Helle Knives

[lenny357]

I'm lookin at this knife and I like it. Lookin at a good bushcraft knife under $70 bucks the laminated steel thing somunds good. Any one have experince with this brand

So far I like the Eggen HE75

[Hukk]

The triple laminate has a stainless steel center around 58-59RC (likely Sandvik steel). The outside layers are high chromium (18-8 is used, a 300 series non heat treatable steel). They can be as high as 18% chromium. They are supposed to be vey easy to sharpen and at 59RC they are not brittle because of the laminated steel. The outside layers are much softer than the center.

Ask about a warranty. Many or most of Helle products have a 10 year guarantee against defects and workmanship.

Helle blades are so highly regarded in Europe that many custom knifemakers just buy Helle blades to make their knives. Distinctly different thought about custom knifemaking than in the USA, no bladesmithing and yet accepted as custom knife work. I think the thought is that a bladesmith can't make as good of a blade that Helle makes for the price. Helle blades are widely available here in the USA.

[lenny357]

Thanks for the info, ya this knife is 66 bucks can't beat that looking for something light. Doing light day hikes and need a nice bushcraft for the project I'm working on. Now for a nice compact compass hmmm.

[Hukk]

A compass, I never used or owned one of those - never had a need to. I'm one that has been 25 to 30 miles or so in unfamiliar mountains and never been lost. Sometimes hunting, other times just hiking or solo backpacking and I always have known what direction to travel and even the general time also.

I grew up doing this type of hunting and hiking - NO trails. I can't explain why, even out of state I've know which way is the right way to walk. I do study topographical maps now and that helps. I don't recommend those practices, only one other guy I hunt with does this also and we have hunted and hiked together for 38 years.

On the other hand I've been in this lousy town for 35 years and I still get lost here. Yep, airports, any unfamiliar pavement - I'm lost! My wife generally drives. All buildings look the same to me. I even got lost in Safeway today; where are those frozen burritos!

No, I don't ask directions my wife ends up driving after I get us lost on pavement. We make a great team because she gets lost in the state park here and we've hiked it for 8 years. Some funny stories.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with a Helle bladed knife.

[lenny357]

I spent 8 years hiking on the West coast never needed nothing. Over here on the East coast I can get turned around real quick, all the trees look the same and it's flat. Any direction looks the same, trail marking has worked thus far but I figure a little compass training is in order. Always carried a tactical folder on my walk abouts but after watching these Bushcraft knives in action, I felt a change is in order. Change is good and at 66 bucks you can't beat that change

[justold52]

I went with the Helle Safari HE 35 Curly Birch 3 layers SS Norway 9 1/2". I wanted to go to Sunbursts woods and get me one of his pigs. The pigskin is hard on a knife-edge do to the dirt and sand in it when field dressing. Sorry to say I never made the trip yet do to poor health. I think you will love the 3-layered blade. I am sure you will like the feel of that big handle too.

[lenny357]

Thanks for the advice guys, this thing just came in the mail. What an edge on this knife, nice sheath also, well worth the money. Nice and light too, I compare the edge to that new Rocksted I just picked up.

[Diligence]

Helle seems to make excellent knives. Lately, I've seen a few bushcraft fixed blades made by MuskratMan......might be worth a look? They seem to have really nice lines too.

Cheers,
J