Knife. A Search for the Artistry and Craftsmanship of the Norwegian Knife

The traditional Norwegian sheath knife, the tollekniv, has always been a part of national identity and is held in high esteem by the international knife community. The sheath knife is at once the perfect tool for opening packages and for gutting a bull elk should – this knife can also protect you from ghosts and subterranean creatures, heal wounds and cure illnesses.

Perhaps Øijord doesn’t explain how to sew a traditional rawhide knife sheath or laminate steel in a forge. But he does entertainingly explain the art of knifemaking. To discover the value he sets out on a journey throughout Norway to meet with master artisans and document the making of a utility knife of the finest order.

Knives is an illustrated literary presentation of the sheath knife’s history and areas of use – a beautiful and fascinating glimpse of an ancient and hand-crafted piece of Norwegian culture.