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Knife identification

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:14 pm
by djknife13
Do any of you recognize this mark? I'm also trying to figure out if it is Finnish or Norwegian. Thanks _____Dave

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:38 pm
by Billswfl
The blade is made by Yrjö Puronvarsi. Here is a link to a post on nordiska knivar https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/20 ... yp-taonta/

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:55 pm
by TripleF
That's a beauty Dave!

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:53 am
by djknife13
Billswfl wrote:The blade is made by Yrjö Puronvarsi. Here is a link to a post on nordiska knivar https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/20 ... yp-taonta/
Thanks for the great information. ____Dave

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:54 pm
by kootenay joe
Is the mark on the blade "YP" ?
The article linked to does not show the smith's mark.
kj

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 2:24 am
by djknife13
kootenay joe wrote:Is the mark on the blade "YP" ?
The article linked to does not show the smith's mark.
kj
Joe, I think it is a stylized YP, but then it could be a few other letters. That is the one that appears most obvious. ___Dave

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 2:12 pm
by Billswfl
KJ Here is a picture of the makers mark.
puronvarsi85ny (1).jpg

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 2:40 pm
by kootenay joe
Thanks Bill. Puronvarsi blades go back to 1850. Does this marking go back to the beginning or is it the mark for just the current smith, Antti Mäkinen ?
kj

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 3:28 pm
by Billswfl
KJ I believe the YP mark is the current one. The last set of pictures in the nordiska knivar post show Antti Mäkinen forging puukko blades and they are stamped with the YP mark.
ap30.jpg
Yrjö Puronvarsi started the YP Taonta smith.

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:59 am
by kootenay joe
Thanks for your help. The linked to article says: "the current smith, Antti Mäkinen. Antti is the grandson of Yrjö Puronvarsi who was the smith for many years"
This is why i thought the "YP" marked was started by Yrjo, the grandfather.
Is there a website that shows the mark of every 'important' Finnish smith going back for at least 150 years ?
I have a very nice, never used, older (i think) puukko, marked "OK".
kj

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 6:41 pm
by Billswfl
KJ the OK tang stamp is one of the Kainuun Tommi smiths Olavi Kemppainen. Here is a link to Kainuun Tommi Puukko, you can find Olavi Kemppainen at the bottom of the page. http://www.kainuunpuukko.com/tommi-puukot-sarja.

The only site I'm familiar with that has any info on older Finnish puukkos and other Scandinavian knives is http://www.cultur.nu/knivar/index.htm
It's basically a site that details what knives have sold for, but it does show a lot of older puukkos and knives with the name of the smith or maker. Hover over the knives in the left column and it will take you to a list of years the blades sold in.

Re: Knife identification

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 8:37 pm
by kootenay joe
Bill, thanks once again for your help and these links. Very much appreciated.
I discovered Finnish knives only about 10 years ago and have collected both recent & vintage examples. Of all the fixed blade knives i have used, the Finnish Puukko impresses me the most. Simple in design but so effective in both cutting and edge holding.
If you are into knives but have never owned an older Puukko from Finland, then treat yourself to a great experience.
kj