The term "Kauhava knife" refers to knives with lacquered birch bark handles. The older version of the Kauhava knife is called the Ball Pommel, with the Horsehead having been developed slightly later. The Ball Pommel Knife is one of our oldest knife models, having been made since 1880. The knife’s upper bolster is a round-shaped pommel pressed from brass.
The Kauhava Knife was developed by Iisakki Järvenpää and his cousin Juho Kustaa Lammi, and it became one of their first knife models. While the Kauhava Horsehead Knife was produced under both of their names, the Ball Pommel model was made exclusively by Iisakki Järvenpää, which is why he is considered to be the inventor of this model. As a result, this model is often chosen as the company’s anniversary commemorative knife.
The Kauhava Ball Pommel Knife has always been in production at Iisakki Järvenpää, made over the years with various handle materials such as birch bark, birch wood, galalith, ebonite, and even bone. These days, the Ball Pommel is still made in the same style, with a lacquered birch bark handle. The engravings on the knife’s lower bolster, as well as the upper and lower fittings on the sheath, are done by hand, a process known as "tikkelöinti." The sheath for the Kauhava knife is made from either light or black cowhide leather and features a decorative brass tip and traditional hand-pressed patterns.
The traditional engravings on the fittings and the sheath are ornamental and don’t affect the knife’s usability. The blade is made from the same carbon steel as our utility knives, and these knives were originally designed for practical use. While one might hesitate to use these valuable models on hunting or hiking trips, there’s no reason not to, as they function just as well as the less ornamental knives. Iisakki Järvenpää always made products to be used as tools, not merely to be admired through a glass. His original intention was to make the best tool he could, and once satisfied with the functionality, then make the knife as beautiful as possible. He believed that if a knife was beautiful, it would be well cared for and last from father to son.
The Kauhava Ball Pommel Knife is made in two sizes: the traditional model with a 10 cm polished carbon steel blade, and the smaller Women’s Knife. Combined, these two form the Double Ball Pommel knife, featuring the same design with 10 cm and 6 cm blades. The sheath for the Kauhava knife is made from light or black leather, with a decorative brass tip and traditional patterns pressed into the leather. The sheath is the same as the one used for the Kauhava Horsehead Knife.
The knife in its sheath is 25 cm long, with the knife measuring 21 cm, and the blade's length is 10 cm.
