Marttiini
SINCE 1928
The Puukkos of Rovaniemi
Founded in 1928 by Finnish blacksmith Janne Marttiini, the Marttiini brand has forged a reputation as a manufacturer of high-end Scandinavian knives, designed for active outdoor use.
Manufacturer: Marttiini – Finland
Janne Marttiini forged in Rovaniemi in 1928. The Ilves model has almost not aged. Four million knives later, the brand is in Rapala and part of the blades are from Pärnu. The puukko the most seen in the world — Not the most artisanal.
- Background: from Kierinki blacksmith to Rapala group.
- Forces: easy wire, Finnish price.
- Bestsellers: Lynx and Condor.
- Table: Six models, two logics (wood / rubber).
- FAQ: Estonia, HRC, first purchase.
- Conclusion: entry to Lapland.
History of the company Marttiini
Johan Henrik « Janne » Marttiini, born on 2 May 1893 in Kierinki (Sodankylä), pious family. At 16, apprentice blacksmith at Matti Tapio in Rovaniemi. Back to village blacksmith; his reputation goes as far as Vadsø (Norway).
1928 : J. Marttiinis Knife Factory Ltd., Vartiokatu, Rovaniemi. He sells by bicycle in the province. First nameless model: birch + forged blade.
Local competition: The mason Kalle Palmu proposes Lynx / Ilves. Still in the catalogue. More than 4 million Ilves.
Janne: blacksmith, merchant, preacher, traveller. First US voyage 1952. Toivo (sons) pushes the export of the net model in the 1960s. Presidential export price 1967.
1944 : plant partially destroyed (war of Lapland). Reconstruction.
Management: Toivo, then Lauri (1975), Päivi Ohvo DG in 2001.
Highlights / weak points
Forces
- Prices. A Lynx or Condor costs a fraction of a Roselli / Helle.
- Factory wire often very bright (« the harpest choice since 1928 »). Form puukko readable. Stainless steel chromium ~13%, 53–55 HRC: sharpens everywhere, even on a rock. Carbon (Vuelage, Lumberjack, some Kierinki) more alive.
- Condor: handle rubber + guard, wet hunting. Classic Nets: World best sellers (US fishing). Available everywhere. Sheath leather correct to the price. Lapland boutiques = brand story.
Weakness
- Voluntaryly soft steel: easy wire, hardly stands against UHC / H3LS. Stainless steel generally anonymised (« chrome steel »).
- Be hidden, light. Variable finish (series). Handles sometimes slippery varnish against oiled birch Roselli/Helle.
- Huge catalogue (gifts, bottle opener, junior...).
- Made in Estonia on a large part of the volume: to say, not to hide. Less « a forge » as a group brand.
In one sentence
Marttiini wins at price and ease; It is not the thread or workshop of a Roselli.
Better sales
Three lines. The puukko-Icon, hunting-practice, netting (outside puukko but inseparable).
1) Lynx / Ilves (e.g. 131, 134, 121)
The first. Blade ~9–13 cm according to version, stainless steel chrome, visakoivu, sheath Lapland decor leather. ~45–80 €. The Marttiini to put forward if we want a real puukko of form.
2) Condor Classic / Skinner
Blade type Lynx + handle Stretch rubber + guard. Skinner: test winner magazine ERÄ. ~40–50 €. Hunting, humidity, first knife « which serves ». Classic = versatile; Skinner = body.
3) Classic Filetti (15 / 19 cm, Superflex)
50 years of production, millions of households, heart of US export. Not one puukko : to mention in the box fishing, not to mix with the forest comparative.
Mention should also be made of:
Lumberjack: carbon, bushcraft budget.
Kätevä / Kaamosjätkä: Finnish drawer.
Lapinleuku: camp, other family.
Luxury series (wood, reindeer wood): gift.
Your first Marttiini
- The Lynx/Ilves model, timeless and available in many finishes. One puukko pass-out with yet an attractive personality and price (from 46 to 100 euros).
Board comparative
| Model | Steel | Blade | Handle | Use | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynx / Ilves 131 | Stainless steel chromium ~54 HRC | ~110 mm | Visakoivu | Puukko multipurpose | ~50–60 € |
| Lynx 121 | Stainless steel chromium | ~90 mm | Visakoivu | Compact, small hands | ~45 € |
| Condor Classic | Stainless steel chromium | ~110 mm | Rubber + guard | Camp, off-road | ~50 € |
| Condor Skinner | Stainless steel chromium | ~110 mm | Rubber + guard | Unpack | ~52 € |
| Lumberjack | Carbon | ~110 mm | Dark ball | Size, bushcraft budget | ~40–70 € |
| Classic Filetti 15/19 | Stainless steel flexible | 150 / 190 mm | According to series | Net (not one puukko) | ~30–50 € |
Indicative VAT prices EU 2026. Origin: Historical Finland; a part of the current volume is assembled / produced in Estonia (Rapala, Pärnu).
FAQS – Marttiini
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FAQS
Most common issues
Still made in Finland?
Brand and story: Lapland / Rovaniemi. Volume: Many Pärnu (EE) since the 2020s. Small series and shop remain linked to Rovaniemi. Say it explicitly.
Why is steel « soft » ?
Choice: ~54 HRC to sharpen quickly in the field. This is not a hidden defect, it is the specifications. Less wire holding than a Roselli UHC or a Helle H3LS.
Lynx or Condor?
Lynx = puukko Classic, wood, Lapland look. Condor = rubber, guard, wet hunting.
Carbon or stainless steel ?
Stainless steel to forget. Carbon (Lumberjack, some Lynx/Kierinki) for size.
Good first puukko ?
Yeah, especially on the budget. Better than a no-name. Below a high-end Mora on the steel consistency, above on the « Finnish look » gift.
Rapala, what's the difference?
Global network, nets, industrialization. Less family independence than Helle or Roselli.
What model to start with?
Lynx 131 if you want a puukko. Condor Skinner if we strip. Filetti if we fish.
Marttiini Finland
Marttiini Europe
We have been making knives since 1928 – almost a hundred years. During all these years, we have had the privilege of hearing countless wonderful stories of knives, people and large spaces.
Conclusion
Marttiini, it's the puukko that Finland exported in millions: Ilves, Alaska nets, Polar Circle store. Janne opened the factory in 1928; Rapala industrialized in 2005. It is no longer a Harmonian forge or a factory-fjord for 20 people. It is bought for the price, the factory thread, the known shape, the stock. It is not purchased for the toughest steel or for the « 100% Finnish workshop today ».
Face to Roselli: Marttiini = entrance / gift / fishing. Roselli = life tool, carbon Home.
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 – Marttiini
