Saami Knives, my first.

P

Pipeman

Joined
Dec 2, 2004
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I have studied First Nations culture for many years and have become interested in the Saami culture in the past couple of years. Traditionally the Saami purchased the blades from blade makers and then made the handles and sheaths from antler material and sometime Walrus ivory.
This one I made using a very old Moose rack that had hung outside on a covered porch in PEI for abot 90 years. The tines are beautifully crazed but still dense. I cut the sheath from the thin "boards" of the Moose rack. The surface was so aged that when grinding I got into the porous bone below the surface. I hardened the material with crazy glue which has done the trick. I decided to dye the sheath as the porousity was showing through the thin layer of surface that was left after grinding. So anyway, here is the whittler I made for myself. I'm kind of happy with this first knife and sheath. I bought 9 blades so will show you the progression as I get enough nerve to cut and use some beautiful Walrus ivory I have.

Sorry for the poor pictures, I really need a new camera.

Best regards

Robin
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Really nice work, Robin! I look forward to seeing more! Nothing wrong with those pictures from where I'm sitting.
 
Thanks guys, this one was a learning experience. My preference are the early, more "primitive" knives and sheaths which for the most part match my capability and lack of tools :D

Nicely done,northern Saami style
Did you use Lauri blade?

Yes, this one is a Lauri 62 x 16 mm. For a cheap blade I'm very impressed, it's scary sharp. I got a range of Lauri blades, skinner, a 9o x 20 and a field dressing blade that came unbelievably sharp. I got one Lauri PT, quite amazing, rockwell 53 at the back and rockwell 63 at the edge. I also bought 3 Polar blades which according to the chap I got them from are the sharpest blades he carries. It's hard to tell which ones are the sharpest, all scary. I'll be able to tell better after they have handles.

Thanks again for the kind comments.

Best reagrds

Robin
 
Nice work. Looking forward to watching you progress. Are you going to build any with flared handles?

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
Nice work. Looking forward to watching you progress. Are you going to build any with flared handles?

- Christian
Click to expand...

Thanks Christian, I love the flared handle style, will work up to that ;-)) I was thinking of one in Walrus.

Best regards

Robin
 
Thanks Alex, I'm loving these knives, so many styles to keep my ADD mind occupied :D

Best regards

Robin
 
Wow, another good one!

The handle-to-blade proportions do look very well-suited to whittling-- comfort and control.

Thanks for the pictures and write-up. :thumbup:

~ P.
 
Thanks Sarah, Since I planned it as a whittler I thinned the butt end for a little extra leverage. It worked as I thought it would but I'm not that happy with the appearance, but I was committed so there it is ;-))


Best regards

Robin
 
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Pipeman said:
Thanks Sarah, Since I planned it as a whittler I thinned the butt end for a little extra leverage. It worked as I thought it would but I'm not that happy with the appearance, but I was committed so there it is ;-))


Best regards

Robin
Click to expand...

working with the checked antler, I think you did a great job -- as you use the blade and it develops a patina, the whole knife will "grow" into that character and I suspect you will be happier with its appearance over time.
From where I sit, it looks great. I really like the way you did the transition from antler to leather on the sheath.
 
Very nice work Robin! What do you have into her time wise? I have appreciated you sharing your work over the years. :thumbup: If I'm not mistaken I should still be 1 of the 1st people on your waiting list!;)

Dave
 
1066vik said:
working with the checked antler, I think you did a great job -- as you use the blade and it develops a patina, the whole knife will "grow" into that character and I suspect you will be happier with its appearance over time.
From where I sit, it looks great. I really like the way you did the transition from antler to leather on the sheath.
Click to expand...

Thanks Vik
The crazed Moose antler is very appealing to me ( I like my work to look like a well cared for old knife)))) I used the piece of Hickory because the grain matched the crazed antler quite well. Although it works as planned the tapered butt doesn't quite fit the normal Saami handle "flow". Generally I'm happy with the knife ;-))

Thank again for your kind comments.

Best regards

Robin
 
knowtracks said:
Very nice work Robin! What do you have into her time wise? I have appreciated you sharing your work over the years. :thumbup: If I'm not mistaken I should still be 1 of the 1st people on your waiting list!;)

Dave
Click to expand...

Hi Dave, great to see you again ;-)
This one took quite a while to make, mainly thinking time. I also managed to grind three of my fingers while thinning the Moose board for the sheath :( which slowed me down )). Lot's of "fiddley" bits and pieces. The next one will be quicker now that I have made most of the mistakes on the first. ;-)

Best regards

Robin
 
Cool! I love the puukko knives I bought, some day maybe I'll have the courage to try and make one of my own.

Love the sheath too :thumbup:
 
Great looking knife and sheath! I would be very proud to carry that one around!
 
That's some grand craftsmanship on your part, very traditional. I also am intrigued by the blade, I like differential heat treatment, and am growing fond of more simplistic carbon steels at higher hardnesses, 63 HRC, would make for a very wear resistant cutting edge.
 
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