Exciting Nordic folder: Dokka!

S

Sami P

Joined
Aug 7, 2011
Messages
76
A knife website has announced that Helle will release its first folder on March 2012

1286871140_48656C6C6520446F6B6B6120666F6C646572.jpg


It's a big lock back with 90 mm blade made of their own laminated stainless steel with carbon steel core. I have a used their fixed blade knives before and the quality is simply superb. Can't wait to get this folder :)

A video for those unfamiliar with the company

[video=youtube;1cuYnbWmEMY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cuYnbWmEMY[/video]
 
Makes me think of these:

1. Too large and bulky for EDC pocket carry
2. Since folder, no point to carry it in wilderness

So what is this meant for? Discreet wilderness carry?
 
It would make a good back up when space is an issue.

I think it would make a fine EDC, but then again, I carry a 4" blade everyday
 
Have my doubts about price and construction. Helle uses birch for its handles. Not so curly most of the time, but it is OK for fixed blade handle. But seeing it here on folder scales and with so few fixtures just makes me uncomfortable. I think birch wood is too soft, so some metal on the handle would be very welcome - screws in particular.
And how about the price? Is it going to be above 100 dollars?
 
Hi,

Being a lockback like venerable Buck 110, I think it would hold up just fine and be as safe to use. I wonder if it's about in the same size range also. And the Baltic or Arctic Birch used by Helle isn't the same type of softwood birch we are accustomed to here in the US. It's much harder and more wear resistant than white paper birch. In fact Arctic birch is a bit on the brittle side but often has quite pretty figuring like this example has. So I wouldn't fear the strength.

I very much like Helle knives and I tend to prefer folders myself. I would be happy to own this one as my woods/hunting knife. And kudos to Helle for being able to keep their distinctive look with this knife. The lineage is readily apparent.

dalee

dalee
 
Looks like it will be a good skinner and mate for those who go with the folder/axe combo into the wild...I like the looks of this knife.
 
That is a really good looking knife , I think though that it's price will vastly outweigh my want of it.


Tostig
 
dalee100 said:
....And the Baltic or Arctic Birch used by Helle isn't the same type of softwood birch we are accustomed to here in the US. It's much harder and more wear resistant than white paper birch. In fact Arctic birch is a bit on the brittle side but often has quite pretty figuring like this example has. So I wouldn't fear the strength.
...
Click to expand...

Are you sure Helle uses Baltic/Arctic/Karelia/Russian birch? The knives I have seen/own always looked like birch root or some burl fragments to me. But I am not sure - that of course could be just low grade Curly birch.
My personal experience with Curly birch is that it is not any harder than a regular paper one. The fact that it is curly makes it much more resistant to splitting/breaking - that is for sure. That is why it is so popular for all kind instrument handles - for chisels first of all. But as for hardness and wear-tear, I would not say so.
 
Last edited:
I love the looks of it I think it would make a fine backup or even main Bushcraft knife Helle has really impressed me a great deal with their fixed blades they are not indestructable by any means but for lighter task they rule also I'm really pretty fond of the scandi-grind and would love to have an EDC-able knife with this type of edge geometry.
 
I believe Helle was supposed to release this knife early this year but delayed the rollout to get things just the way they wanted. It should be a fine knife, and my first scandi folder when it finally arrives.
 
Kind of a similar idea to the EKA swede 88, only with Helle style upgrades?

This will be a "must have" for me. Thanks for the heads up.
 
Poez said:
Are you sure Helle uses Baltic/Arctic/Karelia/Russian birch? The knives I have seen/own always looked like birch root or some burl fragments to me. But I am not sure - that of course could be just low grade Curly birch.
My personal experience with Curly birch is that it is not any harder than a regular paper one. The fact that it is curly makes it much more resistant to splitting/breaking - that is for sure. That is why it is so popular for all kind instrument handles - for chisels first of all. But as for hardness and wear-tear, I would not say so.
Click to expand...

Hi,

One would have to ask to be sure. But the factory isn't far from where arctic birch grows. It wouldn't be hard to get. And the figuring of the knife in the picture is quite like many of the Finnish Puukkos knives and even a couple of Finnish M39 rifle stocks I've owned over the years. I know the M39 stocks are arctic birch and harder than a dollars worth of jawbreakers. Though they are noted for the occasional split in the wrist area. Baltic birch is a pretty straight grained birch and a bit softer than arctic. Though it too is a strong and tough wood more than up to this application. I would not fear the handle.

dalee
 
I'm waiting since a long time for this one. Lovely thing. My smaller EKA 88 Masur has a somewhat similar kind of handle, and it is very pleasant in the hand. Warm to the touch, even in bad weather. And beautiful !

About:
1. Too large and bulky for EDC pocket carry
2. Since folder, no point to carry it in wilderness

So what is this meant for? Discreet wilderness carry?
Click to expand...

I see it as perfect for people who want something more scandinavian in style than, say, an at least equally big ZT or Hogue folder.
 
I think it's a good looking knife. I've owned Helles before and always found them to be very high quality. I assume this knife will be well-designed and well-built just like the rest of their knives.
 
A little info on the Masurian Birch Helle uses for handles;

* Latin name: Betula pendula Roth., f.carelica, subdivision of Betula verrucosa; Fam. Betulaceae
* Other names: Birch Burl, Karelian Birch, Karelian Burl, Birke Maser, Masurian Birch
* Characteristics: very exclusive wood, very hard from slow growing Birch tree with knobs under the surface, only few trees show pattern, hard and dense, easily workable with all tools
* Wood color: creamy white wood with contrasting brown inclusions and strong wavy annual rings
* Source: Middle to East Finland and Russia (Karelia)
* Application: premium interior design and furniture, knife handles in Scandinavia
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top