Fantastic Finnish GAWs

ThePeacent · **Reply #180 on:** May 05, 2018, 03:55:32 PM

For those interested in the Puukos, here's an interestign bit of info from a person I consider pretty wise and well informed in FInnish cutlery and Puukos regarding these two particular models

"Actually it says 'Jaeger knife', more referring to something like 'Alpenjaeger', German mountain troops.
In Finland most infantry apparently are called either jeager or ranger troops. It's meant to be a general utility knife for conscript soldiers (and civilians) who need a sturdy knife for life in the endless forests to do camp work. (I'm not Finnish but I read up a bit on these knives, and I am lucky enough to have the Terävä 140, the 110, the Skrama and the Peltonen M07 'Ranger knife').

Basically, Finland still has military service and conscripts stay in the reserve for a decade or so (any Finn here please correct me if I'm wrong). Finland also has a very strong knife tradition, with everybody having a puukko knife or knives.
Conscript soldiers in the past (after WW2) dumped their issued bayonets because they were no good for camp work, then as the army introduced a hybrid knife/bayonet that was actually pretty useful around camp the soldiers 'lost' them en masse at the end of their training year, so the Finnish army stopped issuing knives or bayonets altogether and instead asked all recruits to bring their own knives. Which caused a market for military-styled puukko knives like the J.P. Peltonen M95 and M07, in uniquely designed sheaths suitable for upside-down carrying on tactical harnesses.

Surplus shop Varusteleka in Helsinki sold those knives, but due to a very limited production, they were always out of stock so they decided to design their own take on such knives, which were the 110 and 140 mm versions of the Jääkkäripuukko. Which, in turn, quickly became so popular they they are sold out more often than not. These knives are made by Laurin Metalli, a reputable maker of puukko blades. Peltonen, the maker of the cult military Ranger knives that the Jaeger knives were a sort of homage to, then moved the blade production of his knives from Fiskars to Laurin Metalli as well, and the Jääkkäripuukkos and the Peltonen Sissipuukkos are now made of the same 4 mm thick 80CrV2 tool steel blade stock in the same factory (although with different shapes and grinds).

I think that the Jääkkäripuukkos are a better general hard-use type of knife than the Peltonen Ranger knives, the latter having a higher, keener grind and a very thin tip, more like a hunting knife but as a result, more prone to chipping during hard use. I also like the sheaths on the Terävä knives better - if there is one reason to get such a knife it is the sheath. The steel is very tough, holds a working edge quite well and is easy to sharpen.
The 30 mm difference in length between the 110 and 140 means that the 140 is a bit more forward-weighted, with the centre of gravity just in front of the handle, while the 110 is neutrally balanced on the point where you put your index finger, up against the forward finger guard. The 140 thus chops better while the 110 is bit more nimble and, of course, a bit lighter and easier to carry.

Both are great scrapers too, with specifically ground spines for that purpose. Not just for striking a firesteel but also to clean up wood, scrape moss of bark, whatever. I used the 140 to scrape dirty old varnish off planks, planing down the wood in the process - with the spine.
I found that the more I use these, the more I like them.

The shop is now offering the knives and the sheaths separately (April 2018), and the two together cost a few euros/dollars more than the knife/sheath combo did in the past (and yes, they put them in the shipping box separately, with the knife now in a cardboard blade protector, no loose plastic one that you can build your own sheath around). Still a great price, but the first sign of a future price hike might be showing. I'm glad I have mine, their availability at those ridiculously low prices won't last forever. Enjoy them if you have them."

and also,

"[···] the company raised the prices..... Varusteleka (according to their latest newsletter, dated 4th of May 2018): "from now, on all knives and sheaths are sold separately....." If you consider that one year before the price for a "140 carbon knife + sheath" was 60 EUROS, now buying separately you have to pay 33+30 = 63 EUROS for "knife+sheath". Not such a significant increase.... indeed. 5% for a high quality material..."

Thanks Aleph for this awesome knives!!!

AlephZero · **Reply #181 on:** May 05, 2018, 04:11:51 PM

Indeed, now you can/have to buy the sheath separately, but it won't be cheap, although I think it may be worth it

styx · **Reply #182 on:** May 05, 2018, 05:27:32 PM

the sheaths are good but I'm also interested in what people will come up with (or I'll come up with in case of winning) since there are very creative people on here that really make outstanding sheaths for various implements

AlephZero · **Reply #183 on:** May 05, 2018, 05:29:38 PM

That is very true

Ron Who · **Reply #184 on:** May 06, 2018, 07:42:45 PM

Is it May 8th yet?

Mechanickal · **Reply #185 on:** May 06, 2018, 07:44:40 PM

McStitchy · **Reply #186 on:** May 06, 2018, 07:53:00 PM

Wspeed · **Reply #187 on:** May 06, 2018, 08:28:33 PM

styx · **Reply #188 on:** May 06, 2018, 10:22:33 PM

TazzieRob · **Reply #189 on:** May 07, 2018, 04:08:15 AM

May 8... M8.... Maaaaate!

That's tomorrow here in Aus!

Antti Lammi · **Reply #190 on:** May 07, 2018, 06:09:29 AM

Tomorrow is 8th day so you gotta still wait. Its shame i cannot yet participate this but i wish best luck to all who entered this contest

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