Tommi Knife 95mm

The traditional Tommi knife is an excellent tool for various purposes, including wood processing and the handling of game and fish. Key features include a black-dyed sheath with a red-dyed emblem. The knife's handle is made of birch bark, with brass fittings at both the top and bottom. The blade is made of silver steel. The Tommi knife is an ancient design from Hyrynsalmi. The crafting of this knife began around 1870 in the Mustalahti house at Oravivaaran. The Tommi knife is a product of the Keränen blacksmith family. The first blacksmith to forge the Tommi knife was Kalle Keränen (1844-1912), who was a skilled smith in his youth. When news reached him that oil hardening was being performed far to the south in Fiskars, a technique unknown in Kainuu, the young man packed his provisions and traveled to Fiskars to learn the specialized skills of hardening, forging, and casting. Fiskars had just appointed a talented iron craftsman, Thomas Woodward, from England as the head of the fine smithy. Woodward served as a master from 1862 to 1875, during which time Kalle Keränen gained invaluable knowledge about the nuances of knife forging, hardening, and metal casting. The Tommi knife is based on an old design from Hyrynsalmi, which Keränen combined with the knowledge and skills learned in Fiskars. Under his hands, the knife became a work of art. The name "Tommi knife" comes from Thomas Woodward. After receiving an extra drink from a customer, Keränen would boast: "I am Tommi," referring to his master "Tommi Woodward." Gradually, Kalle Keränen began to be referred to as Tommi Keränen and eventually simply as Tommi. The name of the smith then became the name of the knife.