Antica Coltelleria Tavella: Marttiini - Finland

Marttiini is a finnish knifemaker headquartered in Rovaniemi, in Finland.

Blacksmith Janne Marttiini established J Marttiinin Puukkotehdas in Rovaniemi in 1928. In those days the whole knife production process, beginning with forging the blade, was done manually. Marttiini, working as a factory manager, attended to his marketing requirements on a bycicle. In his time, Janne Marttiini was an especially innovative manager. He emphasised product development and has the energy to travel extensively to exapnd his sales region and improve his market share. Even by the 1920s the Marttiini factory was aiming towards achieving reliable high quality by developing production methods and the professional skills of the employees.

The Marttiini knife factory has a long tradition in combining handicraft skills and practical needs. For people in the Arctic region, a knife has always been an impostant means of survival in harsh conditions. Knives were a necessity in collecting firewood and making a fire, making tools and implements, construction, hunting, fishing, and preparing the kill for cooking and eating. Nobody left home without a knife: many wanderers were saved by the knife on their belt which they used instead of an ice pick if the ice broke and wanderer ended up in cold water. Knife handling was learned at an early age. Knives were produced for men, women and minors so that the knives would suite the user's size, strength, and purpose of use. Knives meant to be worn at festive occasions alongside Sunday-best clothing are equipped with nicely decorated sheaths, handles and ferrules. A beautiful knife also server as an ornament. Women may wear delicate, ornamented knives on a necklace.

Marttiini knives are made for the user.