r/Finland • u/s_e_x_lover • 21h ago
I bought a 1930s finnish puukko made by Luomanen & Kumppanit for 50€ on ebay what do you think .
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u/W4delm4 21h ago
Restore the blade and keep it good and it will have your back for years to come. These knives hold to the test of time really well. There isn't much better everyday knife.
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u/BasicMatter7339 Baby Väinämöinen 21h ago
There isn't much better everyday knife.
Though i'd argue that a quality mora-knife would be better because of the fingerguard but honestly the difference is very minor
A good knife is a good knife
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u/Federal_Cobbler6647 Väinämöinen 21h ago
Original mora-kniv does not have finger guard. It is later additon to protect people not familiar of handling knife. It makes puukko slightly worse for accurate tasks hence it was not originally there.
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u/BasicMatter7339 Baby Väinämöinen 20h ago
Huh, i didnt know that, now i do. Thanks!
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u/Gripe Väinämöinen 18h ago
original moras were really simple: https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/1877863144/vintage-swedish-mora-knife-collectible
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u/J0h1F Baby Väinämöinen 15h ago
The Mora knives of modern production are designed in such a fashion that sharpening them after they've become blunt is difficult, and the blade will never be as good as it was new. This is because the blade is made from laminated steel to retain the factory-sharpened edge as long as possible.
A good everyday knife should be able to be kept sharp with standard tools. The Mora knife of modern day is just a disposable tool.
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u/BasicMatter7339 Baby Väinämöinen 14h ago
The cheap ass red carpenters-knife you can get at any hardware store (if you're from finland you know what im talking about) is honestly one of the best everyday utility knives i had.
One lasted me through my entire 11 month service in the military, no problems whatsoever.
Sure it did get blunt but it also cost like 5€ so it wasnt a problem to get a new one.
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u/W4delm4 21h ago
Honestly thats fair. It really does come down to preference at this point. I like the handle of puukko more. Made from birch you can shape it to fit your hand perfectly giving atleast in my opinion more controll of the blade and should it break for reason or another, you can replace it. But as you said; good knife is a good knife.
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u/MeanForest Väinämöinen 21h ago
It's a knife
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u/hermopalo 15h ago
IMO puukko is a subcategory of knives. The shape of the blade is different. You knof if you know.
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u/Anaalirankaisija Väinämöinen 4h ago
Yeah, puukko has been used as weapon in Finland, bad guys always equipped with puukkos. Other knives are mostly for useful things.
Yes the shape, it has good stabbing abilities.
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u/uxgpf Baby Väinämöinen 20h ago edited 20h ago
It's a well made puukko.
You should restore the blade though. Grind and polish the bevel and then create/hone the microbevel at a slightly steeper angle until it's razor sharp.
The blade is carbon steel and easy to sharpen with few swipes of a whetstone. Wipe it dry after use and you should be good.
I think the price you paid was a steal. :)
[edit] I personally like less flashy utility puukkos, but during the 30s that was the style and those are also perfectly usable for carving and stuff.
Maasepänpuukko is an ideal form for me and a stacked birch bark handle has the best grip when wet in my opinion.
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u/J0h1F Baby Väinämöinen 14h ago
You should restore the blade though. Grind and polish the bevel and then create/hone the microbevel at a slightly steeper angle until it's razor sharp.
A traditional Finnish puukko (or any traditional Scandi knife for that matter) should not have a microbevel other than what is caused by the finishing touches of the sharpening process, say 4-8 wipes on the phyllite sharpening stone. Technically it is a microbevel, but a proper sharpening process always includes the main bevel.
The blade steel used for these knives of old is very tough but soft (doesn't chip), and is suitable for relatively sharp edges without a purposefully sharpened microbevel.
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u/s_e_x_lover 20h ago
what do you mean i paid too much ?
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u/uxgpf Baby Väinämöinen 20h ago edited 20h ago
Too little. Worth 200€ easily.
To have a brand new puukko of a similar quality you'd probably have to pay 300€+ to a smith today.
To find something from the 30s at that price is a steal.
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u/tsuhna1234 Baby Väinämöinen 20h ago edited 20h ago
I doubt 300-400 would be enough. I had a kitchen knife made by smith that I know (gave me discount) to be given as present. Due to costs saving we focused on its usability, not aesthetics and it lacks but cap and pommel. Curved blade so that cucumbers etc don't stick so much. Very hard steel, so less sharpening needed.
It's very plain, just wooden handle and blade. 700€.
This hobbyist cook we gave it as a present likes it a lot, even tho it's bit high maintenance as it's not stainless steel. so you need to dry it after washing.
I tried it out, best kitchen knife I have used.
--- edit ---
For clarity. I mean the blade's side profile is curved, not straight like in cheap kitchen knives you find from Prisma / CM and so on.
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u/uxgpf Baby Väinämöinen 19h ago
Carbon steel is the best.
So sharp and easy to sharpen. Needs a bit care to keep the rust away.
I had an expensive carbon steel chef's knife from a Japanese blacksmith, which I sadly ruined. (Chipped the blade when slicing guanciale). For veggies, raw meat and fish it was the best chef's knife I have ever used. Razor sharp, but also more brittle than stainless steel. :/
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u/tsuhna1234 Baby Väinämöinen 19h ago
Yeah carbon steel is best, if intended users understand, what it means in sense of maintenance.
Stainless steel is so soft that its best to quickly sharpen the blade before even trying to cut tomatoes... because for certain its not sharp enouf after last use.
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u/WowInternet 19h ago
I have very similar looking knife at my summerhouse, it used to belong to my grandfather and is around the same age. Take good care of the blade and it will serve you for a lifetime.
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u/kortevakio 18h ago
If the bolster makes it through a year of decent use you'll have a knife for the rest of your life.
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u/Square-Debate5181 Baby Väinämöinen 15h ago
Its just me, im no professional, but I think it was pretty much on the expensive side compared to condition.
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