What is a good puukko ?
Puukko is the Finnish word for « knife ». He is an old friend of any hiker, hunter or fisherman. You cannot have a more personal tool, which makes it difficult to find the right one puukko. Puukkos are above all solid work knives. They are of basic construction, consisting of a steel blade with a high content of carbon coupled to one handle usually of natural material.
It's awfully difficult to find his puukko Hey!
Ordering it to a Sami craftsman is probably the best solution. It's also the advantage of having a unique copy! Obviously, it will cost you a few hundred euros, see a few thousand for the most worked copies. But the pleasure will be at the meeting.
The important thing is to feel it in the hand. The shape and quality of the handle are crucial. Let the blade be of the right length (8 to 12 cm). Personally, I like a length of 9 or 10 cm. A blade stainless steel or carbon But sharp like a razor. And, perhaps most important for me, its aesthetic, possibly its history and/or that of the craftsman. Not to mention sheath, which must be in good quality leather. So many criteria to find the soul mate. But I assure you, we can own several puukkos!
The main uses are: sculpture on wood and food preparation, as well as most of everything that requires a cutting tool. Apart from Nordic culture, the puukkos have gained a solid reputation as robust knives designed for serious work. It is easy to understand why these knives are appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts. If you spend time camping or hiking, or just need a good, solid fixed blade that resists intensive use and requires little maintenance, think about puukko elegant and slender.
