The Puukko

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I went to Marttiini store today in Santa’s village. Their newish carbon leuku was tempting but it is a bit light for leuku and I have asked santa for heftier leuku.

I notice their 2-ft long leuku is only 3mm thick.
Laurin has a smaller leuku that's 4.5mm(?) thick, that they call heavy duty. 3mm seems to be usual, so I wonder if the thick one is traditional or a sop to foreign nervous nellies.
Whatt's the leuku on your Christmas list?

 

[A.L.]

I notice their 2-ft long leuku is only 3mm thick.
Laurin has a smaller leuku that's 4.5mm(?) thick, that they call heavy duty. 3mm seems to be usual, so I wonder if the thick one is traditional or a sop to foreign nervous nellies.
Whatt's the leuku on your Christmas list?

Yea, it was really thin like almost machete thin. It also seemed a bit more crude to me but perhaps they wanted to save in fit & finish because it’s so big.

I have been drooling on the Roselli Leuku recently. They are hefty as heck but sadly so is the price tag. But then again they are made in Finland (unlike Marttiini, they make them in Estonia now) and supporting domestic work is closer and closer to my heart.

 

[screened porch]

Marttiini, they make them in Estonia now) and supporting domestic work is closer and closer to my heart.

I didn't know that, but it figures.
I might get a 5" Ahti one day. Most leukus seem to be 7", so I'm tempted by the Stromengs, which I think go up to 9". They're made in Norway, but it's Norwegian Lappland.

And I don't know if we should be discussing leukus in the puukko thread, or where the line is that separates them.


This is a Fiskars that appeared in buckets ages ago, with no label or description, in vinyl blade sleeves, priced well under a dollar. (The sheath was probably under a dollar, too, from when the southern e-tailer was picking Schrade's bones.)

I'll delete it if it isn't a puukko.

 

[A.L.]

I didn't know that, but it figures.
I might get a 5" Ahti one day. Most leukus seem to be 7", so I'm tempted by the Stromengs, which I think go up to 9". They're made in Norway, but it's Norwegian Lappland.

And I don't know if we should be discussing leukus in the puukko thread, or where the line is that separates them.


This is a Fiskars that appeared in buckets ages ago, with no label or description, in vinyl blade sleeves, priced well under a dollar. (The sheath was probably under a dollar, too, from when the southern e-tailer was picking Schrade's bones.)

I'll delete it if it isn't a puukko.

Looks good to me!
Speaking of Norwegian leuku’s the Helle Lapplander is one really smart looking leuku but somehow I prefer carbon steels, at least aesthetically!

 

[oldmanwilly]

I went to Marttiini store today in Santa’s village. Their newish carbon leuku was tempting but it is a bit light for leuku and I have asked santa for heftier leuku.

Wow, that's a cool store. I do not think I would be able to leave that place without buying something, so I applaud your fortitude.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Yea, it was really thin like almost machete thin. It also seemed a bit more crude to me but perhaps they wanted to save in fit & finish because it’s so big.

I have been drooling on the Roselli Leuku recently. They are hefty as heck but sadly so is the price tag. But then again they are made in Finland (unlike Marttiini, they make them in Estonia now) and supporting domestic work is closer and closer to my heart.

I really wish Marttiini would ditch the ricasso and have the entire edge ground traditionally (all the way to the ferrule). Be prepared to do some handle reshaping on that Roselli (if you buy one). I have no idea what they were thinking on those handles but they are massive, the thicker stock blade is nice and sadly a rare thing these days. Ahti makes a great 7" leuku, Kauhavan makes a great 5+" leuku (pictured).






Most production 8" leuku's I've tested have very uncomfortable handles (thin profile with a sharp radius) which makes double duty difficult in terms of chopping and cutting. Saying that, I really enjoy the basic Lauri 8" leuku blade. I have much respect for Finnish made knives and some of my best workhorses are Ahti and Kauhavan productions. Kiln dried curly birch, great balance, and massive soul built into each one. I think they're special and I'm grateful these little families keep the tradition alive.

However, I am eternally pissed off Ahti changed the shape of the handle on their Korpi model. That specific 3" lauri blade is my favorite and I'm shocked that no one uses it with a traditional oval Tommi style handle... but the old version of the handle was as close to it as I've ever seen

If they are any Finnish lads in this thread who have a lead on the older styled Ahti Korpi, I sure would love to purchase one!

 

[A.L.]

Wow, that's a cool store. I do not think I would be able to leave that place without buying something, so I applaud your fortitude.

Trust me it is not easy. I just don’t do any buying decisions lightly anymore. While it would have been nice to walk out with something I know that I already have nice things (or in this case the bigger leuku in mind).

 

[screened porch]

I have an unassembled gas forge and a lot of old files that I should play with before I buy another expensive knife. I'll try leukus before I tackle a Samuel Bell style Bowie.
Or see how the knives turn out and pretend I did it on purpose.

 

[Arathol]

I might get a 5" Ahti one day. Most leukus seem to be 7", so I'm tempted by the Stromengs, which I think go up to 9". They're made in Norway, but it's Norwegian Lappland.

I have a 5" Stromeng, nice knife, good steel but the radius on the bottom of the handle is even more than the Marttiini leukus...Probably fine with gloves on but without its not great....

Yea, it was really thin like almost machete thin. It also seemed a bit more crude to me but perhaps they wanted to save in fit & finish because it’s so big.

3mm is fine as long as its tempered right. The 280 is pretty much a machete so a thin blade makes sense.
I've noticed that F&F on newer Marttiini knives isn't that great across the board , not like they used to be anyhow.

I really wish Marttiini would ditch the ricasso and have the entire edge ground traditionally (all the way to the ferrule).

This is something fairly recent. Up until a few years ago the blades were pretty much flat ground from the spine to the edge, and the edge seemed to be convexed. Newer models are flat stock with a small scandi-type bevel for an edge.
New vs old

Most production 8" leuku's I've tested have very uncomfortable handles (thin profile with a sharp radius) which makes double duty difficult in terms of chopping and cutting.

If you can find one of these, these grip is much fuller and rounder, no sharp radius on the bottom-

Its a somewhat recent (laser etched, not engraved) Martiini 8" Leuku, handle is similar in shape (with a finger groove) to the Moose line of knives.

 

[JasonInVa]

State of the Puukko. All purchased in Finland on vacations.

 

[The Zieg]

Yea, it was really thin like almost machete thin. It also seemed a bit more crude to me but perhaps they wanted to save in fit & finish because it’s so big.

I have been drooling on the Roselli Leuku recently. They are hefty as heck but sadly so is the price tag. But then again they are made in Finland (unlike Marttiini, they make them in Estonia now) and supporting domestic work is closer and closer to my heart.

Second pic shows the original sheath, but SwissHeritageCo did amazing sheaths for both puukko and leuku. Love these!

Yes, the Roselli leuku grip is a bit large, but it does serious work. I might sand it down someday, but not this year. I wear a size large glove, but it's not like my hands are gigantic.

 

[A.L.]

Second pic shows the original sheath, but SwissHeritageCo did amazing sheaths for both puukko and leuku. Love these!

Yes, the Roselli leuku grip is a bit large, but it does serious work. I might sand it down someday, but not this year. I wear a size large glove, but it's not like my hands are gigantic.

Man those look good and the convex regrind(?) looks fantastic!

 

[jfk1110]

Second pic shows the original sheath, but SwissHeritageCo did amazing sheaths for both puukko and leuku. Love these!

Yes, the Roselli leuku grip is a bit large, but it does serious work. I might sand it down someday, but not this year. I wear a size large glove, but it's not like my hands are gigantic.

Josh does good clean work!!!! ....

Sweet blades and pants

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Second pic shows the original sheath, but SwissHeritageCo did amazing sheaths for both puukko and leuku. Love these!

Yes, the Roselli leuku grip is a bit large, but it does serious work. I might sand it down someday, but not this year. I wear a size large glove, but it's not like my hands are gigantic.

Your vintage Roselli handle is slim compared to the newer ones.

 

[The Zieg]

I bought the leuku on the exchange from comoha five years ago. He called it a special edition but didn't add any specific information. A.L. and SwissHeritageCo have both indicated the blade has been reground, and I'm prepared to believe that, but I wonder whether Heimo designed that way as part of his "special edition". I keep saying I will contact Roselli Oy about this, but I haven't yet .

As for the sheaths, I love the shackle arrangement Josh uses, but I swap out the leather loop for a belt hook when I'm using them on the farm. I can more easily take the knife off my belt when getting in a vehicle or crawling underneath something. With the hook, I can also wear them with overalls or coveralls which don't have a belt. For hiking, fishing, or camping, though, I re-install the leather loop.

Oh, and I say the thread should be open to leukut as well as puukot. Maybe the title should reflect that.

 

[Box_Opener]

Here is an American-style full tang. 1/8” thick 3V:

 

[Will Power]

This arrived start of the week and I'm still not interested in Custom puukkot Really pleased indeed with it and it's set to be a favourite. Kind of ionic that I have to buy it from a store located 650 kms away on the other side of the country when I live around 80 kms from where they are made in Kauhava....no outlet, such are the many wonders of globalization but at 74€ delivered it's a bargain. No doubt it costs less in the US or rest of the EU.... I'm disturbed to hear that Marttiini now sources from Estonia

Anyway this is the Ahti 'Vaara' puukko. Ahti is a sacred or legendary god of waters/fishing taken from the national epic Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot 1835 who compiled this work after extensive tours of Finland, Russian Karelia collecting folk-tales, myths, songs etc from villagers and thus preserving ancient myths and making a significant contribution to national literature . Vaara in this sense, the outdoors, is a hill covered in woodland.

Myself, I really like the handle it offers accurate safe grip and think it is suitable for many sizes of hand, balance is excellent and the feel of this Birch is very pleasant in the hand. The knife arrived pleasingly sharp (as ALL knives should new!) The sheath is satisfactory, well finished and is a nice dark chocolate colour. Elsewhere , I've heard people moan that the Puukko dangler sheath is impractical because you can lose the knife but at the same time whining about it being difficult to draw the knife-too tight. This, as far as I'm concerned it utter and a failure to understand the genius of the Puukko. Dangler sheaths are very secure if the strap is strong & maintained, puukko doesn't weigh much compared with other knives-another plus point-and you can sit down wearing it without the knife poking you in the ribs unpleasantly The handles having concealed tang means they can be used in very low temperatures without gloves if needed. Pick up most puukko in sheath and shake them a bit upside down, they'll usually retain the knife no problem. Try that with other types of fixed blade...drawing them is a technique that's soon mastered, it's not a sword you need to unsheath !

The Vaara has a good sized long blade at 9.7 cm and as I said earlier, balance is very good. Made fire curls very nicely and battening, should it be needed, would be no problem with this safe handle. This one is carbon- I prefer to stainless for fixed blades generally and stainless for pocket knives-depending. If you want a stainless version it's available but in the light colour Birch and sheath which I like less than the darker models- good to have choice mind. Picture is mediocre as it's been raining a lot and not fancied any woods walking lately, but Ahti are very attractive, practical knives.

 

[The Zieg]

This arrived start of the week and I'm still not interested in Custom puukkot Really pleased indeed with it and it's set to be a favourite. Kind of ionic that I have to buy it from a store located 650 kms away on the other side of the country when I live around 80 kms from where they are made in Kauhava....no outlet, such are the many wonders of globalization but at 74€ delivered it's a bargain. No doubt it costs less in the US or rest of the EU.... I'm disturbed to hear that Marttiini now sources from Estonia

Anyway this is the Ahti 'Vaara' puukko. Ahti is a sacred or legendary god of waters/fishing taken from the national epic Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot 1835 who compiled this work after extensive tours of Finland, Russian Karelia collecting folk-tales, myths, songs etc from villagers and thus preserving ancient myths and making a significant contribution to national literature . Vaara in this sense, the outdoors, is a hill covered in woodland.

Myself, I really like the handle it offers accurate safe grip and think it is suitable for many sizes of hand, balance is excellent and the feel of this Birch is very pleasant in the hand. The knife arrived pleasingly sharp (as ALL knives should new!) The sheath is satisfactory, well finished and is a nice dark chocolate colour. Elsewhere , I've heard people moan that the Puukko dangler sheath is impractical because you can lose the knife but at the same time whining about it being difficult to draw the knife-too tight. This, as far as I'm concerned it utter and a failure to understand the genius of the Puukko. Dangler sheaths are very secure if the strap is strong & maintained, puukko doesn't weigh much compared with other knives-another plus point-and you can sit down wearing it without the knife poking you in the ribs unpleasantly The handles having concealed tang means they can be used in very low temperatures without gloves if needed. Pick up most puukko in sheath and shake them a bit upside down, they'll usually retain the knife no problem. Try that with other types of fixed blade...drawing them is a technique that's soon mastered, it's not a sword you need to unsheath !

The Vaara has a good sized long blade at 9.7 cm and as I said earlier, balance is very good. Made fire curls very nicely and battening, should it be needed, would be no problem with this safe handle. This one is carbon- I prefer to stainless for fixed blades generally and stainless for pocket knives-depending. If you want a stainless version it's available but in the light colour Birch and sheath which I like less than the darker models- good to have choice mind. Picture is mediocre as it's been raining a lot and not fancied any woods walking lately, but Ahti are very attractive, practical knives.

View attachment 2684166

Niin totta!!

 

[A.L.]

Well well well. Me and Santa had a little discussion that it would make economically more sense to deliver my gift early since these were available on sale price.

I was a little nervous how thicc the handle was since so many say so but it fits just fine for my medium glove hand. Maybe I’m just too used to wield axes and such? Feels great in hand. I guess the continuously towards edge sloping shape makes it a littebit self conscious to wield for now but I can see it being good for chopping. Can’t wait to bond with this one for years to come!

 

[The Zieg]

Well well well. Me and Santa had a little discussion that it would make economically more sense to deliver my gift early since these were available on sale price.

I was a little nervous how thicc the handle was since so many say so but it fits just fine for my medium glove hand. Maybe I’m just too used to wield axes and such? Feels great in hand. I guess the continuously towards edge sloping shape makes it a littebit self conscious to wield for now but I can see it being good for chopping. Can’t wait to bond with this one for years to come!

It really is a great knife, isn't it!!

Start making lists of the Christmas chores you can do with it. Carving hams, geese, and turkeys. Breaking down gift boxes. Delimbing the Christmas tree (after Jan 1?). Split kindling for the fireplace. Make plans for adventures large and small. It's a fun knife and everyone deserves an early prezzie!