Helko Axe Factory Edge

[athawulf]

So after much anticipation and excitement I got my Helko in the mail. I have an assortment of axes, and my goto's have been my Husqvarnas. So I thought it was time to get something German.

I opened the box and:

The reflective part is completely flat, perpendicular to length of the bit.

Top of the cutting edge

And the grinding marks are pretty rough

But I love just about everything else about it. Head shape, weight, length, and that handle. Here it is next to my maul

Is it acceptable for a $125 (+ tax and ship) axe to arrive like this? There's also a spot on the polished part of the edge that was accidentally was hit with the grinder. I know I'm going to beat on it anyway, but this is my first time spending over 100 on an axe and I'm curious if I'm overreacting
Thanks

 

[300Six]

A 'C' note these days barely covers shipping across the pond so cost of implements, that are not manufactured in Countries that pay workers $2-3 a day, in the $100 range should be viewed as entry level. You'd have had to fork over considerably more to get an equivalent German Oxhead or a Swede. Virtually all Euro heads feature flat cheeks and pretty much always have. That only becomes a nuisance if you use the tool to split large and ornery rounds. You will discover (hopefully years down the road) that D-shaped oversize eyes make it difficult to hang north American handles.

 

[Agent_H]

So after much anticipation and excitement I got my Helko in the mail. I have an assortment of axes, and my goto's have been my Husqvarnas. So I thought it was time to get something German.


Top of the cutting edge

I can see why you would be a little disappointed athawulf. Depending on the time it takes to ship to you, the time to ship it back, and the time to return that one or a new one to you, you might just want to put your own edge on it.

That is interesting though. Did this ship from Germany or through a supplier here in the US?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

If it were something like a $60 or so axe that might be acceptable. Not at the price you paid, though. It should have a finished or nearly-finished edge at that price point.

 

[garry3]

I have seen much better Helko heads on dirt cheap Harbor Freight axes. I would return it and ask for a refund not a replacement. There is nothing about a Helko axe that warrants them kind of prices. They use a simple 1045 steel that they do a good job of heat treating, but still it's 1045. And they have been trying to enter the boutique axe market with things like that when they had better stuff at Harbor Freight for dirt cheap. They don't make a bad axe but at that kind of price point, just hell no.
My intent was not to offend you atha. I just thought it needed said.

 

[athawulf]

^ Not offense taken at all. I'm just a sucker for the mill scale "hand forged" gimmick and was hoping this would work out haha. I will say though that the haft has been the nicest/most comfortable/best designed to my taste, that I've handled.

A 'C' note these days barely covers shipping across the pond so cost of implements, that are not manufactured in Countries that pay workers $2-3 a day, in the $100 range should be viewed as entry level. You'd have had to fork over considerably more to get an equivalent German Oxhead or a Swede. Virtually all Euro heads feature flat cheeks and pretty much always have. That only becomes a nuisance if you use the tool to split large and ornery rounds. You will discover (hopefully years down the road) that D-shaped oversize eyes make it difficult to hang north American handles.

Sorry if I worded it poorly but it wasn't flat cheeks I was complaining about, it was the cutting edge. The area in between my nail is completely flat. I understand many axes don't arrive shaving sharp so the user can decide what kind of edge they want, but I was expecting something to work with. And to note, all of my "budget swede" husqvarnas have arrived with cleaner heads and workable edges for considerably less.

That is interesting though. Did this ship from Germany or through a supplier here in the US?

Helko has a North American supplier now, with what I assume looks like their full lineup and replacement handles for each. Thanks for the replies

 

[Curt Hal]

For that money, I'd send it back. It's like your mail order horse arriving with three legs.

 

[jblyttle]

I have a huge dislike for that company. Terrible QC and atrocious customer service. I am speaking from personal experience.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I think they tried to jump into the US premium axe market without first developing a good understanding of what we want and expect from their products and service.

 

[Square_peg]

...Virtually all Euro heads feature flat cheeks and pretty much always have. That only becomes a nuisance if you use the tool to split large and ornery rounds.

Sorry if I worded it poorly but it wasn't flat cheeks I was complaining about, it was the cutting edge. The area in between my nail is completely flat. I understand many axes don't arrive shaving sharp so the user can decide what kind of edge they want, but I was expecting something to work with.

You guys are talking about 2 separate issues that are both important. Yes, the flat cutting edge is a problem but is easily corrected with a file. As others have stated you shouldn't have to do that at this price point. But it's really easy to do and a skill you need anyway.

But 300Six is talking about the shape of the cheeks behind the bit. He's correct that Euro axes are flat cheeked and that this severely limits their splitting and also their bucking ability. Flat cheeked axes stick in the cut. So after each blow you have to spend additional energy prying the head out of the cut. And all that prying increases wear on the haft. This is the main reason why we all steer a newcomer towards a vintage American axe instead of one of the new euro-imports.

OTOH, if you mostly doing carving or bushcraft work then the slimmer euro axe might be to your advantage.

 

[athawulf]

^ I know what he's talking about. It's just not what my complaints entailed. I specifically wanted a narrow bit forest axe for backpacking. I have enough thick axes that are good for splitting, and I have enough files, pucks, and belts for my grinder- that simply isn't the issue. The issue is spending 125+ tax and shipping for an axe that arrived in this state.

For that money, I'd send it back. It's like your mail order horse arriving with three legs.

Thanks for the input. I think I'll have to, though I enjoy every other aspect about the axe.

I have a huge dislike for that company. Terrible QC and atrocious customer service. I am speaking from personal experience.

Sorry you had to go through that. It's a shame just because I love the design and dimensions of their whole axe line

 

[nzedge]

So is the real problem here the grind marks, or the unfinished edge?

If it says it comes with a razor sharp edge or something then you have something to complain about, if your so inclined.

Maybe they (Helko) missed the ball here and sell these axes on the basis that their customers want to put the kind of edge they desire on their new axe, as was the way in the old days?

I know the current production barcos? (kelly) come with an unfinished edge with the thought that the end user wants to put the kind of edge they desire on their new axe. That used to be the norm. Maybe its still the norm over there? I dunno.

Would be interested to know if all of this type of Helko axe come with an unfinished edge or just yours. If its just yours, then yes I can see that would be an issue for some. But it may be all of them. I don't know, just throwing it out there.

In regards to the grind marks, that's another issue. My take on this is you paid for an axe that works, and performs as an axe. Good quality steel, good quality handle and an axe that works as an axe should. I dont think it will let you down.

Im not familiar with the brand so im not sure the expectations that the brand carries with it.

As i said im not familiar with the Helko axes, but they dont strike me as quite as "boutique" as some of the others (gransfors etc) so maybe your expectations are not quite aligned with what the brand offers.

I dont think I would have the expectations of a perfectly finished tool when buying an axe around the $125 delivered mark. (edited, sorry just saw you said 125 + shipping + tax. now its getting a bit pricey). I would expect a solid well made tool that would perform as it should. I would expect it may not be finished to the same standard as whats commonly touted as the "best current production axes", but it does not have the prestige or price tag that goes with them either.

my take on this is to go ahead and make it your axe. Put an edge on it just how you want it. Clean some of the grinding marks off the to with a file / sandpaper or whatever and get it just how you want it. Do this and you will have much more of an appreciation that this is your axe and you made it exactly how you want it.

 

[SC T100]

I'd say if it's hung well (straight, tight, etc), and you like the feel, it's probably not worth the effort or cost to send it back. I hit it with a file to sharpen it and hone it with some stone work and call it good. An hour in the shop is much quicker than shipping times. If you're on the fence about actually liking and using it, send it back.

 

[garry3]

Just for giggles. A Harbor Freight Helko. I think the plastic wedge had a tab on it at one time that you could hang it by.

 

[nzedge]

^ interesting, that one looks quite well finished.

 

[Lieblad]

It must bewilder & amuse the manufacturers of axes and such tools.
I expect they enjoy the internet Axeboner fueled additional sales, But the level of nitpick over massproduced tools what are intended to work, take a beating, sharpen, ad infinitum. Must create headscratching at their respective factories.

I relish for the day when folks carp about their hayfork or shovel is somehow insignificantly flawed.

 

[garry3]

It must bewilder & amuse the manufacturers of axes and such tools.
I expect they enjoy the internet Axeboner fueled additional sales, But the level of nitpick over massproduced tools what are intended to work, take a beating, sharpen, ad infinitum. Must create headscratching at their respective factories.

I relish for the day when folks carp about their hayfork or shovel is somehow insignificantly flawed.

Relish away.http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/923016-The-Shovel-Discussion-Thread!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It must bewilder & amuse the manufacturers of axes and such tools.
I expect they enjoy the internet Axeboner fueled additional sales, But the level of nitpick over massproduced tools what are intended to work, take a beating, sharpen, ad infinitum. Must create headscratching at their respective factories.

I relish for the day when folks carp about their hayfork or shovel is somehow insignificantly flawed.

The problem here is mostly the price point compared to what other manufacturers are able to produce for the same. It strikes me as a very poor value. I'd return it not because the axe can't be made to work well with minimal effort, but because what was received vs. what was paid was a poor ratio and those dollars could spend better on a different tool that yields equal or higher out-of-box performance with change to spare.

Regarding your second statement, you must have NO idea how awful modern hay forks are compared to vintage. Even the best are absolute garbage compared to even a fairly pedestrian vintage American hay fork. The flaws in modern forks are far from insignificant. Fortunately there are still some good shovel manufacturers left, with several companies still forging closed-back solid shank models.

 

[Square_peg]

I relish for the day when folks carp about their hayfork or shovel is somehow insignificantly flawed.

Relish away.http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/923016-The-Shovel-Discussion-Thread!

Regarding your second statement, you must have NO idea how awful modern hay forks are compared to vintage. Even the best are absolute garbage compared to even a fairly pedestrian vintage American hay fork. The flaws in modern forks are far from insignificant. Fortunately there are still some good shovel manufacturers left, with several companies still forging closed-back solid shank models.

More relishing here re: pitchforks.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1413078-Pitchforks

I was looking at the Imacasa website the other day and it looked like they made some decent forged pitchforks. I'd like to examine them in person.

To the OP, sorry for going off topic.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

More relishing here re: pitchforks.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1413078-Pitchforks

I was looking at the Imacasa website the other day and it looked like they made some decent forged pitchforks. I'd like to examine them in person.

To the OP, sorry for going off topic.

I'd like to get my hands on one of their forks just to give it a look-over but I'd be surprised if it's any better than the Slovenian or Austrian examples that account for the majority of the non-Chinese or Mexican produced market offerings. What I really would like to see is the ones being put out by Cativegrama of Portugal. They have some pretty interesting ones and the quality of all of their forged goods looks pretty top notch.

Ultimately, back on topic, I wouldn't be happy with the value of the tool and would opt to save up just a little bit more for a Mueller Biber Classic if looking for a German style axe with a forged finish.