looking to buy pukko, which is better quality, Iisakki Järvenpää, or Marttiini?

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rev_jch

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Jul 29, 2002
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I was looking at buying a pukko and was wondering, which company makes better quality? Iisakki Järvenpää, or Marttiini (the lynx)?

Thanks,
John
 
I only know Martinni, their knives are OK, but they are kind of like the Buck knives of that area of the world...i.e. decent product but fully commercial. They sell boat loads of fillet knives in america.
 
The fillet knives I know! Use to have a few of those over the last 24+ years, definitely nothing to brag about!

Ive heard from kellam that the forged baldes on the marttiini lynx knives are pretty good. Can anyone comment on these?
 
I've got the Jarvenpaa Lapp Puuko and Leuku in carbon from Kellam. These knives are adequately finished to be users. Apart from the nickel silver butt cap, no effort has been taken to make these knives lookers. The ones that I have are not polished even, apart from the ground bevel, the rest of the blade is black with forge scale. But they are priced accordingly.

The Marttiini Lynx series look better finished and also cost more.

I got the Jarvenpaas because I wanted the bare basic 100% function only look and so that I would not hesitate to use them.

I suppose that you have to decide what you want in a puuko.
 
Thanks Guys, I appreciate it! Has anyone heard of kero knives? I saw some on the northener.com site in sweden?

Also does Iisakki make polished carbon blades besides the natural black?
 
I have had bouth Martiinis and Jäärvenpää. They are deasent users and in the same qualityrange. Now I only have the martiini lappinleuku 230. Good knife for allaround use. Full of northscandinavian tradition.

Bosse
 
I have a Marttiini Golden Lynx, bought it after reading a review by Steve Dick in TK several years ago. I've used it some, makes a nice hunting knife, gets wicked sharp. Overall a very nice knife, but I paid way to much for it when I got mine, ordered it from toolshop.com or something like that in Germany. If you decide to get one, buy from Kellam, they're good folks.

I don't have any of the other brand, but I've read good things about them. Don't overlook Helle knives, they make some great stuff also. Ragnar's Ragweed Forge is a good place to take a look at lots of different Scandinavian knives, check them out if you have time.
 
Rev,

You have got to take a close look at Kellam.

I have their KPR4 Puuko as well, it is very well made and finished. Good value for the money and it is polished carbon steel. However, I believe that this is an Americanised puuko, with the addition of the slight finger notch and the more ergonomic handle.

The same goes for the Wolverine, which is differentially hardened.

If you want a really cheap beater, look at their S Line. I have one in stainless, it is my absolute household beater and has held up to everything that I have thrown at it. I sharpened mine the traditional way, ie. by laying the entire bevel flat on the stone, and it takes a great edge. It is really good value but you must accept that the finish is commensurate with the price. Mine has a moulded plastic handle and there is a slight gap where the blade enters the handle but the gap does not go very deep and the blade is locked in solid.

But I must say that the Iisakis have an appeal of their own. This is really a rustic, bare basic Lapp puuko. If this is what you want, go for it, you will not be disappointed. You can just imagine the thousands of Finnish hunters and outdoorsmen over more than a century who used knives just like the one that you have in your hand.

But remember that the Iisaki Lapp puukos are designed for draw cuts. The swell at the pommel keeps the knife secure in your hand while draw cutting and there is absolutely no finger guard of any sort.

You will have to check with Kellam if they have a polished carbon Iisaki. Harriet is great to deal with.

Helles are Norwegian, so they are not your Finnish puukos even though you can see similarities in the designs. However, Helle designs to me appear to have been modernised. They are very good looking.

So there you have Americanised puukos, the traditional Lapp puukos, Norwegian puuko-like knives, Swedish puuko-like knives, get whichever appeals to you most.

The similarity shared by knife buying and women is that the fun is in the chase. So have fun.

Do let us know what you decide on and your reasons. That would enrich us all.
 
Thanks,
Im also interested in the helle jegermester, it looks like a great camp/craft knife. Anyone have one of these?
 
Well, since I could not make my mind up very well, I bought a Helle jegermester, a carbon steel Iissakki lapp puukko. An Issakki dress puukko set in stainless, a marttiini laynx in curly birch and a custom made puukko from lappland (which of course Im still waiting on). Thanks for all your suggestions!!!!

Sincerely
John :D
 
Rev,

You have gone from zero to a full fledged puuko connoiseur in the space of less than 1 month. Well done.

You know what they say, this thread is not worth any thing without photos :D , especially of the custom one, once you get it.
 
I have a Jegermester, and it's a real nice knife! Not the laminated steel that most other Helles are, but still a nice one. I use it in the kitchen the most, still need to get it outdoors more. Helle makes some great knives!

I've heard plenty of good comments about the Jarvenpaa knives, pretty much like everyone else has described, not much on fancy but good users.
 
I just got a Kellam catalog and price list the other day. Send me an e-mail, and I'll try to scan it and send it to you.

I have a few Puukkos, and I really like them. One from Kellam, the "Rugged" Puukko is probably the sharpest knife of any kind that I have ever seen or handled.

Did you want the puukko to use or to collect?

Mikey - Littleton, CO
 
Hi Mikey,

I assume that you were replying to me. Thanks for the offer, but I am already familiar with Kellam's products. I just wanted to see Rev's purchases.

I suppose by Rugged Puuko, you are referring to the Rugged Tommi. I have always wondered about the Tommis, considering the much higher price that they go for.

If you could give us a review, that would be really great.
 
All of the Kellam puukkos appear to be top quality. The Rugged Tommi really is incredibly sharp, and the current catalog lists it at $329.95. It will actually cut a free-standing hair!
The Peregrine by J. Marttiini is beautifully finished and I could not find it in the newest catalog.
For a collection, the traditional Double Horsehead, 2-knife, set would be great, and they show it at $99.95.
While not a Kellam, the one I have that I would pick as a "user" is the blackhandled Tapio Wirkkala from Hackman of Finland. It's rugged, sleek, just the right size, and feels great in the hand, thanks to the angled, flat-sided handles. There are no markings at all on this knife.

Mikey
 
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