Marttiini 90 years

Marttiini 90 years

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

1893

Janne Marttiini, christened Johan Henrik Marttiini, was born in the village of Kiering in Sodankylä in 1893. At the end of the 19th century, the … Show more

1909

Lapland's trade links to northern Norway were significant, and connections to the south were constantly increasing. Rovaniemi was already an impo… Show more

After a couple of years, Janne returned from Rovaniemi to his home village of Kierinki as a village blacksmith. Janne dared to ask for 50 pence f… Show more

1913

The era of industrial manufacturing began when the Ford Motor Company started automotive serial production at its factory in the United States. T… Show more

1922

In 1917, Finland became independent, and KJ Ståhlberg was elected as the first president of Finland in 1919. At the same time, due to the good ro… Show more

1928

After gaining experience in blacksmithing and knife manufacturing, Janne Marttiini reportedly became one of the first metal entrepreneurs when he… Show more

1928

In the early stages of the business, blacksmith Janne Marttiini travelled around on his bicycle selling his products. In this way, he made his kn… Show more

1929

Women lacquering knife handles at J. Marttiini's Knife Factory at Vartiokatu in the late 1920s. In the early days of knife production, the lacque… Show more

1929

Viljami Lakso hardening blades in the late 1920s at the Marttiini knife factory. There are many hardening methods: at the Marttiini factory, blad… Show more

1930

Olli Vitikka burns the inside of the handles in the late 1930s. He worked at Marttiini for 25 years. In many situations, the knife is a necessary… Show more

1930

Janne Marttiini organised a naming contest for his new knife model. The winner of the name contest was a builder named Kalle Palmu with the name … Show more

1932

Marttiini won 1st prize at the Finnish Agricultural Show in Vyborg. There, Marttiini ruffled the feathers of the exhibition guests with the Lynx … Show more

1932

In the photo: Heikki Niska packs knives in the 1930s. The knife's special significance to Finns is that it has its own name, which distinguishes … Show more

1938

This magazine ad from 1939 offers savvy customers the opportunity to make a new knife from old metalware. As production grew, the J. Marttiini kn… Show more

1938

In the picture below in the middle, Janne Marttiini is surrounded by craftsmen and builders and is sitting on top of wood stacks in front of the … Show more

1939

Janne Marttiini in a family portrait with his wife Esteri and their children in 1939, the first year of the Winter War. A total of fifteen childr… Show more

1939

Einari Anselmi Koivuranta grinding a long Lynx knife blade at the turn of the 1930s and 1940s. Grinding was hard work required precision.… Show more

1940

Osmo Kähkönen performs head striking, which is connecting the blade and the handle. He was one of many who worked at the factory for many years, … Show more

1940

In the 1930s and 40s, sheaths for the knives were purchased through subcontracting, and many families in Lapland produced sheaths for the J. Mart… Show more

1940

Lynx knives and Sinileim coffee grinders were advertised in the 1940s in a local newspaper. For decades, in addition to knives, Marttiini had bee… Show more

1941

In the early days of knife manufacturing, the decoration of the sheath leather was done by hand using a sheath tool. In the early days of the fac… Show more

1942

All the operations of the knife factory were transferred under the same roof when a new functionalist style factory building designed by architec… Show more

1942

This long Lynx knife dating back from 1942 has survived well. A reindeer image has been acidified in its long hand forged blade, and the knife's … Show more

1942

The turning of the handle of a knife in the 1940s. When the new factory building was completed in 1942, this new orbital lathe was also brought t… Show more

1943

What is special about this antique style knife from the 1940s is its unusual and decorative sheath. Its hole decoration and long fringes make it … Show more

1944

Matti Niskala prepares wood in the mid-1940s. The good-humoured little boy in the image is Simo Marttiini.… Show more

1944

On 15 September, the Lapland War broke out between Germany and Finland. The terms of an armistice agreed during the Continuation War included the… Show more

1944

This is how a knife can be used up all the way. The Lynx from the shortage period has certainly served his owner well, as more than half of the w… Show more

1944

Marttiini’s factory building was partly destroyed in the Rovaniemi bombings and fires during the Lapland War. When the Marttiini family returned … Show more

1945

During the war, and the subsequent shortage period, people knew how to save and utilise all the material that was fit for use. The most skilful p… Show more

1945

Almost all of the Marttiini factory buildings were damaged in the war. According to the preserved compensation decision of the War Damage Associa… Show more

1945

The knife factory was also expanded during refurbishment. An add-on for the office and apartment was made to the factory building. In the same ye… Show more

1945

Different work stages of knife manufacturing in the mid-1940s. The girl in front is performing a grease wash, while grinding and polishing of kni… Show more

1946

Factory production is reflected in a photo from the 1940s, where the swing bench and individual work steps have made knife manufacturing more eff… Show more

1947

Janne Marttiini's son, 16-year-old Lauri, started work at the knife factory. On Lauri's first workday, Father and CEO Janne told the young Lauri:… Show more

1947

A dull knife means a dull owner!” – Knife production volume from 1947. A total of 89,514 knives were produced, of which there were 31,304 Lynx kn… Show more

1948

Marttiini’s staff in front of the reconstructed knife factory in 1948. Janne Marttiini, the plant manager, is standing on the right side of the p… Show more

1949

The markings on the factory’s floor plan show that the electricity consumption of machinery and lighting was closely monitored. The red pencil ma… Show more

1949

“Progress needs to happen!” Janne Marttiini often said about the mechanical blade forging in the 1940s style. Before the arrival of the forging m… Show more

1949

Toivo Meltaus sawing the handle blanks. He worked at the factory for about 35 years. Photo from 1940.… Show more

1950

J. Marttiini’s Knife Factory was awarded a gold medal for its drop point knives at the Finnish Fair quality competition. The production volume of… Show more

1951

The Marttiini knife factory expanded once more when the factory owner Marttiini applied for a building permit for a warehouse building in Vartiok… Show more

1951

Quality monitoring has always been an important issue for the Marttiini factory. Even in the final assembly phase – that is, in the sheathing – t… Show more

1952

Janne Marttiini made his first promotional trip to the United States and marketed Marttiini's knives there. In the same year, Janne's son, Toivo … Show more

1952

In this old, colourful and decorative sheath, reindeer fur is used as decor. Due to its numerous details, the sheath was difficult to make. It wa… Show more

1953

After the war, in the 1950s, Marttiini's old factory produced a wide range of supplies. One of the most popular products was a coffee grinder, th… Show more

1953

The Marttiini factory is testing the operation of wooden coffee mills. Coffee mills were made of both sheet metal and wood and were marketed with… Show more

1953

Other sales articles in the early 1950s, in addition to knives and coffee mills, included meat axes and wrought steel hinges. On order, tractor w… Show more

1953

The Marttiini coffee mill is the delight of a housewife – fast and wear resistant, with a 10-year warranty. So says a magazine advertisement of t… Show more

1953

It is evident from the 1950s knife price list that many of today's Marttiini knife models have been manufactured for decades. Marttiini has alway… Show more

1955

A diploma in the exhibition at the Finnish Fair. Lapp knife models 11 and 13 were stalwarts in the range of factory-made products and won a gold … Show more

1957

Marttiini knives were already popular souvenirs in the middle of the last century for visitors to Lapland. Also, the number of resellers was grow… Show more

1957

In 1957, the company changed its form of business to J. Marttiini's Puukkotehdas Osakeyhtiö. 'Due to the high proportion of handicrafts, our pric… Show more

1957

This year also brought sorrow to the knife factory when Ester Marttiini died. 'Mother loved all people. She did not divide people into good and b… Show more

1958

The manufacture of sheaths at the turn of the 1950s and 1960s. At the same time, alterations were once again made in the factory. The staircase w… Show more

1960

In the 1950s and 1960s, Bakelite was a popular material, and it also was experimented with for Marttiini knife handles. This knife was the first … Show more

1960

Sharpening prices from the 1960s. In the 1960s, one could bring any tool that needed maintenance to Marttiini's factory for sharpening. In this c… Show more

1962

In the 1960s, many fishermen in the United States took their fish to the local canning factory to be filleted, as fishermen had little informatio… Show more

1964

Nordic knives were well known for their high-quality steel and so J. Marttiini’s Knife Factory was recommended to Weber. Normark contacted Martti… Show more

1965

This 620-model prototype from the 1960s is the first filleting knife developed by Marttiini. Its head is straight and the blade is more rigid tha… Show more

1967

Numerous prototypes were developed at the Marttiini factory and, finally, in 1967, the first batch of knives arrived in the United States. The kn… Show more

1966

In 1966 and 1967, more than 400,000 filleting knives were exported to America. The knives were exported to as many as 15 countries, and the facto… Show more

1967

After the unprecedented success of the filleting knives in the American and Canadian markets, Marttiini received the Export Award from Urho Kekko… Show more

1967

The work phases in manufacturing the sheath at the end of the 1960s were largely the same as today. As the number of employees grew, Lauri Martti… Show more

1968

The work phases of manufacturing knives have remained largely the same for decades. From the task list accounting of 1967 and 1968, one can see h… Show more

1969

At the change of the decade, the knife factory moved to an industrial area in a new modern factory building at Marttiintie 6. The factory employe… Show more

1970

The decade shift brought major changes when Janne Marttiini died at the age of 77. During his working years, Janne described his attitude to lead… Show more

1970

A party was held at the factory when the millionth knife was completed. The handles of the first filleting knives were made of birch, but quite s… Show more

1971

Persian Shah Reza Pahlevi and President Urho Kekkonen visited the Marttiini factory and became familiar with knife manufacturing under the guidan… Show more

1972

Did it have to be made so durable? My mother-in-law purchased a filleting knife in the early 1960s, and it is still in use,” a Marttiini employee… Show more

1971

The sheath of this Lynx knife impresses with its material – it is made of Karelian birch plywood. The knife and sheath estimated to originate fro… Show more

1971

On 19 May, a fire broke out on the factory floor, which stopped production for two weeks. The fire apparently originated from a spark from a dril… Show more

1972

Production had become fivefold in five years. A knife was completed every 10 seconds, 5,000 per day and nearly a million a year. 80% of the produ… Show more

1973

Normark handed Marttiini a gift plaque in honour of co-operation as the sales volume of filleting knives reached 3 million in the United States i… Show more

1973

Foreign Minister Ahti Karjalainen and Senegalese visitors at the factory in the 1970s. The annual production exceeded the limit of one million, a… Show more

1974

Automated production continued. Machines were acquired to facilitate the monotonous and heavy work phases. The German Berger machines were purcha… Show more

1974

Marttiini knife exports extended to as far away as Panama, Venezuela, Japan and Australia. With the rapid growth in production, there was a const… Show more

1975

The introduction of a water grinder to the factory in the 1970s was the first step in the development of automation of Finnish knife manufacturin… Show more

1975

The Mayor's knife from the 1970s shows signs of use over the decades. The blade of the large and valuable hunting knife was forged by hand and pa… Show more

1975

The Mayor's knife and hunting knives of Marttiini exhibited at the fair in the 1970s. The mayor's knife represents the Bushcraft knife style in M… Show more

1975

A knife with a kuksa burl cup is a practical Lapp invention. In this Marttiini model from the 1970s, a corkscrew has also been added to the blade… Show more

1975

The Marttiini factory achieved significant recognition in the 70s, both nationally and internationally. Many well-known celebrities of the decade… Show more

1975

When the manufacturing of large numbers of filleting knives was started, they were initially placed in cardboard boxes, which was soon found to b… Show more

1976

The flow of royal visitors to the factory continued when Spanish Prince Juan Carlos with his wife visited the factory. After Toivo Marttiini reti… Show more

1976

In the factory where the average worker has worked for 21 years, people need to have fun. – Marttiini's cheerful staff at the Christmas group pho… Show more

1976

At the factory, there was a continuous flow of international visitors, and 70% of production went to export. The main export countries were the U… Show more

1977

Leisure time is increasing, as well as the need for various leisure time equipment. A typical example of such a national object is a knife. Befor… Show more

1977

The product range of the Marttiini factory had expanded to include accessories that could be used to service the knife. The picture shows the gri… Show more

1978

As the business continued to grow, the next target was to expand the product range. The design of Marttiini’s first kitchen series started at the… Show more

1978

Mechanisation revolutionised knife production in the late 1970s. Although most of the work phases were still handcrafted because the machines wer… Show more

1980

The bronze Bird Knife is Marttiini's first bronze ferrule knife. It was developed by Lauri Marttiini. The knife has a beautiful metallic leather … Show more

1981

In the 1980s, a neat and useful bottle opener was added to the properties of the traditional Handy. The picture shows the popular Kitchen Handy, … Show more

1981

This Lapp knife kit from the 1980s has had many names: Double Lapp, Lapp Double and Outdoor Double. The practical combination of a large and smal… Show more

1982

In the first half of the 1980s, the focus was still strongly on exports. J. Marttiinin Puukkotehdas received the International Export Award, the … Show more

1982

Although J. Marttiin Puukkotehdas Oy had received numerous acknowledgments for its export operations, in 1981, a slightly lesser number of knives… Show more

1982

I have always emphasised good customer relations, as well as honesty and respect for contracts and laws,” Toivo Marttiini described the attitude … Show more

1983

The exploration of customer needs that had already started in the 1970s led to growing product development. Marttiini went to work in every count… Show more

1984

Rovaniemi's popularity as a tourist destination kept growing in the 1980s. Marttiini's northernmost factory outlet was opened at the Arctic Circl… Show more

1986

The factory’s daily production rate was 5,000 knives, three-quarters of which were exported. The collection had expanded to 90 products, and new … Show more

1988

Engraving is a handicraft that requires both a solid hand and an artistic eye. The subjects of the engravings range from names to natural objects… Show more

1988

As the knife factory celebrated its 60th anniversary, the collection had already grown to 120 items. Exports had been expanded to more than 40 co… Show more

1988

Kitchen knives remained in the focus of development at the end of the 1980s. In 1988, a modern hard plastic knife set consisting of seven differe… Show more

1989

The Witch’s Tooth, which has been in production since 1989, is a prime example of skilled craftsmanship. The material of this handle is reindeer … Show more

1991

During the 1990s, the development work focused on new materials and structures. The first model created with the new technology was the Golden Ly… Show more

1990

In the 1980s and 1990s, Marttiini's office moved to the era of computers. Office Manager Tuula Marttiini and Accountant Hannele Niemi spoke in a … Show more

1991

New developments brought more new strides in the first half of the 1990s when the factory acquired robotic technology from Japan for sharpening k… Show more

1991

The Helsinki store moved from Forum to the side of Senate Square at Aleksanterinkatu. Teollisuusuutiset of February 1991, writes about the new Ma… Show more

1992

In the early 1990s, Marttiini was awarded the Governor's Award. The collection already includes 150 separate products made by 114 people. The inc… Show more

1993

Ilkka Marttiini, Sales Director, was appointed President of the 65-year old knife factory. The target was set for investing in exports, which acc… Show more

1994

During the 1990s, several different styles and materials were studied. The Polar Bear Knife in the image is a hand-made prototype of a collectibl… Show more

1994

“It can be safely said that the recession did not want to grab the knife. On the contrary: the Finns have grabbed the knife for more and more div… Show more

1995

“Marttiini’s product development includes the fact that the properties are tested in natural conditions. When the knife works in nature, it works… Show more

1997

The old J. Marttiinin Puukkotehdas is recognised as a major subject for cultural history, architecture and urban landscape, and its restoration p… Show more

1997

Making a knife requires so much skill that it is already close to art. In my opinion, a knife is like a jewel, and it has to be produced like a j… Show more

1997

President Martti Ahtisaari also visits Rovaniemi to see the operation of the knife factory. In the picture, Lauri Marttiini and Terttu Ollila, on… Show more

1998

J. Marttiinin Puukkotehdas celebrated 70 years. The old, restored knife factory in Vartiokatu was presented at the Rovaniemi Housing Fair, and th… Show more

1998

In honour of the jubilee year, Marttiini produced a batch of numbered Celebration Lynx knives, and collector’s knives decorated with silver and b… Show more

1998

Completed bronze ferruled Celebration Lynx await their sheaths. 'Tradition is a strong starting point for us. Even if the manufacturing has to be… Show more

2000

The small Lapp was a very popular knife. It is easy to take it along on a trip, it fits into a small space and it is well suited to a wide range … Show more

2001

Changes take place in the management of the Marttiini knife factory as Päivi Ohvo was appointed Managing Director in 2001.… Show more

2002

Marttiini's product development team designed Marttiini's Condor Kitchen Professional kitchen knife series at the beginning of the 21st century. … Show more

2003

The most recent achievement in product development has been the Carbinox blade, which combines the best properties of carbon and chrome steel. Th… Show more

2003

The technology became an everyday factor in the factory in a new way when computer-based production control was introduced. New technology brough… Show more

2005

When Lauri Marttiini retired from the position of the Chairman of the Board, the Marttiini knife factory moved from Marttiini to the ownership of… Show more

2006

Folding knives were Marttiini's newest territorial conquest in the first half of the 21st century. Today, they have become popular knives for hun… Show more

2007

At the factory, operations were carried out when Laukaa's handle department and all the wood-working steps were transferred to Rovaniemi. In the … Show more

2007

Finland is once again celebrating a big anniversary, and Marttiini's Managing Director Päivi Ohvo handed over a celebratory knife to President Ta… Show more

2012

Again, Marttiini stepped into the new era, when a web store that replaced the simple website was unveiled at marttiini.fi. Nowadays, almost all o… Show more

2011

Marttiini's store at Senate Square is renewed and attracts interest in many design publications around the world. The inventive set cabinet showi… Show more

2013

Rovaniemi's popularity as a holiday destination for both domestic and foreign tourists grew significantly in the first decade of the 21st century… Show more

2014

The latest addition to Marttiini’s kitchen range is the Vintro kitchen knife set. The design of the clear-lined Vintro knives has paid special at… Show more

2016

The Arctic Circle shop moved to the newly renovated premises next to Santa's Main Post. The old sewing machine of Esteri Marttiini, which reminds… Show more

2017

The Suomi 100 knife with a light coloured sheath was issued during the centenary of Finland's independence. The knives were made with a bronze, s… Show more

2017

The tradition of the anniversary knives continued when Managing Director Päivi Ohvo presented a Finland 100th anniversary knife to President Saul… Show more

2018

The wooden parts of the handles await access to further processing. The journey from a piece of Karelian birch into a wooden handle has not chang… Show more

2018

Many things change, but many will remain the same. This 76-year-old orbital lathe, which arrived at the factory in 1942, is still functioning as … Show more

2018

The valuable bone parts of the knives are made from reindeer antlers. The antlers are purchased from local reindeer herders and delivered to the … Show more

2018

Each specialty has its own vocabulary. The same applies to knife making and to Marttiini. Many of the Marttiini expressions can only be understoo… Show more

2018

Marttiini celebrates its 90th anniversary by manufacturing an anniversary Lapp knife. The knife has a dark parched, and waxed birch handle and it… Show more