They're definitely different companies. Believe it or not, Adler is something like the second largest axe maker in Germany! They're just not well known outside of there because they haven't sold to the USA until now.
Helko doesn't produce some of the models Adler does, and Adler produces more variations of overall quality level. Adler also produces hoes, which are notably absent from Helko's product line.
Adler uses both C45 and C60 steel, with C60 being used for their more premium models.
ADLER was established in 1919 by blacksmith Josef Schmitt and is located in South Germany, Baden-Württemberg between Karlsruhe and Mannheim. Initially the company was specialized in semi-finished hoes and tools which were further processed in local forges. There were the respective local tool forms finished as these forms varied tremendously among the different regions. Over the next few years a handle production site was built as an extension to the plant and therefore the production chain consolidated the manufacturing of tool heads and the processing of appropriate tool handles.
Today our plant consists of three buildings and comprises a total area of 10.000 m2. In addition to the forge and handle production a modern painting plant was constructed which enables us to lacquer the handles with environmental friendly water-based paint. This gives us the opportunity to respond to customers request in- stantly.
For enhancing our production flexibility an automated dry kiln was installed which is guarantor of a constant high quality our customers are used to since the beginning.
Since four generations, ADLER is one of the leading specialists in the area of forged forest and garden tools. Our primary concern is to offer products tailored to our customers specific needs and therefore we constantly expand our knowledge and capacity in order to strengthen our competitiveness.
