HI JKM-1/Puukko info/opinions?

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Sep 2, 2017
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So, although khukuris are my favourite type of blade, the other type of knife I am very fond of is the Finnish Puukko (and similar blades from neighbouring Nordic countries). I own a few modern and older puukkos, and use them just as often, if not a good bit more, than my khukuris, as they make a nice everyday carry knife for various tasks. I saw that Himalayan Imports makes their own version of this knife, and I am curious to hear from people who own them, as I am possibly interested in one.

My main concern is in how the handle feels. My main puukko is around 8.6in/22cm in length, with the blade and handle being roughly the same length. The handle is reindeer horn and birch, which feels quite nice, and is shaped very ergomically for my hand shape/size.

The HI store page says theirs are around 6 inches, and I see the surface is rather flat and smooth. How do those who own one find that it handles? Can it be gripped well for precise tasks such as woodcarving, etc.? Are they all roughly this size and handle shape? Does the blade always have a scandi grind, or is it the same type of edge as their khukuri? I'm sure I will end up buying one eventually, regardless of feedback, but some info beforehand is always nice. I suppose 6 inches could also be a positive for certain contexts, as well.

And, of course, if you have pictures, I'd very much like to see them.

Just some general opinions and information from those who own one would be appreciated muchly!
 
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The JKM-1 is a nice edc blade. I've had 5 or 6 of them and gifted my groomsmen each one for my wedding 12 years ago.

They honestly tend to be a lot more robust and thicker than the blade they are based on. You can get them plenty sharp. Mine will shave hair and cut like a demon. They generally come with the typical well-done convex edge we have come to expect from HI.

So for wood carving, in my clumsy hands, they aren't the best. As a woods knife for general cutting, they are great.

One of my favorite knives in all of my collection is a JKM I bought maybe 14 years ago. I filed in a finger choil (sloppily). It kicked around at my shop, survived a warehouse fire, and just generally has led a very hard abused life.

When we moved to my current house, my daughter was 3. She was really into creepy crawlers and bugs. The old JKM-1 became my "bug knife" as she called it. We would turn over and dig through rotteb logs and pry up bricks and rocks. The homely little JKM was perfect for pointing out leg segments, how the bugs eat, their life cycle, etc. I could safely teach my little girl about things that have interested me my whole life with hurting any of the critters. Although, I did lance a couple of black widows through in order to show her how to know what to stay away from.

So this old beater has shared a lot of memories with me. I don't keep it anywhere special. It's outside somewhere. Seems to wander like a tom cat, but it always turn up. The best part of it is that my now 7 year old still likes to go on a bug hunt and asks me to find my bug knife.
 
I love my JKM. If you are looking for something a little larger, the Kumar karda is similar in shape (not chiruwa like the JKM) but larger. My JKM is a three finger sized grip. Its nice for the smaller tasks, but my lil pinky finger just wont fit on the grip. Perhaps some JKM run a little larger. When in doubt just buy both....
 
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