The Härmä Knife is based on a design by Iisakki Järvenpää from the late 19th century, which was very popular at that time and known as the Visapää No. 1. Over time, the model has become known as the Härmä Knife, especially in its Double Knife version. The Double Knife features a highly decorative sheath and includes both the large and small versions of the Härmä Knife side by side. Together with the Helavyö belt, they form part of the South Ostrobothnian folk costume.
The Härmä Knife is also available in a Single Sheath version, which consists of the larger knife alone in a significantly simpler sheath. The knife itself is the same, with a red-stained birch bark handle that reveals the birch patterns through the stain and six layers of lacquer.
The blade is 10 cm long, made of carbon steel, making it suitable for both carving and field use. The knife features brass fittings with hand-carved sawtooth patterns on both the upper and lower fittings. The sheath can be chosen in either natural light or black leather without decorations, with a smooth brass collar at the mouth of the sheath.
The Single Sheath Härmä Knife is versatile, serving as a traditional utility knife for hunting or hiking, but it can also be paired with the Helavyö for formal occasions. It has also been used as a course or unit knife in various branches of the Finnish Defence Forces.
Carbon steel requires maintenance; after use, the blade should be cleaned, dried, and oiled. However, it is very sharp and easy to sharpen yourself with a sharpening stone. At the factory, we use CRC Sisu oil with a pine tar scent to protect the blade. Other similar protective oils, such as WD40, also work. If you use the knife with food, it’s advisable to protect the blade with cooking oil, such as sunflower or rapeseed oil, though these may become sticky over time.
The so-called blood groove is not a traditional part of the Härmä Knife.
