Need input for special puukko project

M

matlau

Joined
Feb 19, 2006
Messages
28
Dear Blade lovers,

I have a mentor that I respect very much.
He is a Norwegian dentist. who transplanted to California in the seventies.
For the past 5 years, he's helped guide me clinically and ethically during some tough moments.

I'd really like to make a matched pair of puukko for the both of us (master and student set).
Ideally, I'd like to buy the blade and fabricate the sheathe, bolsters, handle myself.
The more that I pour into this, the more special I hope the knife to be.

What puukko smith would you recommend and why?

Originally, I was leaning towards blades from Kainuun Puukko, but I'm not sure with the new smith.
I'd really like to get the best blade that I can--best as is hard use, but handsomely made.

While I'm not rich, I would like to get/make something truly special.
 
Hello!

Great project! I really appreciate such sentimentally valued things.

You have told that your mentor is Norwegian. Norwegian cutlery culture is close but not identical to Finnish. Shouldn't you look for Norwegian blade? As far as I know, Helle and Brusletto makes high quality but affordable blades.

P.S.: If you will need help, send me a PM or email. And I will show you some European online shops who can provide you the blades and all materials for knife making.
 
[There are shops with a] selection of Helle blades (Norwegian)
 
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Thanks for the input.

I may clarify that Finn isn't too hung up on the Norwegian vs Finnish issue.
He just likes raw performance.

In terms of budget, I have a limit of around $100 for each knife.
I already have the walnut for the scales, and the 935 argentium silver should be around $21/oz.
Alternatively, would you recommend nickel silver?

I emailed Brad at Thompson's knives, and he recommended one of his hand forged blades (Lammi, etc)
I have only handled Moras prior. The Helle and Lauri blades don't seem to have a significant performance boost.
Currently, I sort of have my heart on using a hand-forged rhomboidal blade.

-Matt

ps. Ragnar's a good bloke. I bought some blades from him before.
 
Lauri blades.
real nice blades.
i've made several puukko using Lauri blades
buzz
 
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Just to clarify, I don't think that I can afford a $300 Kainuun Puukko.
However, I can certainly justify buying a blade for 50-65 euro ($65-$89) per blade if there is a significant improvement over a laminated Mora blade.

The materials that I have on hand (air dried pommelle claro walnut) (honey buffalo horn) (ebony) are pretty luxurious.
I also have access to silver, argentium silver, or nickel silver...and access to a casting rig. I won't be using dental gold (that would increase the price by $1600). I build guitars, so my tooling is pretty above average.

Anyways, you guys must know knives better than me!
I've only used a few Moras. However, I have some really great white steel chisels and appreciate a screaming edge.

-Matt
 
YP-Taonta (Puronvarsi/Mäkinen) ones are the most easily found rhombic blades. They're forged from a 1075 steel, taken to 60 HRC at the edge. Since they're ground first on a clay wheel, then on the belt sander, bevels are usually just a hair concaved.
Nontheless they have a quite strong radius in the blade-tang junction that may give you some troubles when fitting the front bolster.

As for Norwegian smiths you may try to drop a line to Steen Nielsen. All his basic blades are laminated.
 
matlau said:
Thanks for the input.

I may clarify that Finn isn't too hung up on the Norwegian vs Finnish issue.
He just likes raw performance.

In terms of budget, I have a limit of around $100 for each knife.
I already have the walnut for the scales, and the 935 argentium silver should be around $21/oz.
Alternatively, would you recommend nickel silver?

I emailed Brad at Thompson's knives, and he recommended one of his hand forged blades (Lammi, etc)
I have only handled Moras prior. The Helle and Lauri blades don't seem to have a significant performance boost.
Currently, I sort of have my heart on using a hand-forged rhomboidal blade.

-Matt

ps. Ragnar's a good bloke. I bought some blades from him before.
Click to expand...

Interesting stuff, Post up a few pictures of the knives when they are made If you would be so willing!
 
I'll post pics later.

On a side note, I'll be getting two of my friends involved with their own puukko.
I think that they'll get some Lauri or Mora blades, and just use scraps from my shop (it'll still be pretty nice).
While I'm not sure about my prized Nordic birch, I have walnut and pear wood.

I think a Lauri PT with blonde horn bolsters and butt cap would look stunning with walnut.
Or black horn, nickel silver spacers, and flamed maple.
 
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