Karesuando
THE MOST NORTHERN
The manufacturer north of the Arctic Circle
We manufacture our traditional knives by hand, almost the same way we have done for nearly fifty years.
Manufacturer: Karesuando – Sweden Lapland
Our cutlery workshop is located by the river that marks the border with Finland. Here, we lead a daily life close to nature – in the very heart of nature – and the knife is the most important tool we carry with us.
- Background: a workshop to insert into the laponne window.
- Forces: North in hand.
- Bestsellers: Hunter to serve. Galten for the curve.
- Table: Six blades, one material.
- FAQ: Sami, silk, 10 years.
- Conclusion: other bank of the puukko.
History of the company Karesuando
Karesuando: Swedish kyrkby, 250 km north of the polar circle, sameby Könkämä, reindeer. First fixation 1670.
The knives were born in the 1970s as a measure of employment (arbetshus / Samhall), in the building became inn. Sami anchor from the start (reindeer wood, leather, shapes).
1975 : local manufacturing continues. 1983: new plant « Formal-produkter » — for the village, as symbolic as a blast furnace in Luleå.
Since: More than 200,000 knives and 1 million blades. All (or almost all) done on site; No plastic in the workshop.
Current family: Per and Erik (Jarbelius / Niva according to times). Physical shop reopened to keep visitors in the village.
Blades often Sandvik 12C27 (~57 HRC); also carbon, RWL-34, Damascus (Norrsken). Handles : masurbjörk + reindeer wood + brass. Cow or reindeer leather stoves.
10-year guarantee (defaults), not for life. Haches (Unna Aksu) is often the number 1 of sales. Folding Pältsa: Fox machining (IT), finish in Sweden.
Highlights / weak points
Forces
- True north: materials of the place (renne, twisted birch).
- Finish handle often superior (oil, no cheap varnish).
- Steel: 12C27 honest, easy to live. Damascus / RWL-34 as a serious option.
- Worked furnaces (insert horn engraved on some). Sami identity legible without plastic folklore.
- Made in Sweden, small workshop. Choice of steel on many models.
Weakness
- High price (recently 200–400 €+).
- Classic hidden silk: not a tank. 12C27 UHC.
- Damascus = beautiful and expensive, not magic.
- Catalogue « lapon luxury » : one can buy aesthetics more than tool. Only 10 years.
- Axe more sold than knife — page puukko to refocus. P
- binders: not 100% house.
In one sentence
Karesuando wins on the place, reindeer and hand; He pays for himself as an object of the far north.
Better sales
Three knives. (Unna Aksu quotes himself apart: best-selling home, it is not a puukko.)
(1) Hunter 10
Format « one for the forest ». Blade ~100 mm, ~3–3.2 mm, 12C27 (~57–58 HRC) or damas / RWL-34. Visakoivu + horn + brass. ~95–110 g. First Karesuando if you want a tool, not a Sami window.
2) Galten
The oldest look « boar » : handle Galbé, local tradition, 40+ years in the catalogue. Hunting. Often the answer « traditional model ».
3) Järven
For the look, Sameby more than for the hard bushcraft.
Mention should also be made of:
Älgen (Elan): shorter.
Damascus Norrsken: gift.
Unna Aksu: small hunting axe, other page.
Doubles (Råsto): large + small, historical use « three knives ».
Your first Karesuando
- Hunter 10. Stylish, robust knife with a clean design. Swedish stainless steel blade 12C27 and handle comfortable in oily wavy birch, enhanced with reindeer wood details. Comes in a beautiful sheath Leather.
- Personally, I find the handle A little thin for big hands. I opted for Hieno model, much more comfortable, but more expensive.
Board comparative
| Model | Steel | Blade | Handle | Use | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter 10 / Bäver 10 | 12C27 ~57 HRC | ~100 mm | Birch + horn | Hunting, camp | ~200–250 € |
| Bäver Damascus | Damascus ~58 HRC | ~100 mm | Birch + horn | Same use, window | ~650 € |
| Galten | 12C27 / RWL-34 | ~100 mm | Curve, horn | Traditional hunting | ~220–400 € |
| Järven | 12C27 | ~100 mm | Sami apple | Look sameby | ~470 € |
| Älgen | 12C27 / carbon | ~83 mm | Birch + horn | Compact | –250 € |
| Hunter RWL-34 | RWL-34 ~60 HRC | ~100 mm | Birch + horn | Long wire, stainless steel powder | ~300 € |
Indicative VAT prices EU 2026. Handmade to Karesuando (SE). Variable measures.
FAQS – Karesuando
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FAQS
Most common issues
It's a puukko ?
No. North Swedish knife of Sami inspiration (leuku / tuikka in sizes). Same cultural area, other shore.
Why the reindeer wood?
Local matter, hard, traditional. Apple, virole, inlays. Maintenance: no dry shock, some oil.
12C27, carbon Or damas?
12C27: the daily life of the brand. Carbon : cheaper, more maintenance. RWL-34 / Damascus: yarn and prestige.
Solid enough for the camp?
Yes, cut, body, size. Not in violent batonage: glued silk.
Guarantee?
10 years, material/manufacture defects. They insist: everything is done in their factory.
What model to start with?
Hunter or Bäver 10 in 12C27. Galten if we want the local curve.
Karesuando Lapland Sweden
Karesuando Europe
The story of a knife manufacturing workshop located 250 km north of the Arctic Polar Circle.
Conclusion
Karesuando, it is the end of Sweden: river-border, reindeer, workshop born from an insertion site and became premium brand. Less ancient than Marttiini or Helle, more « sameby » Roselli. We pay for the place and the materials. 12C27 does the work without bliss; The damas tells the North. This is not the best wire/price ratio (Marttiini, Mora) nor the most extreme home-made steel (Roselli).
Do you have any questions? Write to me, we're passionate. contact(at)puukko.fr.
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See you soon.
Warm regards,
MANUFACTURERS A–Z
Ahti
Brisa
Brusletto
Casström
Fällkniven
Hell
Iisakki Järvenpää
Karesuando
Kauhavan Puukkopaja
Marttiini
Morakniv
Peltonen
Roselli
Terävä
Wood Jewel
Copyright © Photographs – Karesuando
