The Puukko

This is a WIP on how I make a back sewn puukko sheath. This is a quick outline. You tube has videos, that's how I learned.
1. I start with 1/4"x3" poplar and draw my lasta (blade insert) shape. Then I outline the blade and trim away the area the blade will sit about 1/2 the thickness of the blade. Do this for both halves.
https://flic.kr/p/2nfAWJh
https://flic.kr/p/2nfGfLP
2. When both sides are put together and blade fits easily, urethane the inletted portion of the wood where the blade sits and glue the sides together.
https://flic.kr/p/2nfJUXd
3. Carve, sand or rasp the outer shape of the lasta. I use rounded edges and slightly sloping hip. Trim a slight bevel at the opening of the lasta to aid entry of the blade.
https://flic.kr/p/2nfGthx
4. Insert blade into the lasta and seal & tape in plastic food wrap.
https://flic.kr/p/2nfJUSJ
 
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Concluding steps:
5. Wet your leather. Put the wrapped blade and lasta in the wet leather and finger mold the basic shape.
https://flic.kr/p/2nfJUS3
6. Place clips or clamps to hold the shape.
https://flic.kr/p/2nfGtem
7. I do a rough trim and mark where the sewing holes will go. I use stitching irons to mark and punch the holes. Now stitch top to bottom.
https://flic.kr/p/2nfHxxv
https://flic.kr/p/2nfBpJK
8. Final trim and burnish seam. You can add incised decoration .
https://flic.kr/p/2nfBpHx
 
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screened porch said:
Lastas got hips?

That I can probably google.
[I did.]

Does the liner pull out when you're done, so you can get rid of the plastic wrap?

Great pics.
Click to expand...
Lastas have an outcropping at the bolster/ lasta junction. I call it the hip. I like your sense of humor. Thanks for the laugh!
The wrapped lasta/blade will come out easily. Once stitched, it will not. Thank you for the questions, viewing and comment.
Many of the puukko makers stitch the sheath wet and/or damp. I case first then stitch. It's easier for me.
 
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hawkhead said:
Lastas have an outcropping at the bolster/ lasta junction. I call it the hip. I like your sense of humor. Thanks for the laugh!
The wrapped lasta/blade will come out easily. Once stitched, it will not. Thank you for the questions, viewing and comment.
Many of the puukko makers stitch the sheath wet and/or damp. I case first then stitch. It's easier for me.
Click to expand...
Thank you for posting this. That is beautiful work. I was actually just commenting in another thread how I wanted to try this method of construction. I envision you wrapping the leather, mark where the stitch lines go, take the leather off and punch holes with the pricking iron, then re-wrap the leather and stitch. But I am not quite clear....do you let the leather dry before you stitch? It seems as if you mark the holes when wet and stitch dry, you might have to account for shrinkage. Thanks!

OK. I just went and watched a youtube videos. Do you glue the seam on the back, or just stitch? In the video I just watched, the maker did not glue, only stitched.
 
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Rhinofly said:
Thank you for posting this. That is beautiful work. I was actually just commenting in another thread how I wanted to try this method of construction. I envision you wrapping the leather, mark where the stitch lines go, take the leather off and punch holes with the pricking iron, then re-wrap the leather and stitch. But I am not quite clear....do you let the leather dry before you stitch? It seems as if you mark the holes when wet and stitch dry, you might have to account for shrinkage. Thanks!

OK. I just went and watched a youtube videos. Do you glue the seam on the back, or just stitch? In the video I just watched, the maker did not glue, only stitched.
Click to expand...
Traditional sheaths were made by cutting the leather to size, sewing it flat, then pushing the lesta in after.....

skip to about 13:45 in......
 
Rhinofly said:
Thank you for posting this. That is beautiful work. I was actually just commenting in another thread how I wanted to try this method of construction. I envision you wrapping the leather, mark where the stitch lines go, take the leather off and punch holes with the pricking iron, then re-wrap the leather and stitch. But I am not quite clear....do you let the leather dry before you stitch? It seems as if you mark the holes when wet and stitch dry, you might have to account for shrinkage. Thanks!

OK. I just went and watched a youtube videos. Do you glue the seam on the back, or just stitch? In the video I just watched, the maker did not glue, only stitched.
Click to expand...
Rhinofly said:
Thank you for posting this. That is beautiful work. I was actually just commenting in another thread how I wanted to try this method of construction. I envision you wrapping the leather, mark where the stitch lines go, take the leather off and punch holes with the pricking iron, then re-wrap the leather and stitch. But I am not quite clear....do you let the leather dry before you stitch? It seems as if you mark the holes when wet and stitch dry, you might have to account for shrinkage. Thanks!

OK. I just went and watched a youtube videos. Do you glue the seam on the back, or just stitch? In the video I just watched, the maker did not glue, only stitched.
Click to expand...
Rhinofly, I mark the stitch line when dry then remove the wrapped blade and lasta. Next, I unwrap and reinsert the lasta, glue the seam, punch the holes and stitch. Then final trimming, edge beveling and seam burnishing. Not exactly the way the Finns do it, but it works for me. The professional puukkoseppa may do a fancier decoration on the sheath, but I don't think the differences in fabrication are apparent in the final result.
 
Arathol said:
Traditional sheaths were made by cutting the leather to size, sewing it flat, then pushing the lesta in after.....

skip to about 13:45 in......
Click to expand...
That is how this craftsman made a traditional back sewn sheath. Most likely this method shown was for faster production. You tube will show many craftsmen making this type of sheath and all have nuances to they way the fabricate their sheaths. Thanks for pointing out this method.
 
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hawkhead said:
That is how this craftsman made a traditional back sewn sheath. Most likely this method shown was for faster production. You tube will show many craftsmen making this type of sheath and all have nuances to they way the fabricate their sheaths. Thanks for pointing out this method.
Click to expand...
Actually, it wasn't just "that craftsman", who happens to be Kustaa Lammi, its was most of them in Kauhava. Sheath making was an industry in itself, and sheaths were made in the same fashion for most Kauhava knife makers. Thats why most Kuahavan puukkot have identical sheaths. The Rämäkkö family produced a lot of the traditional Kauhavan sheaths.
 
Just got my new puukko! Kinda different than what i have already but ergos and size are good! Blade is 80mm so i think it will make a nice carving knife!

pajHeu4.jpg
 
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