Helko axes from Germany

S

Steve Tall

Joined
Aug 28, 2010
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I don't hear much about Helko axes from Germany.
A sampling of their axes that are available in the USA:

Classic Line Axe, 2.4#, 28", $53 list
10492_LRG.jpg


Yankee Felling Axe, 2.5#, 28", $50 list
10451_LRG.jpg


Yankee Tasmania Sport Training Axe, 4#, 32", $94 list
10498_LRG.jpg


Yankee Fireman's Hatchet, 2.2#, 20", $50 list
(carried by Harbor Freight Tools?)
10629_LRG.jpg


German Standard European Axe, 2.75#, 28", $38 list
(also made as 3.5#, 32", $42 list)
10512_LRG.jpg


Information from the HelkoNorthAmerica site:

"All helko axe heads are forged from C45 [1045] Steel..."
"hardened to the German DIN 7287 B manufacturing standard..."
"In accordance with DIN/GS directions, the hardness of helko axe and hatchet edges is between 47-56 HRC (Rockwell) up to 30 millimeters from the cutting edge, while the eye is generally left unhardened to prevent cracks in the steel. During the manufacturing process, the axe heads are hardened and cooled down in an oil bath prior to being heated to about 400° Celsius. This relieves strain on the surface of the steel after hardening, and provides the correct level of hardness."
 
Are the heads forged in Germany? And are they forged or just cut from steel billet? bit hardened?
 
I saw references to drop forging. Didn't see much more about the heat treatment other than the quoted text (above).

Where tools are actually forged, whether Germany or elsewhere (Asia?), before getting the final touches, might be a touchy question with any tool company. Hard to get a straight answer sometimes. Maybe the only way to be sure is to visit the factory and see them actually being made (or if you can't get in, ask the locals if they hear lots and lots of pounding noises coming from the factory :D ).
 
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FWIW,,, that's the same plastic wedge used by Bahco which is suposedly made by OxHead.

I just bought one of Bahco's sharpening files.
It's made in Portugal, so who knows anymore.
I for one have just quit trying to read between the lines, and look for the old stuff these days.

The first one sure is pretty though.
 
veldro said:
All Helko blades are actually made in Germany. They talk about the process and quality on their website:

http://www.helkonorthamerica.com/index.php?main_page=about_us...
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I wouldn't be so sure.

The closest I found on that link was "helko axes and hatchets are crafted to meet stringent German DIN manufacturing standards (DIN 7287, 7294, 7295, 5131, and 5132). They are then safety proofed by German testing institute Versuchs und Prüfanstalt Remscheid (VPA), and permitted to wear the VPA/GS label."

This does not mean that the axe heads were forged in Germany, unless DIN standards cannot be achieved in Asia, for example. Different countries may have different regulations about how much of a product must be made domestically before it can be claimed to be made in that country. I've heard of examples in toolmaking where the number of process steps are counted, and the majority must be done in that country. As the story goes, most of the metalwork is done out of the country, and the product is finished in-country, so polishing the metal is counted as a step, and putting a sticker on the product is a separate step, as well as packaging the final product (we now have three steps in-country, which counts more than the metal forging step that was done out of the country).

Beyond the hearsay and possible exaggerations of my stories, and more specific to the axe industry, the Snow and Neally axes are currently being advertised as "USA Made", and I think it's old news that the S&N heads are forged in Asia.
 
How does S&N get away with that? That kind of stinks. Whichever side of the fence you are on it is still nice
to know where something is made.
 
I assure you, they are made in Germany. I have confirmed this with the company themselves. They are incredibly popular in Europe, and are well known for their German craftsmanship.
 
Until a couple of years ago, Harbor Freight Tools used to carry some of their axes.
I specifically remember a Helko Hunters Yankee pattern with 4# head and 36” handle (cost US$ 25), a Firemans axe ($25), and the Fireman’s hatchet ($20) shown above.
There was quite a bit of variation regarding the bits’ size, grind and weight. Most of the handles had the grain running out or running horizontally.
For the price they were quite nice. They disappeared from the local Harbor Freight stores and their online product line about 2 uears ago and were replaced with some similarly sized made in India junk.
 
I have one, the holtzaxt, in what is now the scandinavian line. It is a good axe, although I have few others in that size to compare it to. Strange, this thread popped up as I was about to post to the axe list sticky. Just looked at the site for a replacement handle (year seven, not cared for well) and saw the new tomahawk line with fiber handles. Any experience ut there with these?
 
littleknife said:
Until a couple of years ago, Harbor Freight Tools used to carry some of their axes.
I specifically remember a Helko Hunters Yankee pattern with 4# head and 36” handle (cost US$ 25), a Firemans axe ($25), and the Fireman’s hatchet ($20) shown above.
Click to expand...

They still carry the Fireman's hatchet which I am going to stop by and pick one up, and it is still $20.
 
pashacavanna said:
saw the new tomahawk line with fiber handles. Any experience ut there with these?
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Don't know about those ones in particular but fiber glass handles are generally tougher but less comfortable as they generally have little vibration absorption.
Also helko heads seem to be screwed to handle. Again I have no particular experience with those ones but screw assembly doesn't seem a good idea for parts exposed to shocks.
 
blademaster01 said:
generally speaking,if germans cant make something well,they dont bother to make it. good on them.
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Tell that to my wifes VW passat. Id trust a rapist watching my passed out drunk wife before Id trust that car, I would trust Larena Bobbit with my wiener before Id trust that car, Id trust... that's all I could think of.

I no longer hold German engineering to a high standard since they were unable to hold themselves to any standard.
 
BobSig said:
Tell that to my wifes VW passat. Id trust a rapist watching my passed out drunk wife before Id trust that car, I would trust Larena Bobbit with my wiener before Id trust that car, Id trust... that's all I could think of.

I no longer hold German engineering to a high standard since they were unable to hold themselves to any standard.
Click to expand...

LOL,,,,,, Just so's ya know Bob,,,,, BMW just signed a deal to have some engines made in China. :D
No doubt that German engineering and craftsmanship used to be good,,, but then again,,, so did America's.
 
Ya I will never buy a German car again. The steering fluid cost $40 a pint b/c is a special mineral oil... and of course it has a steering fluid leak.

Sorry about breaking topic. So... those are some nice axes A?
 
So has it ever been determined if these axes in question are indeed made in Germany exclusively, or made elsewhere?
 
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