Why most Leukus does not have guard ?

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Erbswurst

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 5, 2018
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A reason could be that if the knife has a finger guard it usually can rain into the sheath. That's one of the reasons why I don't buy such knives. I don't want water in my sheath.
 

TLM

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Nov 16, 2019
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One factor is that the present day puukko is a tool and has been developed from a tool, a guard just would be in the way as Herman said.

As speculation it might be that knives with guards have a weapon or hunting knife heritage where guards do have a distinct function.
 

Silverclaws2

Nomad
Dec 30, 2019
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I would suggest the lack of finger guard on Scandinavian designs is about the expectation of the user as in a skilled knife operative - not someone who is not skilled enough to keep their fingers away from the cutting edge.

In addition there are knife operations that would be hindered by the presence of a finger guard, where what are these Scandinavian designs for if not general purpose duties, say from preparing dinner to what have you.

Where it does have to be said, an unguarded knife teaches one both blade respect and knife skills potentially quickly.

For a while my Frosts of Mora (Mora Classic) lived in my kitchen drawer as the goto knife for food prep.
 

Robson Valley

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Nov 24, 2014
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You need to learn how to hold that knife for the intended purpose. It isn't a Rambo pig-sticker. Select the correct knife for the job.
Pacific Northwest crooked and straight knives never have any kinds of guards.
Useless additions to how they are held and used. Same for all cleavers, ulu and umialik knives.
 

Erbswurst

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Perhaps they should interdict finger guards generally?

Probably a good idea for several reasons.
 

Urdasein

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I can't cut on a board if the knife has a finger guard.

You are refering to the "chef knife grip". It is true that a finger guard may get in the way.

image-13.jpg

In fact it depends on the knife.

The Junglas II is basically a little bit too thick butcher knife. And it works very well as chef knife too.

couteau-de-boucher-manche-bois.jpg


IMG_2442-1024x768.jpg


I also Use the BK7/M7/Esee6 for cooking without finding the guard cumbersome...

268f72318f26a57889d64e04b4c29b96.jpg
 
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Urdasein

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You need to learn how to hold that knife for the intended purpose. It isn't a Rambo pig-sticker. Select the correct knife for the job.
Pacific Northwest crooked and straight knives never have any kinds of guards.
Useless additions to how they are held and used. Same for all cleavers, ulu and umialik knives.

When wandering around, I "need" a tool that is as multi-purpose as possible.

Selecting the correct "tool" for the job implies specialized tools implies to be sendentary or having the ability / need to carry such additionnal weight.

(please don't tell me that I should split logs with an axe because I may answer you to carry a splitting maul in your backpack =)
 
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Robson Valley

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I agree with you all. There are times when the knife has to be multipurpose.
Wood carving tools might be one extreme, doing most kitchen prep with 5 cleavers in 2 sizes might be another specialization.

In a camp, preparing food or cleaning game, that one knife must do everything, just keep it sharp.
 
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Erbswurst

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I mean such finger guards, that make a knife pretty useless as kitchen knife.


But I already had problems with a knife that was similar to this:


And also this is not good in the kitchen:
 
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Robson Valley

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That Hultafors knife might be really good in the kitchen. Saw off the finger guard. Use rasps and files and sandpapers to smooth the new surface. But there are lots of much better choices without the added work of reshaping the knife.
 

Erbswurst

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If I would change the finger guard, I had to make a new sheath.

The knife is a good recommendation, and surely the GK heavy duty too, especially regarding the price. But that's a reason to prefere the Morakniv Companion heavy duty instead of it, or whatever.
 

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