With the success of their FIRECRACT series, White River Knife & Tool has taken it further with the first Scandinavian ground knife, also designed by Jason Tietz. Meet the White River FC-PKO Power Puukko!
Puukko knives have existed for centuries and are a right of passage for Scandinavian young adults. It’s their equivalent of a pocket knife in North America!
Power Puukko
The White River FC-PKO features a puukko-inspired design combining a traditional Scandinavian (scandi) edge and modern elements. A fire notch at the top of the blade allows users to strike a Ferro rod efficiently. Additionally, the knife includes a polished stainless steel divot, perfect for using with a spindle when creating fire the old-fashioned way with a bow and drill set. The FC-PKO Power Puukko demonstrates a perfect blend of tradition and innovation.
The WRK&T Puukko showcases several standout features beyond its basic design. With an overall length of 8.1 inches and a weight of 4.6 ounces, this classic drop point full tang knife has a Scandinavian grind crafted from CPM S35VN steel. Its handle, made from micarta with orange liners, features an exposed pommel. The knife has a Kydex sheath and a ferrocerium rod to complete the package, embodying the Firecraft spirit.
Fire Notch
I previously used a knife with a Jason Tietz-designed fire notch with excellent results; the same goes for the new WRK&T Puukko. Notch placement is in the best possible place on the spine where it won’t get in the way of thumb-assisted push-cuts or choking up on the blade when skinning. The spine is rounded for absolute comfort when using different knife grips. As a bonus, it may also save a baton from getting shredded up too quickly. Only the notch area is sharpened for striking and scraping.
This notch will accommodate any size of Ferro rod and shower tinder with ferocious hot sparks. However, this doesn’t limit it to striking alone; it makes the best tinder scraper for fatwood, magnesium, bamboo, or poplar shavings.
Scandi Grind
The striking zero-grind edge of the FC-PKO Power Puukko catches the eye and shines brilliantly. The ultra-sharp scandi grind with a slight drop point on the 3.7-inch blade was surprisingly sharp right out of the box, passing my initial hair-shaving test.
The Sheath
The WRK&T Puukko has a straightforward Kydex sheath and a versatile belt clip with a replaceable Ferro rod. The handle rides high, allowing for easy drawing of the short blade, and you can wear it inverted with excellent retention. The knife deploys smoothly with a thumb-assisted push-off. The neck carry option is a perfect weight, and the removable belt loop creates a lighter, less bulky setup. The FC-PKO Power Puukko and its sheath make an excellent combination for outdoor enthusiasts.
FC-PKO Power Puukko Test
Scandi knives excel at wood carving, making them ideal for bushcraft tasks. I crafted a try stick, a notched valuable tool for various applications, aiming for 10 or 11 notches on a green thumb-thick piece of softwood. The blade easily handles deep stop cuts with different grips.
In my experience, making feather sticks for a fire is best done with a scandi. The WRK&T Puukko efficiently crafted feather sticks, proving its effectiveness in bushcraft tasks.
I planted the blade horizontally into a log firmly by using a baton. In that position, I scraped fatwood against the notch until I had a nice-sized pile to ignite. I used the Ferro rod to scrape back against the notch, sending hot sparks on the fatwood shavings and igniting them quickly. Testing the FC-PKO Power Puukko was a valuable experience.
For more information, please contact White River Knife & Tool.
FC-PKO Power Puukko Specs
| Blade Length | 3.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 8.1inches |
| Blade Thickness | .125 inches |
| Steel | CPM S35VN |
| RC | 58-60 |
| Weight | 4.6 ounces |
| Sheath | Kydex (black) |
| Made in | USA |
| MSRP | $200.00 |
