Iisakki Järvenpää Knife factory shop and museum

Shop, museum or cozy trip destination? Emperor Knife Smith Iisakki Järvenpää Knife Factory shop in Kauhava has it all!

South Ostrobothnia, and especially Kauhava, is known for its puukko’s, knives. The story began in 1879 when a Regulation on the freedom of trade was issued in Finland. Everyone was allowed to choose their own profession and free entrepreneurship was allowed. At that time, 20-year-old Iisakki Järvenpää told his wife Liisa, “I have decided to become a knife smith.”

The knife factory operates in a building completed in 1958. Each knife and its sheath are manufactured there, as well as all their parts. Blades, fittings and even casted animal heads, which are often used on the ends of knives, are still handmade in Kauhava. In the same building is a cozy factory shop and museum section, where is collected the story of the knife and Iisakki Järvenpää, as well as various knife models from almost 147 years.

The factory is well signposted, no matter which direction you come from. The factory is located in a quiet location, on the banks of the Kauhava River and next to the 100-year-old Kauhava Church. It is a nice stop to rest on the way, peaceful even if you are walking your dog outside.
The parking area has lots of space, shop and the museum section are fully accessible.

We also organize factory tours, more details about them in the Guided Tours section.