Puukko knives

The Nordic puukko tradition is alive and well. The traditional Finnish outdoor puukko is a versatile tool: it’s perfect for carving kindling for campfires, but also useful in fishing, hunting, and even for the demanding task of opening a sausage package.The Nordic puukko tradition is alive and well. The traditional Finnish outdoor puukko is a versatile tool: it’s perfect for carving kindling for campfires, but also useful in fishing, hunting, and even for the demanding task of opening a sausage package.

Puukko – The Nordic Multipurpose Knife

The Nordic puukko tradition is alive and well. The traditional Finnish outdoor puukko is a versatile tool: it’s perfect for carving kindling for campfires, but also useful in fishing, hunting, and even for the demanding task of opening a sausage package. A basic puukko with a plastic handle works well in almost any situation, while a wilderness or bushcraft enthusiast often chooses their puukko more carefully—considering, for example, whether they prefer a full-tang structure, where the blade’s tang extends the full width of the handle instead of being a narrow spike.

Quality Selection

We carry several puukko brands: Roselli, J. Marttiini, Eräpuu, J.P. Peltonen, Arctic Legend, and Mora. Knives made in Finland are marked with a special “Made in Finland” flag.

Stainless or Carbon Steel Blade?

Modern stainless steels are excellent. The main difference between our stainless and carbon steel blades is sharpening: for example, Marttiini’s stainless chromium steel holds its edge well but requires a diamond stone to sharpen. Carbon steel puukkos, on the other hand, are easy to sharpen with traditional whetstones. Carbon steel is the more traditional of the two and requires some care: if the blade gets wet, it must be dried immediately and protected with oil. Unsalted cooking oils work well for this purpose.

Handle Materials

Common handle materials for outdoor puukkos include birch, bark, bone, antler, rubber, and plastic. Lacquered wooden handles are slippery when wet, so anglers and campers may prefer waxed or oiled wood, bark, or rubber handles. For youth or beginner knives, grippy rubber is a reliable choice.