The finnish Puukko is a tool to be hold.
In the vein of honor and tradition, the puukko has deep roots in Finnish culture. In Nordic countries, the puukko is an “everyday” knife that is used for everything from hunting, fishing, and garden work to opening boxes in warehouses. Getting one’s first puukko is considered, in Finland, the symbol of coming of age for both boys and girls and is a great honor.
Men’s and women’s puukkos do not significantly differ from one another. The main differences are that women’s puukkos, which are often shorter, have decorated sheaths and are better suited for working with food. Both boy and girl scouts consider the puukko their scouting symbol, as well as a handy tool.
The basic components of a puukko are a hilt and blade, along with a sheath that can be attached to one’s belt. The traditional length of the puukko blade is about the same as the width of one’s palm and has a single curving edge and flat back. The flatness allows the user to place his or her thumb or other hand on it to concentrate force. Some puukko designs have a slightly curved, upward or downward point, depending on what purpose the knife serves, with a relatively short blade— approximately the same length as the handle. Most puukkos have a slight shoulder but no choil, since the point where the edge ends and the handle begins is also the point where the most force can be applied, as well as the most control. A puukko often has no guard to prevent the hand from slipping onto the edge. However, this is of no consequence as a puukko is primarily considered a cutting and slicing tool, not a stabbing weapon. However, in cases where the knife and the hand are expected to get wet, like gutting fish or game, some puukkos have finger grooves carved into the handle.
This story is from the July-August 2017 edition of Knives Illustrated.
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This story is from the July-August 2017 edition of Knives Illustrated.
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