New Forms of Traditional Knife

DesignForum Finland hosts an exhibition where top designers display their ideas of the “leukupuukko” knife of Lapland, October 2nd to November 29th, 2009. Leukupuukko is a general tool for reindeer herding and fishing, which has been made and used by the Sámi people of Lapland for some 300 years. Today, there are few makers of this knife left. The exhibition titled Leuku II is a comment to global production practices and price competition, which cause many local traditions to disappear. This phenomenon is universal, and examples can be found from all cultures. Leuku II presents the interpretations of 22 designers of the leukupuukko knife. They include top designers from the Nordic countries and some of the world’s most famous designers from the international scene. On view are drawings and prototypes. The prototypes have been prepared by Finland’s leading puukko knife makers. Leuku II was first on display at the Sámi Museum Siida in Inari, Finnish Lapland. The exhibition will tour internationally after its run at Designforum Finland.