The Leuku knife... proper tool or just for boreal adventures?

[widowulf]

Hej,
A while ago I made this Leuku with a blade from Yrjo Puronvarsi (YP Taonta). I love scandinavian knives, especially the Puukko and the Leuku. Recently there was this discussion here https://bushcraftuk.com/community/t...eed-a-fixed-blade-knife-for-bushcraft.169050/ where also the question appeared, if the Leuku is a proper tool also for other areas than the far north. I can't decide what people need and I just speak for myself and my own needs, but I think a Leuku knife is a great tool also for the mid-european zone. I use that knife quite a lot for every task on our farm... making kindlings for the wood stove, cut down bushes and small trees, butchering ducks and chicken, preparing food. Especially this blade is stunning, almost 5mm thick but due to the high convex grind still a suitable slicer, yet it has enough weight to split wood (without batoning) and cut down branches in one or two strikes. Yeah, I could use a variety of other tools but I have this one close at hand on my belt.

As I said above, I can understand people who dont like this kind of knives for their needs but for me it works fine.

 

[Broch]

That looks like a very useful knife to me. It would be ideal working in the wood snedding hazel rods. Definitely a classy worker

 

[widowulf]

Yes perfect for willow and hazel! And since we dont have goats anymore, I must get rid of the blackberry bushes myself... a good job for that Leuku

 

[John Fenna]

Those look like very practical tools!
And very handsome as well

 

[warthog1981]

That looks lovely enjoy

 

[widowulf]

Today I made a video about this knife:

 

[Herman30]

Seems to be about same size as Skrama200 of Varusteleka. That is a knife I like very much.
Paird it togeter with Sissi M23.

 

[widowulf]

Cool combo @Herman30

 

[johnnytheboy]

Hej,
A while ago I made this Leuku with a blade from Yrjo Puronvarsi (YP Taonta). I love scandinavian knives, especially the Puukko and the Leuku. Recently there was this discussion here https://bushcraftuk.com/community/t...eed-a-fixed-blade-knife-for-bushcraft.169050/ where also the question appeared, if the Leuku is a proper tool also for other areas than the far north. I can't decide what people need and I just speak for myself and my own needs, but I think a Leuku knife is a great tool also for the mid-european zone. I use that knife quite a lot for every task on our farm... making kindlings for the wood stove, cut down bushes and small trees, butchering ducks and chicken, preparing food. Especially this blade is stunning, almost 5mm thick but due to the high convex grind still a suitable slicer, yet it has enough weight to split wood (without batoning) and cut down branches in one or two strikes. Yeah, I could use a variety of other tools but I have this one close at hand on my belt.

As I said above, I can understand people who dont like this kind of knives for their needs but for me it works fine.


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I guess these things are borne out of necessity and the tasks you identified was its intended purpose. I was always sceptical about these big knifes until I seen Mexican gardeners using machetes. It is the ultimate tool in that environment. I guess like the Leuku in the northern environment where it’s less foliage dense is much more appropriate. If I was faced with a big moose to butcher it would certainly be a great tool to turn to!

 

[Dr_Rez]

Great job on it. Looks like an incredibly useful blade.

 

[MikeLA]

Great work!
About 20 years ago everyone in the UK with a connection to bushcraft wanted to own a Leuku. It was like you need to have this and other kit which was pushed in advertising.

They are great versatile knives, have to be eg used by reindeer herdsman and families in the north of Sweden as a general tool.

 

[William_Montgomery]

Good job, that's a beautiful knife.

 

[HillBill]

They must be a good tool. They are standard kit Oop Norf. Does that mean they are the best kit sarf o the wall, No. But they weren't designed to be. I had a couple, they were ok, but didnt suit my needs. Bit too short for a slasher, bit too light for a chopper.

I do like them though.

 

[Stew]

So, I may be misremembering but I don't think so....

Leuku's always seemed to have this weird short handle for such a big blade but the reason is that when used for chopping, the handle is (traditionally) held at the rear so only your first two fingers are wrapping round the handle. It's to give more of a flick when chopping.

Most modern takes on a Leuku (mine included) don't really take this into account.

 

[TLM]

It is not quite clear to which kind of knife the word actually refers to; the most common probably is the large whacking size knife ~25 cm blade length, some people also use it for the mid size utility knife of about 12-15 cm blade length of a certain blade shape. Many old ones I have seen are tip heavy.

Both types seem to be made with stick tangs so not really suitable for all heavy work. I suspect that carrying two (or three) knives was for redundancy, breaking your only knife in the middle of nowhere was not a good idea. The shape and size(s) are one solution for the environment and needs, others exist but generally not very far off.