Lapin Puukko anyone?

C

collecter

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Aug 21, 2002
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I wanted a new knife and was searching the web for something that might grab my attention. I didn't have style in mind and just yesterday was looking at the Gerber Prodigy. Don't worry I didn't buy one!

Anyway, I ended up ordering a Lapin Puukko #3003 tradional Finnish knife. There is a very nicely done factory video on youtube but I can't seem to copy a link to paste it here on my ipad. If your interested do a search for "Lapin Puukko" and you'll find it. I enjoyed watching it and then placed my order.

The knife spec's:
#3003; Leukupuukko 3, A larger puukko with a blade about 4 1/8", and about 8 1/2" long overall. This is a good knife for those who like a slightly larger blade. The highly polished carbon steel blade is about .121" thick and hardened to about 59 on the Rockwell C scale. The knife and sheath weigh about 3 3/4 ounces. It comes with the traditional pouch sheath that hangs from a twisted thong. $43

Anyone have or seen one?
 
I just looked at one on Ragnar's site. Beautiful knife. I think you will be pleased.
 
I was underwhelmed by the fit/finish on my Lapin puukko, but it seems like a solid enough example of the style.

(I have not used it hard enough to really tell.)
 
I've got a Lapin Puuko, but offhand I'm not certain of the model. Mine is well made, the size and blade shape seem very useful, and the handle is comfortable.

One thing, the wood handles come unfinished raw wood. They are shaped and sanded, but not sealed or coated. You can leave it raw for better grip, let it smooth out and color naturally over time, or dress it up with stain and finish.
 
Underwhelmed with blade, handle or everything?

I glad to hear the handle is unfinished. I was thinking it might look nice stained so now I'll have the option.

Ragner sent me an email this morning saying it shipped. It's 9:18 am here and I ordered it last night around midnight!
 
You may need some epoxy,to seal small gap(usually) between blade and ferule,other than that,nice blade,though i would chose different handle style,that one is more suited for full leuku IMHO.
 
Thanks for the detailed recommendation. I'll definitely seal any gaps.

Is the sheath adequate and does it have a plastic insert?

I sort of like the looks of the handle. It's different enough from the typical mora knives that it caught my attention. It is several times the normal mora price so I do expect some better performance from it.

It's mostly going to be used in the kitchen. Sadly this is true for most of my knives these days.
 
I have an Iisakki Järvenpää Lappland Puukko with a wooden handle and a Butt Cap

You are getting a good working knife
Treat it well and it will last for a long time

Use the back shape of the handle to pull cut.

I choose not to use this type of knife for any battoning
And epoxy it like Rinos says
 
collecter said:
Underwhelmed with blade, handle or everything?
Click to expand...

The sharpness of the blade is actually pretty impressive even with the small secondary bevel, and is the best part of the knife. Not a deal breaker, but somewhat disappointing is that when viewed directly from above, the blade is not in alignment with the handle (the centerline of the blade and the centerline of the handle are not parallel, so to speak). Not a lot, mind you, but enough for most people to mention if they've looked at it a while. My guess is that either the handle was not drilled straight or the hole was large enough to allow the blade to angle as the epoxy dried.

The handle is stained or treated with something that makes it fairly dark, but while nice and smooth, it almost looks unfinished... I sort of like it. Unfortunately, the handle shaping inexplicably gets fairly rough - one might say "crude" - just before it meets the stamped brass pommel, and the pommel itself is oriented about 15 degrees clockwise from the rest of the handle when looking at the knife directly from the rear. If that is a traditional feature, I can only claim ignorance of the genre.

So I guess I would say that the handle is not up to par in my book, but the blade is good and the sheath (which does have a plastic insert) is also fine.

As a utility piece, this particular example does okay, but it is not so good for close-up eyeballing; this is a shame, because I find the design to be visually appealing. It doesn't get the use it could just because I have found the "trad" handle style to be harder for me to use than more modern knives. (I tend to push more than is probably wise with a knife lacking a guard or some sculpting that prevents me telescoping my hand onto the blade. Sort of a personal old dog/new trick problem.)

ETA: I figured that despite some mechanization of the manufacturing process, this was a "hand made" knife to some degree, so I didn't get too worked up over things. I've already managed to inadvertently give it some "character" marks in the time I've had it.
 
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that misalignment,is probably due mostly handmade handle with somewhat grater tolerances alowed ;)

For handle,good soak in boiled linseed oil will seal wood and coat of carnauba wax for finish will help.
 
Rinos,

carnauba wax
What is is
And how is it different from using Beeswax?

Thanks
 
I'm a stickler for alignement and symmetry. I hope this knife doesn't have these issues.

There isn't much user feed back on these knives so I'm glad you guys have experence with it.

Thanks,
 
I have a 9.5 cm Woods Jewel with birch and reindeer antler handle
And the alignement and symmetry are 'off'

And it does not affect it being a lovely knife and a solid user, hopefully for many many years
 
neeman said:
Rinos,

carnauba wax
What is is
And how is it different from using Beeswax?

Thanks
Click to expand...

carnauba wax comes from wax of palm leaves,it is harder and more resistant than beeswax,it is insoluble in water,and it also have higher melting point from all waxes..

think of car polish ;) they all have carnauba wax as base.

IMG_9361.JPG


it looks like this
 
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My knife arrived today! I'm really impressed with ragweed forge speed of shipping. I ordered it around midnight friday, he sent me a shipping confirmation saturday morning and it was in my mail box today. He's in NY and I'm in California. What else would you expect for $6 shipping? Thank you Ragweed Forge!!!

So, the knife is beautiful, it's symmetrical and alignment is perfect.

I'm out of natural daylight so I won't bother taking pictures in the dark with a flash but if I get a chance during the day I will.

I'm very pleased with it.

Collecter
 
collecter said:
So, the knife is beautiful, it's symmetrical and alignment is perfect.
Click to expand...

Good to hear. Lapin has some things that seem sort of unique to them, and I may check some other ones out.

If I got the "Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree" example of that particular knife... well, SOMEONE had to get it!
 
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