"Carl's Lounge" (Off-Topic Discussion, Traditional Knife "Tales & Vignettes")

sitflyer said:
The thing that always struck me about certain Puukko knives is that they are a sort of distillation knife...meaning, everything unnecessary has been stripped away, leaving the pure essence of essential features. A simple tapered comfortable handle, and a blade with clean lines and a fine point. Therin lies a certain purity of form and function...
Click to expand...

Trout Hound said:
You know, I’ve been thinking lately about both Puukko and Mora knives. (I know there are distinct differences between the two, but there are also many similarities.) I am developing more and more appreciation for the versatility of the design. Here is a knife that doesn’t specialize in anything, but it will reasonably accomplish 99% of the tasks for which you would need a knife. Truthfully, if you went your whole life with either a puukko or Mora as your only knife, you would get along just fine. I just can’t help but admire the elegant simplicity of that.
Click to expand...

I agree. The marvelous simplicity of the puukko (and the classic Mora designs)—that has no doubt been refined though generations of ubiquitous use—renders it both extremely useful and beautiful. I think the handles are as important as the blade, lending themselves to such a variety of secure, comfortable grips.

With a puukko on your hip and a lambsfoot in your pocket, I think you're well equipped indeed.
 
Yes, they are still used here :D Hiking, hunting, camping, fishing will all bear puukko fruit. Sometimes on the belt or stowed in a pack. Construction workers and maintenance workers use them but a cheap carbon or stainless in a plastic sheath is the norm. Knife carrying has, like elsewhere, declined but in the right context it's not looked on as odd. Very often people here use the word puukko for any kind of fixed or belt knife, but of course it is a national icon. And a piece of simple genius, or elaborate if you want it to be.

Ceremonial use exists on Lappish costume and other folk costumes and sometimes in the military or as presentation gifts etc. As you know, there are many fine custom makers and they can command a high price. Oddly, I've never been interested in spending much on an elaborate puukko, folding knives yes but not the run of the mill puukko. I have admired Tapio Wirkkala's version although I've never actually come across one! I think Hackman exported most of them? It is a controversial design however, deviating radically from the conventional puukko handle. Wirkkala really was an extraordinary man, a kind of latter-day Michelangelo I feel. He had enormous original talent: metalworking, fabrics&textiles,wood, furniture, glass in particular but he is overshadowed (unfairly) by Alvar Aalto the great architect but I've always thought Wirkkala far more interesting and produced really beautiful items. One thing he designed was a fantastically beautiful bottle for Finlandia Vodka in the 70s, it looks like his drinks glasses , frozen ice with sculpting. They were produced and thrown away in the 1000s now these bottles are sought after! Today, Finlandia comes in some poor looking PLASTIC crap:poop: fortunately, I dislike any kind of Vodka or Koskenkorva;)

As I said, my puukko tastes are modest and simple. Mora are OK but a Marttiini puukko doesn't cost a lot more and they're a lot better:D many different types and sizes too.

IMG_2916.jpg~original
 
While waiting for my wife and daughter to finish up their session at the GS cookie sale booth, I decided to stop by my favorite antique store to see if they had any new cast iron. Picked up an enameled yellow Descoware DO for a good price. Perhaps even better, at the used book store next door I spied this hiding in the stacks.

40280320822_c69914d8a4_c.jpg
 
kamagong said:
While waiting for my wife and daughter to finish up their session at the GS cookie sale booth, I decided to stop by my favorite antique store to see if they had any new cast iron. Picked up an enameled yellow Descoware DO for a good price. Perhaps even better, at the used book store next door I spied this hiding in the stacks.

40280320822_c69914d8a4_c.jpg
Click to expand...
I don't know kamagong, them old enameled cast iron cookware seem to impart some magical flavors to food, though that Levine's guide looks to be in rather nice shape. You did make me look up Descoware, and now I blame you for now being on "the hunt". LOL
 
sitflyer said:
I don't know kamagong, them old enameled cast iron cookware seem to impart some magical flavors to food, though that Levine's guide looks to be in rather nice shape. You did make me look up Descoware, and now I blame you for now being on "the hunt". LOL
Click to expand...

I'll have to take your word for it. This is my first piece of enameled CI. My Griswolds, Wagners, and Lodges are all bare. I was given standing orders by SWMBO to grab a nice DO should the opportunity arise. Can't wait to see her work her magic with this one.

waynorth said:
Look like a nice, crisp copy of LGIV, Christian!! A good find any day, anywhere!!
Click to expand...

I thought so. I've seen you guys refer to LG4 so often that when my eyes picked up the title, I knew exactly what I was looking at even though I had never seen it before.

Before I bought it I pulled out the smartphone to get a quick benchmark of prices. :eek: Do people really play $100+ for one of these?
 
kamagong said:
I've seen you guys refer to LG4 so often that when my eyes picked up the title, I knew exactly what I was looking at even though I had never seen it before.

Before I bought it I pulled out the smartphone to get a quick benchmark of prices. :eek: Do people really pay $100+ for one of these?
Click to expand...

I have seen them sell for over $200!!! I'd say 5 or 6 change hands every year at Oregon!
Bernie Levine is a member of our club there, and he brought in 3 to sell, year before last. All went for well over $100 in used condition.
 
Many people say (probably rightly) get the Levine IV. But where to get one over here in Europe that's not going to cost a mint plus import tax for a tatty one??:eek: I wish B.Levine and others could get together for a facsimile reprint at reasonable cost (under 50 USD) so more of us could get enlightenment:D:thumbsup: Dreams....
 
Two elderly people live a couple of doors up from me, and were understandably shocked to find this house-breaking kit dumped behind their front wall this morning - 3 crowbars and a ski-mask!

20180218_131247.jpg

When the old feller rang the police station five minutes up the road, he was even more shocked that nobody was even going to come and take the things off his hands :(
 
Bartleby said:
It looks like a fine day's outing, Jack! They certainly do look the part!
Click to expand...

btb01 said:
I guess you’re saving the photo of your Lambsfoot with a horn of mead for the Beverages and Blades thread? ;) :D

Great photos, Jack! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks guys :D :thumbsup: I was hoping to get a photo of rowdy Vikings at the gates (doors) of Valhalla, but maybe the rowdy ones don't turn up until the weekend ;) As you can see, the mischief-making Loki was having a horn in there, and he was actually with Thor! I think these guys must have been professional Marvel impersonators because their costumes really were incredible! :D :thumbsup:
 
Jack Black said:
Two elderly people live a couple of doors up from me, and were understandably shocked to find this house-breaking kit dumped behind their front wall this morning - 3 crowbars and a ski-mask!

View attachment 851157

When the old feller rang the police station five minutes up the road, he was even more shocked that nobody was even going to come and take the things off his hands :(
Click to expand...
Next time someone shows up in a balaclava, the old guy will have some nice crowbars to whack him with.
 
Jack Black said:
Thanks guys :D :thumbsup: I was hoping to get a photo of rowdy Vikings at the gates (doors) of Valhalla, but maybe the rowdy ones don't turn up until the weekend ;) As you can see, the mischief-making Loki was having a horn in there, and he was actually with Thor! I think these guys must have been professional Marvel impersonators because their costumes really were incredible! :D :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I don't know about historical accuracy, but it's nice to see folks having fun outdoors. :):thumbsup:
Shame about the lack of concern for your neighbors on the part of the police. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top