Finnish knives

[Rich]

Jim -

I'm nowhere near qualified to do a treatise on puukko and leuku. Basically
Leuku are broad bladed knives mostly associated with the northern parts
of Scandinavia and Finland, esp Lapland culture (Sami). Used mainly for
chopping, shelter building, heavy duty work.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/5229.jpg

Where puukko, in their many variations, are smaller, narrow bladed
knives generally thought of as working/utility knives. Puukko is a
specifically Finnish term, but similar designs are used throught the region.
I've discovered that the "proper" term for knives of the entire region
is "Nordic" as opposed to Scandinavian since Finland isn't "technically"
as part of Scandinavia.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/1244.jpg

I got attracted back to them as a matter of nostalgia. A Finnish horsehead
puukko was the first knife I ever bought (not my first knife, just the first
I bought) when I was about 9-10 years old. Then about 5-6 years ago
I inherited another from my wife's uncle. Well memories, etc., having two
I just couldn't resist them. The collection has gotten totally out of hand.
I wish there was more in English about them, unfortunately there are
only Ristinen's books and a couple articles from various knife/arms magazines.
Most of the info I've gotten on them has come from collectors in Finland via
the 'net and various knife message boards.

There are some interesting parallels between Nordic knives and Japanese
swords. Japanese swords were of course used as weapons whereas the
Nordic knives are tools. The interesting part is in the steel. Many of the
Nordic knives are differentially tempered or laminated steel. The Japanese
sword was both.

Rich