Regards From Virginia

[torqueguy]

Hello Folks

Very happy to run across this forum. Beautiful pictures and talented people. I like Puukko’s myself. Mostly Puronvarsi blades and Lauri PT

Once I figure how to post pics I’ll put in a few

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Nice puukko.
Some comments on design and proportion:
The blade in the first photo is much thinner than the handle … creating the appearance of an oversize handle.
The sheath on the second photo is oversize for the knife, creating the appearance of either a small knife or a giant sheath.
I'm not a fan of adding too many color stripes and such on a puukko.
The third photo is much better and less "busy".

It takes some careful fitting and inletting to get the handle down to match the blade width, and the same skills to keep the sheath from being oversize. One reason Pukko often have a pocketed sheath with a leather upper collar is that will disguise the difference.

If you don't have it, get a copy of Bo Bergman's book "Knifemaking" it is the best puukko book around. Some copies are listed at crazy prices, but a like searching will find one at a reasonable price.

If you can come to the knife show in Harrisonburg this weekend, drop by my tables and say hello. You can often find that book there, too.

 

[GoldSkula]

I also think that there is a little too much going on with your handles.

 

[John mc c]

I think they look great
Im a kitchen knife only guy but always loved pukkos too
You're skills are great,proportions are easily adjusted
And many regards back from ireland

 

[scott kozub]

What wood is that, it's beautiful?

 

[torqueguy]

Many thanks for the comments and suggestions. The wood is Karelian Or Curly Birch. Thats great to know about the Harrisonburg Show, I’ll try to get out there. I’m still working with different materials to get to something I like. Its taken me 50 years to get to this point. I made my first blade in 1968 out of a tunafish can lid on a Saturday morning after watching Tarzan on the old Motorola B&W. I remember sawing a 4” chunk of handle off my mother’s favorite broom for the handle. Amazing how we can distinctly remember a turning point in our lives. After that, I was hooked on knife making and juggled it amongst college, marriage, kids, careers and now, impending retirement in the next few years.
Thanks again for the kind posts as I continue my search for the perfect Puukko

 

[probrwr]

Where in VA?

 

[torqueguy]

Near Charlottesville

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I love puukko. I would make a lot more, but they don't sell well in this area. I don't collect knives but have several puukko I have picked up over the years in my workroom.

I also love curly birch and Masur birch.

Come by, we'll have a good chat. My first knife was in 1960 or 61. I take it to the shows to show how we all have to start somewhere.

 

[torqueguy]

Thanks for the comments. Started another one last night and this is during the grinding process. This one is Curly Birch with Buffalo Horn. I’ll post a new picture once I’m done with the grinding and have a couple coats of TruOil on there.

The blade matches the height of the grip now.

 

[torqueguy]

Here’s an update on last night’s project. Thats a 5” Damascus blade made by Pjotr Fedoriaki in the Ukrain.

This is after 600 grit, then 5 coats of TruOil.

 

[torqueguy]

And I thought I’d correct this thing. I posted it previously as a Puukko but it’s really a Leukko with a 150mm blade in typical Puronvarsi 5mm thickness. The scabbard seems long but actually the blade tip rests just touching the bit of cocobolo on the end cap

I agree the red is maybe overkill but I don’t make these to sell, I make them for the 8-10 hours of peace and tranquility they bring me while I’m down in the basement. I’ve been knocking out 2-3 month for years. Never thought they were good enough to sell.

This knife disease started when I was a kid. I remember seeing beautiful handmade knives in a place called Navy Arms in Ridgefield NJ back in the 60’s. This kindly old man by the name of Val Forgett used to let me hang out in the store after school, empty ashtrays and get coffee for the staff.

Have loved fine guns and knives ever since

 

[Joshua Fisher]

Your handle work looks very good, one recommendation I would give is to spend a little time fitting the bottom of the ricasso and tang to seat flat on the bolster, I can see very visible gaps between the bolster and the bottom of the shoulder. I really like the handle on your newest knife. It’s got some contrast going but still classy and subtle imo.

 

[GoldSkula]

The one with a red handle looks fantastic. The one with the black handle looks like it doesn't have a perfect fit but otherwise that one also looks good.
I would have maybe gone with just one red spacer on the other knife but that's just my personal preference.

Not to be the language police it's leuku not leukko.

Keep up the good work man!