Finnish knifemaker seeks sharp buyer

Ricu, the name behind a Finnish manufacturer of innovative fish blades, is now seeking a new owner, with founder Mika Leinonen keen to sell up.

Two decades ago Mika invented a new tool, the Ricu Cut and Clean three-in-one professional blade designed for easier and safer fish handling.

Inspired by the late seven-times Finnish champion of fish handling, Risto Kosonen, the tool is designed to give the best results without wasting any eatable parts of the fish

Previously, fishermen have had to use several different tools for fish preparation but the Ricu Cut and Clean combines three indispensable tools into one – a blade for opening the fish, a spoon for gutting it and a scaler.

Over the years Mika has attended both EFTTEX and ICAST trade shows to display his fish handling tool and has sold more than 10,000 items around the world.

Mika has also recently designed a new type of filleting knife for hunters and fishermen.

But, as Mika moves into his sixties, he says it is time to retire. He told TTW: “For the last 15 years my main work has been in local newspapers and so I have been doing less and less with Ricu products but they are still selling well.

“I also have no resources to develop more products, although the filleting knife is ready to go. I want to give someone else the opportunity to continue the manufacturing business and carry on selling Ricus.

“I am seeking someone interested in buying the rights the patents – including a US patent for the Ricu Cut and Clean. I will give the new owner all of my expertise and ideas, as well. I really want the Ricu and the other products to find a new ‘home‘. ”

[email protected]

www.ricu.fi

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