Kainuun Puukko questions

Tombo 65

Tombo 65

Joined
Sep 11, 2013
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I am looking to buy a Kainuun Puukko Tommi, Tommi Special, or Hirvi Tommi Special. Does anyone have any experience with any of these knives, or any of the Kainuun Puukko line?

If so, could you post some detailed pictures of the knife or knives you have, and give me a basic review? I would like to know about the quality, fit, finish, strength, steel quality, and overall knife performance.

Also, I have looked on Lamnia and the Kainuun line is not currently in stock. Is there another website that sells knives from this maker? I'm looking for to place an order this week if possible.

Thanks
Tombo 65
 
I agree with John. The best place to get it would be their website. The knives are made to order, so you're probably looking at a month long wait before you have it in hand.

I don't have a Kainuun knife, but I do own a Tommi made by Mikko Inkeroinen. As such I can't comment on the quality, fit, or finish of the Kainuun product. But if it is anything like my Inkeroinen, you should be pleased.

Puukkos are superb woodworking blades. Keep in mind that their geometries are optimized for use on soft woods like birch, so brute strength is not their forte. Kainuun uses "silversteel," a type of high carbon steel. I like it, but then again I like 1095 on my pocketknives. It takes a fine, polished edge and holds its well. Not as well as a high-wear resistance stainless of course, but good enough for my purposes. I know that's a highly subjective, and hence nearly worthless opinion, but without knowing your experience and preferences that's the best I can do.

Good luck with finding one.
 
My thanks to both of you. I had looked on their website a lot before posting, but it somehow didn't register with me that they only made their knives to order. A month is not a bad lead time considering some makers have six month to a year lead times.

I like 1095. I've pretty much abandoned the super-steels and prefer a decent, fine-grained, easy to sharpen steel. Stainless is not a requirement for me, either. The only knives I own that are even close to "super-steels" now are ones I bought because I couldn't find them in something like 1095. I carried and used knives with plain-jane steel for thirty five years without feeling under-served by then, and they didn't break the bank either. I had my brief foray into the world of wonder metal and the only one I really like is S35v. That probably doesn't even count as a super steel now. Truthfully, I could do without it, too, but the Spyderco Native 5 is such a great knife that I decided to overlook the steel type.

I like the Tommi design and find it works well as an all-around woods knife for me. I won't be batoning, or trying to cut down large hardwoods. Just whittling walking sticks, pruning apple trees, cutting small saplings and other general cutting tasks. I have full-tang blades for the rough stuff, but they rarely see the light of day.

Thanks again for the help.
Tom D.
 
Tombo 65 said:
I like the Tommi design and find it works well as an all-around woods knife for me. I won't be batoning, or trying to cut down large hardwoods. Just whittling walking sticks, pruning apple trees, cutting small saplings and other general cutting tasks. I have full-tang blades for the rough stuff, but they rarely see the light of day.
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Agreed. I think the Tommi is the most beautiful of puukko designs.
 
Kainuun puukkos are no longer crafted by Veijö Käpylä since last year, when he had to quit due to a serious allergy to his hands. Current knives are crafted by the new owner and quite novice smith Marko Landelä.

I haven't the opportunity to use one, but they always gave me the impressions to be crafted using ready made bolsters, a lot of grinding for blades, rather than real forging from start to finish and to be paired with sheaths sewed with hand operated machine.
Just a couple of years ago they used to have a 2 weeks wait list for "stock models" so they most likely had to cut on something to keep up with demand.
It's not a good sign that in the customizing menu the stock blade is listed as "steel" while you have to pay 20 € more if choosing "hand forged".

Rhombic section puukkos are quite common in Finland and the Tommi si just one of them. It became the most famous due to its involvment in Winter War.

Are you just searching a rhombic puukko with barrell handle or specifically a Tommi?
 
Frederick, can you explain what a "rhombic puukko" is please ? is this about shape of blade in cross section ? if so i can't picture in my mind what it would actually look like
thanks, kj
 
kootenay joe said:
Frederick, can you explain what a "rhombic puukko" is please ? is this about shape of blade in cross section ? if so i can't picture in my mind what it would actually look like
thanks, kj
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Picture the Superman emblem, squished from the sides.
 
Here is a custom Puukko that i use regularly. Feels perfect in hand, cuts extremely well and still has the original edge despite about 2 years of frequent use. I bought this from a USA knife dealer in Florida. It was called "River's Knife" and was rather expensive. I was told the maker's name but have forgotten it. I was told he rarely makes knives anymore as he now teaches knife making to others. Maybe someone here might recognize the knife and maker. OAL 7", Blade 2.75"

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The handle surface has lots of little 'flats' on it, so i think it was whittled to shape. This pic is trying to show that it is oval in cross section as well as having a center swell.

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Now, after 2 years of ownership & use, i think it is well worth the 'expensive' price. It's a Great knife.
kj
 
Frederick89 said:
Are you just searching a rhombic puukko with barrell handle or specifically a Tommi?
Click to expand...

I'm open to other options. The Kainuun Puukko Tommi or Tommi Special pretty much epitomize the ideal knife design for me, but I admit I am not well versed in all of the alternatives or variations. I'm very open to advice, suggestions, and info.

Here are some characteristics I like about the Tommi.

I like the proportions of a 3.25 to 4.75" blade with a 4.5" or longer handle.

The solid bolster is more appealing to me than the thin cap-style bolster of some styles like the Roseli Carpenter Knife.

I like, but am not fixated on a barrel handle. I have an Enzo Nordic and the handle on that knife feels great.

A pommel bolster is not crucial, but they are nice.

I prefer a puukko or tommi with the blade bevel running into the bolster or handle rather than ones that have a short portion of unsharpened blade between the edge and where the blade enters the handle or bolster.

Rhombic is nice, but not crucial.

I don't care whether the blade is rough or finished above the blade grind line.

I'm not a fan of the flared butt or pommel typical of the Leuku style knives, at least not on a puukko or tommi style knive. The flare helps when chopping with a Leuku, but since I wouldn't chop with a tommi or puukko I think the flared end on some of these knives is pointless.

That's just a short summary of what I'm looking for in a knife. If you know of any alternatives to the Kainuun line that come close to delivering all of these, let me know. I do like the Roseli Carpenter's Knife, even though it's very different. I may order one of these for now and give the whole thing some more thought. If I save up more cash I could simply order a Pekka Tuominen exactly the way I want it. - Must control impulsive nature just a little longer -

Thanks
 
@KJ: the blade stamp on your puukko looks to me an older one used by Pasi Jaakonaho. -He has indeed slowed down knife making for teaching.
https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/pasi-jaakonaho/

T65: there are many smiths and knifemakers that could fit your criteria, in addition to the already mentioned Tuominen and Inkeroinen I'd suggest you to take a look at

Martti Malinen
http://goosemeadow.fi/en/sepan-paja/

and Pasi Hurttila.
http://www.hurttilanpaja.suntuubi.com/?cat=1

Malinen has mastered the use of 52100 on puukkos and I think he's currently taking orders. Hurttila is not taking orders right now but will put something for sale every now and then. Having knives from both I can assure you the waiting will be well rewarded.
 
Frederick, thank you for the link to Pasi Jaakonaho. The logo on his knives does look like the same logo (caribou hoof print ?) on my knife.
There is very little in this forum about traditional Scandinavian fixed blades and most of the online info is not in English. I have been buying Puukko and Puukko-like knives on ebay and from some USA knife dealers without knowing who the maker was or what the quality will be like. However, every one is a superb cutter able to rival any current custom knives. I do not know if it is their forging methods or exactly what it is that allows them to take and hold a very sharp edge, but they are amazing knives and if you don't have any you will be in for a real treat if you buy a Scandinavian made knife.
kj
 
I ordered myself a Pikku Tommi (Little Tommi) by Mauno Keränen. Don't know yet when it will be delivered, but should be in some weeks. I will give my impressions when I get it.

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What is the size of Little Tommi ?
And, leather sheath that hangs on belt ?
I might need one from this maker !
kj
 
It's a small knife, a pocket or neck size puukko. Overall 170 millimetres, blade lenght 73 mm. Here's a picture with sheath.

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Thank you HFinn. 170mm is just under 6 3/4" which is a most useable size and not small by Finnish standards. Same for the blade at just under 3". I very much like that style of sheath. I hardly know it is on my belt whether i am walking or driving a vehicle.
Very nice knife & sheath. Almost 100% certainty that it will cut superbly. I look forward to your 'action report'.
kj
 
Old time peasant "gentlemen" could carry a knife of that size from the button of their jacket. In many traditional folk dresses, also the more formal or festive ones, a puukko is part of the male dress. And a knife has been part of the female formal dress even during the middle age in Finland.

Edit: it makes me kind of proud to think as a Finn that we are, or were, a knife culture with many regional styles.
 
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Puronvarsi also makes rhombic blades, but I don't think he ( the nephew) makes knives.
Wonderful blades.
Best regards

Robin


 
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