Stacked birch bark knife handles

[Guitarist7.62]

Anyone got any stacked birch bark knife handles? I've seen threads about stacked leather handles but not birch bark. Let's see some!

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

Puukos have them often.

Here is a pic of one of mine, while I haven't used them in the field much due to sheaths missing or in poor repair, I do use them in the shop while waiting for the sheaths to be made. Comfortable, warm, unique. I have a bunch of birch bark waiting for me to try!!

I'll look for my good pic of more of my Puuko, and it looks like it isn't the best quality, and I know I have at least one more in the garage, but here is my full Puuko shot, two birch on the right.

 

[Guitarist7.62]

I've heard these are super light, and also have that warm, lively feeling when you pick them up especially in the cold just like leather stacked handles, is that true to your experience?

 

[screened porch]

I think mine is the same as Cuts like a Kris's fullered example- mine's an Iisakii Jarvenpaa Kauhavaleinen puukko. (Apologies to the Finns if I doubled the wrong letters.)

 

[kamagong]

 

[Ryouchijtx]

That looks amazing kamagong, same with you CLAK, the detail in the handles is exquisite.

 

[Guitarist7.62]

On the grind of this knife, towards the tip, it appears that it thickens out instead of staying with the rest of the grind, to stregthen the tip?

 

[Pipeman]

Here's one i made up a couple of years ago with an early style capped neck sheath.

Best regards

Robin

 

[leghog]

Blade forged by Yrjö Puronvarsi. Birch bark handle by Simo Passi. Sheath by Kari Rämäkkö

 

[leghog]

Nice!

 

[sitflyer]

Nice idea for a thread. Birch bark, pleasing to the eye, naturally comfortable to the hand...

 

[chown]

I've heard these are super light, and also have that warm, lively feeling when you pick them up especially in the cold just like leather stacked handles, is that true to your experience?

The feel of birch bark is something between suede and cork. It's light, somewhat durable* and water resistant. I think it's better than stacked leather when wet as it doesn't get slippery at all.

It's a versatile material that has had countless of uses here in Finland, especially in pre-industrial times. Shoes, backpacks, bugles, roofs, cooking utensils, water/moisture insulation, sheaths, handles, fishing line bobbers, you name it and it was most likely made out of birch bark. Image search for "tuohi" (finnish for birch bark) and you get an idea. Today industrial materials have mostly replaced it.

*When drying out and exposed to UV radiation it becomes brittle. But for example as a roof material it could last 100 years if protected from sunlight (covered by a layer of peat or staves). When used as a handle it might be a good idea to oil it with some natural oil now and then to avoid drying, just like you'd treat unvarnished wood or leather.

 

[chown]

Kullervo