Finland

[Martti]

Today it was -30°C near Helsinki. The battery in my camera froze, so I couldn't take any photographs at the time. From fmi.fi:

 

[NoName]

thanks Martti!
is that a Kainuun Puukko on Urho's belt ?

 

[Martti]

is that a Kainuun Puukko on Urho's belt ?

It is a Tommi-puukko with a flame birch handle.

 

[NoName]

thanks Martti!

 

[richardhomer]

thanks Martti! Some lovely photos.

 

[Martti]

Photographed a few wooden houses while visiting the Big City:

 

[Martti]

Some supplies for a puukko project.

 

[Janne]

Finland is a very beautiful country, very similar to the inland Norrland ( north of Sweden).

Will you use Masur Bjork ( "knurly Birch??) for your puukos?

 

[Martti]

Will you use Masur Bjork ( "knurly Birch??) for your puukos?

Yes, I will be using curly birch and moose antler for the handle. The design will be based on a military design from the 1940s. I bought a few blades more than I need, so please let me know if you're interested of obtaining a puukko.

 

[Janne]

Yes please!

The sheath, what material?

 

[oldtimer]

Fascinating post. Thank you for showing us something of your country. I must come to Finland for a visit to find out more!

 

[Tony]

Thanks for keeping the thread alive Martti, when there's a new post in there i read the whole lot again and think I need to visit

 

[Martti]

The sheath, what material?

Leather and birch bark were both used and I also have both. I have to think about this a bit.

 

[Janne]

I would not mind Birch bark.
The lowland Lapps in Sweden used mostly Reindeer skin, but sometimes pleated Birch bark. Highland Lapps skin and horn.
But, as you are the Artist, you decide!

 

[Martti]

The lowland Lapps in Sweden used mostly Reindeer skin, but sometimes pleated Birch bark. Highland Lapps skin and horn.

The modified Saami reindeer antler sheath design became one of the most popular Finnish sheath designs during the 1920s and 1930s.

 

[Martti]

From the highest hill...

... to the endless road under the midnight sun.

 

[Martti]

Traditional Finnish boots.

 

[Arya]

Awesome thread!

 

[Janne]

Traditional Finnish boots.

I would say traditional Same boots... Same design used by all Same, from Norway over Sweden and Finland to Russia!

 

[Martti]

I would say traditional Same boots...

This is common fallacy, I'm afraid. Since Finns and Saami live next to each other, they are similar, but there are differences between these boots and the Saami ones: 1) The outsole is much thicker (or double) in the Finnish ones. 2) Saami use reindeer skin, while the Finns mainly use cowhide. 3) The patterns are a bit different. 4) Historically, Saami in Finland wove their shoelaces white and red, while the Finns preferred all red or yellow and red ones.