Scandi/Puukko 101?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MJ Wallace on March 22, 2010 at 9:52

Hi Andrew,

Great questions. I hope someone chimes in who can shed some light. I've always thought of "Puukko" as the Finnish word for knife, and "Scandi" as a kind of catchall term for knives with a Scandi grind, guard-less, hidden tang, with puukko styling, but that's just my interpretation...

There are a couple of Finnish Knives books listed on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Knives-Finland-Lester-C-Ristinen/dp/096268390...

and, Kellam Knives has one, but it's in Finnish (and pricey):

http://www.kellamknives.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cP...

Wiki has a good write up on the Puukko. They state that "The traditional length of the puukko blade is the same as one's palm width, usually 90-120 mm." (3-9/16" to 4-3/4")

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puukko

Mike

Permalink Reply by Andrew P on March 23, 2010 at 8:10

Thanks. This is what happens when I post before finishing a pot of coffee...

I forgot to hit wikipedia. I don't fully trust the info there 100% but it's generally a good starting point.

Permalink Reply by MJ Wallace on March 23, 2010 at 8:27

I have to agree with you on wikipedia... typically skewed on topics relating to history and politics, otherwise useful for a quick intro. Enjoy your coffee, Mike

Permalink Reply by Stuart Smith on April 11, 2010 at 13:47

It is pronounced Poo Ko with a short 'o'. Some one from the Swedish embassy corrected me on that one at a knife show. I feel the a Puukko is a general design of knife with a specific use. I have seen and made many variations of this knife. It is classic and beautiful and open to a lot of interpretation. I have even dedicates a section on my website to my many manifestations of this blade.

Scandi is a general term for knives of Scandinavian origin that bear the Scandi grind which bears much resemblance to the blade profiles of Japanese swords. One large bevel that forms the cutting edge rather than conventional bevels that have a separate sharpened edge. Note on properly made Scandi knives there is no tell tale silver line where it has been sharpened. Scandi grinds are exceptionally sharp and even when they lose their razors edge the bevel is so fine it will still perform most cutting chores with ease.

www.forgedknives.co.za

Permalink Reply by MJ Wallace on April 11, 2010 at 17:37

Stuart, great info., thanks for sharing it. You have some beautiful knives on your website, very nice work.

Permalink Reply by Andrew P on April 11, 2010 at 22:10

Excellent info, thanks! FWIW, I found a website with a native speaker pronouncing it. http://www.forvo.com/word/puukko/

Permalink Reply by Stuart Smith on April 21, 2010 at 16:57

One of the many Puukos I have made. This is I thing a fairly good rendition of the shape.

Permalink Reply by Tuomas Kemppainen on April 30, 2010 at 16:19

Hi, "every Puukko is a knife, but every knife is not a Puukko". So there is other word "veitsi" in Finnish language for knives in general. Puukko -word is used only about Finnish traditional style knives. This document have great pictures , but it´s written in Finnish language... http://www.puukkoseura.fi/doc/suomalainen_ja_puukko.htm If you notice something interesting, I can try to translate it.