Opinions of Helle knives from Norway

[Kodiak PA]

I was at a sports show in Anchorage Alaska last weekend and picked up a Helle fixed blade. These knives are made in Norway and I am embarassed to say I have never noticed them before. The knives is very well made, balanced, good sheath and made with laminated steel.

Anyone else have a Helle knife? Any opinions on their edge holding and corrosion resistance and overall function?

All input appreciated.

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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

I have a Helle knife made with a laminated steel blade and the thing really takes a sharp edge. The knives are inexpensive and offer a good value for the money.

My only critic would be one that applies to many scandinavian knives: the hand guard is inadequate to prevent the hand from sliding forward onto the cutting edge. As such the knives must be handled and used with care.

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Totally new website!
http://www.wilkins-knives.com

 

[James Mattis]

Helle and other makers from Guardless Knife Country do make some non-traditional knives with American customers in mind. In the Helle line, the Godbit has a large molded plastic guard.

Some of the older "guarded" models from Scandinavian companies have stamped guards that are added on, like training wheels on a bicycle, for novices, and some of them are marketed as children's knives, to protect their fingers until they learn to cut on pull stroke and not try to poke things with the knife.

Most of the Helle line are laminated stainless, where you can clearly see the "sandwich" of hard edge steel between soft outer layers. The outer layer is indeed soft enough to scratch easily. I haven't done a proper edge-holding test, but they come out of the box scary-sharp. They have the "Scandinavian" zero-edge bevel - a low saber grind with no secondary bevel.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001

 

[Loki]

Thanks to James and Ragnar, I've got a big box of these knives. They are without doubt the sharpest knives out-of-the-box I've seen (if only my customs came as sharp). Tough practical little knives that with exceptional cutting ability and ease of resharpening. I've made several simple knives using Helle blades. Low cost and very good quality - what more can you ask for. Guess I'll need to get some more.

 

[Blackdog]

I have a Helle Fjellmann model I bought several years ago. Some how it found its way into my wifes' hiking/cycling/beach/you-name-it pack about 2 years ago. If you really want to test the abuse resistance of a knife, give it to your wife for a while.

She's done everything with this blade from cutting cardboard to digging out plant roots to scraping mud from the soles of her boots. I'm usually appalled at the appearance of it when she hands it to me for resharpening, but it always cleans up nice and takes a razor edge with minimal effort. It's one tough little S.O.B.


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Blackdog

 

[cerulean]

I like Helle knives too: They're inexpensive, well made, and come in many different styles. Some links... you can get Helle blades here and custom knives with Helle blades here.

[This message has been edited by cerulean (edited 04-22-2000).]