Meri
Meri is an open and bright personality whose down-to-earth approach to work and life brings a positive vibe to our team. Trained as a silversmith, she is responsible for finishing, decorative engravings, belts, and jewelry. Growing up in a family of craftsmen, she has always had access to all the necessary materials, tools, and art supplies. It was not uncommon to start meals amidst paintings and metalworking projects without clearing them off the table first. This tradition continues in the family to this day.
After her military service, Meri trained as a woodworking artisan in Kalajoki and also worked in sales but yearned to work with her hands.
“I learn by doing and enjoy working with my hands. That's why I decided to join Iisakki. I’m detail-oriented and feel like I’m in the perfect place in my career. The best part of working at Iisakki is the great colleagues and the vibrant community of craftsmen of all ages. The low threshold for making tools and aids in the factory also adds interest to the weekdays.
My hobbies are all crafts, although as a mother of young children, time for hobbies can be tight. Currently, ceramics is my favorite hobby, and I’ve enjoyed the process since overcoming the initial precision challenges.”
PEKKA
Pekka is an engineer who does whatever is needed and wanted. He is a cornerstone of the knife factory – our "tool fixer" who keeps our old machines in working order and makes new parts when needed. Pekka is responsible for blade production, casting, and other metal parts. The stranger the problem, the more enthusiastic Pekka is about solving it.
Even in his free time, Pekka continues working on machines as a hobby, building cars, motorcycles, and various gadgets, and managing his grain farm.
No matter what vehicle Pekka arrives in each morning, it is always intriguing enough to invite customers to inspect it thoroughly before coming into the store.
KIRSI
Kirsi is the newest of the knife makers but already skilled like a seasoned pro. With a meticulous and diligent nature, Kirsi has several crafts skills, including expertise in both goldsmithing and graphic design programs. Additionally, she has experience using glass in jewelry making, such as self-made glass beads.
Despite her background in jewelry making, here Kirsi focuses on leatherwork. Among the sheath-making tasks, metal soldering is the most familiar through her jewelry experience. She also enjoys leather stamping, though it is challenging.
“On a whim, I applied for the position and am satisfied with it. Although it’s factory work, the series are short and the tasks varied, sometimes working with leather, sometimes with metal. I like the small, nostalgically old-fashioned company. There’s a pleasant workshop atmosphere here. Working with my hands has always been close to my heart.
In my free time, I enjoy fiddling with and crafting various things. I knit and crochet, engage in all sorts of yarn work, read, and listen to audiobooks. I’ve also painted and drawn since I was little. My other interests include mythology, folklore, and Finnish cultural traditions and beliefs. I love drawing inspiration and themes from them for my work.”
JARKKO
Jarkko is the factory manager, a knife maker, and trained as a commercial pilot and helicopter pilot.
“After 20 years as a jet captain traveling the world, it has been good to dive back into the world of traditional craftsmanship.
My role includes not only the usual entrepreneurial responsibilities but also factory management, procurement of materials and tools, collection development, and digging into history to answer customer inquiries.
Outside the knife factory, I spend my time flying helicopters, tinkering with cars and motorcycles, and spending time with my wife and dog, including outdoor activities in Lapland.”
