tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10644751328653385632024-03-13T23:22:23.856+02:00Perkele´s BlogSome slowly updating notes about me,my life,outdoor activities,bushcraft,knives,survival skills etc...Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-58430077305161184612012-10-03T12:13:00.000+03:002014-01-06T15:11:33.593+02:00Simple restoration of Marttiini leuku.Heres a few pictures of the Marttiini´s leuku that i wrote about, a few days ago. So far, ive understood that its propably from year 1967, give or take 2 years, but most likely my dad received it as a gift from his dad and uncle at that year, since they thought that it would be more than needed and suitable outdoors gear for my father who was a scout back then.<br />
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The leuku had a tiny tiny compass when it left the factory, just as i remembered. But last time that i saw the leuku as a kid, in early 80´s, it still had the compass, and now i know that it was broken already at that time. When tis knife arrived to me few days ago, it didnt have even the remains of the compass anymore, as it had fallen off, when the soldering that held the compass sunken in the butt cap, had cracked.<br />
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Who know where the compass is now, propably my grandfather had dropped it in the forest of something. Anyways, there was only the hole for the compass left. My grandpa had put in the place, a tiny red plastic cap upside down, held i place with stubby small wood screw, yanked in to the lead in the handle. "<i>whatever works</i>" attitude i guess.<br />
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Well, as i figured out that i´d like to do a small restoration to the knife, before i decide, whether id keep it as a user, or put it in my treasurebox with all the other old things with sentimental value, i started to put the knife in pieces. After removing the beaten buttcap, i had to use all sorts of minidrill bits to grind away the lead inside the handle. You see, its actually pretty clever old school method to lock in the tang this way especially in my leuku´s case, as it does not have a fully protruding tang, as it had the sunken compass in the handle. The tangs hole, is circular, about 11 millimeter diameter, and it goes do depth of about 30 millimeters, and there it joints, to the tapered shape hole, that comes from the blades end of the handle. And when you first assemble the bolster / ferrule to the handle, then you press in the blade.<br />
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In the end of tang, theres a few notches, that reach to the drilled circular hole, and when the blade in its place, you turn the knife upwards, tip down, and pour in the lead, that runs all the way to the tang, locking itself to both , the handle material, as well as the notched area of the tang.<br />
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Its actually one hellova rigid and durable as the lead wont crack easily at all and sure takes an effort to remove the blade, the lead keeps it in the handle like a chewing gum in your hair.<br />
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Well after grinding, i finally could pull out the well seated blade off the handle. I was very keen to see how the wood had managed to exist under the ferrule, and it was pretty ok, although the ferrule was loose. In older days, the glues werent like they are now, and hey, this knife is already relatively old no matter how you look at it, so it wasnt surprising that parts are letting loose, since this was once a user, owned by persons who didnt give much mercy to any of their knives. You figure out this, when you see old marks of hammering, in the buttcap and once the point of tip, had cracked so the blade is like 5 millimeter shorter than originally etc.<br />
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By removing parts from each other, i had much better chance to fix the knife and make sure that the tang is still in one piece, and also to make sure that all the parts would be then put back in reliable way. I could have easily just grind away the clear coat of the handle and sand the metal parts to make it look good, just as i could inject a tiny drip of epoxy to remove the rattes caused by loose ferrule ad butt cap. But as i was interested to learn the way of how the tag was held in place by factory, i wanted to go this way.<br />
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I have seen a good few similar old leukus from Marttiini, in few sizes and with carbon steel blades, about same age, and i have to say, that only one of em all had a cracked tang and i think, it was not about the quality of material nor the build, as they had been beaten, batoned, with wood and hammers, etc, and i see it as a damage caused by mistreatment. I would baton my stick tang knives only in case of life and death or similar, not along a dayhikes and general outdoors life. Offcourse, if you have a very long ferrule, very good handle material and truely robust tang, it would be maybe a different case but ersonally, i see that kind of thing as a abuse. Any stick tang, will get loose, and any ferrule cup will get loose in time , even if not batoned i believe..but without batoning, it might be like 10 years of use, with batoning it might be about few days only...<br />
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Oh, back to the subject.<br />
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I ground and sanded away the old marble like cracked clear coat off from the handle, and then i sanded it using 60,80,100,120 and 240 sandpapers. Its still clearly on the rough side, but its that on purpose, to give a better feel and grip, yet its not coarse by any means.<br />
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Then i started to clean the front ferrule cup, and i scratched the inside of it, to get a good surface for the epoxy to attach. Also, i used a simple polishing wheel, made from felt, with automotive chrome bumber polisher on it, to clean the visible side. I say "clean" as i only cleaned the metal parts, since in all the nicks, scratches, dings and such, lies the lifestory of this knife. Its offcourse, because this has also a sentimental value to me. If this knife would have been from anonymous stranger, i would have sanded and smoothed it out much more, and then it would have looked more like a new knife, but this was my way of doing it in this case. To leave the marks of knifes life, instead of resetting it :)<br />
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The butt cap, that had the small hole, left by missing compass, was next. I only used brass brush and felt wheel to it, so it would be clean but also show the marks of its life in it. I used a 0.2mm thin/thick brass plate piece and a very very thin small piece of moose leather, glued on top of the brass piece, to make a cover plate, to block the compass hole. If i ever find a suitable compass to the buttcap, its easy to remove the block plate and put the compass back on its place. I own one broken leuku, that would be a good donor, of butt cap, without compass hole, but then again, it would not be so unique and same knife anymore, after swithching parts from other knife.<br />
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It has a quite good tang, thats pretty beefy from the start and tapers slowly, not a straight thin stick-like tang that you sometimes see...<br />
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Then i looked the blade ,and washed it, then used a #1000 sand paper to give it a hint of better, even look. All the marks of its life are still there though , and if i would have started to sand the blade all the way, it would have been enormous task to make it like a new, and in the process i bet i would have ruined the old etched decortions as well. then i sharpened it a bit, and smoothed out the spine, so it does not have so strong hammer batoning marks anymore, and also....it now has sharper edges, the spine, to be used for scraping and firesteel use if i get tempted to use this knife.<br />
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Then i used slowly drying epoxy, to glue the front ferrule in its place, and smeared the epoxy in to the tang, and yanked them in their place . After they dried, i melted shotgun ammo lead, and poured it, in to the handle so that it would swim around the tangs notches and lock it in its place as it was originally done.<br />
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Then i only put back in, the the butt cap with it new hole covering plate gimmick, let it all settle and dry ad after a good while, i started to brush the wood oil to the handle, time after time and when it stopped to suck in the oil, i rubbed away the excess oil, let it be for a few hours and then rubbed in some hard bees wax, that i slightly warmed, and rubbed & polished with an old wool sock. How sophisticated and dedicated tools !<br />
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Now, i know that the tang is ok, not broken ,just as i know that the tang is well attached and in its place as well as i know that the ferrule is well and snugly fitting, fixed in its place as is the buttcap too. So i think that i can somewhat trust the knifes build again and if theres something going wrong, its my fault and due to my own job with the knives restoration.<br />
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The sheath was pretty ok, for its age. The belt loop is perfectly fine and i sunk in a lot of leather oil to it to keep it all healthy, and i rubbed the sheath with beeswax too, after it was througly oiled with leather oil. One nice old detail in the sheath was that t has a wooden liner, made out of some wet molded (?) plywood, instead of any type of plastic. The fishtail, seems to wear i all sheaths of these leukus, at this age. Mine is still somewhat intact but very worn and if it drops away, then it drops, but i sure wont cut it off, time will, if anyone.<br />
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Oh boy.... this knife sure takes me down the memory lane, to the days when i was kid and life was all about reading the first Woodchucks guide books ever seen in Finland,making bows and arrows, playing with your first knives and stealing your dads matches for making campfire with your buddies...<br />
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Well thats about it for now i have been enjoying the time while studying the build of this leuku, and giving it some some more days to exist.<br />
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..this wont be the last of its kind in my possession ;)<br />
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<br />Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-84754377140664842362012-09-24T23:01:00.001+03:002012-09-24T23:04:49.772+03:00Leuku of my father,and his father.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At first, sorry for the weak picture. But its the best i have in my hands right at the moment.<br />
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Every year, i have mentioned my fathers old leuku while we´ve had been over the phone, like in every chat over these last 12 years or so. Today, about 30 mins ago, i received an multimedia message to my phone from him and i was what the heck....and when i got it open i was like what the hell. He had all of the sudden gone through his boxes and carage and while doinf that, came across this old leuku. Its the frigging same that i always wanted from him when i was kid. For what i can remember, my grandfather owned this first, and gave it to my dad as a birthday present when he was teenager or under 20 for sure. At some point, the leuku found its way back to my grampas possession to serve as his hiking knife, during tenths of trips around the eastern and northern Finand, just as it did on my dads belt as well. Well in any case, last years this leuku just serves as memorabilia, in my grandpas trailer, as he had a stable summer place where they lived in the trailer for some 20 summers with my grandmom. The leuku just hanged from a hook along with other decorative stuff and they never gave it to me....well i was justa tiny kid back then, 10 years or so, maybe 12.....24 years ago maybe. When my grandpa died couple of years ago, the leuku was given back to my dad and he didnt use it ever. He liked it but hes old man and settle s for small puukkos in his fishing and camping trips, which he still seems to like, and i dont wonder as he had a loooooong life in the scouts,all the way from puppy to instructor / leader and i think i went to scouts myself, automatically, kind of, as he had been there for ages, as well as my grandfather. Oh anyways, i am soooo glad to see that the leuku made it to these days, and in that poor quality pic, it seems to be doing pretty fine , and still its used as all around knife once. Maybe it has survived in decent condition because it was turned in to more decorative item, so long ago, so it has rested for over 20 years in warm dry conditions. If i really remember right, and i am remembering the same exact knife, this leuku might have a small brass compass sunken in its butt plate. Hopefully i remember right, as as a kid, i remember, that some of the knives either my grandpa or my dad had, had a brass butt cap, with tiny compass. Well....even if it has, its pretty sure that its broken after all these years, as welll as the fact that it was a everyday user before it got retired. If it has the compass, i want to contact to the factory that made it, and ask for the manufacturing year and such.<br />
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Well...rigth now, i donno, should i keep using this after doing the repairs that have to be made, since id like to restore this, instead of raping it with any creepy mods like tearing off the fishtail of its sheath..one mod that i dont understand with leukus that originally had often the fishtail, that also has and still has a function. The only mod i think ill be seeing reasonable, is to remove all the clear finish off from the handle, as it would only do good to the handle and offer a good grip.<br />
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I dont have yet, a slightes clue about the age of the knife but i do know that it was clearly looked as an old knife, at early 80´s, and that it had served for very long time before eighties. Maybe its from early seventies, as it would fit to the age of my dad when he received it.<br />
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Well, as this old leuku arrives to me, ill be taking more pics and telling about it. Yes, i do know that its "just a factory made leuku", but back in those days, even the tourist leukus werent so bad as some are nowadays....shiny blade that attaches to magnet is also a good detail ;).Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-76505149452089987702012-08-24T23:44:00.000+03:002012-08-24T23:44:21.012+03:00Little shelter updateHeres a few quick snapshots of my shelter progress. The cloth is -due to my lack of money- just made out of two tarpaulin pieces. BUT, i did NOT settle just to throw the tarpaulin over the frame, no sir, the squa shaped cloth just wont ever fit so well to cone-shaped shelter. So i cut the pieces to proper shape to make it fit a Lot better than it would be in square shape.<br />
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The cloth isnt ready yet, ill be reinforcing and cleaning the ends of it and such, so ill take it once more off the frame, to finish it a bit, then ill make a door thingy in to it as well.<br />
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There will be dew-cloth, fire place, and all kinds of small details, to make. <br />
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Stop by, to see how it goes....loads of stuff to do, to get it all ready and comfy for the upcoming fall rain as well as for winter use.Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-54863453672908678592012-08-17T22:12:00.002+03:002014-01-06T15:13:15.587+02:00Simple Kota / Lavvu interpretation, part 1.As the fall arrives without a doubt, and it comes with grouse hunting season and other activities , i started to make a new shelter. Its sadly not made like , nor to be any "real" saame/saami kota nor lavvu, its just a simple hideout in that vein.I am still thinking of converting this quite a bit to make it more "real", though.. But, i think, that as its made out of birch, and it stands surrounded by relatively small birch ( compared to other birch areas in this part of Finland ), and that i made it all the way with just one tool, my leuku, made by my good buddy <a href="http://www.tkotavuopio.net/" style="color: red;">TK</a>, from lapland, it reflects a bit of that norhern style already ?. It was hellova stuff to chop off all the birch trunks with that leuku as its the lightest and shortest that i have.<br />
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I do need more of birch still, to make reinforcing pieces, bedding items, some pieces that i can tie in the upper part of the shelter, to make a horizontal, triangular shaped part that i can use to hang my pots, wet clothing and to cure meat with smoke maybe.<br />
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The ends of birch poles, i sharpened in a crude way, and then threw the end in to campfire, to burn the bare birch ends, so they get a good coal on em, as coal really stands against time. So the ends wont rot so easily at all, when driven in to the ground, as they have burnt well.<br />
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You know, in many cases, archeologists find remains of old log houses etc, that were burn, and not so much remains of un-burnt structures...I was going to strip away all the bark from the poles, so the wood would dry pretty quick , but as i did have limited time to make this stuff today, i just used leuku to peel off an inch or so, wide strip of bark, of every pole, for the entire length of em. This way, the wood will dry too, but slower, but its important, as wet, fully covered by bark, birch would start to rot inside the bark...not good, i say. Its just a small detail to make the poles live longer and harder. The shelter is just tad over 4 meters in diameter, so its very ok size for three grown men to nest inside, sleep and hang out, and its bit over 4.5 meters tall to the joint of poles. I used a 2.1 meter rope, with two nails tied on the ends of rope, to draw the ring, in to the ground, and to make sure that its circular shaped. I just stuffed the other ends nail in to the ground, pulled the rope tight and used the other tied nail as a scraper or a pen. then i whittled some dozen sticks, and pushed em in to the ground so te circular shape was more visible.<br />
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Then i tied the first three poles that were the thickest ones, together , and lifted the tripod that was formed up, and adjusted them, in to the drawn circle, so that the distance between them was somewhat equal. Then i kept adding three poles at a time, between these first three, so they are pretty well tied together now, and as i have time, ill tie em all together with a thin welded chain, that has long loose, hanging end too, to be used as a pot hanger.<br />
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But, this is how it is now, and ill write more, when i get it done more and more. I sure would like to spand overnighters and time in this, especially during winter.....winter, my favourite part of year.<br />
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<br />Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-59792611319723495332012-07-29T20:18:00.001+03:002014-01-06T15:12:10.258+02:00Tar making and few misc. picsWhat i am learning, is the making of tar in a pretty old the traditional Finnish way. During next week, ill be having an over nighter watching and ...well...smelling the "tar grave" smouldering and finally giving some of that black gold, made slowly and carefully, watched and taken care of, over a week, around the clock by group of approximately 20 voluntaries who are interested in old methods of the "old world" that still are worth learning and passing on, even today in this modernized busy world in which there is factories to make tar if man wants some. Well, my opinion is that learning the past, is the only way to see clearly to the future.<br />
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Man, even the houses were a lot nicer and to my taste ,back then.<br />
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Ill be taking more pictures, of my overnighter and the tar grave as it changes as time goes, and at next saturday i think the making will be ending, the final drops of tar are in the wooden old barrels, and the grave with its fine charcoals...that crave for, to get some in to my blacksmith shed, naturally...are covered to reassure that there will not be anything causing forest fires. I think ill take just some old fashion gear along with my simple tarp shelter, and have a good time.<br />
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But, heres a few shots i took. <first a="" always="" and="" back="" better="" business="" capable="" compared="" consume="" daily="" day.="" day="" days="" different="" displaying="" every="" find="" for="" healthier="" how="" i="" in="" interesting.="" is="" items="" just="" life="" lifestyle="" liked.="" lives.="" lot="" make="" making="" matter="" mean="" men="" miscellanous="" modern="" more="" much="" nbsp="" need="" needed="" no="" nor="" of="" old="" our="" p="" people="" pictures="" see="" self="" sense="" shops="" stayed="" stronger="" sufficient="" tell="" that="" the="" their="" there="" theres="" theyre="" things="" this="" to="" too="" try="" very="" visit="" was="" wasnt="" way.="" ways="" were="" work="" yet=""></first><br />
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"Ships were wooden, men were steel", is what i think !<br />
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Can you make your own vessels for containing fish, meat, milk ? With your own hands, from wood without electric machinery ? Are you willing to travel LONG distances to buy salt, though the winter, lets say with kick-sled ? Can you make your own quilts and mats `? I can not, and i am ashamed of it a bit.<br />
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Do you save your own tools, are they here after 50-100 years after you have passed away ? Did you use em every day, to earn your bread and milk, to heat up your selfmade log house ?<br />
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We can ust grab our wheat and bread, from shop and microwave it and such....they could not.<br />
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A small reminder of days when even whetstones, used for scythes and puukkos, were used all the way till they wore out,both the blades and the stones. We buy new diamond rods just like that. Weird , aint it ?<br />
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We dont have to saw, whittle and carve our lanterns to have lights on our carages.<br />
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This was an luxury item once. Now its collectible, luckily.<br />
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The place of cleansing, birth, healing, social gathering. Sauna, a smoke sauna, to be exact.<br />
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Luckily, i can bath in smokesaunas just as They did back in the days. <br />
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Scythes, with manmade handles. Functional, reliable, economical, ergonomically beautiful. Compare to soul-less injected plastic <br />
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`To keep the tools edgy. These were used till the end, and worth a lot. Some made their own stones too. We and our electric,bought sharpeners ? This is truely an item that i like, as its made to maintenance the tools that were and stilla re to many, precious and useful tools, and in their plain simple style, they represent a variety of skill levels men had. Some TAHKO´s are like jewellery, and some are very crude, but they all work, which was the point of the whole tool after all.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp26C2u6jy0/UBVmKBtyVdI/AAAAAAAACtc/magh8KOlbsg/s1600/tervakeksi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp26C2u6jy0/UBVmKBtyVdI/AAAAAAAACtc/magh8KOlbsg/s320/tervakeksi.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></a></div>
Wooden tar bucket, and an " tukkinkeksi". Bucket, was handmade, to carry handmade tar, and mayb its made from the same wood, that the wood handling hook & spike was made from too, who knows. Anyways, these also represent the importance of forest, wood material and also the crafting skills required to live mostly off the land once.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--l5aefSEb3o/UBVmSUUn5sI/AAAAAAAACtk/UzKADTCGW9M/s1600/verkontekoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--l5aefSEb3o/UBVmSUUn5sI/AAAAAAAACtk/UzKADTCGW9M/s320/verkontekoa.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Making nets from cotton/wool material thread..... almost forgotten skill,sadly.<br />
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And heres the tar making pics that i got before batteries went down...how surprising. I was originally going to the tar burning crew but my neck issues are making it a bit tough to kneel and move in a certain way for a while, but i am still putting up my camp next to the site and harass the crew and take pictures, who knows if i can do little bit of task too. I noticed a familiar face in the crew so i might still get a chance, no matter what the doc says :), so stay tuned, in next sunday i migth be posting more about this thing and how it went. I am also planning to fish and craft few things at the trip. Surely, i could use some company there too, but its also very nice to spend time alone too, i dont have a thing against some solitude.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmJ5agkzYpk/UBVq6r5w3vI/AAAAAAAACuI/1koZwgiBx0k/s1600/tervakset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmJ5agkzYpk/UBVq6r5w3vI/AAAAAAAACuI/1koZwgiBx0k/s320/tervakset.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The "tervakset"...... wood that contains a lot of resin....old stumps of pine, and such.<br />
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These are carefully laid in certain form to make the "tervahauta", the "tar grave" or a "miilu" as we call em often. The wood is laid on a hard packed clay base , dug in the sandy soil, thats like funnel, that directs the tar as it starts to form, in to the hole in the bottom of the funnel. On top of this circular shaped wood pile, is tight cover layer of moss, clay and sometimes stuff that covers swamps. This cover has to be watched all the time, and fixed, so that the grave wont catch a huge fire.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pW06FCp78c/UBVtVMlebHI/AAAAAAAACuQ/Whr8So-As10/s1600/miiluhauta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pW06FCp78c/UBVtVMlebHI/AAAAAAAACuQ/Whr8So-As10/s320/miiluhauta.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It has to be hot and smouldering, but not in open fire, as the tar is formed by heat that squeeses, kind of, the tar out of the wooden material, between some 160 to 320 degrees.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bz6_MBDT7Vk/UBVtrrYZEGI/AAAAAAAACug/4EosCN3mx1s/s1600/tervatiinu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bz6_MBDT7Vk/UBVtrrYZEGI/AAAAAAAACug/4EosCN3mx1s/s320/tervatiinu.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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As the tar runs through the hole, its then guided through a wooden channel, running under the grave, so that in it can be collected, from the end of this tunnel, in to the tar drums, buckets and such.<br />
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<br />Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-87638282090010981462012-07-27T22:36:00.000+03:002012-07-27T22:36:25.477+03:00Wooden fork with leukuHeres a 34 minute attempt to make a some type of a fork, from wood. I made it from birch, and with a leuku from Ilkka Seikku. Ill be crafting small things, with just few leukus, i think, to show that leukus are VERY capable tools for variety of different tasks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufcPPEZWhmU/UBLs4rZYZDI/AAAAAAAACrE/FnJ_Hfok9lo/s1600/haarukka3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufcPPEZWhmU/UBLs4rZYZDI/AAAAAAAACrE/FnJ_Hfok9lo/s320/haarukka3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kug66BaVU8o/UBLtCks6ITI/AAAAAAAACrk/DvyIVixo410/s1600/huarukka2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kug66BaVU8o/UBLtCks6ITI/AAAAAAAACrk/DvyIVixo410/s320/huarukka2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GywagSHtsO8/UBLtD_0yqrI/AAAAAAAACrs/nD-9kwkimf0/s1600/huorakku1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GywagSHtsO8/UBLtD_0yqrI/AAAAAAAACrs/nD-9kwkimf0/s320/huorakku1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrwyjGr8ces/UBLtBovkSaI/AAAAAAAACrc/yd7-mZvJwl0/s1600/haarukka%C3%B6%C3%B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrwyjGr8ces/UBLtBovkSaI/AAAAAAAACrc/yd7-mZvJwl0/s320/haarukka%C3%B6%C3%B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXh7z9MN_Iw/UBLs6_KtIKI/AAAAAAAACrM/m8LCaDl-iKo/s1600/haarukka4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXh7z9MN_Iw/UBLs6_KtIKI/AAAAAAAACrM/m8LCaDl-iKo/s320/haarukka4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-23148906775113145932012-07-02T22:43:00.000+03:002012-07-02T22:43:42.331+03:00Venture Tech Sheath Systems P.A.C.K One point One (1.1) incoming.This summer sure keeps me busy at work, but, i am trying to get some weekends totally free to do some outdoors stuff and crafts.<br />
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Also, along few other items, i am going to offer you a review & field use review, of this very interesting new pack, that i REALLY think to fit the bills & needs of many different outdoorsmen, from Bushcrafters to hunters, and from dayhikers to UltraLight packpackers and several others. What i found immediately, when i saw the pack for the first time, as best thing of this pack was that its made to be customised, so that you dont have to pay for functions that you dont need and offers you a simple way to sew accessory pockets, buckles,straps and such in the way that YOU need to have em. Also, i dont know any other pack that comes un-dyed, un-waxed , as does this pack, so you can use your favourite tin-cloth mix, greenland wax or anything, to treat your pack as waterproof as you want, after you have customised and dyed in the way You want it. Also, its old, vintage like appearance must be a joy for many people out there, who like to use older looking gear, without having to break your bank to get one. Just switch the buckles to brass ones, or steel....and you have an affordable, new rugged, pack to carry your gear.<br />
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Its the clever pack from <a href="http://www.venturetechsheaths.com/index.html"><u style="color: red;"><i><b>Venture Tech</b></i></u></a> , named as "P.A.C.K" that comes from <b>P</b>ersonally <b>A</b>ccessorized <b>C</b>anvas <b>K</b>napsack<em>. </em><br />
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<em>You can already read about the first 1.0 version of this pack, at <a href="http://www.woodsmonkey.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=767:venture-tech-sheath-systems-pack-one&catid=38:packs-bags-a-pouches&Itemid=58" style="color: red;">Woodsmonkey</a>.</em><br />
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</em>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-82401917392850905252012-06-24T23:20:00.000+03:002012-06-24T23:20:20.572+03:00Spoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmU52LXfqVk/T-d2R3z77UI/AAAAAAAACq4/e_mjEhiug1A/s1600/lusikkaplokiin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmU52LXfqVk/T-d2R3z77UI/AAAAAAAACq4/e_mjEhiug1A/s320/lusikkaplokiin1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Just a crude wooden spoon that i made in an hour or so, with relatively large leuku. Some say that leukus cant be used for any small works but i dont agree.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHTtKznD3c0/T-d2LzWrv4I/AAAAAAAACqw/Y5H1V84cKzU/s1600/lusikka3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHTtKznD3c0/T-d2LzWrv4I/AAAAAAAACqw/Y5H1V84cKzU/s320/lusikka3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-ld_4kvFyU/T-d2LFhYItI/AAAAAAAACqo/J4ZaRF7xQG8/s1600/lusikka2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-ld_4kvFyU/T-d2LFhYItI/AAAAAAAACqo/J4ZaRF7xQG8/s320/lusikka2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EbmVatCD5A/T-d2KHPqDOI/AAAAAAAACqg/J6jEtkBXFrY/s1600/lusikka1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EbmVatCD5A/T-d2KHPqDOI/AAAAAAAACqg/J6jEtkBXFrY/s320/lusikka1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-61224314525840527242012-05-20T15:43:00.000+03:002014-01-06T15:27:00.657+02:00Possibles pouch.Just a small quickly done possibles pouch i did yesterday. Nothing fancy, its not finished well but hey, its a user.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OHpP82d4j9g/T7jjqZdPzLI/AAAAAAAACdw/wilDQ-Oh1U0/s1600/IMG_0904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OHpP82d4j9g/T7jjqZdPzLI/AAAAAAAACdw/wilDQ-Oh1U0/s320/IMG_0904.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sagRdlfZtfo/T7jj1eVjDFI/AAAAAAAACd4/tMdE0mLUL7g/s1600/IMG_0905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sagRdlfZtfo/T7jj1eVjDFI/AAAAAAAACd4/tMdE0mLUL7g/s320/IMG_0905.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I started it by sketching something in to paper, making it a pattern that cut off, and copied to leather piece, which made it easy to make this. I was thinking of putting the seams inside but for reasons unknown, i stitched it so that the seams are on the outside.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7G1NjOXFMo/T7jkCMfzsZI/AAAAAAAACeA/Xh1mvcSIGTk/s1600/IMG_0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7G1NjOXFMo/T7jkCMfzsZI/AAAAAAAACeA/Xh1mvcSIGTk/s320/IMG_0907.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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After i cut the leather pattern it was fast to stitch this up as it does not have much to sew. I didnt find any metal snaps or buttons so i tinkered this button from some stainless washer, a split rivet and inside, theres also a brass washer to keep it all together, and it seems to be sturdy indeed.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oPZC4rPrPX0/T7jk5bNzWtI/AAAAAAAACeQ/9eIIoSfVemA/s1600/IMG_0939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oPZC4rPrPX0/T7jk5bNzWtI/AAAAAAAACeQ/9eIIoSfVemA/s320/IMG_0939.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Simple wide belt loop, and under the flap, there are good sized flaps too, that fold inside if needed but they do a good job preventing any stuff to fall accidentally from my pouch. I have made pouches without inner flaps but no more, the small items always drop easier if there just one main flap covering the contents.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ucJ92ljflnk/T7jkczhbqFI/AAAAAAAACeI/iqpgCRsiF3Y/s1600/IMG_0918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ucJ92ljflnk/T7jkczhbqFI/AAAAAAAACeI/iqpgCRsiF3Y/s320/IMG_0918.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Its about 4cm x 11cm x 11 cm sized, so i can stuff a multitool in it, and i didnt want to make this too big at all, as i have pouches that are way bigger and also, pouches far smaller than this, so my new pouch fill the gap between.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdCFOFjBmCY/T7jlac6mEeI/AAAAAAAACeY/6Nk7ozCY8xE/s1600/IMG_0924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdCFOFjBmCY/T7jlac6mEeI/AAAAAAAACeY/6Nk7ozCY8xE/s320/IMG_0924.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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After the leather dye dries, as well as the saddle leather oil that i poured all over this, the final colour will be bit more red. I made a few decoratives to this, 2 axes and "my" rune, a few spruce branches...or atleast i see em like that :), a wolverine´s paw and under the flap, theres a clumsy attempt to write..sorry that its not perfect my any means, but my handwriting is what it is,heh. Anyways, its says, in english something like " <i>adapt to nature and it will provide you</i>."<br />
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Thats it, i am off to sew a puukko´s sheath.<br />
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<br />Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-5759409867754369592012-05-01T15:23:00.002+03:002012-05-01T15:26:30.791+03:00Small trick, for 22. ammoAs i use .22 cal myself, i am sometimes lurking for blog stories about .22´s and just yesterday, or day before that i found <a href="http://www.americangrouch.com/2012/04/woods-bummin-gun-part-ii.html">this article by American Grouch</a> and i wanted to throw in one of my ideas.<br />
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I am not claiming that this would be "invented" by me, or anything, but i havent ever seen anyone mentioning, nor carrying one. You see, i have noticed, that .22 are kind of a pain in the butt for one reason. They are so small, that if you drop a few of them in pockets, they are harder to find by hand, than lets say .308 ammo, or shotgun ammo. They get stuck in seams, and such, almost disappear, and if not, they sure tend to rattle, meaning theyre noisy fellows in loose pockets,especially. There are few .22 ammo boxes, made out of platic, but they are usually way too bulky and have room for big load of ammo,and yes, they rattle too. This, is about ammo boxes ive encountered in Finland, and i donno a thaaaaang about overseas stuff, sorry. You migh be lucky to have better,smaller, quiet ammo holders / boxes, i dont.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_eZt7H6n9iA/T5_Vee-luXI/AAAAAAAACdQ/YLLwEy9eGhI/s1600/22trik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_eZt7H6n9iA/T5_Vee-luXI/AAAAAAAACdQ/YLLwEy9eGhI/s320/22trik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyways, as i have a variety of old bit holders, for screwdriver bits, those 1/4" ones that you see everywhere, it just occurred me, that the diameters of .22 ammo are pretty much like in quarter inch bits, i took one bit holder, and yes sir, the ammo, went in, and stays there, not too tight to be hard to pull out, but its still super easy to pick up. The holder in my picture, is from Leatherman, it held bits in big combo sheath, meant for Super Tool and its bit adapter back in the days, now its my silent ammo holder, and i dont have to play too much with my fingers in my pockets, trying to find those tiny shells.<br />
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Well, this isnt much but just a little something.Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-12438794484512870832012-03-25T12:37:00.000+03:002012-03-25T12:37:15.844+03:00Backroads & springAlmost every day i stumble up on pages telling that the snow is melting quickly away. Luckily not here :).<br />
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We´ve been clearing out the road to cabin, and theres still some 20-30 tree trunks, from 4 inch to 12 inch diameter to saw and pull away, loads of work before we can easily haul gear and supplies to the cabin. Offcourse we can use snowshoes and ski´s, pulks and sleds, but 100 liters of diesel, 2 chainsaws, etc goes easier with 4x4 `s.<br />
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Theres still some....i donno...50+ centimeters averywhere and in the deeper parts almost meter.<br />
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- 31" legal, non off-road studded wheels.<br />
- 2" inch lift. <br />
- sway bars removed. <br />
- intercoolers cover mesh removed.<br />
- +30 hp chip.<br />
- free flow air filter.<br />
- better flowing bigger exhaust with catalysator.<br />
Thats about it, nothing serious done to it.Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-40758305001160413952012-03-04T23:00:00.000+02:002012-03-04T23:00:20.022+02:00This day, sunny one, chillin´ at the cabin.Today i was trying out the leuku´s and hopefully i get the rest of testin´done in a week so i can post the sequel of my first post about those 5 leukus.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nn9Ue57I19c/T1PPoPsjWwI/AAAAAAAACOw/21XREF7T9XA/s1600/a800+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nn9Ue57I19c/T1PPoPsjWwI/AAAAAAAACOw/21XREF7T9XA/s320/a800+031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Anyways, it was a sunny warm day, just some -5 C degrees, and i was hanging out at my friends cabin by the lake. I´ve been plowing the snows off from his yard road, and yard, and general small maintenance as he´s a travlein man and this 100 years old place of his is mostly un-used. So i get to be there a lot all by myself .<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2yX8fjhja4/T1PR415SmcI/AAAAAAAACPY/icwi_B6FA-8/s1600/a800+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2yX8fjhja4/T1PR415SmcI/AAAAAAAACPY/icwi_B6FA-8/s320/a800+049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Small kit, more than enough for short easy "walks in the park".<br />
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We packed some wood in one of my ahkio´s ( the sled) and walked across the icy lake, just some 2.5 kilometers from our home to his cabin,and my gf made a small fire in the grill when i was using an auger and my vintage Billnäs trenching shovel to make an hole thru the ice, so we can skinny dip in the lake while bathing in sauna, and to get water in the buckets, for sauna use.<br />
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Aside the leuku testing and taking photos of em, we didnt do much, it took some elbow grease to make the hole, and smash the opening big enough for man to dip in it. We just fried some bacon and eggs in the grill, and i put a fire in the small stove of the cabin, and just hanged out, i tried to play with leukus and tell my girlfrined how to throw suopunki that i bringed along. One lesson o learned, was that i REALLY have to get some high-quality rechargable batteries for my camera as once again the older but charged batteries i had, ran out wayyyy to early and i missed many good chances for better pictures.<br />
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...well i did and extreme task of boiling a cup of coffee in teh stove, if thats worth mentioning :) ?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUSDzw1rSNs/T1PUeYCSFmI/AAAAAAAACPg/w4VQnVLzd6E/s1600/seur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUSDzw1rSNs/T1PUeYCSFmI/AAAAAAAACPg/w4VQnVLzd6E/s320/seur.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Habit often forgotten. The prepped wood for fast & easy firemaking for the next visit / visitor.<br />
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Some 2.5 hours in sauna, at comfort of 120c degrees, took the juice off, and then we just washed and packed our gear, i prepped some small wood so its easy to put up the fire at next time..Then we slowly walked across the lake back to home, and i am feeling pretty darn relaxed and sleepy, cant complain about that. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VYBYLMd6j3M/T1PW1Ds1i-I/AAAAAAAACPw/SvFI63ZpPH8/s1600/a800+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VYBYLMd6j3M/T1PW1Ds1i-I/AAAAAAAACPw/SvFI63ZpPH8/s320/a800+050.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-45359824749682726182012-02-29T18:58:00.007+02:002014-01-06T15:24:02.639+02:005 Leukus from FinlandSo, people...<br />
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Heres the first part of the leuku review that ive been talking about. It took this long to post it, as first i had to (naturally) wait for the makers to have time to make leuku for my use, and then, the problematic time of year struck me, with storms right after x-mas and never ending snow pouring over electric lines and it caused daily electric cut-offs. Really, almost every friggin day weve been strugging more or less, with electrics, that also breaked my computer....and it wasnt the first PC to die, in time when ive had this blog. So, sorry for the delay.<br />
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First of all, i want to show my gratitude and thank the knife makers <i>very</i> much, for their surprisingly positive attitude with this project of mine. I hope, that they are happy to my work after its done....This is the first part, you know. Next one, part two, will be about use of leuku, and this is the prologue.<br />
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In this review, i am showing you the works of :<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hurttilanpaja.suntuubi.com/">Pasi Hurttila</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tkotavuopio.net/">Tero Kotavuopio</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.yp-taonta.fi/">Antti Mäkinen / YP- Taonta</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://keklut.blogspot.com/">Jani Ryynänen</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rautasarvi.fi/" style="color: red;">Ilkka Seikku </a></span><br />
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The way i see leuku, is that its a bigger knife, that was born in hands of saame people, who were back then, living a travelling life, and their knife was a about the most important tool, as it was expensive to get, as well as difficult to make back then. They didnt have, in most cases, anvils, nor a way to transport one always, so the rare people who had skills to make knives, became important part of society as well as good tradesmen. Ive heard that with one grown male reindeer, you could get two leukus, or two leukus and one womens leuku, if uou could get a bargain. Steels, were hard to get ,too, and the price of it was naturally higher than its now. They did not order leukus, i bet, like we do, with a phonecall or through an email, nor did they buy it from webshops. You had to travels for huge distances, with trading goods, to meet blacksmith or someone else who sold or traded knives and blades. You could not replace it in the true wilderness either, because the postoffices werent invented, so you really really had to keep your possibly only knife in a good safe and try not to loose it as it might mean the end of your life.<br />
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Leuku has been used in wast range of tasks, even before it "came" familiar to southern Finlands people. Its been used to skin animals, prep hides, gut, slice, chop meat, sliver branches off from the firewood, to butcher reindeerd, to build traps for birds, fish and big game like bears. They used it to carve icy and wet snow from sleds, pulks and harness of reindeer. Its not a lie, to say that if anything, leuku was a multitool of northern people.<br />
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At some point, people from north Finland, started to approach their lands, to trade goods, and to cut off the forests, etc, and in those times, leuku´s were traded and brought to southern Finland and outdoorsmen started to like them, and naturally, to make their ovn copies and versions. But it took bit more of time, before southern people, started to wonder in the lapland, as a hobby instead of work, business and exploration related travelling. I think both parties, the laplands people, as well as southern people, were part of leuku´s change, when the tourism was born. Tourists, hikers and others, soon started to want that unique knife of lapland nation, and the laplands people tried to keep up with the demands. There sure was very good quality, really handmade leukus to offer, but evidently, they had money to get, and people wanted leukus, so i think even the northerns leukus went bit low on the overall quality and the effort was put to make nice exotic looking knives, instead of making em so good in use. Anyways, the southern men naturally wanted part of the cake and started to mass produce leukus too, with all the laplands scenery,reindeers and such, printed on the sheaths. And as the time went on, i think leukus decadence was reality. carbon steel leukus started to get rare, and overall, leuku´s turned in to mass produced souvenirs, instead of actual users....? The fittings of handle and bolsters, to the blade went worse, steels were brought from overseas, as cheap as possible at some point, and such. The most significant change however, in my opinion was that the tip of the blades, the curve went much bolder, steeper, duller, than the tip of the real leukus, that were capable to carve even more delicate things if man had to, but mostly, it was capable for gutting game. Tourists and hikers usually werent hunters, so the game handling ability was soon forgotten and the more "nasty" looking dull curve of the tip, sold better as it made the knife more exotic looking, compared to puukko´s blad tip. At this point, i have to say that leuku, is its own thing. Its not a puukko, its a leuku and nobody knows, what that word stands for. Sadly, the word leuku, nowadays is used in many cases when people see just about any big bladed knife...."wow, man, whats that huge leuku you have? "....when the guy holds up a parang, a rambo-knife or any broad, long knife. <br />
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Not so long ago, the lengths of leukus were something like 18 centimeters / 7 inches was womens tool and bigger ones were mens tools. Nowadays, among the remaining reindeerhurding saame people, the 7 inch long is very common, if its guys only knife. You see, the culture among them has also changed in time, and the life of living in semipermanent shalters, that were hauled around the year, from place to another, isnt everyday life anymore. They still do it, but their basecamp, is now a real house, from which they do their scoutings. Days of making kota´s wooden poles, and repairing reindeer´s sleds, arent everyday life anymore. So its not so uncommon to see someone carrrying now a pair of leukus, that are about 15cm long and as a bigger one, they have something from 17 to 20 cm long blade. Still, i´ve seen the good old pairs, having clearly diferent sized knives, like a 15cm bladed as a smaller for calf marking and smaller, delicate tasks in meat handling and whittling, and as its pair, a big, 8 to 9 sized ones. Its still way good tool, the stuorra niibi, for any hiker and outdoorsman, who makes fires and shelter plus hunts. But, its all a matter of taste and mostly, needs.<br />
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Somehow i still also enjoy when i see people, buying leuku´s as they visit lapland and in other times. I am sad ´cause i cant really tell why leuku has the effect it has to people. I mean that just about everyone here, watches leuku´s with great interest and respect. Many people, who are starting their hiking hobby , list a wooden kuksa, and a leuku, as an important piece of kit, even today when they could do almost without any knife if they want to, as you can now carry lightweight ready shelters, ready-to-eat meals and such, that does not require no bigger knife that a swiss army pocket knife to open and use. Its something that you cant explain or draw diaphrams. LUCKILY its some primitivi-sh thing that still makes people to want leuku...... and not without a reason, as we know that once it was mans best tool in northern harsh conditions.<br />
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I asked, at start, from many makers, for leuku´s, within these lines:<br />
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- Length, from about 8 to about 9 inches if possible, but everything was accepted. I was interested to see "stuorra niibi" knives on the first hand, instead of the smaller leukus, that are often referred as "unna niibas".<br />
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-Simple, more raw tool-like finish. This was to get a knife, in which you Dont pay for time spent on any decoration that affects the price. If the decorating and smoother finishing would not affect the price, it was ok too.<br />
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-Price. 200 euros at max. This, was to keep the range of leukus similar, and because i want to show you knives that just about anyone could afford, instead of showcase pieces with 400+ euro price tags.<br />
Still, 200 euros isnt easy money, and most of these leukus arent close to that price,no, they are cheaper.<br />
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-Simple sheath. Same reason as with knife itself. No gimmicks, no expensive finishing / decorations if it affects the price.<br />
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-Appearance. I asked for knives, that makers, as well as everybody, would call Leuku, instantly. So, we wont see any full tang leukus, nor kukri´s with reindeer antler handles, and i think theres not even black coated tactical sharp-corner,hand chewing leuku´s either.<br />
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I have been thinking about philosophy of the leuku, as well as the tech-side of leuku pretty much for long time and i still cant say that there is just one way to make one. One kind of a major difference, between the old, "true" handmade leukus from lapland, compared to interpretation of leuku, from southern finland, as well as the difference between majority of old days leuku´s and today´s laukus, is the thickness of blade. In many, many books as in life, you see leuku´s that are from 3.5 to 4 millimeters thick. This i think, is due to the fact that in north, the wood material is so much thinner, that you simply dont need any bigger, and therefore heavier, blade, to cut your tiny, stiff grain birch. And in many areas, the pinewood there is thinner, compared to southern Finlands woods. In south, people have to chop and split much thicker material, and often the big leuku is more than good replacement for small hiking & camping axe. Axes, by the way, excisted among sami people, but they were more like tools, used in stable camps, and transported in sleds, but maybe a sole man, didnt need an axe so often while doing his trips, as the wood materials used during hikes, isnt that thick and axes were used to build permanent lavvu´s and such, that had to be made from strong wood.<br />
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One thing, that occurred to my mind is the fact, that as the original users, the saame people, who travelled most of the year, after their reindeer herd, farming it, they also used their leuku´s as game handling knife, meaning that all the major butchering from opening and gutting to raw splitting of meat, was done with one leuku. This, is something that is usually all but forgotten in southern Finland. The fact that leuku was, is and will be good hunting knife, when the knife is done properly. I think that leuku, has evolved from reindeer farmers multitool, that made life possible in northern Finland, to bit sad state. People buy leuku´s because it brings the magical saame / lapland stories to their mind and they use it either as a souvenir,or as an small axe replacement only. And as the leuku´s original idea, of game handling capable machete-like utility knife, has been forgotten, few Finnish companies have stopped making carbon steel bladed leukus with bolder, "cat cheek" bevels, because "people want leuku´s that are shiney, easy to maintain and with whittling bevels and edge". So we have lots of eye-candy leuku´s , with whittling-puukko´s bevels, that are cant stand the tasks, in which leukus were originally made. Bit weird in my mind. Luckily, we still have company like Roselli, that still makes , in larger factory scale, more rugged and simple, carbon steel leuku´s with better edge and more suitable for real field use. Thats a good alternative, for hand forged, custom made leuku, if youre in bit of hurry to get a leuku that you are about to use and not just pose with it. In my opinion, when youre living on a budget, and desire a leuku, just stay as far as possible from stainless steel and then you have a good chance to get a leuku, that in theory if not even in reality, will serve you somehow, but always better that stainless ones :).<br />
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Naturally, stainless steel blade itself, is almost care-free and you only have to swipe it after use and sharpen it, but the quality of commonly used steel, in leuku´s is pretty soft and vulnerable, thanks to world of making profit and competition in business. Its more hygienic, too, yes but as the rolling stone wont get moss, the carbon steel wont rust easily IF you keep on using it. Even the cheaper mass produced carbon steel leuku blades from Finland, beat the nice and shiney stainless leukus 6-0 in the field, if you ask me. IF there would be stainless leuku´s made from better high-end steels, the thing would be maybe different, but at the moment, i see it like that. Soft 420 stainless and similar stuff, just wont handle the job.<br />
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Offcourse,originally back in the days, the pure, traditonal leukus from western lapland, especially the "celebration use" models, had sheaths made from leather and antler, when the ones from eastern lapland had sheaths made from wood and leather, with either visible wooden liner, or fully leather covered. Also, ive seen examples of Really old leukus that were sewn with wooden liner, that was pulled out after it was ready and dry, so they did not have any liner at all. But this is something that is almost forgotten and you most likely wont ever even see one like that in use, nor will people even remember that once sheaths were made like that too. the rarest sheath type i know of, was a weird mixture, or carelian sheath style. It had a sideseam and steel or brass parts along the sides of the sheath. Propably it was brought o lapland by ancient carelian trader or someone who wasnt saame people at first point. Nowadays, i think all along from 1900´s sheaths for real field use, using just wooden liner covered with leather. The bone / antler sheaths are pretty rare to see in the fied and they are used more in ceremonies and celebrations etc. The bone sheath is slow to make, heavy to carry and makes also noise if it bangs against another sheath or piece of other gear. But, its beautiful....you cant deny that.<br />
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In many cases, in late history, determination of leuku has gone bit more narrow. And yet, there are findings from graves and old photos, enherited items, revealing that leuku, isnt so restricted when we talk about the looks of it. They always try to say that leuku has a straight spine, when theres still evidence of slightly hunchbacked spines. They say that the blade is even, when also the lover edge of the blade, has also been made so that it slightly slopes downwards before the tip. By the way, Strömeng is still a living example of blades like these that i am talking about. But no, kukri aint a leuku, nor is a tracker-styled blade, and the bowie aint either. Leukus dont have fingerguards nor clip points. Slight drop point is ok as well as that straight spine. But the most significant thing, that your leuku has to have, to be able to call it a leuku at all (in my opinion and i am not the only one ) that the pommel, the backpiece of handle, tapers, swells around the handle quite evenly. Plain downward tipping pommel aint a leuku if you ask me, nor is a handles butt thats ball-like, round en without clear, spreading around the it. No, Ka-Bars large nut on the back, wont do it either. I do like diversity, and i like a lot, to se variations and i own a full-tang knife that looks like a leuku but theres a limit to that as well, how long you can call your knife a leuku. There arent usually any unsharpened choils, nor ground fingergrooves, on the handle or in the blade. The line from handle, to edge is in almost any leuku, very straightforward, there isnt any steep drops between front bolster and blade itself. Overall, leukus are traditionally quite sleek and streamlined, they start from wide pommel and end to simple tip without huge curves in between. <br />
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Lets roll the dice....<br />
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The first leuku, is from <a href="http://www.rautasarvi.fi/" style="color: red;">Ilkka Seikku</a>, who makes his products on daily basis, and i know that i am not wrong, when i say that Ilkka´s knives are rugged tool-like workhorses, that you can rely on. He sure can make very amazing bone carvings to your knives and polish to a mirrorlike finish, but still, the shiney ones, are as capable to serve in the field as well.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFL8U1pysLI/T0v2JvpOK_I/AAAAAAAACL4/ciQr8_pVh8E/s1600/ISLeuku1+BLOGIIN-CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFL8U1pysLI/T0v2JvpOK_I/AAAAAAAACL4/ciQr8_pVh8E/s320/ISLeuku1+BLOGIIN-CR.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyways heres some specifications:<br />
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-Price : Ilkka makes large leukus, starting from 150 euros, including VAT 23%. Value of this particular, is <b>bit</b> higher though.<br />
-Weight w/o sheath : 530 gr<br />
-Spine length: 231mm<br />
-blade material : hand forged spring steel, oil quenched and forge annealed / tempered. <br />
-Blade width: from 40 to 46mm<br />
-Blade thickness : From 5 to 6mm<br />
-Grind height: approximately 14-15mm <br />
-Total length 363mm<br />
-Bevel : bolder, so called cat´s cheeks, bit like convex. <br />
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-Blade material : Spring steel, hand forged shape and bevels, before grinding and sanding the bevels. Forge finish, wide tang, almost 5 x 10mm even on the riveted end of tang. So has to be pretty rugged if you ask me.<br />
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-Handle : Moose antler bolster back and front, and between a piece of curly birch with leather spacers. Wood part empregnated with oil.<br />
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-Sheath : Simple, from quite thick wet molded leather, dyed in pitch black. Wooden, pretty thick liner. Cleverly attached wide stiff belt loop without stitching.. Seam on the back as they traditionally are supposed to be.<br />
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This leuku, is one of the many unique styles Ilkka comes up with and he does accept custom works and does also leukus from his own drawing board. This, he said to be his stock-model, something that customer may except if he orders a leuku from him if cutomer doesnt tell any specific specifications. But designs vary, at the same pace, as the maker lives. In this one, however, you see that its actually very unique design. The handle, slopes some 3 millimeters smoothly, so its bent a bit, downwards. Just a hint, so its not any dedicated chopping knife-type of handle that are very curved. The pommel, is roundish, not a flat from the back, and offers nice grip, when you use the 3-finger grip, in which only the thumb, and 2 next fingers grab the handle. The ball shaped pommel feels good in this grip as theres no sharp corners to chew on your palm. Small but good detail, this knobby butt. The handle itself, is quite flat, and offers a good feeling in the fist, as the flattish handle wont turn inside the fist, even when wearing gloves / mittens. The fronf bolster, is nicely fitted around the blade joint, no visible dings nor holes and gaps fro moist / dirt to swim inside the handle.<br />
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This leuku already, makes me think that it might have the greates chopping ability, as its thick and heavy, bomb-proof looking rugged tool, yet its also pretty damn good looking. <br />
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Blade, is also quite interesting as its the most different compared to others in this review. My interest towards the Strömeng´s leukus, makes this blade look very nice, as ive like´d hunchback spined blades a lot for long time but i havent had a chance to use one really much yet. This kind of shape, in my opinion aint bad at all, more like opposite in fact. Blade is bit more narrow next to handle, which offers a bit better whittling capability, although leukus arent for making opaque whittlings nor pieces of jewellery. Then, blade drops 6 millimeters, as it goes towards the start of tips uprising curve. This, compared to blades slightly fatter thickness, at the same spot as is the widest point of it, means that this blade might have good hacking and chopping capabilities hidden in it, thanks to obviously greater mass in that part of the blade. We´ll see about that. The bevel is broad, very round sided, almost axe-like, which also suggest that blade might be good chopper and also, might be very durable. I dont like to call these bevels as convex as we call em "cat cheeks", and stubbornly i see them bit different. Ive seen pictures from knifesmith in lapland, sketches of the bevels crosscut, and its more like a broad angle V shape, that starts to turn more roundish, towards the actual edge, after the midths of the V´s sides. You say what you say, you have the right, as do i :).<br />
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The next leuku is...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9wmTSvgOpY/T0v3-bt81hI/AAAAAAAACMI/qalXBIDc9i4/s1600/AM-YP+leuku2+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9wmTSvgOpY/T0v3-bt81hI/AAAAAAAACMI/qalXBIDc9i4/s320/AM-YP+leuku2+CR.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
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From <a href="http://www.yp-taonta.fi/Valmiit%20Puukot/index.html" style="color: red;">YP-Taonta</a>, made by Antti Mäkinen. Their stamp, is still YP, referring to Yrjö Puronvarsi although its the younger man from the family who continues their old blacksmithing and blademaking business. YP-Taonta (taonta = forging ) is one of the leuku makers, who have succeeded in making profitable, yet affordable, but the most, rugged tool-like leukus, that you dont have to wait for long, after ordering one.<u>Not</u> any tourist crap, is say ! They do their blades in the house, ,from bars and blanks. In this leuku, the steel is Sten & co´s "leuku" from which i already have good experiences in way of one knife blade and one detail carving chisel, made from the same material.<br />
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The specifications :<br />
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-Price : In their web site, 108 euros, including VAT 23%.<br />
-weight w/o sheath : 356 grams.<br />
- spine length : 220 mm<br />
- total length : 352mm<br />
-handle material : birch <br />
- blade thickness : appr. 4.5mm<br />
-blade material : Sten & co Leuku. <br />
-blade width : 38mm<br />
-grind height approximately 11 millimeters, in the midths of the blade.<br />
-riveted tang with brass washer.<br />
-Front bolster is pressed cup type and from brass. Most likely from Laurin Metalli. No butt cap, nor bolster. <br />
-Bevel : slightly convexed scandi.<br />
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-Sheath : dark brown,machine sewn back seam, one sided plastic liner, twisted belt loop that chokes around the sheath to retain the leuku in its place. Simple decorations.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3n7gU7Ix9w/T00-JFsTvbI/AAAAAAAACMQ/aY6f6VLiPDw/s1600/AM-YP+leuku1+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3n7gU7Ix9w/T00-JFsTvbI/AAAAAAAACMQ/aY6f6VLiPDw/s320/AM-YP+leuku1+CR.jpg" height="301" width="320" /></a></div>
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This leuku, in my opinion, is suitable for person with bit bigger hand, as its handle is bit longer and also, thicker, bit roundish than others in this review. However, i imagine, that you can also shape this handle easily, to suit your needs, but it might then require a modifications to sheath as well. The blade is made from Sten & co´s leuku, steel, which is welkl known for its good edge retention. Its very nicely smoothed to an even surface, with some nice forge scales left in it. The bevel itself is almost mirror polished without flaws of any kind. This is also lighter and therefore, easier to carry if youre weight watcher. Also, the blade is thinner, and maybe its bit more suitable for slash cutting as well as whittling-type of action, well see about that later in the field. Bolster is made from pressed brass, so its only one with cup-shapep bolster in this post. Its simple and strong construction as the cupe prevents the handle from cracking well. In the handle, i noticed, that it has a semi-gloss coating, a lackuer of some type, maybe to prevent the knife from getting dirty so easily, but i recommend you to remove the coating from handle and bolster, and oiling and waxing the handle after youve bought yours. This is just a personal preference, to get better grip from the handle, and to allow the handles wood to breathe out and dry, the possible moist away from it. With waterproof clearcoat, the handle Might suck in water and when it cant find its way out, the handle might swollen, get soft and /or, crack the clearcoat at some point. Anyways, this leuku, is as i said, a well built tool, with very good blade material indeed. Simple traditional sheath with neck-choking belt loop, with calm decorations, suit in to everyones eye easily. Not too bright, not too shy either.<br />
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The third leuku looks to be....<br />
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From Pasi Hurttila, from <a href="http://www.hurttilanpaja.suntuubi.com/" style="color: red;">Hurttilan Paja</a>,in Ivalo.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8_lztu6jkk/T01E7wph1hI/AAAAAAAACMY/UtxKl5Rk7oY/s1600/PH+leuku+rajattu1+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8_lztu6jkk/T01E7wph1hI/AAAAAAAACMY/UtxKl5Rk7oY/s320/PH+leuku+rajattu1+CR.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mr. Hurttilas blacksmith shop is one mans company, focusing on wide range of forged goodies, from gates to nails, from knives to latches and everything from between. I hear that he might be slowing down a bit, on knife production so i suggest you order yours now before waiting times get longer :). <br />
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Here are some specifications of this leuku:<br />
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-Price : 155 Euros, including VAT 23%<br />
-Weight w/o sheath : 428 grams.<br />
-Spine length : 231 millimeters<br />
- Blade width : 40 millimeters give or take 1 millimeter.<br />
-Grind height : 9 millimeters.<br />
-blade thickness : 4.5 to 4.7 millimeters.<br />
-Total length : 352 millimeters<br />
-Blade material : hand forged spring steel.<br />
-Handle material : glaze birch, dyed in reddish brown.<br />
- Bolsters : about 5mm thick brass. Riveted tang with two brass reinforcing screws on the butt cap. Thin liners between the wood and brass parts.<br />
-Bevel : Scandi <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POcg33fOP6w/T01L94IRYwI/AAAAAAAACMo/GS8fHOrCCLw/s1600/PH+leuku+tupin+kera+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POcg33fOP6w/T01L94IRYwI/AAAAAAAACMo/GS8fHOrCCLw/s320/PH+leuku+tupin+kera+CR.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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This leuku, is very good example of leuku, done in traditional, blueprint-way. I mean that its like the pure form of leuku, as most people who know leukus, would describe a traditional leuku. Very sleek profile without any gimmicks in it. Very well done brass parts, with nice smooth sanding done on them, like a half matte, but more on the shiney side. The two brass screws on the butt plate, have been smoothed out, to almost invisible level, and in a quick look you wont even notice the bits at all. Peened tang end is nicely done as well, as the visible part of tang, left, is symmetrical, just in the middle of the butt plate. But plate itself is also almost symmetric, and it just gets bit tinier towards the down side of the handle as it should. Buttcap has even, smooth and gentle roundings so it wont do blisters in your hand. Front bolsters, fitting is as good as you migt expect , absolutely no dings or gaps between bolster and the blade. Handle which is made from nicely patterned birch, is dyed to brown color with some red in it. In my eye these reddish browns fit like a glove. Spine has been sanded & ground to plain, smooth and straight level. However it does not have sharp corners so it migh be not best with the firesteel, to those who are about to try that with it. Sheath of this leuku, is from thick leather, with wooden liner in it and has nice simplified paw marks as decorations. Beltloop is traditional type, that chokes around the sheath and handle of leuku. Its dyed with pitch black color.<br />
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If i was to give, as a gift, a leuku to a foreign knife anthusiast, i would not hesitate to give Pasi´s leuku to him as this is as i said, just like the leukus we all think of when we hear the name. Very nicely fitted and built, plus more than good overall finish, from handle to bevel. <br />
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Then its about time to show you the leuku done by <a href="http://keklut.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;">Jani Ryynänen</span></a>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2ss-VJxbvo/T01Vs6gpzaI/AAAAAAAACMw/9Oy4N4AIE-g/s1600/JR+leuku+blogiin+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2ss-VJxbvo/T01Vs6gpzaI/AAAAAAAACMw/9Oy4N4AIE-g/s320/JR+leuku+blogiin+CR.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ryynänen, makes knives and other handcraft forgings, as a hobby, unlike the others in this post, who make knives a an official job. Anyhow, his blog, in example, show that man has some good talent indeed. I got interested in his works, through Seikku´s tip, and in a relatively short perioid i got interested to get his leuku to this review too. But i have to say, that this leuku, soon turned out to be slightly customized to my own needs. So this is not his regular stock model, if there even s one, as he makes these by request as gifts and such.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2n_ltHeNy7M/T01V6xNwkJI/AAAAAAAACM4/52IicU63aw4/s1600/jr+LEUKU+TUPIN+KERA+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2n_ltHeNy7M/T01V6xNwkJI/AAAAAAAACM4/52IicU63aw4/s320/jr+LEUKU+TUPIN+KERA+CR.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
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Specifications :<br />
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-Price: 150 Euros, approximately, this is slightly customised version.<br />
-Weight w/o sheath : 552 grams<br />
-Spine length : 242 millimeters<br />
-Blade width : 45 millimeters<br />
-Blade thickness : 5.5 to 6 millimeters<br />
-Total length : 360 millimeters <br />
-Grind height : 22mm and 12mm plus a slightly sharper piece of bevel in the tip.<br />
-Bevel: scandi part in front , then a cat-cheek, and in the tip, scandi.<br />
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-Handle : 4mm brass front bolster + moose antler + curly birch + brass butt plate with 2 brass reinforcing screws. Leather washers between parts.<br />
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-Sheath : neck choking twisted belt loop, sturdy wooden liner with bit of extended tip, thick brownish red / black color. Theres also "my" algiz rune in the black part of the sheath.<br />
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I was curious to have few certain things:<br />
-a short length of bevel, ground for better whittling ability, as i already have good experience with similar things, in two of my knives, if not even three. This little customisation, allows me better to carry just one knife if i have to or i want to. I can slice,chop, whittle a Bit of kindlings etc without having to change between two knives. Its still not a all-in-one tricky knife and it wont replace a good puukko, but helps maybe a bit, if not even more.<br />
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-Tilted, but just slightly tilted pommel and butt plate. This is merely for appearance, but might be nice in actual use too, as the pommels spine side, isnt so close to the gripping palm, and therefore might be very comfortable but still the grip is secure. The lower side of pommel is steeper and closer to fingers while gripping it, offering good guidance as well as grip. But as i said, i just wanted to try a tilted pommel, as a visual thing too. Tratitionally, tilted pommels are more rare, but nowadays, you see those in many many leukus, but sadly they are usually on the cheaply done tourist knives that tend to look nice when looked from a far, but arent made for real outdoor life.<br />
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- Combination of bone / antler, curly birch and brass, in the handle. And i really think that the handle looks neat as it is. Just after we had decided that the handle would have a brass front bolster, followed then by about inch long bone piece, and then rest of it would be curly birch, i saw one bit similar, but it was had a red handle. Well, so much for my idea of unique handle :). Yet, i thinks its a beauty, and also, made sturdy.<br />
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-Tips curve was changed into sleek curve, instead of tight, bold curve and also, it was sharpened to be less steep, so i could use it for gutting and opening game,fish etc, if i´d want to. Rest of the blade, between the whittling part and tip, was done in more tratitional way, to axe-like bevel.<br />
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-Small notch in front of bolster and blade, in start of edge. This notch, allows me to sharpen the knife so that i dont have to hone the blade, so that the stone would also grind the brass bolster, and this way, the edge will still have a clear starting point. The notch, can also be used to cut small wires, if you want to. Just twist and roll the wire in the notch and eventually it will break in that notch, so you dont have to use the blade to cut small snare wires and such.<br />
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-Sheath, with clear color border and a weird ? looking tip. I just wanted a sheath with slightly peaked tip. Maybe i am studying, does the tiny "horn" in the tip prevent the sheath from rolling while its in belt and does it help, the sheath to "fold" away when you sit so it wont stick in to the ground or get stuck between you and mother earth. The old antler saame sheaths had a function like that with their long curvy tips. Also, the extended tip of sheath helps to get the knife out of the sheath while you wear mittens, especially if theyre all covered from snow and frost and are slippery. The mitten will stop sliding against the sheath, when it reaches the sheaths tip. I hope :).<br />
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All the fittings in this leuku, are, in my opinion nicely done, although Ryynänen says its just a tool-like finish, but i can only guess, that if he does a showcase leuku, it will be one hellova knife. You see, in this work-knife, theres no gaps, nor holes, the bolster is nicely fitted and all the surfaces in handle are smooth and half-shiney.<br />
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Last one of this bunch is a leuku from <a href="http://www.tkotavuopio.net/"><span style="color: red;">Tero Kotavuopio</span></a>, who makes mostly knives but also other artifacts, in his blacksmithshop, located in Karesuvanto.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KFRQ6d4f0gY/T04-bzrncWI/AAAAAAAACNA/HR8DBYGivFM/s1600/TK+leuku+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KFRQ6d4f0gY/T04-bzrncWI/AAAAAAAACNA/HR8DBYGivFM/s320/TK+leuku+CR.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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Specifications :<br />
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-Price: 200 Euros.<br />
-Weight w/o sheath :342 grams<br />
-Spine length :198 millimeters<br />
-Blade width :38 millimeters in front of bolster, and then slowly gets more narrow as it goes.<br />
-Blade thickness : 4 millimeters<br />
-Grind height : 11 mm. <br />
-Blade material: hand forged spring steel, salt water quenched, oven tempered for hours, approximately 60-61 hrc.<br />
-Scandi, with just a <i>hint</i> of convex. <br />
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-Handle : strongly dyed, dark red & brown curly birch, oiled and waxed, polished. 5mm thick brass bolster in front, mirror polished. Butt plate is 4mm brass , mirror polished. Tang is rounded, but square, symmetric and about 4 x 8mm in size. Tero´s tangs, i know, already to be quite massive. Thats not bad at all.<br />
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-Sheath : dark, reddish brown, thin wooden liner, simple twisted belt loop. Hand sewn back seam, and Tero´s "trademark" spruceboughs, pressed and engraved as a decorations.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0ohVCjLerg/T05Kbkug3tI/AAAAAAAACNo/QfMERy6zOzY/s1600/TK+tupin+kera+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0ohVCjLerg/T05Kbkug3tI/AAAAAAAACNo/QfMERy6zOzY/s320/TK+tupin+kera+CR.jpg" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
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This leuku, is the smallest of my review. Tero already asked if its the wrong size but i think, its more than good, that theres big leukus, in their various lengths. As you might know, i already uown and use his knives, just as i do own and use knives from Seikku. But i havent ever used a leuku from either. Already i knew that Kotavuopios finishing in knives is very very nice, and even though this was supposed to be rugged tool-like knife, it has mirror polished bolsters, spine is smoothly rounded and almost mirrorlike polished, as well as the bevel is clear mirror-like. The bevels, the edge, by the way, is almost scandi zero, with justa hint of convex in it, and as this is relatively thin blade, and the grind height is also greater, this might be most suitable for also delicate work, due to its puukko´ish blade shape and bit smaller size. However this aint the womens knife, no, this is a commonly used sturra niibi, but on the smaller end of definition. Tero´s leuku, is good example of leuku-type, that he often refers to. You see, not all leukus have a common, straight edged blade profile and he has told me that there has been, and still are, leukus like this, meaning a blade thats like a big puukko blade, in which the edge starts to curve towards the tip very soon after the front bolster. Its also a drop point shaped, as the spine drops after the midths of the spine, towards the tip itself. Fitting of bolster is gapless, flawless as usual. Somehow, i could easily imagine that id use this, quite a lot, as an replacement for any bigger puukko as this is not that heavy and i think its shape, makes it good all-around tool in the bush.<br />
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Well, to offer you a very easy way to compare these knives, heres a group shot of them:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OC4NMP0ALe0/T05KOSJbQaI/AAAAAAAACNg/I5xAuGdnopY/s1600/leukut+p%25C3%25A4%25C3%25A4llekk%25C3%25A4in+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OC4NMP0ALe0/T05KOSJbQaI/AAAAAAAACNg/I5xAuGdnopY/s320/leukut+p%25C3%25A4%25C3%25A4llekk%25C3%25A4in+CR.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
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I n this picture, you´ll see that although they are, for sure, true leuku´s in their design, still theres a variety of different styles. And i can say, that if you show, any of these, to any Finnish person, they say immediately that " thats a leuku". As they all are beautiful in my mind, still they are "just" users, and you can get extra decorations and customised details if you are interested, and willing to negotiate about them, as well as pay, for custom job.<br />
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Oh, heres one shot i took at home, to show you the 2 most different blade shapes of these 5 : <br />
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I put the knives, so that the front bolsters would be in same vertical line, to show, that leuku can be done in very different styles, and yet, they both are looked as traditionals.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egZhacwVe4s/T05jPi00Y2I/AAAAAAAACOQ/hoW0Ciz0p7Y/s1600/Tk+ja+IS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egZhacwVe4s/T05jPi00Y2I/AAAAAAAACOQ/hoW0Ciz0p7Y/s320/Tk+ja+IS.jpg" height="89" width="320" /></a></div>
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Heres a picture i took, to show you the shapes, of pommels / buttcaps. Theres no identical shapes,but youll figure out, that still they all bear the mushroom like, flat and spreading,almost symmetrical shape around the butt. In this picture, you also see the reinforcing screws in few leukus, as well as the massive peened tang ends. From left to right : Hurttila, YP-Taonta, Seikku, Kotavuopio, Ryynänen.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KN5UaX5wSrI/T05NRJiwkqI/AAAAAAAACNw/XRA0lTZ5sj4/s1600/Ponnet+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KN5UaX5wSrI/T05NRJiwkqI/AAAAAAAACNw/XRA0lTZ5sj4/s320/Ponnet+CR.jpg" height="99" width="320" /></a></div>
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And as i started to show shapes, heres another view:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D59plcHOfLU/T05OasriUXI/AAAAAAAACN4/kGVa4T90UJQ/s1600/kahvojenyl%C3%A4profiilit+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D59plcHOfLU/T05OasriUXI/AAAAAAAACN4/kGVa4T90UJQ/s320/kahvojenyl%C3%A4profiilit+CR.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
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All of these 5, share a relatively flat and thin handle, just next to the spine, from which they start shaping up to bit fattier, so that midths of the handle, fits comfortably in the fist. Then they get thinner again, before the spreaded pommels. My personal preference is a quite flat handle,from this point of view.<br />
From right to left : Ryynänen, Kotavuopio , Seikku , YP-taonta , Hurttila.<br />
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Now, i can only hope, that all the leuku makers in this review are happy to see what i came up with, as well as hope that you, my readers and visitors, got some info about leukus overall as well as about these 5 Finnish ones. I wish you could send me comments, as the sequel of this review, will follow as soon as theres a sunny day, so i can take better pictures while start to actually use these knives. Ill be using antler, wood, cordage, meat, and such materials to test and show, how each knife works. No, this isnt going a bladesport "test", sorry , as i am interested to see the capabilities of these knives, in work that they are meant for. If you have ideas of what i should do and photo requests, you can send em in comments too, and i will try to work it out for you.<br />
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The next part will also include atleast two guest posts, from guys whos opinions and approachings might be nice to read. I hope i will get few pictures from my guests to to with em as well. I was going to attach the guest post now, but another of them isnt finishhed yet and i think that this review with all my other writings, is long enough already, hehehe.... <br />
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Thank you, for this time, soon to be continued ...!<br />
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....To lighten up the topic a bit, heres a music video from tv-series "<a href="http://tv2.yle.fi/juttuarkisto/kakkonen-kertoo/marat-sapikkaat">Märät Säpikkäät / Njuoska Bittut</a>", posted by the show makers <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MaratSapikkaat/videos">Youtube channel</a>. Its very much leuku-related....sad that u might not get the jokes in it, as its in sami language and translatios in finnish, but its a cover song, now with lyrics telling about the never-ending argues, between saame families, fighting over their right to use different places for their reindeers, the border lines and such.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7Ms52BV-PrQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Hey, you bushcraft & knife forum people, if you liked the review, and perhaps want to show it in your favourite forum, you can do it by using links and codes , i am sure that you can do it without copying my own pictures in to your hard drive and then posting em as your own property . In any case, <b> </b><i><b>i really would like, if you encourage your forums people to also <u>write comment</u></b> while they visit here</i>. That would be nice and <b>polite</b>. Just stealing my pictures and then using them without links to the original post, is something i would <b>not</b> like to see. Pictures have my blogs copyright markings anyway.</span>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-78845228851907128492012-02-20T03:29:00.001+02:002014-01-06T15:14:18.734+02:00Wooden DIY / MYOG Sled / Ahkio / Pulk ?Heres a few shots of my latest woodcraft. Its just a wooden pulk, or an "ahkio" as we call em that i did to try out few ideas before making one from good materials for my knifemaker friend, so this is more like a prototype but it migh just work ;).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GigJB82-TnA/T0GaH_vAznI/AAAAAAAACIQ/hugr-Yor8FA/s1600/ahkio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GigJB82-TnA/T0GaH_vAznI/AAAAAAAACIQ/hugr-Yor8FA/s320/ahkio2.jpg" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
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All the wood / plywood is recycled, the bottom piece i took from an old wooden bed, the sides are from big tool chest, and the back piece is taken from a paint shops garbage can. Pretty crude, but still i had to remove whole load of nails, screws, paints and gold glue stains and such. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJO5Q8C1l1M/T0GcSBAJLZI/AAAAAAAACJ4/iVdm5Xfw24Y/s1600/ahkio7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJO5Q8C1l1M/T0GcSBAJLZI/AAAAAAAACJ4/iVdm5Xfw24Y/s320/ahkio7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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All the hardware is from my bilion-box and from our only gas stations selections, so there aint much of fancy stuff used, as i did not have lots to choose from. The steel wire will propably get changed to paracord or something when i find a good piece of usable cord...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_JrFLPfIuA/T0GcpatNrhI/AAAAAAAACKI/BYyJ0oZ3-zc/s1600/ahkio10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_JrFLPfIuA/T0GcpatNrhI/AAAAAAAACKI/BYyJ0oZ3-zc/s320/ahkio10.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOFOVKb8VAk/T0Gd9hYiW9I/AAAAAAAACLA/Q12LrVtKD64/s1600/ahkio11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOFOVKb8VAk/T0Gd9hYiW9I/AAAAAAAACLA/Q12LrVtKD64/s320/ahkio11.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
Floors back corner is rounded as much as i could, so i can reverse a bit too without ahkio jamming instantly when backing up. By the way, all the screws are with T15 torx head, so you need only one tool to rebuild / repair this, and theres not a single drop of any glue either to make repairs easy. I have scrubbed in the plywood, some 5 deciliters of some wood furniture oil, thats how much it took, when i started to pour the oil inside the ahkio and waited and waited till it sweated through the bottom. So i think its pretty well impregnated now. I will add,during next week, a pair of narrow "ski´s" on the bottom as well, to make the ahkio keep its direction well.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXZoAqXSiUw/T0GgJucVGEI/AAAAAAAACLI/TR77f1rmEi4/s1600/ahkio3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXZoAqXSiUw/T0GgJucVGEI/AAAAAAAACLI/TR77f1rmEi4/s320/ahkio3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Li´l bit of seat in it, if someday it has to be used to transport a person with injured leg etc. Two of the 5 hooks are there too.<br />
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The sidewalls have 10 degrees cutting, i would have made more angle but my side pieces are so shallow that more degrees would have made the sides too low and useless.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMJuTJVW_94/T0GdYIUgd6I/AAAAAAAACKo/5UInyctBfT0/s1600/ahkio9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMJuTJVW_94/T0GdYIUgd6I/AAAAAAAACKo/5UInyctBfT0/s320/ahkio9.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Front part narrows just after the crossmember of the floor, approximately 8 centimeters to keep the ahkio better to keep its direction an to just travel easier in the snow. It was bit troublesome to fit the sides with angles, all together tighlty with nose that gets narrow towards the tip, and in a way that the bottom piece still would have an even tight fit against the floor part, so i used the rasp to fit em as well as i could in a limited time. All together this too some 8 hours to accomplish to the point where it is in the pictures,after i managed to bend the tip, which took about 10 hours of keeping it all throughly wet and bending it slowly with rope and wooden block as a mold. in which it still misses a few details, like the attachments to the poles used to pull this thingy etc.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltxywxgKGtA/T0GdwBaTHhI/AAAAAAAACK4/xhzafIH-_4c/s1600/ahkio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltxywxgKGtA/T0GdwBaTHhI/AAAAAAAACK4/xhzafIH-_4c/s320/ahkio1.jpg" height="145" width="320" /></a></div>
It has a narrower fron part. Not much but a little bit.<br />
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This isnt that huge at all, i made this kind of a light and compact, keeping in mind that i wanted to be able to stuff this inside our car, instead of having to attach it in to the roof of it. Its merely 1,40 meters long and 43 centimeters wide at its widest point. The sides are appr. 12cm tall and the nose is appr. 25cm high, and very curved to make it easy to "climb" on top of snow, so it would not dive in the snow as many ahkio´s sometimes do.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7bg6k_vXPgU/T0Gc8C_mfXI/AAAAAAAACKQ/_qA8oFGmYWI/s1600/ahkio8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7bg6k_vXPgU/T0Gc8C_mfXI/AAAAAAAACKQ/_qA8oFGmYWI/s320/ahkio8.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Does not look so awlful to be junkyard material ?<br />
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I had some deciliter of wood-oil that i mixed with small amount of paint in juniper-named colour, it turned out to be pretty nice solution, and made the ahkio look a bit like camouflaged....i wish i would still had a hint of snow white paint, to make the ahkio two-tone, with gree & white in it. Well....you cant win everytime, with wallet like mine.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ew7maao7Klo/T0GbocrrceI/AAAAAAAACJg/3yaJK7Glcag/s1600/ahkio4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ew7maao7Klo/T0GbocrrceI/AAAAAAAACJg/3yaJK7Glcag/s320/ahkio4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Smoothed corners dont eat cord / bungee cords that fast and arent so vulnerable either.<br />
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All the important edges are rounded, as are the holes too, and all the screws are in holes that i counter sunk at first, except for few screws that will be changed before use, but they will have reinforcings of sometype, similar to the ones that they now have....the snap button washers :). Good old trick.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCtPHIiAKFQ/T0GbRqAVGBI/AAAAAAAACJQ/qaFNgTzwHmA/s1600/ahkio5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCtPHIiAKFQ/T0GbRqAVGBI/AAAAAAAACJQ/qaFNgTzwHmA/s320/ahkio5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I screwed in a few hooks inside the ahkio too, so i can use some cord or bungee cord with em, to ease the secure packing of ahkio. The tools used to make this are jigsaw, saw, puukko, drill, rasp, file,hammer, screwdriver,and thats about it, nothing special.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-grHwSoJLk/T0Gbc6NrTcI/AAAAAAAACJY/U0MmhtXVUmU/s1600/ahkio12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-grHwSoJLk/T0Gbc6NrTcI/AAAAAAAACJY/U0MmhtXVUmU/s320/ahkio12.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
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Thats about it for now, during next week i think i might get it all ready if the snow storms and winds dont interrupt our life too much as they do now. <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wood materials : 0 euros, allf rom trash pile. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Metal hardware, screws etc : 7.6 euros</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">All the rest from my treasure chest :)</span>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-5679611618158353882012-02-11T14:42:00.000+02:002012-02-11T14:42:13.857+02:00Some woodwork, a wheel restorationHeres just a snapshot of an old horse wagon wheel that i have been repairing. It was mostly so rotten that only the hub and steel rim could be saved and the rest i had to do again. Its goin to serve as a gate´s decoration, though, not to be bolted under any wagon anymore.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vx6LFgItuBE/TzZh84wbWtI/AAAAAAAACBA/DMEwzWBcdlY/s1600/02022012071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vx6LFgItuBE/TzZh84wbWtI/AAAAAAAACBA/DMEwzWBcdlY/s320/02022012071.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4SPPCbB1hI/TzZh_TGvV9I/AAAAAAAACBI/HYllUfqhE0c/s1600/02022012073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4SPPCbB1hI/TzZh_TGvV9I/AAAAAAAACBI/HYllUfqhE0c/s320/02022012073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-75239615242481031912012-02-11T13:10:00.000+02:002012-02-11T13:10:53.067+02:00Back on line.After X-mas ive been struggling with the never-ending electric cut-offs made by either storms,winds and mostly, heavy snow loads on wires and trees that crack and fall on the lines, breaking phonelines, web link towers,and at home, my computer.... But, now today i got a "new" computer and i am installing some photoshops in it, and such to be able to make the leuku review real, as during last week, the last of the 5 leukus arrived and in fact, if tomorrow we have clear sky, i will be goin out to play with the leukus and take pictures and such, as ive been now writing the topic already.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><u style="color: red;"><b>Please DONT steal my pictures. I´ve noticed some pics that are mine, on websites that i have nothing to do with</b></u>.....<i>capish</i> :) ?. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Othervise ill stop adding pictures or i´ll add a bright copyright-mark and my blog address in middle of every picture that i post here. If you want to use my pictures, you sure can do it thru IMG/URL codes,that direct the reader to my blog, or just add a link, that guides the reader here too. Thats when we <b>both</b> get something good out of it.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJIXspHXe7w/TzZMFsu5VII/AAAAAAAACA4/wRk0irAQyts/s1600/keulutmustavalkoKOPIRAITTI2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJIXspHXe7w/TzZMFsu5VII/AAAAAAAACA4/wRk0irAQyts/s320/keulutmustavalkoKOPIRAITTI2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Well, as the electrics are a necessary evil related to many things in modern way of life, i havent been able to forge my own leuku or do much at all, as the black smith shop is at the end of one line, and its not a primary target to repair....so all i can do is waite till theres a stable electric current so i can continue my forging hobby.<br />
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One day i went and made a small needlecase, and thats about the only sense making item ive been making at home in a long run.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WNzPLcYr4c/TzZB-hQ2UOI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/jXrA-3-irVA/s1600/IMG_6021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WNzPLcYr4c/TzZB-hQ2UOI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/jXrA-3-irVA/s320/IMG_6021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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But, actually, its kind of a...well...more than good that when theres not computer, no easy web acess and you dont want to star to watch ovie at home as the electric cutdowns will most likely make movie a hell to watch when you have to put the machines on, and statr to watch the movie again and again....that makes you want to go out, and just walk and wonder, sit around fire and ice-fish, and other outdoor things. And thats, what it all should be about,goin out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMqrZr7yXCU/TzZKpFFk0HI/AAAAAAAACAY/JfWKF4nddtU/s1600/03022012091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMqrZr7yXCU/TzZKpFFk0HI/AAAAAAAACAY/JfWKF4nddtU/s320/03022012091.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GrwPVT5srLo/TzZK2W8r5II/AAAAAAAACAo/sdIQ5rQtVv0/s1600/03022012096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GrwPVT5srLo/TzZK2W8r5II/AAAAAAAACAo/sdIQ5rQtVv0/s320/03022012096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVK7QzKC68I/TzZK8ydmdWI/AAAAAAAACAw/tqSbVL7hTv8/s1600/03022012097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVK7QzKC68I/TzZK8ydmdWI/AAAAAAAACAw/tqSbVL7hTv8/s320/03022012097.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-82499405036349351052012-01-10T10:06:00.000+02:002012-01-10T10:06:50.951+02:00Tiny update about leuku review.Well some of you might hve been waiting for my leuku review and i just dropped by to tell you that its still under work and sadly a bit late, but i think that at the end of janyary or at early february ill "publish" it. The makers providing leukus are way busy now and that makes a tiny delay but hey, it will happen.<br />
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Heres a few teasers again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tvJvUZiL0A/TwvwPzixphI/AAAAAAAAB74/SXePsxLGz_k/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tvJvUZiL0A/TwvwPzixphI/AAAAAAAAB74/SXePsxLGz_k/s320/IMG_3013.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L86v0-Tpmhk/TwvxfzKr7FI/AAAAAAAAB8A/rcUna1lOGIo/s1600/leukuterat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L86v0-Tpmhk/TwvxfzKr7FI/AAAAAAAAB8A/rcUna1lOGIo/s320/leukuterat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-13532534479770144242011-12-08T15:37:00.000+02:002011-12-08T15:37:28.092+02:00Making a campfire from fresh frozen lapland birch at winter.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Heres a few pictures, that i took a good while ago while we were on ski trip, in lapland, for a week, to participate reindeer round up in actual work, that only by watching etc. We got to see butchering, pelt removing etc, and we stayed in foxholes dug in snow, plus a surplus army tent, with occasional fire in the stove if we managed to gather enough wood. You know, the wood...the trees there are like a Bonsai trees, tiny but still old, birch growing almost along the ground, instead of rising to the sky above. Its waste of time, to wish and search for huge 8 inch birch in most areas. Anyways, at one day (yes, its daytime, but at december, theres light only for 3-4 hours, if not even that, and then its again pitch black everywhere ) we wanted to make a fire outside, to fry sausage and just to have a stable light instead of various headlamps going here and there in the darkness.<br />
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This aint nothing special, no, not at ll, but its usefull in my opinion to have some training to ge the fire going. Birch, that we cut and gathered, by walking in waist deep, or deeper snow, with and without snowshoes (well, someone had the brains to haul those heavy snowshoes with him...). You dont cut any twigs and branches off from them, you just drag em in the camp as they are. Axe<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">geek</span></i> is back ? Nope,leave it home, its just useless in tundralike areas. Instead, use a leuku, a smaller saw is good too, or as i did, a billhook. The material is barely 3 inches in diameter, so it cuts with a slash or two, with a billhook or a saw.<br />
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After you have brought a few full birches, you start to cut off the branches. This is where the detail work starts. While you cut the braches, start to put the similar sized pieces with same diameter in their own piles. The thicker ones to their own pile, and the small ones to the pile of tiny stuff. Some 3-4 piles with different size stuff in their own piles, will do.<br />
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Then you remove and gather, All the possible bark of birch trunk, in one hopefully large pile,or stuff it in sack, in your overalls etc, to keep it safe from blowing wind and to dry it a bit from possible ice cover around the material.<br />
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Ok, so now you have your stash of removed bark and a good few piles of actual wood. If theres not much of snow, then try to dig in it, all the way to the ground but remember to do it in a wide area, not just where the fire will be, as when the fire gets going, it radiates heat that melts the snow....that eventually will drop....in to your fire. If there is a deep snow cover and you cant use anything to shovel it, then try to stomp the ice in to tight pack, and then arrange some of the thick wood pieces, as a mattress, in the place of future fire. It helps a lot at start, atleast.<br />
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So, now you lick your finger a bit, and stick it up in the air to notice where the wind comes from if theres not much of it. If there is, well, you know that without freesing any spit covered fingertip:). Put two, large wood pieces, so that theres a something like 20-30 cm gap between em, so that the wind comes and blows between them. This helps the air to pass, in fire, without never ending man performed air blowing in to ambers.<br />
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Then you carefully place all your bark, between the two branch pieces mentioned above. You better kneel while doing this, back against the wind, as the bark might fly away in to the darkness. After that, place the smallest, 2 to 4mm twiglike stuff, loosely on top of the bark. Then you put the stuff thats a step thicker, on top And around the pile of tiny stuff.<br />
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Then you put two of the largest sized wood, similar to the first laid two ones, so that they are on top of the first ones,but with smaller gap between em. This, gives the "# " shape to to firewood when you look it from top off it. Then just add more wood, so that theres always a layer of thicker material, on top of smaller. This way, the bark, will set the light on the tiny twig sticks, and as it sets in fire, the flames and heat, will allow the next upper layer of thicker material to dry a Bit, before catching in to flames, and then to dry and light the next, thicker bunch. Simple and effective, as long as you get enough bark and that thinnest material on bottom of it. Now, <i>some </i>of you might be yealling all over about "<i>processing</i>" of wood, but as this is an old emergency way to do it, and performed in snow and cold, theres not always even the tools, nor time, to star to play with axes and batoning etc, if youre gone all wet, or something, lost your big camp knife and such and you have to do it with few matches and a small basic puukko. Plus, the snow.....its pretty hard and even annoying to try to baton a piece of 2" birch, against a meter deep snow, as the wood will only sink in to snow.....yes, you Can definetely use some of the wood to help, bu keeping it under the batoned one, but, this is how its usually done. The american, german, swiss, etc, ways might be different indeed, but this is a genuine ,old, lapland peoples way familiar from older hiking & survival books and courses.<br />
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I am proud to celebrate that and i like the fact that theres no multinational European Union flag in our flagpole, and i hope we will never go to that.<br />
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Ill be heading to cabin with few friends, to heat the sauna and enjoy some deer roast with shot of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannerheim" style="color: black;">Mannerheim</a>´s</i> special drink.<br />
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I owe to everyone who has fought, for our indepency, especially to ones in the actual field service and i´d rather see veterans and real people in independence day parties, thatn television celebrities and business men ready to sell our land for any profit.<br />
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Eventhough the indepence starts, from 1917, and we fought to get and keep it, on later times too, in bigger scale, i personally connect my thought, to the times of WWII and fighting against Russian invaders. Political games and business,thats not my bag. I dont like Finland, in which, our leaders tend to say " our opinion is a stong maybe". Its a shame. I would take a bullet, defending my working class, common man, the average joe, women and children. To keep our land somewhat beautiful as its now, to see forests remain, and to prevent our nature. But, for greedy leaders, jacket turning, double talkin´ elite, no sir. I am maybe a nationalist,but, <b>not</b> a racist, but still, i´d rather see our funds and time, to be guided to our own people, homeless and the poor, than allow foreign "refugees" come in, when theres enough to do, to get our own people to have better life. Theres absolutely nothing wrong to be Finnish and proud of our own national culture. I hope the schools would teach our kids, that as well, instead of passing on the lectures of how to sell our land and imitate foreign MTV-lifestyle crap,as it seems to go nowadays. Its good to tolerate different people, but hey, keep a limit to that as well. We dont need any drug dealers, child molesters of any nationality nor race,may it be Finnish or any other. Take the kids to see and Hear veterans of our wars, while they are alive, tell em to take the hat off while inside the house,to wonder in the woods..theres million ways to show em what we are and where we came from.<br />
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Anyways, tomorrow, is a meaningfull day to me and i wanted to tell that to you as well.<br />
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<div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>IF you find this post offensive and take me as a right-wing extremist or any neonazi sympathizer, youre wrong. I just happen to love my country, as you might love yours, and we both have the righ to feel so.</i></span></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-32828555684143491552011-12-02T14:26:00.001+02:002014-01-06T15:30:19.886+02:00Rakovalkea, a gapfire or maybe a longfire.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Someone asked, about a fire he had seem a few times on Finnish films. Its this, the "rakovalkea", that translates in to "gap-fire" but i´ve seen similar named as "longfire´s". Here, its long fire, if it has only <i>TWO ( 2) logs</i>, the three log fires are different story. Very traditional fire for staying over night in the woods,especially under cover of tree´s and in lean-to´s. Few different ways to do it, but this one, is one thats even a secure, safe one, as it has the supporting poles, made from fresh wood, to prevent the logs from dropping to ground just like that. Usually if you sleep by fire, you put a smaller branch of thin log between you and fire, to stop possible dropping burning log from rolling against you, and preventing you to roll too close the fire, in sleep. You should sleep sideways, so the fire will warm your feet and head, but its ok too, to sleep feet towards the fire. <br />
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I think that youll get a good idea of longfire´s construction from that picture. Just remember to carve a groove in to the lower log,and fill it up with the whittlings, small sticks, maybe tarwood and birch bark, juniper bark will also work. Plus, the sticks, between the logs, that make the gap, they should be fresh, and moist wood so they wont burn as fast as the logs, and if possible, whittle the sticks, in shape of wedges, tapering ones, so you can push and pull the stick wedges, to adjust the gap,to keep it small, so the fire will burn slow, but hot, for hours. A properly built, longfire with 8inch diameter logs, can burn for some 8 hours or so. And traditionally, the measures are :<br />
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-1 inch in diameter is an hour, in burn time, but this depends alot, from the type of log,weather etc. I think you should not build longfires fromwood thats thinner that 4 inches but you can offcourse, do small miniatyre longfires, from any sticks, just to learn it etc. Commonly, however, the 8 inch log was popular size.<br />
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-1 meter in length per person sleeping around it. In some cases, and for obvious reasons, it wasnt rare habit to measure the log, so that there was a length of axe, per person,and in finland, back in the days, the most common axe measure, was from 50 to 65cm, in most of cases, it was 50 to 55cm. The "meter" length came later when people started to carry devices to measure :), before that the "jack" measured everything with comparing to tools and arm/finger etc measures. Even today, it works, the fever for accurate measuring, in the bush, is weird. Theres about nithing that should me measured in tiny tolerances like millimeter on centimeter. And a meter, its all the same, if its 99cm meter or 102 meter there :)..."<i>About</i>" will do just fine.<br />
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There are also older methods, without supporting poles in the ground, but i´ll show you one, during winter when i´ll be making one. Meanwhile, you can try to build your own versions of it. As long as you can adjust the gap between TWO logs , its close to longfire that we use here,and as i said, theres many many ways to do it.<br />
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<a href="http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakovalkea">Rakovalkea, in finnish.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kolumbus.fi/bjorn.corander/nuotiot.htm">Different campfires, as shown by Björn "Nalle" Corander.</a>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-40051091521983227392011-11-30T15:29:00.000+02:002011-11-30T15:29:05.788+02:00Almost ready. The blade, that is.Its taken again a small step ahead and still, i like the fact that it done with files, sandpaper, rasps, hammer, etc, with as less electric tools as i can. The holes are made with electric drill yes, sorry :) but other than that, its more handmade <i>to me</i>, than the grinder & cutter made blades. Only thing ill be doing to it is to file the bevels clear, and shape em the way i want. Then to the handle making..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhgUzkn6vR8/TtYuxg0WTDI/AAAAAAAAB4s/Vo4JooYl5DI/s1600/vehje.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhgUzkn6vR8/TtYuxg0WTDI/AAAAAAAAB4s/Vo4JooYl5DI/s320/vehje.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I got pretty good tips, for heat treatments from few blacksmiths that i am proud to know, and my fear of ruining this during quenching etc, was unnecessary. It did not crack or bend, and after ovening it , seems like a good blade indeed. After ovening hours, i sunk the bevel area in icy water and used an gas torch to make the spine more softer than the edge will be.Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-85667459554230763632011-11-25T19:40:00.000+02:002011-11-25T19:40:35.444+02:00Still pretty low on stock removal.Its not 100% percently intact no more since i have gone and drilled <i>one</i> hole, that is sort of stock removal, not forging :). If i could have,i would have made the hole by piercing with some punch-like tool but i didnt have any idea how to make one from the scrap metals i had on my hands.<br />
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Other than that, everything so far, made by forging. I just cleaned the future bevel area with steel wire brush on angle grinder. If thats stock removal, then ill be damned. I donno what to call this knife yet, but i think i like the looks at least my self. It has a hole on the tip, reminding me from cleavers that i like, as well as a bit curved handle with flared butt, plus a choil with a finger groove to choke from. A curved overall edge might be good for chopping and slicing and it has also a bit of sharper tip at the and of the edge, if i have to stick something with it, to punch a hole or use it as a crude drillbit. Surely its not a whitlling tool, but a mix of things that i like, and i tried to mix em so that the knife would not be so ugly either.<br />
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More handle shaping to come, plus few this and thats and then i hopefully get the heat treatmets done without breaking the weird blade. The next one, i´ll be making will be made from another bearing race, next to the blade in the picture. Thats just what the blade in the pics, started from, but the next one, will have whole different,more demanding shape, with sharp, more knife like tip and dual bevels, i think.Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-49847129657848727252011-11-24T23:41:00.000+02:002011-11-24T23:41:51.642+02:00How original. Another knife post :)Heres a few shots of a knife i started to work with. I dont honestly have no idea, what kind of it will be when ready, but im sure it will be bigger one. Ive been playing with images of blade sports knives, tracker / wsk knives, cleavers etc, but we´ll see how it will it end up, or will it at all :).<br />
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It started its life as a SKF ball bearing race, about 10 centimeters diameter, 35 mm wide and 10mm thick. I red heated in two times, before i could cut an opening to it with angle grinder.<br />
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I didnt remember to take pictures of the progress as i was having a hard time, beating that race, on the horn of anvil, to open the gap in race till i could straighten it all the way, on the anvils straight surface, to form about 30 cm long, 35mm wide and 10mm thick blank. And i tell you that getting that blank to 5mm thick, took some time as well , this material aint as soft as spring steel you know.<br />
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But, after 2 hours or so its looking like this without any material taken away with any grinder & cutter. I try to form the shape now, as much as i can , with forging only, before the actual finishings. The handle will hae more contoured shape, and the blade shape.... i dont know at all,as i said :). As i own a T.O.P.S Tracker, i do have my opinion about it and i´d like o design that a bit further, maybe, from this piece of steel. But i also like all sort´s os seax knives, hukari´s, etc. Plus, i do love the oearlier style of R. Marchand, and also, many works of Tai Goo, so i am bit lost, you know....<br />
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While the big blank was heating i made a quick knife blade from an old Opel coilspring. Its not ready, sharpened etc in the pic, but you´ll see that its bit like some old scout knives that were common here once. It has a diamond / coffin cross cut shape, and a 12 cm blade, that starts from 20 mm and in its widest point before the tip its 23 mm. Thickest part, is about 5mm under the spine, and its 5mm. The spine itself is 3mm.<br />
I think this will have a brass bolster and a leather stack handle, just as the scout knives have.<br />
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At home, i had nothing to do so i started to build handles to my laminated big blade that Kotavuopio did to me. It was supposed to be pretty muhs like leuku with just a full tang but i went and made the handle a bit different after all.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5V457kNdd3A/Ts62e0mHjiI/AAAAAAAAB3M/pHwkYlcmxDo/s1600/kafa4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5V457kNdd3A/Ts62e0mHjiI/AAAAAAAAB3M/pHwkYlcmxDo/s320/kafa4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRRapOZFnpY/Ts62gkHUZOI/AAAAAAAAB3U/HNfjnWJYDu0/s1600/kafa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRRapOZFnpY/Ts62gkHUZOI/AAAAAAAAB3U/HNfjnWJYDu0/s320/kafa3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Lots of fitting, trying, removing for grinding, and then again, screwing the handle slabs on again....repeat several times.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOw39tpb7O4/Ts63H3dDpFI/AAAAAAAAB3c/CBJ3D9aToGU/s1600/kafa6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOw39tpb7O4/Ts63H3dDpFI/AAAAAAAAB3c/CBJ3D9aToGU/s320/kafa6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rnZzgU4S5I/Ts63OewLo8I/AAAAAAAAB3k/QzppGtT54s4/s1600/kafa5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rnZzgU4S5I/Ts63OewLo8I/AAAAAAAAB3k/QzppGtT54s4/s320/kafa5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In this pic youll see the tubing that i used as a rivet, acting also as a possible hafting point and a lanyard hole, which i see as a good aid especially on harder chopping. Theres also those holes in handle, drilled to lighten the total weight of knife a bit, and more than that, to make the blade better fro chopping-like tasks. I usually like all my knives to be front weighted than balanced equally.<br />
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I don thave any special tools nor equipment at home, not to mention a real working table, so i messed up my own mancave room with oak dust, epoxy, leather etc, but i got the handles done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xg0v4mW5Quo/Ts65NuluHVI/AAAAAAAAB4E/q7CDIl4mdYc/s1600/veittenkaffa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xg0v4mW5Quo/Ts65NuluHVI/AAAAAAAAB4E/q7CDIl4mdYc/s320/veittenkaffa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Then i sanded the handles a bit. Not too much, this is a working tool, not a showcase item by any means. Then a mixture og gunstock oil and red dye, let it settle a while after good scrubbing in of the oil, followed by hard woolsock "polishing". And were good to go, just after i get a shetah done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQUB8-RVRww/Ts66B3VVPgI/AAAAAAAAB4U/Ye0yOJILNYE/s1600/veittiitte1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQUB8-RVRww/Ts66B3VVPgI/AAAAAAAAB4U/Ye0yOJILNYE/s320/veittiitte1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-23359273231205113872011-11-13T17:27:00.000+02:002011-11-13T17:27:41.912+02:00Ahma arrived a few days agoWell, the Ahma puukko that <a href="http://t.kotavuopio/" style="color: red;">T.Kotavuopio</a> made to me, arrived a few days ago. I have been using it andit works like a dream. I hope i´ll be able to take some pictures of it in few next days, but all this frigging non stoping rain we´ve had in several days in a row, rain seems to ruin cameras. Well, anyways, its been used now, from basic sausage stick whittling :), and firewood prepping, to prepping fresh fish that i have been getting from lake almost every day, plus, i loaned to my friend who dropped a moose and tried Ahma for skinning,cutting and cutting of the game, and he wanted tobuy it from me immediately. I think it tells me, that this knife is pretty good for game use, as i wanted to have a more game capable puukko.<br />
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Heres few pics of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn-YRmVUseg/Tr_ZXfSlglI/AAAAAAAAB0M/U9hN8OlvtbE/s1600/ahma5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn-YRmVUseg/Tr_ZXfSlglI/AAAAAAAAB0M/U9hN8OlvtbE/s320/ahma5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>First of all, it fits just perfectly in my palm, and offers few different, and yet comfortable grips. The knife has a bit longer handle, compared to most common handle sizes as i have a big hand, plus, its still offers a lot better grip to me, even if i am wearing gloves, so i dont have to, take gloves off everytime i need knife for some quick cut.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iayZXpA5qtk/Tr_bCH71ArI/AAAAAAAAB0U/jMzcljhqAt0/s1600/ahma2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iayZXpA5qtk/Tr_bCH71ArI/AAAAAAAAB0U/jMzcljhqAt0/s320/ahma2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>The handle, is also, quite thin as you can see. Usually Finnish puukko´s have pretty round and fat handles, but as this is to be used with wet, maybe bloody hands, its better that the handle is flat, as it prevents the knife from starting to spin inside the fist. Still, the handle has rounded edges, so its not like something i see in various fulltang knives that have sharp corners in the handles, that are more like pain in the butt, and force you to think about using gloves while using the knife, to make the grip more comfortable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SpJlZNQryvs/Tr_b_ZwCMwI/AAAAAAAAB0c/CvmHnEV4tIM/s1600/ahma4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SpJlZNQryvs/Tr_b_ZwCMwI/AAAAAAAAB0c/CvmHnEV4tIM/s320/ahma4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The sheath is just what i asked for. A simple, no-nonsense leather piece with sturdy wooden liner inside. Still, i am Not complaining about that nicely done decoratioon Tero went and did, as its about in every knife he makes, in way or another. I asked that the beltloop should be large and bit wider. This because i usebit wider belts usually, and i just happen to like loops a bit wider. It has a soldered brass o-ring as a swivel, to the sheath folds away if i am sitting in the car or similar. The rigid loop aint my choise,as the sheath tends to stick everywhere while sitting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVA3gJ6sQA0/Tr_cE3dQ78I/AAAAAAAAB0k/d1M-_SzC2WY/s1600/ahma1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVA3gJ6sQA0/Tr_cE3dQ78I/AAAAAAAAB0k/d1M-_SzC2WY/s320/ahma1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> The front bolster, is hand filed for snug fit, from harder, thick piece of copper, instead of the usual brass, and it even looks nice with that red hardwood handle, i think. The tang goes thru the handle, and its then riveted, against a 4mm think piece of brass thats pressed in the wood. Pretty rugged construction overall, and i do know that the tang is pretty large compared to many tangs that ive seen so far.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYlIJ4GeRC4/Tr_cKaEJG7I/AAAAAAAAB0s/rNjpqHlKOKU/s1600/ahma3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYlIJ4GeRC4/Tr_cKaEJG7I/AAAAAAAAB0s/rNjpqHlKOKU/s320/ahma3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The blade, has measures like 11cm length, 30mm "height", 5mm thickness and its hand forged, all the way, including the bevel shaping, from a bar of <a href="http://www.sten.fi/english/data/attachments/K990DE.pdf">K990</a> steel.<br />
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By the way, as i was taking these quick shots, SNOW started to fall on the ground ! I know it wont stay on the ground, but it gives me hope, that the winter might be coming. after all, how great !Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064475132865338563.post-6848881454371034932011-11-10T22:07:00.001+02:002011-11-10T22:08:19.305+02:00C´mon WHERE´s the winter....?Its not here, at my home beach,i dont see any serious signs of fall ending and winter starting, and i have been waiting for more subzero nights and more morning frost....Theres still even flowers rising and in bright colours, the birch has tiny green buds...its all mixed up, the swans stay still here, at fields and bays, you dont need ice auger to to fish....Please give me a harsh winter. They are forecasting -3c for tonight but we´ll see about that.<br />
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And it sure doesnt look like a promising early winter even in lapland.... Well they have bit of ice in some smaller ponds and lakes able to carry a regular size guy to walk on for a while, and -3 temps but....last year, two weeks from this date, there was feet high snow, over -30c temps...so theres just that two weeks for the gods of weather to sort it out and give winter there too.<br />
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THIS is what i want to see for the next..lets say...5 months:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aut56Giv5XY/TrwtQ1gOhtI/AAAAAAAABzk/XwvfRDoN7U0/s1600/koer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aut56Giv5XY/TrwtQ1gOhtI/AAAAAAAABzk/XwvfRDoN7U0/s320/koer1.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>Perkunashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18428829268665731168noreply@blogger.com8