A Nice Little Knife. Helle Mandra

rdnzl

rdnzl

Joined
Aug 16, 2000
Messages
1,220
This came in the mail today. It is a Mandra. Made by Helle in Norway. I like my large knives, but I am growing quite fond of small blades. My first impressions are very good. Fit and finish are excellent. I can find nothing to fault. I had read that there could be some minor cosmetic isues with some copies of Helle knives, but not this one. It is seriously sharp. It has a triple laminated blade with Scandinavian carbon steel in the middle. The curly birch scales fit well, and feels good in my hand. I can force a four finger grip, but it feels fine using three.

It should pretty handy around camp this season, when a larger blade isn't needed. The sheath is pretty nice and will carry well on my belt or even in a pocket.


MlapAQz.jpg



Afq7Aug.jpg
 
rdnzl said:
This came in the mail today. It is a Mandra. Made by Helle in Norway. I like my large knives, but I am growing quite fond of small blades. My first impressions are very good. Fit and finish are excellent. I can find nothing to fault. I had read that there could be some minor cosmetic isues with some copies of Helle knives, but not this one. It is seriously sharp. It has a triple laminated blade with Scandinavian carbon steel in the middle. The curly birch scales fit well, and feels good in my hand. I can force a four finger grip, but it feels fine using three.

It should pretty handy around camp this season, when a larger blade isn't needed. The sheath is pretty nice and will carry well on my belt or even in a pocket.


MlapAQz.jpg



Afq7Aug.jpg
Click to expand...

I've several Helle knives; some vintage and some new. Never seen one that wasn't excellent. Esp. like their laminated steel.
 
The only thing I don't like about this knife (or any knife with this "issue"), is that there is no sharpening choil to eliminate the sloped transition between the edge and the ricasso. That makes it difficult to sharpen the apex right to the heel of the blade.

But that's really MY issue I suppose - not the knife's. I know some people hate sharpening choils, or are just extra-careful not to run the stone right to the heel of the blade when sharpening.

I've met Les several times. I have 23 acres of recreational property about 20 minutes from Les' house. He is a pretty funny guy and could have made a living doing stand-up comedy if his survival gig didn't work out for him. Plays guitar rather well, to boot.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, I have wondered about some of the smaller Helle knives like that.
 
VERY nice. It looks like it cuts like a laser. What's not to admire about that very useful sized fixed blade. Great leather sheath as well. Thanks for showing it off !
 
I prefer full tang knives like this one. But I suppose the Helle knives with the long spike tang and solid, hollowed out handle are also good. I mean, Scandinavians have been making them that way for decades. I have an old Mora I keep in my tackle box that was given to me by my great uncle Einar, when he came to visit from Sweden, that I've had for over 50 years. That thing is still going strong and I think I've sharpened it maybe twice in all that time.

This will not be my last Helle knife. I'm looking at the Temagami, another Les Stroud knife. Or the Alden or the Lappland.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top