Can Anyone Identify This Knife?

[A_Matthew]

I 're-found' this knife a few days ago and was wondering if anyone could tell me it's manufacture, origin of country, etc...? There is some writing on the right side of the blade that I can't quite make out; it would show up better if I had a better camera. I don't really know anything about it except that it belonged to my grandfather. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[M-Cameron]

looks like a puukko knife.....

and given the crest on the handle.....looks like its from Finland.

 

[hso]

Yep

Finnish Puko.

 

[A_Matthew]

Thanks for the replys. Always wondered what the origin was.

I've never heard of the knife before, so just out of curiosity, is it a well made knife?

 

[hso]

Do a little search here under "mora" and "puko/puuko/pukko" and you'll find many fans of this very traditional Scandinavian design.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Finnish Puukko

Definitely a puukko, almost certainly Finnish.

I can't be positive, but I would guess the handle is birch with stacked birch "washers" (thin slices of birch with a hole through the middle for the tang, stacked together to make the main part of the handle).

I have a couple of similar pieces, though mine are not as old as yours, and don't have the fancy handle.

At least one of mine is engraved "Järvenpää" (a town in Finland) and the other . . . don't remember off the top of my head. I'd have to dig it up.

(The full name is "Iisakki Järvenpää Oy" and I believe "Iisakki" is the maker.)

Having Järvenpää engraved on a Finnish blade is like having "Mora" stamped on a Swedish blade: it indicates where it was made.

I can't read the engraving on yours (obscured by flash). Matthew, is there any way you can transcribe it for us (as nearly as you can make out, that is)?

That knife is a classic and a real keeper.

 

[Axel Larson]

I would guess Finnish knives are very well made. I know Swedish knives are known for their quality. That is a nice looking knife it is always nice to have a piece of history like that.

 

[A_Matthew]

Definitely a puukko, almost certainly Finnish.

I can't be positive, but I would guess the handle is birch with stacked birch "washers" (thin slices of birch with a hole through the middle for the tang, stacked together to make the main part of the handle).

I have a couple of similar pieces, though mine are not as old as yours, and don't have the fancy handle.

At least one of mine is engraved "Järvenpää" (a town in Finland) and the other . . . don't remember off the top of my head. I'd have to dig it up.

(The full name is "Iisakki Järvenpää Oy" and I believe "Iisakki" is the maker.)

Having Järvenpää engraved on a Finnish blade is like having "Mora" stamped on a Swedish blade: it indicates where it was made.

I can't read the engraving on yours (obscured by flash). Matthew, is there any way you can transcribe it for us (as nearly as you can make out, that is)?

That knife is a classic and a real keeper.

Thanks for the information on the knife. Makes me feel like I found something kind of cool, instead of your average everyday knife that I normally find.

My mom and I have been working for a while on trying to find out what the writing is, and we came up with this. The main writing on the blade is "Fauhava" and the writing in the blood groove is "Matti Hanska". (We were mainly guessing on the 'm' in 'Matti', as the letter was scratched. But it looks more like a 'm' than anything else.)

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Kauhava

Ah. The word is "Kauhava" and it, too, is a town in Finland with a history of knife making. It has been called the "puukko making capitol of Finland" Even has its own Wikipedia page.

"Matti" is indeed a Finnish name.
"Vänskä" is also a Finnish name.

Given the age of this knife, however, it's unlikely that you will find the maker's name among the current manufacturers.

Also, it seems that even though Järvenpää is a town, the knife maker, Iisakki Järvenpää OY, is located in Kauhava.

Learn something new every day.

So my earlier post, that "Järvenpää" on a Finnish knife was like "Mora" on a Swedish knife . . . that's evidently wrong. The equivalent town in Finland would be Kauhava.



Am I helping yet?

 

[BRad704]

Not really my kinda knife, but I can certainly appreciate the history of it, and I'd be excited if I found it too!

The stacked birch handle is really getting my attention. I may have to try something like that soon...

Great find and good luck in your further search for info!

 

[A_Matthew]

Kauhava
Ah. The word is "Kauhava" and it, too, is a town in Finland with a history of knife making. It has been called the "puukko making capitol of Finland" Even has its own Wikipedia page.

"Matti" is indeed a Finnish name.
"Vänskä" is also a Finnish name.

Given the age of this knife, however, it's unlikely that you will find the maker's name among the current manufacturers.

Also, it seems that even though Järvenpää is a town, the knife maker, Iisakki Järvenpää OY, is located in Kauhava.

Learn something new every day.

So my earlier post, that "Järvenpää" on a Finnish knife was like "Mora" on a Swedish knife . . . that's evidently wrong. The equivalent town in Finland would be Kauhava.



Am I helping yet?

Interesting. I didn't know knives could have such backgrounds. Like you said, we learn something new everyday.

Do you have any idea just how old this knife really is? I'm absolutely clueless in that department as antiques and such aren't really my thing. And also, do you think it is worth anything?

And thanks again for all your help.

 

[A_Matthew]

Not really my kinda knife, but I can certainly appreciate the history of it, and I'd be excited if I found it too!

The stacked birch handle is really getting my attention. I may have to try something like that soon...

Great find and good luck in your further search for info!

Yes, if I ever try making knives again, I'm definitely going to try the stacked birch handle. Not only does it look nice, but it also has a really nice feel that I like.