Puukkos are 'pukka' - A brief tale of two knives.

BladeScout

BladeScout

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May 16, 2010
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Funny how ones taste changes over the span of some years: I used to be not overly interested in Pukkos. They are utilitarian and clean no-nonsense tools but I used to think them not very interesting.

Enter Tapio Wirkkala.

Wirkkala is a design icon from Finland. At one point he also designed a Pukko.

TW:
https://www.iittala.com/Designers/Tapio-Wirkkala/c/Tapio Wirkkala/intro



Years ago I was presented with the bigger version of the Wirkkala Pukko. It was and is in as new condition - both knife as well as sheath.
It measures 8.5 inches, blade 4 inches of stainless scandi.

Only recently did I 'rediscover' it and with it a new found respect for the Pukko.

Some turn up their noses at this 'designer Pukko' from the mind of Tapio Wirkkala - others specifically dont care for the some what angular ergos.

But then Im a fan of coffin handle Bowies and get along with them just fine, so what the heck do I know, right.

Im a big fan of the Wirkkala knife and it fits my hand just fine.

I can get myself to use the pristine bigger Pukko, as its in as new condition. It has never been sharpened nor used but recently I visited a local retired couple. Like me, he is into vintage bikes and has forgotten more about our respective old bikes, than Ill ever know (gladly yanks the engine from my bike and replaces it in a matter of hours to check if everything is okay) and she collects Finnish and Scandinavian blades.

I brought along a Martiini and much to my surprise they happened to have the little brother to my Wirkkala blade amongst a slew of other Finnish and Scandinavian blades.

When we parted, I was presented with the slightly used but well cared for Wirkkala Puukko - a grand gesture IMO!

I have now used the smaller Wirkkala knife on several outings and it has instantly shot to the top of my list of favorite 'user' production knives.



It measures 7 1/4 inches OAL, blade 3.5 inches.

Im over the moon with this little non-nonsense user. Its able to perform 90% of my outdoor tasks and I couldnt be happier with it.

Thanks for reading - any and all input appreciated, especially Puukko content!

Pukka:
A slang-term used in British English to describe something as "first class" or "absolutely genuine".
http://da.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pukka
 
That is one fine looking puukko, I typically like a blade that has some protection from my hand slipping forward.

But I do see the appeal of the gorgeous knife above. I also love the way mora knives cut, are the puukko blades similar in how they cut?
 
I too have become a fan of the Puuko. I own two Puukos done by Malanika a fine craftsman from Croatia who is on par with the best knife makers of Finland. Used them both for processing and field dressing of one pronghorn and two whitetails. 0ne blade 4 inches in 52100 another 3 3/4 inch in 80CRV2. Great knives for that purpose. Probably good for camping, food processing and some bushcraft jobs. Can see why it is such a popular blade in Europe.
 
Here's a great article by a Finn on the puuko, which appeared on this forum some time ago: "‘Puukko’ is a Finnish term. It’s a derivative of ‘puu’ which means wood. A puukko is, first and foremost, a wood carving tool (we have a special term for that, ‘vuoleminen’, the root verb being ‘vuolla’, which comes close to whittling or wood carving, but denotes specifically the use of the blade for push-cuts, not slicing or slashing). Other ‘necessary’ uses of a puukko have to do with fishing and hunting, i.e., scaling, skinning, filleting, and other such tasks in preparing fish and game. Skilled users do about everything with a puukko, though. Once it was thought that a boy really doesn’t need other purchased toys; after he gets a puukko, he’ll make everything else with it. This is no joke! In the 50’s, schoolboys were (at some places) forbidden to use the puukko during wood-carving lessons, because they wouldn’t otherwise learn to use other tools, like planes, saws and chisels. Now the situation is, of course, quite different. Many Finns do not learn to use the puukko properly, though some kind of renaissance may be discernable here (there’s even a special ‘vuolukirja’, whittling book, by Joel Nokelainen 1996, but I think, only in Finnish).

The puukko has developed to remarkable functional simplicity during generations of hard, straightforward use by ordinary people. It is a compromise, a multi-tool, if you like, with nothing inessential. That explains some of its characteristic features. The blade, for instance, is typically only a hand width in length, or a bit less. A longer blade would hamper its performance in whittling, etc. control is better with a shorter one (for fine work, such as countersinking a hole, the puukko is grasped by the blade and the thumb may be used as a ‘backstop’). But because it is not a ‘pure’ wood carving tool, too short won’t do. Similar explanations could be given for the relatively pointy point (remember the hole?), the (usually) straight back (with absolutely no false-edge or swedge), the wedgelike grind, the relatively thin blade, the smooth guardless handle (often called the head), made traditionally of wood, mostly birch, or of birch bark, etc. There are, of course, exceptions, and specialization is taking place here, too. But most of the recent developments in puukko may be more market-driven than purely function. For instance, the recent proliferation of finger-guards comes solely from legislative (consumer protective) demands of USA. A traditional puukko does not need them, as it is not meant for stabbing (though they were used for that too by the ‘puukkojunkkarit’, a group of Finnish outlaws at the Kauhava region quite a few decades ago).

The carry system, in Finnish ‘tuppi’, is traditionally great. It’s not a quick-draw or concealment item or anything like that, but protects the puukko (and its owner) well, keeps it securely in place, does not hamper sitting, etc., and is aesthetically pleasing (the puukko is often called ‘tuppiroska’, sheath-litter, as it were and that could, I guess, reflect the high esteem that traditional makers have had for the sheath). But everyone does not know anymore how to make a proper tuppi (or does not have the time/financial means for that). About the grind. Not every puukko has a high saber grind (or ‘wide flat Scandinavian grind’, as somebody said), and not every puukko lacks a secondary bevel, though typically they do. Sharpening the whole flat sides every time would wear the blade down quickly (this actually happens – there are many puukkos around that resemble only faintly what they were as new), though for ‘vuoleminen’ you do need a very acute angle (about 15/30 degrees). In addition, there are (new) puukkos with a secondary grind as well as some with a convex grind (notably, the Lapinleuku, the traditional tool of reindeer-owners). About the thickness, yes, puukko blades tend to be relatively thin (and not very wide, either, and they do not have a full tang, which I have often grumbled myself). This relates again to its primary functions. It’s not convenient to ‘vuolla’ or to fillet with a thick blade, and you do not, typically, chop or pry with a puukko (for chopping we use the axe and for prying the other guy’s tools)." Great knives. I cherish my Roselli Carpenter's Knife.
 
shinyedges said:
That is one fine looking puukko, I typically like a blade that has some protection from my hand slipping forward.

But I do see the appeal of the gorgeous knife above. I also love the way mora knives cut, are the puukko blades similar in how they cut?
Click to expand...
Thanks.
No guard was my original gripe with this type of knife but you dont really need or want one for the intended job of a Puukko.
Further more you just have to -like with most knives- keep safety in mind.
If lightly sticking your knife into say a log, you curl your little finger around the pommel if in a hammer grip. The thumb if in reverse.

Most scandi grind in general cut similar, but both Mora and Puukkos are a wide field with many different types of blades.
Try checking out the different knives at for example Kellam.

There is a marked difference in how say a FF compares to a Scandi when making for example 'fuzz sticks' - the wood curls in a markedly different way.
 
Shriket33 said:
I too have become a fan of the Puuko. I own two Puukos done by Malanika a fine craftsman from Croatia who is on par with the best knife makers of Finland. Used them both for processing and field dressing of one pronghorn and two whitetails. 0ne blade 4 inches in 52100 another 3 3/4 inch in 80CRV2. Great knives for that purpose. Probably good for camping, food processing and some bushcraft jobs. Can see why it is such a popular blade in Europe.
Click to expand...
He makes some staggeringly beautiful Puukkos - pls post pics of your knives.

Excellent, that you use a Puukko for field dressing. Ive use my Scheppmann skinner but have considered having a go at using the small Wirkkala Puukko on a deer this season....if I get a shot at one. I got no deer last season, so crossing my fingers.
 
Good post scout. Great share

I've handled a wirkkaka before. Love that handle.




I'm a huge fan of the tear drop shaped cross section.

It fits perfectly in the crease of my my fingers

It's the similar to the Pekka and some Malanikas


Alberta Ed.

Nailed it man. Awesome post. Truly an experts knife.
IMHO a guard is a perceived comfort and a hindrance to the full use and sharpening of the knife.

I don't advocate knife fighting but a guardless knife is fully capable just as any knife is as capable as it's user for whatever the task may be.

Here is a video demonstration of stabbing tree bark without a guard.

[YouTube]ktPC3ydy-CY[/YouTube]

Not an issue with strong grip which is easy with a comfortable. Non aggressive, traction free handle.


But I can see where people are coming from when they share the opposite opinion.

Heck I love the traction and jimping and stuff until I go out and use the knife. Just destroys my hands after 15 mintues.

It's more of a rapid development short duration use knife if it has all that grippy stuff.

However a Puukko is made to be used all day long.
 
DeadboxHero said:
Good post scout. Great share

I've handled a wirkkaka before. Love that handle.




I'm a huge fan of the tear drop shaped cross section.

It fits perfectly in the crease of my my fingers

It's the similar to the Pekka and some Malanikas
Click to expand...
Thanks.
I want a Malanika bad - I blame you!!

Yes, like wise a fan of the tear drop shaped profile of the Wirkkala.
Seems some scoff at it - it fits my hand for prolonged working with the knife just fine.

I suspect some dont like it, because the Wirkkala is a 'designers knife' and not like the ultra traditional Puukkos.

Im a believer in any event. Ill be looking for yet another Puukko, as they seem to work for me.
 
Hahaha yikes! Forgive me! Lol :D


Yea brother. Think you would love a Malanika in 80crv2 at 62hrc. That's what I'm saving up for now.

Should be bomber.
 
Danng, nice.

Looks like a competition chopper with a taste of "brute to forge"

Looks raw man
 
Thx

Yes, I looked at amongst others some competition choppers for inspiration prior to comming up with some suggestions/specs for this.

The chopper is slightly scaled down though, as I wanted a compact tool, which I wouldnt be tempted to leave at home due to weight and bulk considerations.

Then working with my knife maker buddy, we came up with this. He also had some great input and he is big on forging and like to leave the 'brut de forge' on the blade.

I wanted the slightly downwards turned sabre handle and that works incredibly well for me in combination with the handle made for me with a slight swell in the middle.
 
Well done.

Ooo and it's "brut de forge"

I'm always learning something new here man.

Cool.
 
Didnt even notice the extra 'e.'

Come to think of it, it IS a brute:D

It chops well above its size.
 
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