Jim -
Yes, the basic form dates back 100's of years. I've examples from
the 1800's and have seen them in Finnish museum sites dating
nearly 1000 years ago. I guess it's a case if a design works well,
don't mess with it :-)
While the basic "drop hook" pommel style is common to most Nordic
countries; there is a lot of variation in the sheaths. The Kalavala
style and Kauhava style tube sheath are generally Finnish. The
Norwegian sheaths tend to be folded and side stitched on one side.
Commonly the knives will have a "keeper" stud on the top and a
leather keeper strap on the sheath. The Swedish sheaths tend to
be flat two piece stitched commonly with metal at the throat and
tip.
The Finnish puukko comes in a great variety of styles; main difference
being in the pommel design; the horsehead is perhaps another of
the best known Finnish puukko designs (it only dates back to
early 20th C or maybe late 19th, I forget the exact date).
Rich S
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