Traditional puukko from new Finnish movie Härmä

[Martti]

New Finnish movie Härmä has its premiere on 17 February 2012. The movie takes place at Ostrobothnia region during the 19th century when troublemakers called puukkojunkkari or häjy roamed the land. The time could be described as Finnish equivalent of American Old West where guns were replaced with knives.

Puukko carried by the häjys had a bit longer blades than the ones usually carried by men of the time, these were no ordinary working knives. As an example a puukko carried by one of the häjys had a 18 centimeter long blade, almost twice of the length of an average woodworking puukko blade. The puukkos in the photographs were made for the movie by Taisto Kuortti and his wife Mirja-Liisa Savo-Kuortti. Please ask questions if you're interested of the topic. Lastly I have attached a link to the trailer. It is in Finnish without subtitles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUVdnFbTQ1Q

 

[Frederick89]

I suppose that the history of Antti Rannanjärvi will be part of the movie.

 

[Martti]

I suppose that the history of Antti Rannanjärvi will be part of the movie.

No, I am afraid. While the script might be inspired by the actions of Rannanjärvi and his partners, the story is fictional and tells the story of Välitalo family.

 

[Frederick89]

Ok. How about some more info on the maker? Is he the same that have a site with puukko history?

 

[Martti]

Is he the same that have a site with puukko history?

He is the same person. Apart from his website, he has also written two books on puukko.