Puukko

[RescueRiley]

Just wondering what specifically classifies a knife as a puukko design?

 

[Dr. Mudd]

In addition to a fairly common straight blade shape (maybe a little wider than some), they all seem to me to have no guards and a really thick handle with a flat butt. I don't know, maybe that's not specifically what you were asking. I'm sure you've looked at those examples on Ragnar's site. www.ragweedforge.com

 

[mtnfolk mike]

here is the definition from wikipedia.. it's pretty cool...:thumbup:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puukko

 

[Dr. Mudd]

Based on Wikipedia's illustrations, I'm all wet. I had an entirely different idea of how they're proportioned.

 

[Dr. Mudd]

I just took a look at Ragnar's site and was planning to post a photo from there to illustrate my idea of what a puukko was, but found I couldn't post the photo I had copied here. If you go take a look there, the Lapin Puukkos with the thick handles are what I envisioned. Many others shown there look much more like what we often think of as Mora knives.

 

[stingray4540]

Go look at the scandinavian subforum at www.knifeforums.com

From what I've read, Puukko is specifically Finnish. I think it actually means knife or something in there language, and similar knives are called something different in Sweden, Norway, etc. There's a few very in-depth discussions on that other site if you are interested enough to find them.
Also, it seems to the trained eye, that there are actually differences between a Swedish scandi knife, and Norwegian scandi knife, and a Finnish scandi knife. If you are referring to scandi's in general, then I refer to them as just that, scandi's.

 

[x39]

Also, it seems to the trained eye, that there are actually differences between a Swedish scandi knife, and Norwegian scandi knife, and a Finnish scandi knife.

That is correct. In fact, subtle differences in knife and sheath design and embellishment exist even down to a local level within these nations. The Norwegians refer to their knives as "tollekniver". In my experience, the Swedish and Norwegian designs generally have a broader, more full bellied blade than a traditional Finnish puukko. The Lapps (or Sammi) range throughout the northerly parts of all three nations (and Russia), and bring their own designs into the mix. From what I've seen, the flat, flared pommels originated with the Lapps. My guess is that the flared pommel made it easier to withdraw the knife from it's sheath while wearing mittens. Also, by gripping the knife back on the handle with the flare between one's pinky and ring finger, it serves to keep the knife from slipping forward on the handle while using the knife to pierce or stab.