don't you think? ;)
 
For those interested in Nordic knives, there's an interesting book called "Kniver og knivemakere" (English: Knives and knifemakers)by Per Thoresen, published by Tapir Forlag, Norway. It provides a very comprehensive overview of the Scandinavian knifemaking scene, with the emphasis almost exclusively on traditional designs. Unfortunately for most, it is written in Norwegian, but is very well illustrated. I don't know whether it is available in English or not. I had a relative in Norway pick up a copy for me.
 
www.brisa.fi

This is a nordic knife and knifemaking supply site. It is run by Dennis Holmbacka who is a straight shooter, a good man to do business with.

The Bush sponsered tarriffs coincided with (initiated?) the start of a rise in the value of the Euro, so the effect is that prices are 30%+ higher than they were when the steel tariff went into effect.
 
Best dilers I know
http://www.ragweedforge.com/
http://www.helleknife.com
-----------------------------------
Best makers:
http://users.reppu.net/j.hankala/englanti/etusivu/front_page.htm
You may e-mail Jukka and he use PayPal I have SilverSteel 6" puukko blade from him
http://www.roselli.fi
I called Roselly in midnight and told my Card number - they don't have SSL.
http://www.kainuunpuukko.com/english/index.htm
http://www.helle.no
-----------------------------------------
Misc
http://www.marttiini.fi/puukot/shop/english/default.htm
http://www.frosts.se/index_2_uk.html
http://www.brusletto.no/
http://www.iisakkijarvenpaa.fi/
http://www.karesuandokniven.com/
http://www.kivikangas.fi/kalakauppa/
http://www.kellamknives.com/

Thanks, Vassili.
 
My puukkos and Scandinavian knives are amongst my very favorites. Light and sharp, they get the job done.

I have several photos in my online gallery. (Link below my signature.)
 
I have a very nice little utility pukko that I got from Kellam. Lots of knife for the money.They showed me a large Martini knife that was one of the best knives I ever handled. It was $900 though.
 
I naturally also like Scandinavian knives. Here`s a picture of a knife I bought 2 weeks ago. It`s a small saami knife made by a sweede.
Overall length is 7.75 inches with blade lenght 3.75 inches. Material is reindeer antler and leather. The knife is full tang.
fb856086.jpg


Tor
 
Blues, you have a great collection of Nordic knives.

I shall try and get a few like those for myself at a later date. :)
 
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