Joni Karvinen

Riimu Steel Arts

Knife maker

Knives for the 21st century

Joni handcrafts knives from unusual and exotic metal combinations to create a unique look
His designs are inspired by nature, space and geometry
Knife making is undergoing a revival in popularity in Finland

In his early twenties, Joni Karvinen felt like he really needed to do something with his hands, something he had always been drawn to. Realising this, he turned to study woodworking and later took on metalworking, through which he discovered forging. He instantly fell in love with forging. Although he had learned the basic metalworking techniques at school, Joni developed his specialist skills on his own and considers himself mostly self-taught. Knife making was introduced to him by a friend and it soon became his chosen niche. He opened up his workshop in 2017, and since then has focused on making unique and practical kitchen knives, combining metal combinations and exotic materials. "As an example, after two years of experiments and research, I managed to forge weld titanium with steel," he explains.

Interview

In what way is your craft linked to the territory?: Finland has long roots in blacksmithing. A traditional Finnish Puukko knife has always been a well-known tool. Traditional blacksmithing is not as common as before, but knife making has again become more popular. However, the forging part of the making process is often skipped.
What does 'well made' mean to you?: A well made tool has different aspects in balance: usability, robustness, comfort, design and finish. It must be pleasing to look at. Being an artisan makes me a bit of a perfectionist. So, often the work is about chasing that one scratch for hours.
Is there something surprising about your craft?: Heat treatment is one of the biggest parts of making a knife. It is about steel’s internal structure that cannot be seen with bare eyes. But it determines how the knife or steel will perform.
What is your specialist skill?: Within knife making, I specialise in kitchen knives. I aim for a high-quality product with a suitable geometry, heat treatment and comfort. I use unique metal combinations and exotic materials, mix traditional and modern techniques, to reach a unique look.

Joni Karvinen is a rising star: he began his career in 2017