Knife Helle: description, reviews, popular models

Knife for the Scandinavian is not just an instrument. This is an integral part of the culture of the ancient people. In former times, each of its representatives had at least two knives: ceremonial and everyday. It was impossible to do without him. It was necessary for fishermen and hunters, who were Scandinavians.

Later Norwegian blades were pushed out of the market by Swedish and Finnish. But they did not go into oblivion. Thanks to the efforts of historians, archeologists, engineers and designers, Norwegian knives again became popular.

Manufacturer

The Helle Fabrikker brand was founded in the 1930s in the town of Holmedal by the Blacksmith brothers Helle. The manufacture of knives was their main activity.

They sold their products first only in their native village, but soon the products of the enterprise became known in the capitals of Oslo.

Now the company is actively working, producing about 80 percent of all knives in Norway. At the same time, the company's employees number only about fifty. The Norwegian knife Helle is well known to specialists and a wide range of users due to its high quality.

Representatives and employees of the company say that their knives are not made for collecting. They are designed to be used, regularly performed what they are intended for. And the range of application of knives "Helly" is wide enough.

Range

The enterprise manufactures knives for:

• Fishing.
• Hunting.
• Tourism.
• Use in the kitchen and at home.

Advantages and differences

Externally, the knives do not differ anything special from the Finnish or Saami.

But there is something that distinguishes them from the products of other nations. These are blades consisting of several layers, a handle made of birch, horns, brass.

The creators of modern Norwegian knives pay much attention to the historical heritage. They use, creatively processed and adapted for the needs of modern man, ancient models, which in ancient times used by warriors and fishermen. This makes their products recognizable and popular.

Particular attention to the designers of the company is given to how the knife lies in the owner's hand. They consider the model beautiful only when it is convenient.

Never make knives only "for beauty". Each element must perform a certain function. This is an unspoken rule of the company, which its employees have been following for many years.

Blade

Knife blades were originally three-layered. But now new advanced technologies have allowed to improve the process of their manufacture. The cutting edge, or core, is made of steel with a high carbon content. This is the secret of the knives "Helle". The recipe of manufacture is developed together with engineers-metallurgists and is kept in the strictest secret.

After the blade is hardened, it acquires a hardness of 59 HRc. But this steel has one drawback: it is prone to corrosion.

The cover is made of steel softer. But it does not rust. In its composition - 18 percent chromium and 8 nickel.

The obuch has a thickness of 3.3 mm.

The blade has a pentahedral profile, the slopes are straight. Knives "Helle" you can sharpen yourself.

Laminated Blades

Such blades are called laminated. They are characterized by high strength (do not break). This is especially noticeable at low temperatures. A liner made of food stainless steel makes the knife beautiful in appearance. But there may be an unpleasant moment. User reviews say that sometimes the laminated knife lining exfoliate. This applies not so much to the knives "Helly", so many products of this type in general. The quality of the blade depends on how correctly the plates were welded. If the procedure was carried out with a violation of technology, then the laminate may even curl up.

Quality laminated blades are manufactured in Japan and Norway. They are distinguished by a high cost compared to other knives of this type.

Blade length

Helle provides a wide selection of blade lengths. They can be from 7 to 11 cm. But the most popular is the Helle blade with a blade length of 7.5 cm.

Handles

The Helle knife should be comfortable to hold in your hand. To do this, its handle must be of the appropriate material and have a certain shape.

Handle knives "Helly" produced from Karelian birch or walnut. First they are impregnated with special mixtures.

To ensure that the knives were not only sharp, but also beautiful, they often trim with deer antler, corian (artificial acrylic stone), brass.

The developers even envisaged that it is not very convenient for fishermen to use ordinary knives. After all, after an ordinary knife falls into the water, it quickly sinks. And who wants to lose such an expensive accessory. Yes, and finish the operation you need something. It was for fishermen that a special floating knife was invented. Its handle is made of cork.

Designing knives

The Helle knife is assembled only by hand. Just sharpen and trim. At the same time, anyone can do this. The manufacture of knives became available because the parts for them can be bought and folded product of any design. Many Norwegians compete in creating the most original and beautiful knife. Authors of the most interesting and high-quality products receive special awards.

Kits for making knives

Now we have the opportunity to start making knives "Helly" and with us. For 3,8-4 thousand rubles. You can buy a set consisting of a blade with a smooth cutting edge "drop point" made of three-layer laminated steel. A bar of Karelian birch is designed to make a handle of your convenient shape from it. There are various metal parts. In separate sets there can be a clip. The kit allows you to make the sheath for your knife yourself. For this, a piece of natural leather and even a stitching material is provided in the kit.

In order for the knife you made to be sharp, you need to buy a sharpener or a special set for sharpening.

User reviews say that sometimes they buy the blade "Helly" and attach to them the handles of their own manufacture.

Sheath

Sheath knives are also made by hand. For their manufacture, high-quality saddlery-saddle leather is used, which is used to make belts.

To ensure that the sheath does not form spots, the material is first treated with special compounds. The oil, which is applied, prevents penetration of moisture into the interior.

When designing a scabbard, traditional models are used.

Designers

"Толлекηв" - a version of the Finnish knife Lives. It was created by the Finnish designer Janne Marttini.

In addition, for the company create new models Thor Indergaard, Thor Wistnes, Gunnar Los. The designer's name is often indicated in the product advertisement.

Range

All knives "Helly" can be conditionally divided into those with a blade fixed, and folding. The first is usually cheaper in comparison with products of similar sizes, which can be folded by hiding the blade.

Packing "Helle" can be considered the best among similar products of mass production.

Designers and engineers of the company are developing new models of knives for different occasions.

Sometimes, when constructing the next knife Helle, they turn for inspiration to a distant historical past.

The Nidaros model is a reconstruction of the Viking knife. It is made of high-quality and expensive material, it is distinguished by an expensive decoration. Naturally, it has a fixed blade.

The Lapland model is a Saami knife, the so-called tundra knife. It is also called a "big knife" (stuoraniibbi). The same applies to products with a fixed blade.

Winner 45 G is similar to a universal Swedish knife with a fixed blade of 9 cm in length. The knife is 22 cm in size and weighs 109 g. The handle of natural wood has a recess to protect the hand from slipping. This site is decorated with metal inserts and is black.

Helle Fjellkniven F1 - a mountain knife with a fixed blade, having a smooth cutting edge. It is durable, simple shape, and at the same time elegant. It is also called a survival knife for its versatility and convenient form.

The fact that Helly Fenkvenven is used by the Swedish Air Force can testify to its quality. The handle of the birch is decorated with brass reinforcement. Sheath for a knife of polished leather decorated with an embossed image of an eagle. Weight 108 g, blade - "drop point" (lowering the shoe toward the point). Lock Fixed. With a total length of 20.5 cm, the length of the blade is 10 cm.

Helle 75 Jubileuma

This knife from Helly has the most functions. His blade is inherent in Scandinavian knives. Has the form of a drop point. The slopes are straight, gradually moving into the cutting part. The knife is multifunctional. Leather sheath with original embossing. The length of the knife is 25.5 cm, the blade is equal to the handle. The blade is made of steel Sandvik 13C26, which has three layers.

The handle of the knife is made of Karelian birch in combination with a reindeer horn. The edge is smooth. How much are such knives? The price of Jubileum is more than 8 thousand rubles.

Helle Besseggen - scraper

Its name came from the name of the Norwegian mountain. It features strength, reliability. Very sharp. Used for wood carving. Suitable for removing hides during hunting. This knife is shorter than the previous one, its length is 19 cm. The steel insert is located between the blade and the handle. Weight 80 g. Material from which the blade is made, steel Sandvik 13C26. Sharpening lasts a very long time. Handle from Karelian birch is treated with special impregnation. Therefore, it does not swell under the influence of water. Sheath is black. These are relatively cheap knives. The price is 5,500 rubles.

Helle Eggen

The knife handle protects the hands from the impact of the blade. For this purpose, a special protrusion on the handle is provided at the junction with the blade. Length - 215 mm, thickness - 3 mm. Blade is 105 mm long. Weight 124 g. Descent is relatively low. Handle of Karelian birch. Sheath with embossed brown color.

The knife is simple in execution, an ascetic kind. The reviews say that its grip is comfortable enough, but the emphasis is a little hampered. Some users just cut it down. This is easy to do, because the handle is made of ordinary wood.

Users say that it cuts perfectly. They like the fact that the knife's descents are absolutely flat. This makes simple sharpening. The knife should only be laid down on the sharpening tool . The angle of sharpening is 30 degrees.

The knife is designed to work on wood.

Helle Fire

There are assortments of "Helle" and knives of modern design. One of them is Helle Fire. It is relatively small, the length is only 19.5 cm. The blade has a length of 6.8 cm at a thickness of 3 mm made of three-layer steel. The cutting edge is smooth. Handle of Karelian birch. It ends with a steel insert with a carbine, which is designed to attach to the belt. Leather black sheath of interesting shape, ring around the handle.

User reviews say that the carbine will not be enough to get the knife to the belt.

Helle Fiskekniv

This model is characterized by a very thin and long blade of steel "Sandvik 12S27". It is intended for use by fishermen. It is convenient to grab by hand, it cuts well. The thickness of the blade is 2.5 mm. Sheath deep, "vsadnye." They almost completely cover not only the blade, but also the handle. Attached to the waist.

Users suggest to make a buttonhole in the loop. So you can fix and carry the knife. Price 4,4 thousand rubles.

"Helly Felbeck"

Helle Fjellbekk - a knife measuring 22.1 cm with a blade length of 10.2 cm with a thickness of 3 mm and a hardness of 25-59, made of laminated steel. Handle from merbau wood (Africa).

"Helly Tollenkniv"

The Helle Tollenkniv knife has a blade length of 10.3 cm and, together with a handle, 22.2 cm. It is made of steel with a hardness of 57-59 HRc. The shape is rounded to the point, the blade is quite wide.

Designed for fishermen, tourists, hunters.

Reviews of him indicate that the knife is used for cutting meat, household needs. Indispensable during picnics, hunting, gathering mushrooms, walks through the forest. Do not be afraid of a long stay on the street, well sharpened and keeps sharpening. He has an excellent rez. Over the years of use, it does not break down and is not even spoiled. This indicates the quality of the assembly.

But the users do not find the scabbard very convenient.

Users call this knife a blade. They note that this model is an informal one for Helly.

The length of the blade is considered universal, the proportions are optimal.

Folding knives Helle

There are assorted and folding knives, such as Helle Doka 200 with a blade lock. The length of his blade is 8.4 cm. The obukh is 2.7 mm thick.

In the folded form, the knife has a length of 11.7 cm. There is a hole in the handle so that it is possible to stretch the safety cord or belt.

The knife can be used as a tourist or hunting. It is useful to tourists. After all, it is convenient to carry it, when folded, it takes up very little space.

The price is about 12 thousand rubles.

Helle Brakar

This is one of the biggest knives "Helly". Fixed blade has a slight decrease towards the point. The slopes are straight. Its length is 12.6 cm, weight is 126 g. The hardness is 58-59 on the Rockwell scale. The handle consists of three parts: a nut, a Karelian birch stabilized, leather inserts. Thanks to a small notch, the hand does not slip and does not get injured on the blade.

Such a knife is not used in the kitchen for cutting vegetables, it is good for sharpening various sticks, technical purposes. Designed for tourists and hunters.

There are testimonials that with his help, the tree is chiseled in winter, when the ax can not cope with the frozen bark.

Reviews positive

User reviews claim that the knife Helle - neat, quality assembled. They say that these products are some of the best, and their price is relatively small. People have been using these knives for many years, and never had quality problems. It is mentioned only one case of re-sharpening the descents on the circle. And then it was a millimeter crack that can not bear witness to the poor quality of the knives.

Feedback from many users say that, though, the lining of knives and scratches very quickly, they are wonderfully grinded and ruled.

Describing the cutting knife "Helly", many indicate a comparison "cuts like clockwork," that is, the blade gently slips on the processed material. And this is with a fairly aggressive cut.

Consumers say that the knife handle is comfortable. Repeats the contours of the hand and falls well into the palm of your hand. It is very pleasant to the touch. Its color indicates that the material is well impregnated with protective agents.

Some buyers are worried that the handle will not break if used for long periods of time. But, it turns out, she can withstand even a long stay in the open air. There were cases when the left knife was found after several years of stay under the snow and rain. The hilt did not change the appearance, and the blade went dark.

Reviews are negative

Not everyone likes the Helle knives. Reviews say that the cladding on the blade is scratched by mechanical action. They are very sharp, but tender. Of course, the blade is better to hide in the sheath at a time when they do not use it. But, however, the primal beauty of the blade will soon disappear. In this case, more importantly, we can assume that this does not affect the quality of the cut.

Reviews of some buyers say that the knife "Helly" did not live up to their expectations. They did not feel any special fantastic cut. Other users argue that this is due to the low descent of the blade, which is usually the case with Scandinavian knives.

There is an opinion that the assembly of knives has recently become less quality. But this is not confirmed by examples and personal experience, but rather by rumors.

Some customers suggest to sharpen the knife from a different angle. But experienced users say that it's enough to do this under the same slope. They say that they sharpen the Helli knives like Japanese, laying them down on a stone. But you need to use Japanese water stones to make the result beautiful.