Viking projects

H

HFinn

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Sep 6, 2012
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I decided to get a couple of rather unique puukko-knives by a Finnish knifemaker Harri J. Merimaa. These are supposed to be really old patterns in nordic countries. Both have potential to be good pocket sized fixed blades.

5978_WK34-01.jpg


5977_WK33-01.jpg


Both knives are quite small, around 2 inch blades. The first one is slightly longer.

My idea was that it the handle proves to be too small, I could make a slightly longer wooden handle and sink the folded tang in the wood. Lets how these will work out. Merimaa has a reputation as a good smith, so my hopes are high. Both will come with a leather pocket sheath.
 
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Ive got it's twin
mine says woodsknife on the other side of the blade
Picture077_zpsf3a39838.jpg
 
I thought those are not considered puukkos, but rather emännänveitsi (woman's knife). Please correct me if I am mistaken.

- Christian
 
you could cut the folded part of tang and put wooden handle ,much more comfortable and lighter.
 
kamagong said:
I thought those are not considered puukkos, but rather emännänveitsi (woman's knife). Please correct me if I am mistaken.

- Christian
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You are quite right, allthough the blade shape is a puukko style. So the woman's knife means a puukko with the folded tang.
 
rinos said:
you could cut the folded part of tang and put wooden handle ,much more comfortable and lighter.
Click to expand...

That's a possibility. Still, with the folded tang covered with wooden scales it would be like a skeleton tang with scales.
 
Thanks for clarifying. Do you mind if I ask your name? Every time I see your handle I want to call you Huck.

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
Thanks for clarifying. Do you mind if I ask your name? Every time I see your handle I want to call you Huck.

- Christian
Click to expand...

Paul is close enough :)

I have heard that the shape and construction of woman's knife comes from a need to have a simple, durable knife that would suit use by the fireplace and could be hanged from a hook, belt etc. The fireplace use does not sound reasonable because all metal handle could come uncomfortably hot. Maybe those knife handles were wrapped in a rag if they became too hot to handle.
 
That handle design looks like it would be great for throwing sparks from a flint, assuming it's carbon anyways. And if care is taken not to slice the hand holding the flint! Very nice knife.
 
If the knives are othervise good but the handle is too short, I had in mind to make handle scales that are sligtly longer than the tang and make a filler between the scales in the back. I even thought that I could use the thin plywood I happen to have to make the scales, make the spacer or filler of compressed and glued layers of the same plywood. Then I could soak some linen or hemp cord in epoxy and wrap it around the handle, making sort of micarta handle. That should give it a rustic look and a good non slip grip.
 
I've done that with wood scraps before on a knife I loved the blade but hated the handles -- worked out well.
 
Got the knives. They sure are tiny but both are very sharp. Most likely I will keep the Pocket puukko (with cord wrap) as it is, I will just add a short fob made of thick leather. That will give something to grip for the pinky. Well, maybe I will cover also the lover part of the hooked tang with cord, that will give the handle a two-tone color treatment.

The other knife is essentially the same knife without cord wrap. Both have a nice leather pocket sheath. I will make a wood handle to the other one allowing a 4 finger grip. Wish me luck, I am not the greatest in woodwork.
 
Hi,
Think those little knives are really cool, like the skeleton look- good idear:thumbup:
 
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