Itching to buy a Swedish/Finnish/Norwegian knife

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
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I have been itching to get my hands on one of the above mentioned knives but the more I browse the sites, the more confused I am.

There seems to be quite a range out there. What would be some of the "must-have" models? Make that affordable as well.
 
Gotta agree with Gunslinger. I have a Fallkniven A1 and S1 and love both of them. Have used both extensively in the woods and have no complaints.

They also are available with great kydex sheaths.

I think you won't be disappointed with any of their knives.
 
Norwegian knives usually means Helle or Brusletto. I`m not sure if these firms send knives overseas. But you may try this link:http://www.ragweedforge.com/BruslettoCatalog.html

The Hunter model is widely used by moose hunters, you could say it is a must have.
I have an Helle Skarping but I`ve modified the handle, it was awful (conical), and made a new sheath. It has a good, sharp blade and I use this when hunting.
Many americans like the Helle Harding but I don`t. I don`t like the edge geometry, it has too thick blade.
The new Helle Jegermester (Huntmaster)looks interesting.
But if you can get one I recomend a big (8-9 inch) saami knife from Stromeng of Karasjok. Great knife:D .

http://www.knivsmed-stromeng.no/docs/kniver_9_14.htm
Unfortunately the page is only in Norwegian.
 
Depends a lot what you are thinking for the knives' use. There are (as anywhere) different types intended for various uses. Fjällkniven are OK for the modern type but there are lots of makers still making the more traditional types.

TLM

Added: lots of Finnish (Suomi), Swedish (Ruotsi) and Norwegian (Norja) links here http://www.puukkosivut.net/links/LinksCaffe/
 
EKA is a Swedish company that makes some very good low cost folders. I have the Nordic Swede model it's a lockback with kraton handles and a nifty lock release.
 
Ragnar of Ragweed Forge has an excellent selection, by country and company of origin, and a lot of other Scandinavian material as well -- jewelry and runes and history. Good background. Great prices.

Coincidentally, I was looking through http://www.kellamknives.com again last night, and they carry a few lines, including their own and other Finnish companies also found on Ragweed Forge. Kellam also has ethnic items and jewelry, including some beautiful miniature knives.

To oversimplify, the prototypical Scandinavian knife has a straight back, curved edge, saber grind with no secondary bevel, and a barrel handle. The modifications are mostly in blade edge and handle. The Finnish version is known as a puukko. The large Lapp version is a leuku. (Finn is Suomi, Lapp is Sami.)

The Swedes have good, simple versions of this kind of knife, many very inexpensive! but excellent, durable working knives: the Mora models. I like the Helle knives from Norway myself, but the only one I own now is a Nying, small thick sharp blade, strange thick handle that feels good in any grip. Ideal utility knife.

So, golok, after running through everything I know :D I went back to your original question: what should you start with and keep it affordable. Gotta go for the Mora style. Here's a few references to similar products with reasonable prices:

The Mora knife by Eriksson from Ragweed Forge

KELLAM S-LINE KNIVES -- click on Knife Shop, Fixed-Blade Knives, Other Lines, S-Line. (I think I'll be getting the S2 and S5 for my daughter.)

Smoky Mountain Knife Works Search on "Frosts" for a range of plastic handled Mora style knives. (These are the ones my daughter likes now. Simple, sharp, durable -- in carefree stainless. She is not a knife knut!)
 
Some recent info on Fallkniven knives.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on a Fallkniven A1. Then I heard that they are now laminating their VG-10 steel between slabs of 420J "surgical steel".
Lots of different opinions on lamination, including the fact that it may be possible for the soft outer steel to roll and deform the edge on the VG-10. Others say laminating is better. Anyway, I'm not getting the A1 unless I can find an older all VG-10 blade. Something to consider.
 
<www.brisa.fi>

Hammer mentioned it above and Dennis Holmbacka who runs it is a straight shooter and a good man to do business with. I have bought supplies that are hard to get in the states from him over the last few years. The shipping usually takes 10 days to two weeks. The exchange rate is not as good as it was a couple of years ago.

He has some good deals on production models and some very good prices on customs.
 
Falknivens are actually made in Japan....To the specs of the Swedes of course.

My freind just came back from Finland. He brought me five knives. All inexpensive plastic handled, hard plastic sheathed knives that He got from hardware stores for just a few bucks each, but goog users all. All scandinavian grind type. Three made in Finland, one Swede, one Norwegian. Most carbon steel, one of two stainless.

My Scandinavian knife is one of the Helles a got from Ragnar.
 
Thanks guys for some great sites and suggestions. I have already looked at some. There are some lovely blades in those sites, and the prices are quite affordable, too. :) :)
 
Kellam knives carries a very nice and useful pukko with a red plastic handle and a forged blade for about $15.
 
Have a look at the Roselli range. I have one of the Carpenter models and swear by it. They are not laminated and are extremely hard but I find it easy to sharpen. Mine hangs on my tool board in the workshop and is often missing as Carol always uses it when repairing her spinning wheels. I am actually thinking of buying another a Grandmother model this time.
 
PS

Keith Spencer from Aust. Knife Collectors carries the full range at pretty reasonable prices.
 
I was lucky enough to be able to visit Stockholm during the summer. Fantastic city. Loooonnng hours of sunlight in the summer. Good knife shops as well. Bought a very nice traditional Sami knife at Pasadena in the Old Town. They have a website but it's not great: http://www.pasadena.se/store.htm Better to visit the shop in person or give them a call.
 
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