Santa Lives in Finland

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Sep 19, 2016
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As a child I quite often heard about Santa living in Lapland, or as the Finns call it - Lappi. We were never told about the other Finnish Santa, our dear member Will Power!

A few days back me and Will stepped in touch again. Will and I are both Europeans and as such we face some of the same problems when it comes to traditionals. Will sometimes reaches out to me to give me well apreciated advice. This time we discussed things a bit further and he kindly decided to gift me a knife of his. I must say, he is also a cruel Santa, I asked him for a hint of any sort about what awaits me, yet he wouldn't give away no information! :grumpy: Trust me, if I knew what was coming my way, I wouldn't have let him sent it since I think it's a bit too much. Anyway, I woke up this morning and found a package waiting for me to open it. It interrupted me on my way to university, so I had little time to spare, all I could do was take a quick photo, drop it in my pocket and face the day. No need to say, I smiled and laughed like a small child when I opened the package. Inside was a nice classy postcard with Will's message, a Finnish coin for lucky charms and a GEC tube with a #66 slim Tidioute calf roper in saw cut rust red bone, my very first GEC! I was and still am pretty much speachless!!!

I was talking with Will how it's about time I get my first GEC, although they're a bit harder to get for an European. He recommended me a certain site, which I've been checking out ever since, deciding upon which one to choose. Will was very kind to gift me one of his own, a wonderful pattern, at 3.5 inches perfect for my hands, with a slight patina, which shows his character and adds a personal touch. For me, this knife comes very close to perfection, it is my first GEC, a great pattern, my first saw cut bone - just wonderful! The walk and talk is great, the blade combo on this one as well. A main Turkish clip point with a pen secondary, both blade designs I like a lot.

I am taken aback quite a lot, so I am short of words. A BIG "thank you" to Will, please know that your gift is well appreciated, I wish I could thank you more. Generosity on this site has struck me twice already and is embarassing me a lot. I hope my future means will allow me to pay back all the good I received to the community here at least a bit. Will wrote on his card that he hopes this GEC won't be my last. I can assure you it certainly won't, I am extensively thinking since the past week which one I shall land next. A tough choice! Many of you have written how the first GEC sends you down a slippery slope without return. I'm afraid I've tasted the flesh and will be coming back for more ...


Here's a terrible photo of Will's wonderful gift:

20161214_125412.jpg



Btw, I wrote my adress without the č, š, ž letters of the Slovene alphabet, yet Will somehow nailed my name and adress perfectly! I wonder how he did that. Probably another of life's misteries. :D

My best regards to all,

Žan
 
Wow...I like the card and the coin too...and that knife is...well priceless :thumbup::D Congrats on a fine piece and your first GEC, Žan! I enjoyed the post and know personally what a fine gentleman Will is !! Super well done, Will....I mean Santa :D
 
Wow...I like the card and the coin too...and that knife is...well priceless :thumbup::D Congrats on a fine piece and your first GEC, Žan! I enjoyed the post and know personally what a fine gentleman Will is !! Super well done, Will....I mean Santa :D

Thank you, Gevonovich! :) The coin features a crowned lion holding a sword, standing on a saber. It is Finland's historic coat of arms. Like you said, the knife is mighty well gorgeous!!! :D
 
Way to go Will, and use it in good health Zan. Children should be kept away from this forum. It would confuse them. Too many Santa's here!
 
Way to go Will, and use it in good health Zan. Children should be kept away from this forum. It would confuse them. Too many Santa's here!

Thanks, Alan, I sure will! You're right about about Santa, I know you guys overseas say he lives on the North Pole. Not quite so in this case. ;)
 
As I mentioned in another thread, these acts of kindness are quite commonplace here on this forum, but I never tire of hearing of them. :D Well done Will and congratulations ISKRA :thumbup:
 
Zan, that got there quick! I had a word with the man himself you see....:cool:

Very glad you like it, I find a single-spring 2 blade knife to be really good in the pocket and Red is the Christmas colour. As for Santa, Father Christmas etc well yes he's here far up in Lapland (where it's completely dark now with the solstice looming) but you people out there in America and Europe got it all wrong because 'he' is actually the joulupukki or as we also say in Swedish, julbocken - a GOAT! :D The Yule Goat. He brings the presents or a good goring with his horns if you've been misbehaving over the year big style :eek::D:D Straw goats are used to decorate the house and Christmas trees, some big ones made of straw or fir branches are placed in the streets as decorations too. An ancient Nordic tradition going back centuries.

Thanks, Will
 
Thanks Bob (BigBiscuit)!

Zan, that got there quick! I had a word with the man himself you see....:cool:

Very glad you like it, I find a single-spring 2 blade knife to be really good in the pocket and Red is the Christmas colour. As for Santa, Father Christmas etc well yes he's here far up in Lapland (where it's completely dark now with the solstice looming) but you people out there in America and Europe got it all wrong because 'he' is actually the joulupukki or as we also say in Swedish, julbocken - a GOAT! :D The Yule Goat. He brings the presents or a good goring with his horns if you've been misbehaving over the year big style :eek::D:D Straw goats are used to decorate the house and Christmas trees, some big ones made of straw or fir branches are placed in the streets as decorations too. An ancient Nordic tradition going back centuries.

Thanks, Will

Indeed, it's just amazing. A big thank you from my heart! :)

Interesting tradition you have there. We have Saint Nicolas visiting us on December 6th (Santa is a newer phenomenon), but he's the good guy. We're more worried about his helper Krampus, or "parkelj" as we call him. If you're lucky he gives you just a wooden rod, which is also a symbol of feritility. The really naughty ones are put in chains, dragged outdoors in the snowy night and carried away in his basket.
 
Žan, that's an excellent first GEC! (I feel certain it won't be your last. :D) Nice work, Will! :thumbup:
 
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