VINTAGE PUUKKO FINLAND HUNTING KNIFE & SHEATH Veikko Hakkarainen Marked RARE

The Vintage Puukko Finland Hunting Knife by lapplander Veikko Hakkarainen is a rare and collectible piece from Finland. Made with high-quality carbon steel and featuring a hidden tang, this ambidextrous hunting knife has a just over 3 inch blade length with a plain edge. The 3.25 inch polished bone handle with ancient nordic designs in black and light brown add to its vintage charm, making it a unique addition to any collection of knives or outdoor gear. The knife comes with its original sheath, adding to its authenticity and functionality as both a historical artifact and a practical tool for hunting or everyday use. Made by legendary Finnish blacksmith Veikko Harrarainen, his VH stamp is on the upper part of the blade.

6.25 inches including blade and handle. It was never used for hunting or fishing, but kept in his desk drawer. It has not been cleaned in anyway, just in and out of the sheath occasionally. Please see photos for more detail of condition or ask questions.

Veikko Hakkarainen is a full time blacksmith who lives and works in Tapio, a small locality a few km away from Rovaniemi, the "capital" of Finnish Lappland. His great grandfather, grandfather and his father were also blacksmiths, but they didn't craft knives for a living, though his father made few during retirement. Veikko was taught about blacksmithing basics by his father doing his forging on a charcoal fire, but he's mostly self taught. In fact he learned puukko making by himself. Before 1978 he used to forge agriculture tools, then he was asked by Lauri-Tuottet, a small souvenir company in Rovaniemi, to forge blades for them.

That's when he started to forge blades and make puukkos regularly. Since then he has focused on knives only and his Kullervo Puukko, named for a character in the. Kalevala the national saga of Finland. Is now a registered trade mark in Finland. His goal has always been to make the finest knives possible, as precise as possible, paying careful attention to details and giving the best of himself to every knife. In thirty five years of knife making for a living he has received major awards twice, even though this isn't really important to him. In 1986 his Kullervo won a puukko contest in "Metsästys & Kalastus" (Hunting & Fishing) magazine and in 1995 he was chosen as the best Finnish knife smith. Here is his description of his Puuko making process.

The blade is hand forged from xc75 carbon steel and heat treated to 62-63HRC. The blade has visible hammer marks and the initials VH pressed together. The sheath is made of 3mm leather with a nylon insert for protection and a leather thong belt loop.

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