Kainuun Puukko???

L

lonestar1979

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Mar 2, 2014
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I have run across this brand,and have never heard about it.The knives are beautiful.How do they compare against major Scandi brands,and major custom makers?
 
They are just another name for Tommi Puukko (or at least use to be). Top of the line.

Rich
Olde Puukkophile
 
This is a traditional and very highly regarded forge in Finland and will be stamped with iniitials by one of the three smiths that have done their superb work http://www.kainuunpuukko.com/
I have three now made of "silver steel". Some of the sharpest and best knives I've ever seen. Got clumsy once and almost lost a finger.
Very expensive. You can order directly and wait or get them from Kellam with a more limited selction and usually higher price.
Really great knives.
 
I have some experience with Helle ,Marttiini and Mora, I am wondering how Kainuun puuko compares to these major brands,and also blades like Enzo.,Puronvarsi and Roselli?
 
Rich,i can see you know a lot about puukkos and scandi blades,what is my best bet in getting a good one with high grind,I love Helles laminated stainless and its performance(holds edge like crazy and very easy to sharpen),but dont like their low grinds.My budget is limited,should I just get couple Lauri blades and make handles,or there is something better.Wood Jewel and Erapuu have decent handles with Lauri blades and decent prices.
 
lonestar1979 said:
I have some experience with Helle ,Marttiini and Mora, I am wondering how Kainuun puuko compares to these major brands,and also blades like Enzo.,Puronvarsi and Roselli?
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I have a custom Roselli which is a fine knife but much heavier and not as fine but very tough. The production knives are very good too but the KP are some of the best knives I've ever had. I have never used Enzo or Puronvarsi but if they compare they must be something.
 
Lonestar -

I'd get some Lauri PT (progression tempered) blades; some ferrules/guards; some wood and epoxy and make the knife I wanted.
Of the ready mades; I like Ahti and Wood Jewel - both use Lauri blades and are good, decent knives for the price. Enzo makes very good blades as does Helle (although I'm not a big fan of their low bevels, I do like their laminated blades). The old Mora (pre 1950) are really good; most were laminated (don't care for the modern Mora as I don't like rubber and plastic). Google "Scandinavian Knives"; Thompson's for blades (#2) and parts and Ragweed (#4) for scandi knives.

Rich (olde puukkophile)
 
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Kainuun sells bare blades. If you really like their stuff you should look into buying a blade and putting your own handle on it. More expensive than using a Lauri, but I think you are more likely to be satisfied with the end result.
 
Thanx Rich,I have couple blades (Mora carbon) that I can practice on,and one Puronvarsi blade that I ordered long time ago but never got chance to make handle.I will order some guards too, and maybe Some Lauri blades.The couple Helles in Laminated stainless hold excellent edge and are very easy to sharpen.Which ones of these brands hold same or better edge,as I plan to use the knife for cutting,not batoning or prying?
 
If properly sharpened Scandi style (I use a micro bevel), I think any of them would cut very well. Of course I'm partial to Lauri PT. For me many of the Helle blades are a bit on the thin side, but for cutting maybe fine for you.

Rich
 
Rich,i use small almost invisible micro bevel too, and the knives i HAve cut well and hold edge well.I like thinner blades.How are regular Lauri compared to Lauri PT?Do you like Polar blades?
 
Lauri and Lauri PT aren't a lot different, just the PT has a harder edge and IMHO holds it better. Polar blades are excellent. I have done two puukko using them.
Rich
 
Regular Lauri blades are tempered to 58-59 HRC which is a jack of all trades hardness, but doesn't take out the real potential of the steel, at least on short blades. 80CrV2 gives great satisfaction at higher hardness, without losing that much resilience. Also, out of the box Lauri blades have a rather big secondary bevel, not really a microbevel.

Kainuun Puukko blades, like your Puronvarsi one, have a rhombic section, a completely different league in bite and aggressiveness. If tapered towards the tip, a rhombic blade is also a lot precise and agile when carving in concave surfaces, which are usually the trickiest to work with.
 
Do Puronvarsi and Kainuun Puuko blades hold edge better thanLauri,Lauri pt and Polar blades,or the only difference is in geometry of blade?
 
I can't talk about Kainuun Puukko blades, but I have other puukkos in silversteel. The edge holding is longer than 80CrV2 at 62 HRC, but, due to its higher carbon content, it can be a little more prone to microchipping.
Yp-Taonta (Puronvarsi) blades are in 1075 and grinded slightly concave. The edge holding is similar to standard Lauri blades. In my experience they tend to roll rather than chip and are extremely quick to touch up.

Like said, though, Lauri blades have a secondary bevel that helps edge stability and holding.
 
The Puronvarsi blades look really nice. Never used one. If tempered to RC62, it's the same as Lauri PT edge. Just get a blade(s) that you like and go to it. You can always get another type if you wish. Have fun. I made (several years ago), about 50 puukko in various styles for our local VFW hosting a wounded warrior outing to give to the guys. Now I don't make knives anymore - arthritis (70+ y.o.) just makes it too painful with all the sawing, grinding, filing, sanding,etc. etc. etc. I do miss it. Still collect vintage puukko when I can find a good one that I don't have one similar.

Show use some of your work when you finish something.

Rich
 
Im looking for one of these if anyone has one they want to sell me. I posted a wanted ad in the exchange part of the forum.
 
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