Helle Harding

Well, I had one enroute ;) and arrived today, I certainly agree she's a beauty, sounds more like yours arrived far sharper than mine, I have sharpened it up so it's quite keen now, but of course the flats/bevel are not as mirrored as before or like yours is, that comes with having a scandi grind so not a bad thing at all.

But, I think she's not for me, I had wanted to check out a scandi ground blade and thought this one would be a good one to get, lots of great reviews regarding this particular model. I put some coating on the handle similar to yours and that brought out some nice character in the middle section and brought the darker wood to a richer colour, plus providing some moisture protection too.

Being it's been sharpened now, I know it'll have to sell for less than a new one but price of admission in this case.
Thanks again though!
G2
 
Had one. Got it in a trade. Ergonomics seemed great but I never really used it. Gave it to an Army buddy. It now resides in NC.

Helle%2520Harding.JPG
 
Knives are such a subjective process. One man's favorite, is a catch and release for another.

Sad that it didn't come sharp. Mine was very much so. I find the grip and balance to be very user friendly. If it were me. Since I already took the depreciation hit. I would use it a bit. It might grow on you.

Perhaps not though. I have been there too. Anxiously awaiting a new knife's arrival. Only to take it out of the box and go. What was I thinking? If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.

For me the Harding has been a great addition. Sharp, pretty, and light on my belt. Excellent with wood, very good in the kitchen. Rinse and go.

I went through this very thing a while back with a CRK Nayla Insingo. Bought it off fixed blades for sale section. Not my cup of tea. Nothing wrong with it at all, just not for me. I may try a standard Nayla. Or just call it a day and move on.


For the record, my polished blade isn't quite as pretty as it was when it arrived either. I actually like it better with the marks, reminds me of the warmth and pleasure it has provided.
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Well, I had one enroute ;) and arrived today, I certainly agree she's a beauty, sounds more like yours arrived far sharper than mine, I have sharpened it up so it's quite keen now, but of course the flats/bevel are not as mirrored as before or like yours is, that comes with having a scandi grind so not a bad thing at all.

But, I think she's not for me, I had wanted to check out a scandi ground blade and thought this one would be a good one to get, lots of great reviews regarding this particular model. I put some coating on the handle similar to yours and that brought out some nice character in the middle section and brought the darker wood to a richer colour, plus providing some moisture protection too.

Being it's been sharpened now, I know it'll have to sell for less than a new one but price of admission in this case.
Thanks again though!
G2
Click to expand...

:thumbup: Sent message in sale forum.. John
 
Last edited:
jmh33,
Congrats on the new knife.

Gary,
Disregard that part about keeping it and giving it a chance.
 
Well sir, I do appreciate your take but like you, I also had the CRK Insingo fixed blade but didn't suit me either, so off she went. I don't do a lot, well actually any, camping or back packing any more, but, I do like knives :) and so that takes me to situations like this.

G2
 
Well it arrived this am.. Thanks Gary.. Now to get it out for some use!! Feels good in the hand and seems to have a nice balance too.. And Gary put a scary edge on it so I know it will cut like a laser!!! John :thumbup:
 
Nice John and yes, I worked to get a great edge on that, and she be sharp!!! so be careful!
G2
 
Well.. I finally got out with my Helle Harding.. WOW.. Is this a light belt carry..:thumbup: Didn't even know it was there.. And I checked a few times to be sure!! Feels GREAT in the hand and only did minimal cutting with it!! Really looking forward to some serious usage as I get out more!! THANKS again Gary!! John:thumbup:
 
Congrats on the Harding

I have a Harmoni, which has a swell end to the handle for easy pull cuts

I have the Scout model and the handle is quite close to yours, but with a bigger back and front grip and the swell to the belly on the handle
Lovely knife to use
BUT
The Tang broke with very light batoning of less than finger thick
Helle replaced it
I epoxyed the tang back into the handle
The regular SS is very good and hold a fine edge for a good time

But NO batoning

I also have about five very different Helle blades and blocks of birch waiting for me....
 
Sweet looking blade. Have considered getting one before. I should pull the trigger.
 
I see the Harding as more of a cutting tool, than a chopping, batoning tool.

I have been using the small GB Outdoor Axe a lot lately. It continues to grow on me. Paired with the Harding and a Silky saw there isn't I have difficulty accomplishing. The saw makes long pieces of wood shorter. The axe makes thick pieces of wood thinner. And the knife Does the rest. Feather sticks, curls, food, and other cutting related chores.

Two knives continue to impress me at the moment. The Harding, and the Fallkniven TK-2. The Harding, as noted above just disappears on your belt. I like the handle size and contours. It performs well enough that it sees kitchen duty on a regular basis.

The TK-2 is also a sweet knife. Sort of the F-1's sexy cousin. Very similar, but with enough differences to keep my attention. 3G steel, distal taper, metal guard, slightly larger handle.

I am sort of a Luddite. Still running wooden snowshoes, wool clothing, and even some canvas. But I must admit the low maintenance, rinse, wipe, and go, of these two blades makes life nice in the field.

As an added bonus, for whatever reason. I seem to be able to get the convex edges on my Fallknivens scary sharp. I sharpen freehand so that might be why. The shape of the TK-2's blade just seems to lend itself to my sharpening style.

I make no claim to be a sharpening wizzard. But all my knives will pass the push cut paper test, pop paracord, and shave hair off my arm with ease.

My GB Outdoor Axe is the same way. A swipe up my arm looks like the it was hit with a razor. This thing is just a sweet little tool. Everybody laughs at it until they see in in use.

I really need to try some food prep with this little beastie. I threatened to carve my Thanksgiging Turkey with it on the Bushcraft site, but I chickened out. (Can you chicken out, when carving a Turkey?) One of life's unanswered questions.

Sadly or perhaps happily, I have been on a "Get Back in Shape" kick since early August. This has provided me with much more time further out in the woods. I currently walk 5-8 miles per day, 5 days a week. In October I picked up a used fat bike. And I am up to anywhere between 30-50 miles a week on that. Riding forest roads and trails that begin at the end of my driveway.

All this had allowed me much more time in the woods. But I have been focused on making time and covering ground. So the camera rarely goes with me. I am seeing and doing a lot, just not documenting much of it. The photography, and even more so, the downloading, uploading, and editing can consume a lot of time. Time that is currently being alotted to walking, and cycling. Smugmug's recent upgrade had made that whole process even harder. So much so, that it isn't fun anymore.
Is upgraded software ever a good thing?

I have been watching beaver establish a new den. Industrious little tykes. But no photos.

The Harding, Tk-2, and the GB have slotted very well into the fast and light segment of my quickened pace. But I have no new pictures of any of them. So you will have to take my word for it.

Over the summer I did a KA-Bar Dog's Head review. I spent some extended time with it, as my only cutting tool. I photographed and documented much of the results in a review on the KA-BAR Sub-Forum. I had a blast doing that. But it ate up a ton of time.

I know the new mantra is "Pictures or it didn't happen" And I plan on getting back on that horse at some point. I see the bike becoming a bushcraft/camping vehicle. I must admit, I am having a lot of fun on that bike. I feel like I'm 12 again.

So expect to see shots of knives, axes, saws, and a bicycle.
 
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