The Nilakka was designed by award-winning Finnish knifemaker Pekka Tuominen. Tuominen is one of the world’s most knowledgeable experts on the traditional Finnish puukko knife and one of only seven puukkoseppamestari, or “master bladesmiths” certified by the Finnish Ministry of Education. He is an expert at all aspects of bladesmithing and knifemaking and takes great pride in personally crafting every detail of his knives and sheaths. He is also a winner of numerous puukko-making competitions and a member of both the Scandinavian Knifemaker’s Guild and the Finnish Knife Association. Spyderco is honored to work with this incredibly talented craftsman and to share his designs through our products.
The Nilakka is the result of Spyderco’s longstanding quest to translate the traditional Finnish puukko to a modern folding knife. In the spirit of the other knives in Spyderco’s Ethnic Series—and based on the success of Tuominen’s FB28 fixed-blade Puukko design—Spyderco asked him to express the critical qualities of the classic puukko in a folder. Through a collaborative exchange and a number of prototype revisions, the knife gradually evolved into its final form.
The Nilakka’s handle is built on a framework of full-length stainless steel liners that also provide the structure for its Walker LinerLock® mechanism. The liners are joined by a stainless steel back spacer and covered with machined G-10 scales that create the distinctive diamond-shaped cross section that is a hallmark of traditional puukko design. Bead blasted to ensure a secure grip, the scales are extremely ergonomic and allow easy orientation of the edge by tactile sense.
Made from premium CPM S30V stainless steel, the Nilakka’s blade features full-flat-ground bevels that flow smoothly into a zero-ground cutting edge. This unique form of Scandinavian-style (“Scandi”) grind offers exceptional edge geometry for superior low-drag cutting performance. It is accented by a subtle swedge on the spine of the blade and Spyderco’s Trademark Round Hole. In the closed position, the blade is almost completely contained within the handle and the Round Hole nests in a scalloped recess in the obverse scale. This makes the knife extremely trim, yet still allows it to be easily opened with one hand.
A butt-mounted deep-pocket clip supports right-side, tip-up carry, and makes the Nilakka a true “pocket puukko” that is ideal for everyday carry.
Drawing its name from one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in Finland, the Nilakka is a truly extraordinary folding knife that seamlessly combines form, function, and ages-old Finnish tradition into a stylish, modern cutting tool.
