Pukko average size/thickness

quint

quint

Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
1,396
Hey guys I have been wanting to try a pukko for sometime and with my limited experience it will be a good learning adventure. I have Bergmans book on order but it wont be here for another 10 days or so and would like to get started with the blades.

Wanted to know the average size and thickness of these guys. I know they can vary widely as any handmade knife will but on average what do you guys like to use.

Thanks.
 
There ar many differens sizes and many people know a lot more about them then me but 3 to 4 mm thick and 7cm to 10cm blades are seen a lot.
I´ve tried a 2x 20degree scandi grind once and it is to much. App. 25degree total is what I´ve found out to be more common.
There´s a lot of scandi knolledge on british blades.
 
Hengelo nailed it pretty good. I´ll add that the blades normally are 20-25mm wide. A lot of makers will taper the profile of the blade and have the handle come off the blades lines. This makes for a very slick and clean knife.

Brian
 
Spend the next ten days making plans, clearing the work space, and gathering materials. Go online and read every Puukko tutorial you can find. look at as many puukko photos as you can. Make some sketches and preliminary ideas as to materials and shapes. After the book comes, read it twice. Then start on your project. Taking your time and not being in a rush will be far more rewarding than getting started before you are ready.
 
Many of the puukkos are smaller and thinner than they look. under 90mm is the usual length and less than 3.2mm the usual thickness. 100mm x 4mm is large for a puukko. They are usually used for woodworking/whittling tasks and are sized accordingly. They were often used in combination with a leuku which is a kind of short machete. It is different with sissipuukko (miltary knives) so the Fallkniven F1 is broader and more robust than "standard".
 
I can't tell you what's average, but I can tell you what I like. 3-4" blade, 1/8" thick, 25º inclusive edge or less. From what I understand, this is on the bigger side in both length and thickness for puukkos. I made a tool rest for doing scandi grinds that I find to be indispensable. Some people will disagree, but the last time this came up (IIRC) most people on the forum agreed that using a tool rest for doing scandi grinds is not cheating.

- Chris

533184_581764901960_1766240521_n.jpg
 
The scandi model isn't set. Blades very in length and height. From what I can gather, having more than one knife for different tasks is normal (and required depending on what you read), unlike the Western culture of 'I'll use one and be happy'.

Think of what you want to do with the knife, and make it accordingly. Little thicker and longer for hunting, smaller and thinner for wood and general tasks.

Bergmans book is fantastic, as I have been reading and rereading parts just about every night before I go to bed. If you are looking for information on making blades, it may be the wrong book for you. He uses pre-made blades from makers like Roselli, Frost, etc...It is a excellent resource for handles and materials, how to assemble a knife, and is an excellent tutorial on making center stitched sheaths along with Sami style wood(bone)/leather sheaths.
 
Thanks a ton for the input guys. Have been reading some and will continue to do so. Stacy I have been looking up as much stuff as I can both here and on the net and will read the book plenty.
Smith I think that will work out best, I can make the blades once I settle on the size/thickness/proper pattern just want to get more instruction on overall construction and I like having something that I can reference in the garage while building my first one.

All great input everyone appreciate it.
 
Burgmans book showed up yesterday and I must say it is an excellent book. Shows how to do everything just about relating to these guys with simple tools and a well laid out approach. Has given me a ton of ideas and tips. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking at making this type of knife.
 
Hesparus I totally forgot to ask, what does your tool rest look like. I am doing my first one by hand but would be interested in seeing ideas for tool rest for future reference. I have scene the one for files with a eyelet and a rod attached to the file. Just always looking out for other ideas. Thanks.
 
Claymoore: I applied yellow mustard with a qtip and let it sit for 30-40 min, then washed it off. Very easy to do, but it's a reasonably durable etch.
Quint: it's just a piece of bent steel flat stock that I clamp to the regular tool rest of my grinder. I have ones of different angles for different grinds. I'll try to get a picture up later.

Chris
 
Here's the tool rest I use for my 25º scandi grinds:
270675_583986405050_1912126560_n.jpg

It's made of 2" x 1/8" mild steel I bought at the hardware store. It moves a little more than I'd like it to, but I manage. If I were to use one of these a lot, I would make it out of thicker stock and/or tool steel. I also plan to glue kydex or something to the faces of these to eliminate scratching.
As I mentioned before, I have several more of these at different angles. In total I have 12.5º, 23º, 32º, 37º and 42º.
264001_583986430000_817897625_n.jpg

Making them is simple. I cut a length of steel based on how long I think it should be. Then I clamp it square in a vice and beat it to the angle I want with a hammer. I just estimate the angle at first, then check it by grinding a little piece of steel and using trigonometry.

- Chris
 
Last edited:
quint said:
Hey guys I have been wanting to try a pukko for sometime and with my limited experience it will be a good learning adventure. I have Bergmans book on order but it wont be here for another 10 days or so and would like to get started with the blades.

Wanted to know the average size and thickness of these guys. I know they can vary widely as any handmade knife will but on average what do you guys like to use.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
this response is 9 years late but this is the video to watch if you want to learn about how to make a puuko
 
Welcome sindrifoeger.
When pulling up a thread, look for the date of the OP and recent posts. You will see that this thread is almost 10 years old.
Also, fill out your profile. It lets us know where you are and a bit about you. This helps with answering questions and giving advise.

Good video.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top