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If you fancy yourself an outdoor adventurer, there’s a good chance you own a puukko. What makes them so special?
Though it sounds like a cool cuss word, puukko actually means “knife” in Finnish. A bit anticlimactic if you ask us — we were hoping it meant “Blade of the Viking Bear.”
Regardless, it’s a style of knife that originated in Scandinavia and is a significant tool in Nordic culture. It has a curved blade profile with a flat spine and a cutting edge that features a “Scandi grind” — a flat grind in which the edge bevel has no secondary edges. This is perfect for slicing, cutting, and carving — all activities that benefit a hunter, angler, or woodworker.
The business end is usually made of high-carbon steel for increased strength and ease of sharpening. But nowadays, some manufacturers prefer stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance.
On the back end, the handle is traditionally made of bone, antler, or wood (often birch) and devoid of any grooves or textures. Today, some knifemakers use polymer with more ergonomic designs. (Side note: Because the puukko is a utility tool and not a self-defense weapon for thrusting, the handle rarely has a finger guard.)
So, if you want a knife that can prep food and firewood in almost any environment, consider the puukko.
Some Top Puukko Knives
Benchmade Knife Co. 200 Puukko
OAL: 8.25 inches
Blade Length: 3.75 inches
Blade Material: CPM 3V tool steel
Weight: 4.51 ounces
MSRP: $150
URL: benchmade.com
If ever there were a model that combined the old-school aesthetics of a puukko with the new-school technology available today, it would be this Benchmade. The CPM 3V used for the blade provides incredible wear resistance without chipping, offering a tough tool steel that can be used for batoning firewood or other hard uses. Meanwhile, the handle is made of Santoprene (a synthetic rubber) that’s shaped like a traditional puukko handle but with scaly texture for better traction. Made in the USA.
PROS:
- Grounded by the classic genre while simultaneously launching it into the 21st century
- Top-quality construction and materials
- Crazy sharp blade that’s tougher than nails
CONS:
- Conversely, the blade’s CPM 3V tool steel isn’t stainless, so it’s not ideal for those who dislike maintenance.
- Despite its gorgeous leather, the sheath is poorly designed … to the point where the knife can fall out of the sheath if inverted!
Boker Arbolito Bushcraft Micarta
OAL: 9.02 inches
Blade Length: 4.13 inches
Blade Material: N690 stainless steel
Weight: 6.67 ounces
MSRP: $168
URL: bokerusa.com
Boker Arbolito is a subsidiary of Boker USA and produces mostly traditional hunting and outdoor knives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Bushcraft Micarta is one such example. Though it’s marketed as having a Scandi grind, the blade’s edge actually has a secondary bevel. Fortunately, it’s made out of N690 — a quality European stainless steel that fights off corrosion with ease. Plus, the blade’s spine has precise 90-degree corners that make it easier to ignite sparks with a ferro rod.
PROS:
- N690 blade provides a good balance of strength, sharpness, and rust resistance.
- Micarta is an excellent handle material.
- Good leather sheath that has an integrated holder for a ferro rod (not included).
CONS:
- Mid-grade knife for a premium price.
- The handle scales are slightly smaller than the full tang, so they don’t sit flush together. It’s an odd design choice that might lead to hot spots on your hand after long periods of use.
Condor Tool & Knife Survival Puukko Knife
OAL: 8.5 inches
Blade Length: 3.9 inches
Blade Material: 1095 high carbon steel
Weight: 5.6 ounces
MSRP: $110
URL: condortk.com
Here’s a puukko that checks all the boxes but adds a subtle modern flair. The blade features a true Scandi grind, but the profile has a tiny bit more curve to its belly. The handle is ever so slightly concave to provide a mild finger guard and a solid grip. Plus, the scales are made of paper Micarta, providing a classy look and durability. The flat pommel is an extension of the full tang, so you can use it as a hammer in a pinch. Overall, it’s a workhorse with subtle swagger.
PROS:
- An attractive model, thanks to its sleek aesthetics and simple-yet-sophisticated design
- Excellent paper Micarta handle
- The blade, made of 1095 high carbon steel, is tough and cuts like a laser.
CONS:
- On the flip side, 1095 will rust quickly without care.
- The leather sheath gets an F for failing to secure the knife if it’s turned upside.
Giant Mouse GMF2-FF
OAL: 8.12 inches
Blade Length: 3.62 inches
Blade Material: M390 stainless steel
Weight: 3.875 ounces
MSRP: $185
URL: giantmouse.com
Now here’s a puukko for a new generation. The blade’s M390 has ridiculous edge retention while also being highly wear and corrosion resistant. The modernized Micarta handle provides textures and grooves in just the right places. But considering the designers — two well-known Danish knife-makers, Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes — we shouldn’t be surprised that this knife honors its Nordic forbearers while simultaneously pushing this category into the future.
PROS:
- The blade features a full-flat grind that makes food prep and whittling a breeze.
- Smart user-friendly design combined with excellent construction and materials
- Handmade leather dangler sheath is both form fitting and elegant looking.
CONS:
- We’re not fans of dangler-style sheaths, as they tend to flop around too much when we’re on the move.
Helle Knives Saga Siglar
OAL: 7.6 inches
Blade Length: 3.4 inches
Blade Material: Triple laminated carbon steel
Weight: 3.3 ounces
MSRP: $119
URL: helle.com
This is perhaps the most Viking knife of the bunch — literally. Helle based this blade on a previous design called, appropriately, the Viking. That predecessor was produced to replicate the utility knife that, well, Vikings wore on their belts during the ninth century. The blade features a carbon steel core sandwiched by two stainless steel layers to fight off corrosion. The back-end has the classic curly birch wood handle. It comes with a leather sheath. Made in Norway.
PROS:
- If you’re into vintage tools made with modern manufacturing standards, this is the knife for you.
- Razor sharp triple-laminated blade offers the best of both worlds.
- A solid option if you’re looking for a shorter mid-sized fixed blade.
CONS:
- Wood handle doesn’t last as long as G10, Micarta, or other materials and can warp or crack if neglected.
- Surprisingly, the black finish on the blade had already chipped before we received our review sample.
Morakniv Garberg Stainless Steel Knife
OAL: 9 inches
Blade Length: 4.3 inches
Blade Material: 14C28N stainless steel
Weight: 9.6 ounces
MSRP: $80
URL: industrialrev.com
While most knives in this genre will set you back at least a C-note, you can get a half-decent Morakniv for less than 20 bucks if you’re a savvy online shopper. This Garberg will cost four times that, but it’s still affordable in comparison while outperforming many of its peers. Though our model features a stainless steel blade and a polymer sheath, it’s available in different configurations, including with a carbon steel blade and different types of sheaths. Made in Sweden.
PROS:
- The blade’s mid-grade 14C28N won’t wow you, but it’s strong, sharp, and rust resistant.
- The thick, 90-degree spine is ideal for igniting sparks with a fire-starter.
- Full-tang knife ends with a steel pommel for striking or hammering
CONS:
- The polymer sheath is solid … but the leather belt loop is thin and suspect.
- For $80, we expected G10 or Micarta scales for the handle … not polyamide.
TOPS Knives Tanimboca Puukko
OAL: 7.75 inches
Blade Length: 3.63 inches
Blade Material: 1095 high carbon steel
Weight: 5.1 ounces
MSRP: $150
URL: topsknives.com
TOPS Knives makes some of the best fixed blades available from a production knife company. The Tanimboca Puukko is no exception. Though not a true puukko blade (it has a mild clip point on its spine and a micro bevel), it’s great for slicing meat, carving wood, or cutting rope. Plus, the tan canvas Micarta handle is grippy despite honoring the traditional Scandinavian style of having little to no embellishments. Leather sheath included. Made in the USA.
PROS:
- Leather sheath with belt loop is first-rate.
- Handle has an integrated bow-drill divot that you can use to start a fire.
- The 1095 high carbon steel blade is as sharp as it is strong and resilient.
CONS:
- Conversely, 1095 isn’t stainless and requires upkeep to prevent rusting and staining.
- The handle is a little shorter than we’d like … even for our medium-sized hands.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Carnivore Magazine Issue 5.
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