Helle vs Kellam any advice?

DeadboxHero

DeadboxHero

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I'm interested into mid range Scandinavian knives

I trying to decide between a Helle Viking knife and a Kellam Wolverine SPT

Both are about a c-note

Aesthetics and ergonomics aside,

Which blade has better performance?
 
Both will serve you very well, but it's nearly impossible to ever go wrong with Helle.
 
Right on,
What makes a Helle a Helle?
Is it the laminated blades?
Do they have the best heat treatment compared to the other brands?
 
Compared to other Scandinavian brands I've found that Helle is a bit better finished than some of the others. Smoother handle finish, more precision-fit pieces, and a higher grade of blade finish. And they often use handle materials that are more 'exotic' and uncommon. I'd say that Helle is on par with Karesuando and the high-end Marttiini knives.

I don't think Kellam makes any of their own knives; each of their product lines has a different maker. The Wolverine might be an Ahti model. My Kellam knife is the Tracker, and there's certainly nothing wrong with it.
 
I can't comment on the Helle; but I have a Kellam Wolverine, and I've been quite happy with it.
 
Big fan of Helle Knives. My Helle Symfoni is one of my go to woods knives. As soon as funds allow I'll be getting either a Sigmund or a Harding. Really liked the look of the Viking, but when I handled one it just wasn't for me.

The Kellam Wolverine/Puukko is made for them by Ahti knives I believe.
 
Thx for the info guys,
Any word on what steel is used for either?
Also does it out perform a Mora laminated blade?
 
I have the Viking. It's a good knife, but I got mine for about 20% lass than what you state. I'd probably not have bought if it were $100. the blade is laminated carbon steel. Which steels specifically, I'm unaware. RC 58-59 hardness.

Regarding it's comparison to a Mora blade, it should only be compared to a Mora laminated bled. The Viking's blade is longer and thicker at the spine the a Mora Original #1. I doubt there's truly any significant performance issues between the two.
 
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I think you may have to contact Helle to know what they actually use as core in their laminated carbon steel, while Mora's one has a O1 core.

The Kellam, made by Ahti, has a Lauri PT blade in 80CrV2. The different hardness is achieved through induction hardening.
If properly treated 80CrV2 is as resilient as 5160, but has the edge holding and keenness of O1: Krupp developped it specifically for wood working tools.
 
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The Kellam Wolverine is a narrower, thinner blade than the Viking. Even given good steel in both, the Wolverine will slice better.

The Viking was designed as a reproduction of the utility knife of the Viking era. It is a thicker, tough working blade.

Helle makes some elegant knives, but that's not what the Viking was designed to be.
 
You should define performance a little more. Slicing, the Kellam will win. Heavier tasks might point toward the Viking.

I own two Kellams. A Wolverine and a Slasher. They make a nice pair.

I looked hard at the Viking. Most feedback from folks who use them says they are a little thick. Cool, but thick. The Wolverine has done its jobs without complaint.

Helle has just come out with a full tang knife. It interests me, but it is pricy. I also have the hots for the Sigmund.
Some family history, nice sheath, and a beautiful knife. Helle make some beautiful knives, as does Kellam.

At first, I was worried about the whole tang thing with the Kellams. But that has proven to be a non-issue.

Pick your poison and don't look back. The Viking can be thinned if you feel the need. Personally, If I was going to go with just one, I might look at the slightly longer Wolf Pack knives like the Fang.

Of your two choices, either should make you a stellar companion. They just lean in slightly different directions.

Hard not to want a "Viking" knife.

Hope that helps.
LV
 
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Kellam Wolverine = better overall performance over the Helle Viking.


I have to agree with LostViking, "it is hard not to want a Viking knife." It's a great knife and slices surprisingly well for a bit thicker blade. Note: the sharpened part of the blade does not go all the way back to the handle. Not an issue for many but a preference issue for some. That being said, if it is an either or...unless you have a knife comparable to the Wolverine already, I'd probably go with the Wolverine. It is a traditional and comfortable workhorse. It is correct that Kellam does not manufacture those knives. There are quite a few threads on the subject of who makes which brand of Kellam knife. The Wolverine is an Ahti knife with the Lauri PT blade, as Frederick mentioned. The combo is not one of the standard Ahti knives but the combo, I believe is simply combined by request. The Wolverine has some very good reviews and a lot of satisfied users, as does the Viking. I have not used the Wolverine extensively myself but I do have and use the similarly handled Ahti knife with the standard carbon steel blade (not the PT) and have been extremely happy working with it and is cheaper than the PT knife. The Ahti knives are very comfortable in the hand. All that said, the Viking knife is well..the Viking knife, it is a reproduction (however, with a laminated blade). You can not go wrong...but the question was about blade performance and the Lauri PT blade is well liked. The Ahti knife I use is of similar blade dimensions and to be honest in demo I wouldn't notice much difference between the PT blade and standard blade. However, the PT blade should remain sharp longer. Someone else would have to comment on PT edge retention over the standard Ahti blades..but that not what you asked.
 
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Wow guys, thank you for the great info,

When I asked about performance, I'm taking about intial sharpness, How well it bites in wood, makes feathers, edge retention. And ease in sharpening.

I can't find any info on Helle knife steel besides it's carbon and laminated which is always a plus. Checked it out at the local store, in hand the knife is very impressive.
From reading the Kellam Wolverine website and Lauri blades its a homgonus piece of steel with a differential heat treatment.
The grind looks higher on the Kellam which means its sharper.
But I'm worried about edge deformation like my Mora laminated has from just carving knot free pine wood but that Mora was only $50.
For a $100 dollars I want whichever blade can take a screaming sharp edge and hold it decently while carving without chips and rolls with in minutes. Yet decent to sharpen.
I really want both, but we all have a budget.

I am also interested to know the difference between Lauri PT blade and regular ahti blade as far as actual performance vs hype.

Thanks
 
Moras tend to roll and/or chip during first uses due to the gloss finish given with buffing that heat the very edge leaving it bit weaker. This should decrease after a couple of sharpenings, when you've grinded off the factory edge.

Helles are taken to 0 with 28-30° bevels, while Ahti have a very slightly convexed edge with 20° bevels. To be honest the bite and edge holding ends up being rather comparable.

If you're open to other suggestions as well, in the same pricerange of the Viking and the Wolverine you can have also a YP-Taonta volupuukko.
http://www.yp-taonta.fi/PUUKOT/index.html
https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/yrjo-puronvarsi-blades-yp-taonta/

Blades are handforged, as you can see on the Nordiskaknivar article.
Handles are made in the same way as are the Ahtis and Helles, roughing out the shape with routers then finishing on beltsander. Ferrules and rivets are made by Lauri Metalli Oy, the same factory that stamps the blades.
The sheaths are made by the Rämäkkö factory.

In my opinion YP-Taonta puukkos have the best price/performances ratio among mass produced puukkos, also counting they have handforged blades instead of factory ones.
The blades have a subtle rhombic (diamond like) cross section which has a mean bite on its own. Bevels are taken to 21°, are very slightly concave and the edge has just a hint of convex.

Though they aren't my absolute favourites for carving they have a very nice balance between resilience, edge holding and stability (1075 at 60 HRC). The blades themself are tapered enough to be agile and nimble while keeping enough weight for power cuts.
I've found the 1075 to be quicker to be restored compared to 80CrV2 or K510.
 
Thx Fredrick. I love the YPs just hard to find em for sell. They don't seem as available here in the USA
 
You can try Lamnia.fi. They are a dealer here as well and have always provided top notch and fast service.
 
That's a difficult decision to make. Both Helle of Norway and the Kellam Finnish-made knives such as puukkos are all very good-quality and excellent field-knives. I have both a Helle Scout fixed blade (supposedly made for the Norwegien outdoor scouts) and a Marttiini puukko, the Lynx. These both have the stainless steel blades as opposed to carbon steel, and both are great, well-made knives.
 
Lamnia.com is a great dealer for those on the other side of the pond. They are a major dealer, great selection (especially in puukko and Scandi) and shipping is fast and inexpensive (even to the US). I've dealt with them several times.
Rich
 
Good Info guys thanks, there's tons of awesome puukkos there. Now deciding has gottent more complicated haha.
 
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