Scandinavian fixed-blades

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Froggyedge
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Froggyedge »

Most Nordic knife sheaths are made without a metal covered tip, but they are not that unusual.
In parts of Norway we have a sheath tradition where the expensive knives worn when you dressed up and with national costumes (staskniver) often had nicely engraved metal tips (doppsko), like these on two sheaths made almost 130 years ago.

Sadly not my sheaths..!
doppsko1880.jpg
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Mossdancer
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Mossdancer »

This one has been laying at the back of the pile for several weeks. Thought I would post and get a couple of questions answered. Is it a Puukko? Possibly who made it? What does the "N" stand for( I thought maybe Norway)? Any idea of approximate value?
Thanks,
moss
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Owd Wullie
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Owd Wullie »

I believe that one qualifies as a "puukko".

I've no idea who or what the "N" signifies.

Darn nice lookin little knife though. ::tu::
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Cooter Brown
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Cooter Brown »

These aren't very good pics--I need to work on my skills. There's some great work on this board.

This is a knife my sister gave me for Christmas more than 30 years ago. It's been on countless backpacking and hunting trips, and has seen a lot of use. The package it came in said it was a "Puuko", and that was my first exposure to the word.

When I first saw it, I noted the lack of a guard and thought to myself "I'm gonna cut the fire outta myself with that thing." Hasn't happened yet! The blade is stainless, and it takes and holds a great edge. This has been my most used sheath knife.

The blade is 3 7/8", OA is 8 7/16". The photo make the blade look hollow ground--it's not. The stamp on the blade is very light and what I can make out of it says:

"Hackman FInland Stainless" over another word, the fist letters of which I cannot make out. The last letters are "RKKALA"

The sheath has a plastic tip and a bear claw (hard to make out) stamped on it. I put on the rawhide loop when the original loop came off.

Image

Image
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Froggyedge
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Froggyedge »

Nice knife!
This is the well known puukko designed by the Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala.
http://www.scandinaviandesign.com/tapioWirkkala/
Wirkkala Puukko.jpg
Made by Finnish Hackman, but the design has also been used by other manufacturers, like Norwegian Helle.
As a youth I got the Helle version and that knife was my most used hiking knife for years.
Most Nordic fixed blades traditionally did not have guards, with the exception of Scout knives.
When used to the lack of guards, it's really no problem. I've used such knives since I was a child and I've never cut myself because of the hand slipping down on the edge.
Knivlaus mann er livlaus mann.

A knifeless man is a lifeless man - Old Nordic proverb.
Cooter Brown
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Cooter Brown »

That's it, Foggyedge!

I'm sure my sister got this at an outdoors store in Atlanta, and my best guess wold be about 32 years ago.

It's been a terrific knife and after the first few times of using it the lack of a guard has not bothered me at all. It's compact and relatively light which makes it a perfect knife for a lot of outdoors use, especially backpacking.

Thanks for the info.

Edit say that I went to the link you provided--Mr. Wirkkalla was a very interesting and talented man.
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Froggyedge
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Froggyedge »

Seems like we have similar experiences with this knife 8) :D. Or rather the design, as my version is made in Norway by Helle.
I don't find a picture of my knife right now. Haven't used is for some time, but this is what it looks like.
A very capable knife! ::tu::
Helle wirkkala design.jpg
Knivlaus mann er livlaus mann.

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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Cooter Brown »

Yep. It's a very elegant design--nothing there that ain't necessary. His other designs have that same quality.
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justold52
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by justold52 »

Kool looking knives shown here.

I enjoyed reading all the stuff too.

I just have to show off my FINLAND knife that is in my DANDY store.

But it is priced not to sell.... :lol: ... cuz I like it to much.

Marttiini Beinmesser Lapp Reindeer Horn Bone 9" 4 1/4" Blade

Mossdancer; Sorry no one has come back to help you. I never seen one like yours before... 8)
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Froggyedge
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Froggyedge »

Very nice Marttiini Puukko, Ken! ::tu::
Nice looking and if put to use, it will perform greatly too! ::nod::

Hmmm...
I just remembered that I promised you a comparison between two knife tips back in July (another thread). In fact I did take some pics a week or two later, but... Getting around to finish something like that with my degree of Alzheimer's is hard, you know... :lol: I'll see if I can dig out the files and write something up in a couple of days!
Knivlaus mann er livlaus mann.

A knifeless man is a lifeless man - Old Nordic proverb.
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justold52
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by justold52 »

You said "Very nice Marttiini Puukko, Ken!"

I did not know this was a Puukko. Did I list this wrong in my DANDY STORE?

Perhaps I should add the word Puukko to the listing.

Well yes I remember you also said you would give me a comparison between two knife. Now I have for gotten what knifes they even were.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have a good memery just that it's short, but my long memery is getting to be more just like last year stuff and it was realy 20 years ago.

Ken
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by TDCase »

Man those are all some nice fixed blades fellas! Really a nice design. Simple but practical ::tu::
A sharp knife is a friend indeed!
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Froggyedge
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Froggyedge »

Ken,
I haven't checked the knife in your store, but a puukko it is.
The Finns call their small to medium sized fixed blade sheath knives for puukkos. (Leuku is the Finnish name for the big knives in the Sami tradition.)
justold52 wrote: I have a good memery just that it's short, but my long memery is getting to be more just like last year stuff and it was realy 20 years ago.
Ken
I know the feeling... :lol:
Knivlaus mann er livlaus mann.

A knifeless man is a lifeless man - Old Nordic proverb.
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justold52
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by justold52 »

Thank you for the come back.

I will add puukko to my listing.

Did it and here is a link.

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... ry_id=3095
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glennbad
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by glennbad »

I have been admiring all the fine knives in this thread, and thought of a knife that I have.

I don't know if this knife applies to this thread or not. I've had it for a number of years. It came with the pictured sheath, and seems to fit well, but I don't know if they go together. There are no markings of any kind on the knife, but it seems a decently-made knife.

Image

Can anyone tell me anything about this knife?

Thanks,
Glenn
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tjmurphy
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by tjmurphy »

Froggyedge wrote:Seems like we have similar experiences with this knife 8) :D. Or rather the design, as my version is made in Norway by Helle.
I don't find a picture of my knife right now. Haven't used is for some time, but this is what it looks like.
A very capable knife! ::tu::
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Hey Froggy.

I liked the looks of your knife so much I felt I had to have one. Found one on Ebay, Helle HE 30, and got it for a pretty good price, I think. It's used but doesn't appear to be abused.
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tjmurphy
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by tjmurphy »

I received the Puukko today and OH MY GOD! this is a knife's knife. This thing is beautiful to look at, to hold and is deadly sharp. It's not too heavy and not too light, just right. I really like it. Can't tell that it's actually a used item except the sheath has a cut in the back of it. Anybody have any idea as to date of manufacture?
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Cooter Brown
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Cooter Brown »

Nice TJ. I think you'll find that the Puukko is a very practical using knife. Mine's gotten a ton of use over the years. I'm sure Froggyedge will be along to give more info.
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tjmurphy
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by tjmurphy »

Thanks Cooter. I'm impressed with it, of course, I'm pretty easy. I've noticed that the etch is different than the ones being sold new today.
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by cattaraugus57 »

here is one I have from the 1959 Pan American games,actualy will have it for sale.
Missing the metal tip from the scabbard ::shrug::
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tjmurphy
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by tjmurphy »

Nice one Cat. What's the over-all length? I really impressed with the Helle I purchased. I'm guessing it's from somewhere in the mid to late 60's. The Scandinavians really know how to build a knfe.

Never mind, I saw your post in "Trades". I'm going to give this one some thoughts.
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woseyjales
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by woseyjales »

Looks like a real nize find, TJ.
How does the squared handle feel in the hand?
I've got a few Helle brand.
My favorite is the inexpensive Speider 05.
Fits hand very well, lightweight and very useful size.
Snap flap easy to pop open with thumb as natural
movement towards extracting the knife.
Image
Larger fjellbekk has nice merbau handle, definitely more heft
than the scout. A must have when caught in one of them reindeer stampedes. :shock:
Image
Image
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tjmurphy
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by tjmurphy »

The square handle (actual diamond shaped) feels very confortable in the hand and the flats seem to be in all the right places. The pommel, on the other hand, is a bit uncomfortable on the heel of the hand. A point is right into your hand. Knife weighs about 4 oz. which is not too heavy nor too light. The pictures do not do it justice. The blade is actually a mirror finish without all the scratches you see in the pics. All in all I really like the knife, and it didn't cost much either.

I like the ones you are showing too. What is the over-all length? I'm kinda getting a liking for the Helle's.
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woseyjales
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by woseyjales »

Speider05 is 7 7/8" OAL 3.5 " blade
Fjellbekk 8 5/8" OAL 3 7/8" blade.
Knife Country USA has pretty good selection (4 pages)
and 5% discount code listed on page header.
Or use code 'USA' for 10% discount (ssshhhh)
If nothing else, they have good illustrations and specs
for comparison. Haven't shopped them to death trying
to save every possible kronor, I mean penny.
https://www.knifecountryusa.com/store/m ... nives.html

Hope dis helps
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Re: Scandinavian fixed-blades

Post by Mossdancer »

I am almost certain some of you might enjoy this item I found in of all things, a box of archery tackle I purchased at an estate sale a few weeks ago. The article is from a local store that handles such knives. Should a copy be desired please feel free to duplicate.
moss
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