My very own puukko
- tongueriver
- Posts: 6840
- Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:01 pm
My very own puukko
In June I drove a thousand miles or so out to Minnesota to visit my Brother. We hiked, biked, went to Fabulous Swedish Museum in Minnesota... but I digress. We hooked up his airstream trailer and drove north to Grand Marais, on the North Shore. The North House Folk School is there, among many other great things, and we were signed up for a three-day forging class. There were eight (the instructor's limit) in our class, all green. We leaned to start and maintain a coal forge, then the race was on. I picked a chunk of 1084 and some others picked some other steel. Anyway, what a learning experience to keep the right heat on at the right places at the right time. Almost everyone burned off the tips of their blades at least once and some had to start over from scratch. So... three days. Forging, annealing, filing, drilling, hardening, tempering, hafting. I had a piece of elk antler which a friend gave me from a bull he had shot with a bow. It was too big and I ended up grinding it down quite a little, but elk antler has a thinner outer dense section than Sambar and so one can't take it down too far. I finally had it down as far as I could practically go and it fits my hand perfectly, although it appears to be out of balance when one is used to our traditional American hunting knives. I found that a BUCK 103 sheath fits it like a glove. I am looking forward to using it in a few days on a hunt. It ain't pretty but it was hard earned and it is mine.
Re: My very own puukko
Looks like a very cool experience! The knife is awesome!!!
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
Re: My very own puukko
That looks like FUN!! And you got a really useful knife of your own that looks and feels good. Musta been a great trip!
- treefarmer
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 12887
- Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:53 am
- Location: Florida Panhandle(LA-Lower Alabama)
Re: My very own puukko
tongueriver,
That is great! Your knife does look very comfortable and I hope you get to use it soon. Pictures of it in use will just add to this great post.
Treefarmer
That is great! Your knife does look very comfortable and I hope you get to use it soon. Pictures of it in use will just add to this great post.
Treefarmer
A GUN IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN A COP ON THE PHONE.
- Quick Steel
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 16972
- Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Lebanon, KY
Re: My very own puukko
I know it is early but do let us know when you will appear on Forged In Fire. Wonderful knife and photos.
Re: My very own puukko
What a beautiful knife, and a great experience. That would be very high on my list of things to do given the chance. Let us know how it goes when you put it to use on Mr. Deer.
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
-
- Posts: 13373
- Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:36 pm
- Location: West Kootenays, B.C.
Re: My very own puukko
Nice one Calvin ! I really like the profile of your blade. Many Finnish Puukkos have a blade of similar size & shape. For a first knife it is impressive and attractive too.
Were you able to get the blade fairly thin just above the edge ?
kj
Were you able to get the blade fairly thin just above the edge ?
kj
- tongueriver
- Posts: 6840
- Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:01 pm
Re: My very own puukko
Pretty much; lots of filing. We were discouraged from using power tools but did cheat a little now and then.. Thanks everyone for the nice comments.kootenay joe wrote: Were you able to get the blade fairly thin just above the edge ?
kj
Re: My very own puukko
Very cool post, Tongueriver. Great photos of a unique experience. That is a good looking knife, especially for a first time forger.
Mel
-
- Posts: 13373
- Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:36 pm
- Location: West Kootenays, B.C.
Re: My very own puukko
Calvin i, and likely others here are not just saying it is a good looking knife because you are a nice person and valued AAPK'er.
It really is an attractive knife with good flow & visual balance. It looks more like a guy's 10th knife than his first one.
kj
It really is an attractive knife with good flow & visual balance. It looks more like a guy's 10th knife than his first one.
kj
Re: My very own puukko
Amen to what Roland said. You make me jealous with that experience. Great time and knife.
Re: My very own puukko
Great experience, a great blade, and with your brother!!
Which blade is his?
Which blade is his?
Re: My very own puukko
Terrific knife, Cal. I am very impressed with your work.
I hope you use it for a long time.
I hope you use it for a long time.
Joe
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18528
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: My very own puukko
Soooooooooooo cool.
Knice job!!!
Knice job!!!
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
Re: My very own puukko
Wow, I missed this thread!
That looks like a load of fun!
If my shoulder was better I would love to do that.
Congratulations Cal, great looking puukko!
That looks like a load of fun!
If my shoulder was better I would love to do that.
Congratulations Cal, great looking puukko!
Dale
AAPK Administrator
Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet
Job 13:15
"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
AAPK Administrator
Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet
Job 13:15
"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan