Making a Puukko File Knife

This is our 10th video and we are truly grateful for all who have watched, subscribed, liked, and commented.
This time I am making a puukko style carving knife from an old metal file for my father-in-law. I’ve combined black walnut, and a brass bolster with birch back that we found on a family hike while visiting my in laws in Vermont, to make the handle. The blade started from a file that I then drew out with some forge work to taper the blade then ground the bevels in with my 1x30 inch grinder.
All in all it turned out better than I could have hoped and I know my father-in-law will love and use it well.
I’m including time stamps below for those viewers who might want to jump around to particular parts of the knife making process. Thank you all so much for a successful first 10 videos and we hope you will continue to join us.
Process Time Stamps:
2:30 Discussing how I built my bucket forge
4:24 Forging the blade out to length
7:35 Shaping the profile and grinding the bevels
11:59 Heat treating the blade
14:03 Tempering the blade
14:40 Finishing grinding the bevels
15:52 Discussing how to convex grind and sharpening
17:05 Filing in the choil
17:32 Preparing the birch bark
19:05 Making the brass bolster
20:12 preparing the black walnut for the handle
21:00 Burning the tang into the handle wood
21:55 Sanding the brass bolster, pre glue-up
23:30 Seating the bolster on the tang
24:12 Gluing up the handle
27:26 Shaping the handle
31:35 Finish polishing and sharpening the blade
32:02 Oiling the handle
To those of you who feel like you got something special from our videos and want to know how you can supports us further, we have just launched our Patreon page here... / theartofcraftsmanship

[@cassanoa]

the little girl in the back ground was hilarious :-) great job on the knife

[@magicdaveable]

My very first knife was forged at the Blacksmith Shop in 1956 in my hometown in the rural Catskills. I was 7 years old and the local blacksmith was only open on Saturdays. I hung out there because it was really cool watching and learning. He taught me a lot of blacksmithing skills. He even forged some smaller hammers that I could handle.

[@papasteve215]

David Bennett Sir, we’re about the same age. How fortunate for you to have had someone to show you a skill that so very few people have today. I had a similar situation in the mid fifties when I was 6-10 years old

[@TheWaggaBloke]

Brilliant totally Brilliant Mate from all your Subs and also everyone else Thank You for Sharing

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@22triggy]

I am a 50 yr old 'time served Craftsman' and I just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying your work, thanks for all the time and effort you put in and good luck with it for the future.

[@vyranlaise8356]

1969 what a wonderful year. 50 years of learning. Now what can you do with all your skills. Isn't it amazing how time just flies by. Stay busy and use you mind. It's true what they say. If you don't use it you will lose it.

[@troybaum2321]

Your channel is awesome.im feeling pumped up to start making knifes..

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you. Good luck. It’s an awesome hobby.

[@fishmaniachannel]

Nice👌 injoyed making process👌

[@Stillpoint23]

Love the video, and the music is so relaxing, brings back fond memories of road tripping on Grateful Dead tour, and going to Rainbow gatherings on the East Coast with a girl named Marie. She went to pick blueberries in Maine, while I made my way to Colorado. We wrote letters back and forth for the rest of that year... Good stuff brothers D :)

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Right on! Good memories. Cheers Steel!

[@davidbean5807]

I have been enjoying your videos. I believe it is because you are doing things that I have done throughout my life. I didn't video any of it and wish I had been able to but There was no KZbin at that time of my life. I am now disabled and even if I had a good day and was able to manage to attempt to do things I would be worried that someone might see my attempt and try to use it against me. I am really sad that I can no longer function as I use to. If I do anything It is usually only for a few minutes because I don't have the strength or energy. I had so much I wanted to do and planned to make time in my old age. I burnt the candle at both ends working for years and was too tired to do all the things I thought I could do later. Your videos help me to feel like I am learning different techniques from the ones I have used in the past. I believe that is why I enjoy watching. In my lifetime I was several different things. I was an independent lumper, I worked in a chrome plating shop,I have been a yard foreman and a warehouse foreman, I was a stock person, I was a knife salesman in a knife store for three years, Then a maintenance man for twenty-one years or so. Then when that job ended I worked in a tire shop for many years and worked on farm and lawn equipment for a while and then I was sort of a hired hand. All these jobs aided me in learning different skills and I always thought I would have more time. So keep doing what you are doing as long as you can so that you have no regrets later. Video everything. And share what relates you to others. I am sure your channel will grow. I know I just subscribed and have been watching your videos for the last few days. I loved watching your technique for making that osage orange bow and the video on making the bowstring. I made a beautiful bow for my grandson once out of Cedar (don't ever use Cedar) It broke not long after being built. I braided my string it was strong but I knew there must have been a better way. Thanks for sharing your videos. They are the reason I shared my story with you. I have been living vicariously through KZbin videos for the last few years. They have been therapeutic. One last suggestion (Old Mower Blades). Reuse, recycle.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you for all the compliments, and opening up about you story. We are truly honored to inspire, and give our viewers something to get excited about, wether or not they are able to create them themselves. I love that you have made much of what I do on the channel. It sounds to me like you have created a legacy with a life time of experiences. I’m inspired. Thanks.

[@davemartinelli7490]

Awesome video to watch..

[@AROY413]

3 years later this video is still one of the best

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks so much A!

[@geraldtuck5690]

Really nice work

[@JB4.4.4]

Very nice project, ..... best regards from Munich ... a friend of your work style from Bavaria !!!!

[@dalevodden1359]

Your granddad is going to love that knife I like would like to see the cheth for it

[@drcustomblades2984]

Great video man !! thank you!!

[@johnbennett7244]

Interesting video.

[@pvahanen]

The right puukko has its own spirit. It cannot be bought. A good friend can donate a puukko, then a spirit comes into it.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

I like it!

[@pvahanen]

@@TheArtofCraftsmanship I am over 60yrs. I haven't bought any (Puukko). There are only two gifts received for the need of what was. I will remember their spirit until my death.

[@pvahanen]

@@TheArtofCraftsmanship So you can only sell your good puukko as a gift to a third party. Then there is the spirit.

[@tracycastleberry9040]

I'm 60 have had a few hobbies flint knapping, blacksmithing, really like watching you make things gives me some ideas.

[@dacrowrose2]

It is so good to see someone hand making a knife, their self and enjoying what they are doing. A very good quality knife, not one that is mass produced in China.

[@giboron]

nice job

[@JimG31547]

I bet Father in law was very happy with that gift.

[@davidwelsh1487]

u are doing a good job

[@GeezerWheels]

Love your stuff! I'm 72 and have been a very amateur word worker for a number of years - just a duffer compared to your craftsmanship. Thanks for all the finer points you teach as you go along. So nice to watch when we are in single digits Fahrenheit in SW Colorado and my shop is unheated! Thanks again!

[@richkeagy8907]

Man, you should be proud. Ownin' a fine dog like that.

[@gorancvijovic2635]

Men. And again I watch it, and love it. Great.

[@TheBottegaChannel]

There needs to be a love button for videos like this. The content displays all forms of what it means to be a craftsmen. Venturing into new areas of study outside your comfort zone to increase your skills, heartfelt forethought in materials used during the build, passion for making quality crafts, familial bonds, and a mischievous whimsy displayed by your shop elf's cameo ( at 29: 32). Keep up the awesome work!

[@CuttySobz]

Little elf pops up to say hi at 4:33 xD

[@georgewalker2680]

The video is excellent and so is the music

[@TheMongo1357]

What I really appreciate about your videos, is that you slow down the process, so that viewers such as I, can really appreciate your Artistry and Craftsmanship! Very nice job!

[@robertkelley4352]

i really enjoy your channel

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Chris!

[@ataarjomand]

Excellent job. Very beautiful. Thanks a lot.

[@hanikaram3351]

nice job most likely better than some production companies

[@fern6114]

Subscribed, cheers from luxembourg 🇱🇺 europe👍

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you brother!

[@nickdemuro1858]

Man, your Videos have helped me in so many ways, I love that you teach using “budget” friendly machines. Thank you!

[@mikeparton4294]

Awesome job

[@stefjeano]

I saw your little video bomber! lol I love your videos!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Good eye and thanks for watching!

[@dacrowrose2]

You turn out some of the most beautiful work

[@NavajoNinja]

Nice. Reminds me of what youtube used to be. Everyone acts like an expert blacksmith these days. I love to forge. I useold leaf springs, takes me a day to pound out a blade. Ha. But its fun.

[@garethbaus5471]

Leaf springs are great, I am currently working on a knife made from 1060 that was salvaged from some rail company.

[@mofun01]

Perfect

[@tristanbarnett6271]

Nice job you turned a old file into a awesome knife

[@armandozaragoza9713]

100 % good i need one boos

[@wotandonner4336]

Wie immer, eine top Arbeit!!

[@davidrobie6693]

Just wonderful to watch someone who pays attention to the details!

[@jesmitty7367]

Sweet knife, I really like the birch bark in the handle.

[@adamboylan2307]

Beatiful job.

[@sbk162]

the forge is simple and neat idea

[@wojciechkopacz7556]

Super

[@DiesInEveryFilm]

Cool little knife thanks for sharing

[@jezboyd6004]

Absolutely beautiful knife and sheath. With the ferro rod on the side that's got it nailed. Cracking job. Thanks so much for all your help with all the stuff you show.

[@1DaramG]

Your forge is great. Awsome idea that I will be copying.

[@RoeRoe123]

Great video. I know your wife has got to be proud of you making that for her father.

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

Super workmanship !

[@JLPryce]

Nice. You earned a spot in your daddy n laws hall of fame for the best son n law. Lp

[@harveyjscott]

I wish you'd include a list of the tools that you use per project. That would be very helpful. Love your videos!

[@jackyoung1155]

You can typically build any knife with steel (can be anything from actual bought steel, file, etc.) A file, a heat source and a angle grinder

[@TheWaggaBloke]

Brilliant totally Brilliant Love your work thank You mate from all your Sub’s and everyone else

[@johnanderson2217]

You OK partner, It's like visiting with an old friend who really wants to share something with you. Please keep them coming.

[@joshuahileman2650]

One of my favorites. This video inspired me to make my first knife

[@sherwinpalacio3227]

Love all your knives!

[@gco40gray82]

Looks really buddy. Great job.

[@johnstewart8573]

It was a real pleasure to watch you work. I'll bet your father-in-law thinks very highly of you!

[@basslinern7523]

Super travail pour un magnifique couteau !

[@troyli31]

It is great to have all the fun in making this and send it as a gift to a friend to share that. Great job!

[@jrocks1971]

Doood - stacked BIRCH bark... That’s dope. 😄👍🏼

[@rolflannder7223]

That is a really nice puukko man!

[@faustinotrufelli2094]

You are so gifted. Congratulations 👏👏

[@buckaroo8805]

That’s a beauty! I love that birch bark. I have a bunch of those trees right in my yard!

[@steinderbush]

The match between the wood and the birch is awesom !! great job!!

[@JohnyTopaz]

Congrats on video number ten, Dustin! Thanks for these fine instructionals on knife making. I’m going to be spring boarding off your how-tos and trying my hand at some of this. I’ve already annealed two smaller files in my outdoor wood burning furnace, have two plans drawn up, and am working on knife number one. They’ll be a matching pair w different blade designs for use in the shop. Thank you!

[@jrcsaddletramp2557]

They videos I've been looking 4....keep them coming......

[@deathbysilence0]

years later looks like your doing a lot better than 3k subs congrats going to pay more attention to your video uploads!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank Sean.

[@adriantabil9555]

You're such a Master!

[@mikemeinders6717]

I like the the cameo your kid did sneaky little bugger ... Ha ha

[@nolanpeter2748]

Great contrast on the handle between the bark and wood, nice job.

[@allanwagner4570]

Never liked a ricasso on any of my knives Would like one without a ricasso Nice job

[@allanwagner4570]

Do ya sell them

[@popsforgeblacksmithing4793]

It would be very helpful if you made a video explaining how you modified your sander to tilt forward. Looks like it could help a lot of people

[@darrellallen7931]

Very nice knife,enjoyed the process very much, thank you for your efforts to make the video.

[@bjornsvalling1066]

Beatiful pukko! Knifes in the Finnish tradition are wonderful. Have a few myself.

[@nicolaasporter3215]

Beautiful knife sir. Can't wait for the next vid but good things do take time. Thanks for taking time to show your process.

[@TheVerbiousOne]

This video is inspiring and educational. Than you for sharing your work.

[@alwaysoutdoors4242]

Great video. Love the craftsmanship and care you obviously have for the end product. Your kiddos was cute and provided a good chuckle.

[@heyimamaker]

The stacked birch bark is amazing! I would totally use that when I build a knife!

[@nickmeijer88]

Was about to say the same. At first I thought damn all that epoxy is going to mess it up but it came out beautifully. Exited to start my first file knife :D

[@thedestroyer5467]

Great job I like it I want to see more you're videos sir! Thanku

[@TheRedhawke]

Enjoyed the video and seeing your helper do a guest appearance at 29:32 was way cool. Glad to see you include the next generation of makers in your shop time.

[@JR-ir2vk]

Loved the video, keep it up and I can’t wait to watch the other 9!

[@leomoutsoulas5281]

Beautiful knife brother, hell of a gift.

[@kameelelian6044]

Love the videos ,the length of them provides so much more info . I have to hidden tang blades and came here for tips and ideas. I enjoy your style.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Kameel!

[@kameelelian6044]

Love coming back to this Video. Currently on my second full Visible tang knife , a puukko style blade with a olive wood handle. I’m very fortunate that I’m currently being mentored by a knife maker with 20 years experience I can’t imagine going through this blindly like some have I’m very fortunate. However he definitely doesn’t go out of his way to make it easy lol . Coming back to this video just to brush up I’ve finally got just about everything I need to attempt to do as you’ve done in this video. Don’t have enough birch bark but may use leather instead. I have to high carbon blades ready to go and will be sacrificing an old mill bastard so fingers crossed . My mentor says I’m a natural but I still get the nerves sometimes lol but I’ve never had more fun. Keep up the great content. I’ll be coming back till this videos like library books

[@genefoster9770]

thanks for the video every time I watch one of your videos I see things that I could be doing to make my projects go better thank you see you on the next one

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you so much for that comment. That’s is my goal with this channel. Not only to show what I make but to expose others to creating things and expanding on their current knowledge.

[@bfyoung38]

Beautiful knife, Great video, and waiting for more, Sir.....

[@allenrunyon5878]

Beautiful Work!!

[@joeleonetti8976]

Thanks for the video. It's funny, for a while I've been racking my brain as to what knife to buy. This video solves it for me, I will just make my own.

[@kerrycomstock9220]

Thank you so much for the video....I am interested in making knives myself and I need all the help I can get. I am a long time woodworker, but I have never done much metal work so, again, thanks!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

This is the type of comment I love to receive. Thanks for watching. I started the channel to help inspire and teach, and to learn from others. I hope this channel does that for you. Thanks again.

[@vladmahehov]

Awesome knife sir good production 👍👍👍☺

[@PRNTproductions]

I gotta tell ya this is one of the most awesome knife making videos I've ever seen. The whole video I felt like I was in the shop with you creating a gift for a family member, you've really impressed me. Great video and I'm definetly subscribing.

[@michaelp.139]

Awesome build. I would have loved to see you put a matching brass pummel on the end of the handle.

[@peterdriver4760]

Nice job

[@lancerussell666]

Turned out nice nice job

[@dannytango36]

Very relaxing I must say. gets me hyped up to work on my own.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Awesome knife and video production 👍 A lot of time went into this video and it shows. Love the music as well. Thanks for another great video 👍

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks for the compliment! We do our best and work hard to make them well, so we really appreciate it when you notice.

[@diybyed6984]

Top quality Video & Knife , plus I was enjoying your music during the sandying . Can't wait till your next one.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

diy by ed69 Thanks so much ch for watching and the compliment. My brother, who does the videography for the channel is also a musician. He and a band mate recorded all the music.

[@thierrypasquet1503]

superbe travail ,vous êtes un maître dans votre partie

[@ericsmith9206]

Great video good job.