The merkityspuukko, or Raindeer Marking Knife

[knarfeng]

Earlier in December, a family friend who lives in Sweden and knows of my fascination with cutlery sent me what he called, “a raindeer marking knife”. He had sought one out and purchased it at a supply store in Sweden.

I’d never heard of such a thing, but I Googled, and found references. It is a very sharp small knife which is specifically used to mark the ear of the raindeer with the owner's mark. Google Books was especially helpful. Apparently, the raindeer herders use three types of knives...

From another source..

And a picture of a marking knife in use:

Now for the current sample...

As usual, my photography skills are lacking,
A nice little knife. It has both a primary and a secondary grind, rather than a scandi. Machined, not stamped. Despite its tiny size, because of the somewhat bulbous base, it is very secure in the hand. It looks to be roughly the size and shape of the knife in the picture.

No maker's mark that I can see. Stainless blade with what appears to be birchwood handle. Judging by the lack of any noticeable wire edge during the sharpening process, it seems nicely hardened. The primary edge out of the box was roughly 15° per side as compared to my Sharpmaker stones. Nice leather sheath which holds it securely. I like using a small fixed blade when I work in the garden. I may try this one and see how it fares.

At any rate, I thought the "raindeer knife" information was interesting and might be worth sharing.

 

[eisman]

I love stuff like this! Thanks!

 

[johnny twoshoes]

It would be quite the struggle for me to locate a reindeer in these parts, but that knife looks perfect for notching the ears off a squirrel, or two.

 

[solphilos]

Neat! I'm a big fan of small fixed blades, and that little puukko looks like it would make a good pocket carry.
I've had a Lauri blade similar in size, which also featured a secondary bevel. Makes me wonder if was intended to be a marking knife.

 

[sitflyer]

That's a sweet looking little Puukko Frank, thanks for the pics and info on it. I had a very similar knife that I sent on to my dad to enjoy. I'll have to tell him this stuff, he will get a kick out of it.

 

[Wurrwulf]

What an awesome little fixed blade! Thanks for the knowledge and pictures, Frank.

 

[Lapedog]

In Canada we call Reindeer, Caribou. For the longest time I had no idea they were the same animal. (Doy...)

I have always found these Scandinavian (and Finnish) knives to be very interesting and beautiful. Sometimes I see parallels between those small pukkos and traditional kwaiken. (Tang is very different typically)

I am very interested in the Saami version of the Leuku knife which has a deep hollow on one side of the knife. Not a hollow grind per say, it is more like a huge wide deep fuller. Apparently it lends a certain property to the knife when woodworking. Seems like most Leuku these days do not have this feature.

Anyway knarfeng if it isn’t asking too much could you please ask your Swedish friend what the proper name is for that Saami with the deep hollow on only one side? I find it very hard to find examples of the knife and I believe it is because I don’t know the correct terms to search with.

Googling “hollow ground Saami leuku”, “hollow ground saami knife”, etc. just isn’t cutting it.

 

[Horsewright]

Wow! Clear across the world and similarities in stockmanship. Thanks for all that info Frank and a very cool knife! A lot of the ranches around here use an earmark too. We don't but both our next door neighbors do. These marks are registered with the state just like the brand is. Here is the wife helping the neighbors cutting an ear mark:

Just like your little pukko a very sharp and pointed knife is needed. Those ears are pretty tough leather. Some ranches still practice "wattling" which is carving a pattern in the loose fat and skin on the bottom of the neck. None around here but here's a pic of a customer wattling in Nevada.

Anyhow very fascinating the similarities.

 

[knarfeng]

I am very interested in the Saami version of the Leuku knife which has a deep hollow on one side of the knife. Not a hollow grind per say, it is more like a huge wide deep fuller. Apparently it lends a certain property to the knife when woodworking. Seems like most Leuku these days do not have this feature.

Anyway knarfeng if it isn’t asking too much could you please ask your Swedish friend what the proper name is for that Saami with the deep hollow on only one side? I find it very hard to find examples of the knife and I believe it is because I don’t know the correct terms to search with.

Googling “hollow ground Saami leuku”, “hollow ground saami knife”, etc. just isn’t cutting it.

Have you tried searching this thread?
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/educate-me-on-the-puukko.1132215/
There were a number of posts in it about leuku knives.

 

[Lapedog]

Have you tried searching this thread?
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/educate-me-on-the-puukko.1132215/
There were a number of posts in it about leuku knives.

Thank you, I will search the thread for any info.

Edit: here is a picture of those Leukus I found. These are Yakut ones. Seems like I was mistaken, they are Yakut knives and not Saami. Yakut are further east.

 

[Will Power]

Very interesting Frank. The knife looks a lot like one from Wood Jewel by Kauko Raatiniemi who is located in Kolari (means accident....) in Lapland. At least judging by the sheath and handle type but I'm not sure if he uses stainless only carbon I thought?

In terms of geography, Lapland covers an area that includes Finland, Russia, Sweden and Norway the Saami people whose language is different from the languages of those 4 countries were traditionally nomadic people, moving freely around tundra and forests wherever their Reindeer happened to be seeking food-usually in very harsh conditions. In Sweden, you have to be ethnically Saami to own commercial Reindeer herds I believe. Here in Finland, you only have to be a Finnish citizen, so both Finns and Lapps (Saami) keep them.

The knives used, as far as I know (not been to Lapland, it's dark & cold enough here for me)are likely to be small as they're quick and safe to use so any small puukko is up for the task, what's interesting is that herders can recognise their own marks very quickly. I was looking for links, found an article in The Economist published 24 Dec 2016, some woman visiting reindeer places and talking about 'under a blue cobalt sky' In December up there in Lapland? I think not! But that's journos for you...

Here's another one, a bit optimistic I'd say as Reindeer makes up a very small part of commercial meat sales here. It is expensive and so most people don't consume it much unless they live in Lapland. Yes, posh Helsinki restaurants sell it at exorbitant cost but this does not reflect realities. I think Reindeer farmers are having a difficult time actually due to climate changes, increased costs and fall in demand. I don't mind it, tastes rather of fur and I prefer Elk (what you call Moose) but that's expensive too.

http://www.sgtravellers.com/travel-article/the-pull-of-reindeer-in-finnish-lapland/7341/1

Here's my small puukko from Kauko Raatiniemi in striped layered wood, I think you can nick ears with it next to a GEC 14 for size. Very handy small knife in a tight safe dangler sheath, you won't lose your knife from this!

Thanks, Will

 

[Lapedog]

Very interesting Frank. The knife looks a lot like one from Wood Jewel by Kauko Raatiniemi who is located in Kolari (means accident....) in Lapland. At least judging by the sheath and handle type but I'm not sure if he uses stainless only carbon I thought?

In terms of geography, Lapland covers an area that includes Finland, Russia, Sweden and Norway the Saami people whose language is different from the languages of those 4 countries were traditionally nomadic people, moving freely around tundra and forests wherever their Reindeer happened to be seeking food-usually in very harsh conditions. In Sweden, you have to be ethnically Saami to own commercial Reindeer herds I believe. Here in Finland, you only have to be a Finnish citizen, so both Finns and Lapps (Saami) keep them.

The knives used, as far as I know (not been to Lapland, it's dark & cold enough here for me)are likely to be small as they're quick and safe to use so any small puukko is up for the task, what's interesting is that herders can recognise their own marks very quickly. I was looking for links, found an article in The Economist published 24 Dec 2016, some woman visiting reindeer places and talking about 'under a blue cobalt sky' In December up there in Lapland? I think not! But that's journos for you...

Here's another one, a bit optimistic I'd say as Reindeer makes up a very small part of commercial meat sales here. It is expensive and so most people don't consume it much unless they live in Lapland. Yes, posh Helsinki restaurants sell it at exorbitant cost but this does not reflect realities. I think Reindeer farmers are having a difficult time actually due to climate changes, increased costs and fall in demand. I don't mind it, tastes rather of fur and I prefer Elk (what you call Moose) but that's expensive too.

http://www.sgtravellers.com/travel-article/the-pull-of-reindeer-in-finnish-lapland/7341/1

Here's my small puukko from Kauko Raatiniemi in striped layered wood, I think you can nick ears with it next to a GEC 14 for size. Very handy small knife in a tight safe dangler sheath, you won't lose your knife from this!

Thanks, Will

When I have been in Central and Northern Canada I got the opportunity to try Reindeer. It was actually super delicious. I wonder if the Reindeer up here are a different breed. Is there a “commercial” domesticated strain of reindeer?

Either way, it was excellent in a stew and I also had some “medallions” which I believe due to the shape are likely the equivilent cut to the filet mignon. Never got a chance to try moose.

Oddly enough I don’t believe the local indigenous people ever farmed or herded the reindeer. I believe they only followed the wild herds.

 

[leghog]

Earlier in December, a family friend who lives in Sweden and knows of my fascination with cutlery sent me what he called, “a raindeer marking knife”.

That knife is nice!

And in the vain of continuous learning, your post is great.

 

[Will Power]

 

[knarfeng]

Horsewright
Will Power
I was hoping both of you would see this and comment. As I was working up the post, I was thinking it was especially up your respective alleys. Hopefully @Pipeman will also eventually see it.