Finn Belt Knife

sqoon

sqoon

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
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I've been fascinated with the Finn belt knife for some reason I cannot explain. Do I hunt? Nope. Do I get out a lot? Not nearly as much as I would like! Still, something about the little Finn knife really appeals to me. KA-BAR makes a version of this knife, and for a while I thought it was the only game in town. Now I see that Case has basically the same knife. The KA-BAR version is made in Taiwan (or China, not sure) and is of a steel that I have heard less than stelar things about. I assume the case version is made stateside and is of the same SS that their folders use. However, it is about double the price. The guys in the Becker forum (ostensibly the KA-BAR forum) and people seem to have good things to say about it, but this was before I even knew about the Case offerings.

Does anyone have info of this breed of knife? History? Other makers? Pics? They just seem so much classier than a Mora, but still very traditional in looks.
 
The Little Finn was a particular model offered by Case back in the 40's and 50's, and Ka-bar as well as Western made versions of it. They were THE knife of choice among hunters and woodsmen, and one or two poachers I knew when I was growing up. I think the stainless steel is a late mutation of the breed, though, because all I remember when I was a kid was the well stained carbon steel knives.

If you cruise the evil bay, you just may find an original for a reasonable price. I can't vouch for the new stuff from someplace else.

Carl.
 
So which was the original? Does the name come from anywhere in particular, or am I safe to assume this is the American attempt at the Finnish Puukko?
 
jackknife said:
If you cruise the evil bay, you just may find an original for a reasonable price. I can't vouch for the new stuff from someplace else.
Click to expand...

This is great advice. I'd search around on that big auction site and find a vintage, carbon steel one from Western or Case or Kabar. I bet if you're patient, you could find one in decent shape for less than $25. Then order a new custom leather sheath for it and you're good to go.

I had a Western for awhile when I was a kid. I don't know the model name, but its blade was about the size of a Case trapper. That thing took a wicked edge.

-- Mark
 
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