Sami knife

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The Sami knife is a large traditional knife used by the Sami people. In Sami languages and Finnish it has names that mean "big knife." It has a long, wide, strong blade for tasks like de-limbing, cutting shelter poles, clearing brush, breaking bones, and butchering. It can also be used like an axe to chop small amounts of firewood from standing dead trees when snow covers the wood, or for defense.

Blade length is typically 200–450 mm (about 8–18 inches). The handle is usually birch, chosen for a good grip in snowy conditions, with the tang running through the handle and no crossguard. The sheath is traditionally reindeer leather. The edge often uses a Scandinavian grind (a single flat bevel). The blade is tempered to stay strong in cold temperatures, and some blades have fullers.

Two knives are commonly used: a smaller one called buiku, puukko, or unna niibaš (small knife), and a larger “Sami knife” called stuorra niibi (big knife).