The Puukko

[oldmanwilly]

Last year when I was watching the TV show Life Below Zero: First Alaskans, there is a native woman who uses what appears to be a Kellam Wildwood for everything. Kitchen, small game, large game. Once they showed her cutting off the head of a moose with that knife.

To be clear: doesn't Ahti make the blades used in Kellam knives? I've had a little Wolverine for a while and really like it. In fact, i ought to get a longer model.

 

[lambertiana]

To be clear: doesn't Ahti make the blades used in Kellam knives? I've had a little Wolverine for a while and really like it. In fact, i ought to get a longer model.

I was under the impression that the Wildwood has a Lauri blade.

 

[screened porch]

There's a post in this thread telling all about who makes whose.
I archived it, but I can't find my archive.

 

[screened porch]

Jarvenpaa is still privately owned by Jarkko Haukkala, an entrepreneur who was a pilot and manager of Finncomm Airlines, and his friend Hannu Pennala.

I found this list of who makes what for Kellam a while back-
Wolf Pack; Puukko; Wolverine Made by Ahti

-KP Line: Made by Kainuun Puukko of Finland. VK stamped ones are made by Veijo Käpylä (the current smith) AK and OK stamped ones should be the last ones made by the Kemppainen brothers, the previous owners.

-R Line: made by Roselli Oy.

-J line: made by Iisakki Järvenpää Oy.

-M Line: made by Janne Marttiini Oy.

-AK Line: made by Altti Kankaanpää

-Historical Knives, Finnish Knives: made by Antti Mäkinen, grandson of Yrjö Puronvarsi.

-KT Line: made by Wood Jewel on design of Kauko Raatiniemi, owner of Wood Jewel and his son Tuomas

-Other Lines
-HM Line: made by Harri Merimaa of WoodsKnife wth Lauri blades
-YP Line: made by Antti Mäkinen

-Kullervo: made by Veikko Hakkarainen
-S Line: made by Finman
-Ranger Puukko: made by Fiskars
-Small Knives: various souvenir puukkos made by Paaso, Lappi Tuottet and Lauri Tuottet

Here it is.

 

[Arathol]

To be clear: doesn't Ahti make the blades used in Kellam knives? I've had a little Wolverine for a while and really like it. In fact, i ought to get a longer model.

I was under the impression that the Wildwood has a Lauri blade.

There is a difference between making a knife and making a blade. In some places such as Finland, Norway and Sweden, there are people who make the whole knife, ie sole authorship - blade, handle, sheath etc, there are others who make knives using blade blanks, some who make just sheaths for common patterns, etc. Many puukko makers such as Ahti use Lauri-made blades.
Ahti makes knives that carry the Kellam name, and they have Lauri blades. Most are carbon steel, some are differentially tempered. The Kellam Wildwood is made by the Kehusmaa brothers, owners of Erapuu. Its the Kellam version of the Erapuu Tuohitako. Its has a Lauri blade, forged from 80CrV2.

​

 

[lambertiana]

Same knife, both made by Kauko and Tuomas Raatiniemi of Wood Jewel.

There is a difference between making a knife and making a blade. In some places such as Finland, Norway and Sweden, there are people who make the whole knife, ie sole authorship - blade, handle, sheath etc, there are others who make knives using blade blanks, some who make just sheaths for common patterns, etc. Many puukko makers such as Ahti use Lauri-made blades.
Ahti makes knives that carry the Kellam name, and they have Lauri blades. Most are carbon steel, some are differentially tempered. The Kellam Wildwood is made by the Kehusmaa brothers, owners of Erapuu. Its the Kellam version of the Erapuu Tuohitako. Its has a Lauri blade, forged from 80CrV2.

​

Help me understand the Finnish manufacturing landscape. Referring to the Kellam Wildwood, I see two different manufacturing scenarios. One by the Raatiniemi brothers and one by the Kehusmaa brothers.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Here it is.

There is a difference between making a knife and making a blade. In some places such as Finland, Norway and Sweden, there are people who make the whole knife, ie sole authorship - blade, handle, sheath etc, there are others who make knives using blade blanks, some who make just sheaths for common patterns, etc. Many puukko makers such as Ahti use Lauri-made blades.
Ahti makes knives that carry the Kellam name, and they have Lauri blades. Most are carbon steel, some are differentially tempered. The Kellam Wildwood is made by the Kehusmaa brothers, owners of Erapuu. Its the Kellam version of the Erapuu Tuohitako. Its has a Lauri blade, forged from 80CrV2.

​

Thank you kindly for all this great info!
I figured there were several layers of Smiths, cutlers and other craftsmen that pull these things together in all their glorious variations.

 

[Arathol]

I'm not sure (don't remember) what I was actually referring to in the first one, but the Wildwood is made by Erapuu as far as I know. It looks just like my Tuohitako

 

[jfk1110]

Last year when I was watching the TV show Life Below Zero: First Alaskans, there is a native woman who uses what appears to be a Kellam Wildwood for everything. Kitchen, small game, large game. Once they showed her cutting off the head of a moose with that knife.

Good show.....

 

[lambertiana]

I'm not sure (don't remember) what I was actually referring to in the first one, but the Wildwood is made by Erapuu as far as I know. It looks just like my Tuohitako

The first time was in response to my comment that the Wildwood looked just like my Erapuu Tuohitako. Posts 21 and 22 in this thread:

L

Post in thread 'Looking for a decent first actual Puukko'

Apr 15, 2025

Same knife, both made by Kauko and Tuomas Raatiniemi of Wood Jewel.

Made at Wood Jewel in Kolari or in Kauhava?

• lambertiana

 

[maxjeg]

Wood Jewel uses Altti Kankaanpää blades with decorative forging.

 

[calm]

Mix of Martiini

 

[Arathol]

The first time was in response to my comment that the Wildwood looked just like my Erapuu Tuohitako. Posts 21 and 22 in this thread:

L

Post in thread 'Looking for a decent first actual Puukko'

Apr 15, 2025

Same knife, both made by Kauko and Tuomas Raatiniemi of Wood Jewel.

Made at Wood Jewel in Kolari or in Kauhava?

• lambertiana

The Wood Jewel 23TP looks very much like the Erapuu knife with minor differences.

Wood Jewel uses Altti Kankaanpää blades with decorative forging.

I'm not so sure about that. Years ago maybe, but current ad copy says blades are 80CrV2 from Lauri.

Wood Jewel 23TP Birch Bark Knife - Hammered Blade

Country Knives carries the largest online and in-store selection of knives and all things cutlery. Learn more about Wood Jewel23TPBirch Bark Knife - Hammered Blade.

www.countryknives.com

 

[maxjeg]

The Wood Jewel 23TP looks very much like the Erapuu knife with minor differences.


I'm not so sure about that. Years ago maybe, but current ad copy says blades are 80CrV2 from Lauri.

Wood Jewel 23TP Birch Bark Knife - Hammered Blade

Country Knives carries the largest online and in-store selection of knives and all things cutlery. Learn more about Wood Jewel23TPBirch Bark Knife - Hammered Blade.

www.countryknives.com

Various options. The sixth message in this topic:

Thread 'Wood Jewel Knives'

Nov 15, 2009

Does anyone have any experience with the Finnish made Wood Jewel Knives. I wanted to get a couple of nice bushcraft knives for my 13 & 7 year old for Christmas. Something that will last a lifetime. These look pretty nice but are not as expensive as knives such as the Helle and Kellum. The handles are nicely made from Reindeer antler and curly birch but I want to make sure that they'll stand up. I don't find a lot about them on Google.

• Triquetra
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Wilderness & Survival Skills

 

[screened porch]

Thread 'Wood Jewel Knives'

Nov 15, 2009

Does anyone have any experience with the Finnish made Wood Jewel Knives. I wanted to get a couple of nice bushcraft knives for my 13 & 7 year old for Christmas. Something that will last a lifetime. These look pretty nice but are not as expensive as knives such as the Helle and Kellum. The handles are nicely made from Reindeer antler and curly birch but I want to make sure that they'll stand up. I don't find a lot about them on Google.

• Triquetra
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Wilderness & Survival Skills

I wonder what this guy bought for his kids.
I'd have gotten them Marttiinis. The kids would treasure them just as much during the periods of their lives when they didn't hate their father as they would more expensive knives. If they lost or destroyed them they'd be just as devastated, and I'd be less likely to say something I'd regret for the rest of my life.

My Jarvenpaa Kauhavaleinen from the late allergic reenactor's store. $68 seemed like a lot at the time.

 

[kamagong]

I wonder what this guy bought for his kids.
I'd have gotten them Marttiinis. The kids would treasure them just as much during the periods of their lives when they didn't hate their father as they would more expensive knives. If they lost or destroyed them they'd be just as devastated, and I'd be less likely to say something I'd regret for the rest of my life.

My Jarvenpaa Kauhavaleinen from the late allergic reenactor's store. $68 seemed like a lot at the time.

Sometimes we need to step back and remember that although we are knife nuts, most other people are not. While we may be willing to spend money on knives and take care of them, we can't take for granted that a giftee will do so. Most can't even recognize the differences that separate a great knife from a good knife.

It really is the thought that counts.