TheSami knife (Skolt Sami:jõnn-neiʹbb,Inari Sami:stuorrânijbe,Northern Sami:stuorraniibi, all of which mean "big-knife", andFinnish:lapinleuku, leuku or lapinpuukko) is a largeknife traditionally used by theSami people.
The Sami knife has a long, wide, and strong blade that is suited for light chopping tasks such as de-limbing, cutting small trees forshelter poles (Seelavvu), brush clearing, bone breaking andbutchering tasks,[1] and is sometimes used as a substitute for anaxe for chopping and splitting small amounts offirewood from standing dead trees—an essential ability when all dead and fallen wood is buried underneath many layers ofsnow—or for combat. Typical Sami knives have a blade length ranging from 200 millimetres (7.9 in) to 450 millimetres (18 in).[2]
The handle is generally made frombirch for better grip when used in snowy conditions. This also provides good control over the blade, particularly when using draw strokes, which are preferred when handling the knife with gloves, or while the hands are numb.[3] The tang runs through the handle. The handle has no crossguard. Traditional material for the sheath isreindeer leather.
The blade's edge often has a Scandinavian (or "Scandi") grind, i.e. a single flat bevel. The blade should be strong enough to split (reindeer) bones, and tempered to sustain low temperatures. Some Sami knives havefullers.
The Sami people typically use two knives: the smaller called abuiku,puukko, orunna niibaš ("small knife"); while the larger "Sami knife" is calledstuorra niibi ("big knife").
