Old North Europenean Knife

Jim McDougall · 2nd December 2007, 12:46 AM

Hi Rich,
Any way to see some of the earlier examples? I'd like to see this develop into some historical material on these seldom discussed knives.
You're right on the design, they really are handsome little knives!

All best regards,
Jim

Rich · 2nd December 2007, 12:53 AM

Jim -

I can post some pics of a few of my knives, but my pics aren't
all that good. Here are the URL's of two sites that have lots
on info and pics of puukko and leuku (Lapland style; aka "Sammi").

http://www.nordiskamuseet.se/exhibs/sameting/Same2.aspx

and collections of various puukko at:

http://www.cultur.nu/knivar/index.shtml

Together with those from Norway, etc.

Some sets have gotten quite valuable to collectors. A doublet set
of nested puukko by a company only in business for a couple years
in the 1920's recently sold on ebay to a European collector for nearly
$800. That kind of price is really rare however.

I've put together a links page of Nordic knife sites that folks might be
interested in if they like these styles.

http://home.earthlink.net/~rsblade/puukko.htm

Rich S

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

2nd December 2007, 01:58 AM	#3
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 563	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	#4
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	#5
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	#6
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.

2nd December 2007, 12:46 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,467	Hi Rich, Any way to see some of the earlier examples? I'd like to see this develop into some historical material on these seldom discussed knives. You're right on the design, they really are handsome little knives! All best regards, Jim

2nd December 2007, 12:53 AM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Jim - I can post some pics of a few of my knives, but my pics aren't all that good. Here are the URL's of two sites that have lots on info and pics of puukko and leuku (Lapland style; aka "Sammi"). http://www.nordiskamuseet.se/exhibs/sameting/Same2.aspx and collections of various puukko at: http://www.cultur.nu/knivar/index.shtml Together with those from Norway, etc. Some sets have gotten quite valuable to collectors. A doublet set of nested puukko by a company only in business for a couple years in the 1920's recently sold on ebay to a European collector for nearly $800. That kind of price is really rare however. I've put together a links page of Nordic knife sites that folks might be interested in if they like these styles. http://home.earthlink.net/~rsblade/puukko.htm Rich S

2nd December 2007, 09:19 PM	#7
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