lapin-puukko (aka puukko) revisited - Page 2

gp · Yesterday, 02:53 PM

just got lucky and found another 2 which look to have quite some age to it and differ a little from the standard types...
Concerning the 2nd one; I think the leather scabbard does not belong originally to it, but I guess I might also be mistaken....

your thoughts please, thank you very much!

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 06:32 PM

This is a great topic, and in the height of coincidence, browsing through an antique shop yesterday, first time in many months, I found this!
As I mentioned, this is an intriguing area to me, very esoteric and little from this culture comes up except in far northern areas of US.

This small 'puukko' is apparently from far northern regions of Finland, in Sami inhabited regions known familiarly as Lapland. The Sami are of Finno-Ugric group who live also in Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, and Kola Peninsula region of Russia.

As an animist society, the prevalence of symbolism and Noaidi (shamen) are notable, and as the reindeer is the mainstay of much of their culture, it is understandable that is often represented in their material culture.

As I understand (and always look forward to corrections as this is not a primary field of study for me) the puukko is a knife often in larger proportion than this one, which is small and in my perception probably for woodworking and/or detailed work, possibly even as used in eating trousseu.

These are believed to be termed lapinpuukko, while the larger versions used for utility and field dressing of game are termed leuku?

The length overall 8.5" with 3" blade, the scabbard and hilt reindeer bone, carved with reindeer, four petal flower (?) and curious heart shaped device.
As I was informed, this was along with several other items out of a museum in Michigan, and according to the curator late 19th c.

The painting of a Sami man , by Francois -Auguste Baird (1799-1882) was from his presence on a scientific expedition led by Joseph Paul Gaimard in 1839 to Spitsbergen and Lappland. His fiancee, Leonie d'Aunet published account in 1854 of this journey titled "Voyage d'une femme au Spitsberg", as had accompanied Baird.
Another painting shows a fight with polar bears, which were another local threat in these Arctic regions.

The styling of this puukko example is known as DUODJI, popular in Sami handicrafts. While the Christian Faith (Lutheran) is nominally followed, the animist religion remains traditionally in place, and references to sacred places termed 'saivo' are referring to locations where ritual practices take place. Naturally there are variations as those Sami who follow reindeer herds are nomadic while others are in set regions.

I hope this might just add some perspective I have found pertaining to these fascinating knives, and certainly has given me a deeper appreciation for them.

Images of the example I found, the Baird painting, and obverse side. In the figure, hard to see, is one of these smaller knives in the waistband.
With pink background, one of these in DUODJI context which has a small drinking cup attached.

Interested Party · Today, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp

well hereby again;

it does not look like the standard or usual ones with either horse or (more modern) straight handle but the blade clearly is a puuko. total lenght 14 cm
The grip and scabbard is made of bone with reindeer inscription (Svalbard? perhaps...)

Nice knife. Thanks for reposting these examples. From the little I know Sami does seem like a good bet. It looks backwards in the sheath. In some respects, it reminds me of knives marked Norge from Geilo Norway , but they always seem to have leather scabbards, brass ferules, and handles that bulge in the middle. The older versions do not have a ricasso like your examples. The reindeer theme is on both your examples and these commercially made knives. I do not know enough to speculate on the direction the scrimshaw type decoration traveled in culturally. Maybe this is why I have seen the Geilo knives mislabeled as Sami.

gp · Today, 08:00 AM

double....sorry !

gp · Today, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diogenes99

Is there a book that discusses the Vöyri style puukko?

there is a book in English and also German, next to a few in Finnish

whilst looking for some literature, I stumbled on this picture on the bottom;

somebody did find a cheap and very nice box filled with Finnish goodies in a second hand market...
most be a good surprise all of us can only dream about

some nice websites as well:
https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com...tional-puukko/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLnqr6IGVgs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGG0xWgw0UM

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TUcwAj_7A5w

Jim McDougall · Today, 02:01 PM

Thanks for the tip on the book, ordered it today. I was pretty excited to find the example I posted, hoping for some input, but with this book possibly can move ahead further. As I noted I find the history fascinating and especially so with my son in laws mother from Sami heritage.

Yesterday, 02:53 PM	#31
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 865	just got lucky and found another 2 which look to have quite some age to it and differ a little from the standard types... Concerning the 2nd one; I think the leather scabbard does not belong originally to it, but I guess I might also be mistaken.... your thoughts please, thank you very much! Attached Images

Yesterday, 06:32 PM	#32
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,547	This is a great topic, and in the height of coincidence, browsing through an antique shop yesterday, first time in many months, I found this! As I mentioned, this is an intriguing area to me, very esoteric and little from this culture comes up except in far northern areas of US. This small 'puukko' is apparently from far northern regions of Finland, in Sami inhabited regions known familiarly as Lapland. The Sami are of Finno-Ugric group who live also in Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, and Kola Peninsula region of Russia. As an animist society, the prevalence of symbolism and Noaidi (shamen) are notable, and as the reindeer is the mainstay of much of their culture, it is understandable that is often represented in their material culture. As I understand (and always look forward to corrections as this is not a primary field of study for me) the puukko is a knife often in larger proportion than this one, which is small and in my perception probably for woodworking and/or detailed work, possibly even as used in eating trousseu. These are believed to be termed lapinpuukko, while the larger versions used for utility and field dressing of game are termed leuku? The length overall 8.5" with 3" blade, the scabbard and hilt reindeer bone, carved with reindeer, four petal flower (?) and curious heart shaped device. As I was informed, this was along with several other items out of a museum in Michigan, and according to the curator late 19th c. The painting of a Sami man , by Francois -Auguste Baird (1799-1882) was from his presence on a scientific expedition led by Joseph Paul Gaimard in 1839 to Spitsbergen and Lappland. His fiancee, Leonie d'Aunet published account in 1854 of this journey titled "Voyage d'une femme au Spitsberg", as had accompanied Baird. Another painting shows a fight with polar bears, which were another local threat in these Arctic regions. The styling of this puukko example is known as DUODJI, popular in Sami handicrafts. While the Christian Faith (Lutheran) is nominally followed, the animist religion remains traditionally in place, and references to sacred places termed 'saivo' are referring to locations where ritual practices take place. Naturally there are variations as those Sami who follow reindeer herds are nomadic while others are in set regions. I hope this might just add some perspective I have found pertaining to these fascinating knives, and certainly has given me a deeper appreciation for them. Images of the example I found, the Baird painting, and obverse side. In the figure, hard to see, is one of these smaller knives in the waistband. With pink background, one of these in DUODJI context which has a small drinking cup attached. Attached Images

Today, 08:00 AM	#34
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 865	double....sorry ! Last edited by gp; Today at 09:55 AM.

Today, 02:01 PM	#36
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,547	Thanks for the tip on the book, ordered it today. I was pretty excited to find the example I posted, hoping for some input, but with this book possibly can move ahead further. As I noted I find the history fascinating and especially so with my son in laws mother from Sami heritage.