norwegian knife as functional souvenir

E

evidence120

Joined
Jun 18, 2007
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Hey everyone, new here but have been lurking for a while. I'm in Norway at the moment and want to buy a knife to bring home as a functional souvenir. I really want to stick to a Norwegian made blade. I realize I may pay more for it here than at home but it wouldn't be the same if I bought it in the USA. As for it's purpose; I'm an avid hunter, so I could always use another hunter/skinner but I really want a survival type knife. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I know very little about Norwegian blades. Is there anything that I can only get in Norway? Brands I've seen in a local shop: Helle and Brusletto. If you were in Norway what would you buy?
Todd
 
I'm not sure what to recommend as a survival knife because I don't know what tasks you consider in that category. Strömeng makes big knives in the Sami leuku style, which should qualify.

You won't go wrong Brusletto, but I'm partial to Helle. They have some knives with blades in the 4" to 5" range.
 
Thanks for the reply. I went to a shop today and looked at the Strömeng's. These are beasts. I think that I may pick up the 9in. blade version. It worries with the lack of finger guard but hey I'll live dangerously. The fact that it is forged in the northern part of Norway makes it even better as it is the area I will be spending the next 40 days. Do you know what type of steel is used? How does the blade stand up to abuse? Since the forge is 300 km west of me no chance to visit, but wish I could. Prices range from $150 to $200 USD here so I will pay a bit more. Anyone have any other recommendations. The shop keeper tried to put me on the Helle Laplander, what do you think of it?
 
Ragweed Forge has a Helle Lappland (about 2/3 down the page) obviously along the same lines as the Stromeng. I've got a similar leuku by Iisakki Jarvenpaa. These are all classic camp knives, optimized for slicing rather than fighting.

Like Scandinavian knives generally, large and small, they are meant for draw cuts, not stabbing, so a guard would just be in the way, especially for fine work.
 
evidence120 said:
Thanks for the reply. I went to a shop today and looked at the Strömeng's. These are beasts. I think that I may pick up the 9in. blade version. It worries with the lack of finger guard but hey I'll live dangerously.
Click to expand...

Strømeng makes a version with a finger guard and a non-traditional sheath, that's designed specially for the Norwegian military. If you can get to one of the big cities (well, everything's relative) you should be able to find an "XXL" chain store and they seem to stock the finger guard version.

Other than that, and for factory blades, I'd recommend a Helle and I'm partial to the Helle Eggen myself.

There are quite a few bladesmiths around, though, and even more knifemakers. You might be able to find a nice traditional "tollekniv" somewhere, but they're usually not sold in regular shops and you'd need to hit a fair or show somewhere.

Edit: just found the 8" finger guard version at XXL for somewhere above $100. They have a webshop if you need it, and I suspect they're about the cheapest in the country. http://www.xxl.no/xxl_templates/Produkt____49115.aspx
 
Went today and looked again at the selection available. This time I walked out with some steel. I ended up getting two: the 9" Deluxe Strømeng w/o finger guard and also a Helle Eggen. I figured that the Eggen would be the perfect everyday work knife for me & it comes highly recommended here. We will see how it holds up with the abuse I tend to dish out on my work blade. I noticed after I got back to my vessel that the Strømeng has some small rust spots on it's carbon blade. What oil or protection should I use to combat any further rust as I will be on or around salt water for the next 6 months? Thanks folks for your replies! I will post some pics in the next few days.
 
Try the flea markets for an older, laminated, non-stainless Brusletto. It will stand great abuse and hold an edge like a champ.
 
Update: Two from Norway and two from Sweden. Will be out till Dec. so I may even add a few more.
Strømeng 9" Supreme
aleku1.jpg

aleku3.jpg

aleku2.jpg

Helle Eggen
eggen2.jpg

eggen1.jpg

Gränsfors Bruks AB Wildlife Hatchet
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Carbon Mora Soaked in Vinegar
mora1.jpg
 
Great choices! You'll love the Wildlife hatchet, I have a Helle Jegermester and I really like it. Cant go wrong with a Mora:thumbup:
 
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