Helle Blade Steel

Steelhog

Steelhog

Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
1,176
Hey all – I have been a fan of Helle knives for quite some time now. I recently picked up a GT to complement my 5year old Eggen. I know this brand gets a little negative press in the current word of hardcore Bushcraft, but I really like them and seem them as extremely practical and much more useful than some of the current bush craft knives. They are light, comfortable in the hand, well built, good edge, beautiful and have a cool back story! And hey if I need to baton or split wood – I have my Gransfors Bruk….lol. Any how I was hoping someone could let me know what the blade steel is. Helle says its triple laminated stainless but that does not tell me much. I have heard some say 12C27 and others VG10. It seems to hold an edge well in my experience but not sure what its most comparable to. If any one knows please post.
 
Personal experience – I have had interesting results. Thinking back to some hard tasks I foolishly used my knives for (cutting lots of carpet/shingles – house remodel tasks) my Eggen didn’t seem to hold an edge quite as long as my VG10 Delica – but the edge never got ruined. I was able to bring it back to a hair popping edge after sharpening. My Delica last ¼ of the blade is basically done for.
 
steel hog, Way back in 2002 I inquired with Helle about the composition of the inner core of its laminated blade. I think the outer two layers are 18/8 stainless steel but here is what Svein Helle emailed was the composition of the inner steel:
C: 0.67%, Si: 0.70, S: 0.002, P:0.019, MN:0.44, Ni: 0.28, Cr: 14.25, Mo:0.52

John
 
They thanks John! For those of us that are less technical when it comes to blade composition - what other common steel would that combination be closest to?
 
The chemical composition you posted is extremely close to 13c26 (AEB-L). Your posted comp has slightly higher Si and Cr levels, but it's basically 13c26/AEB-L. 12c27 is also very close in your posted comp, but 12c27 has slightly less carbon (.6% vs .67%)
 
Just curious, OP, why has the GT got a bad press? I have a Gaupe and it’s great. I did once get pretty much to the bottom of their laminate materials, but I’m sorry to say I’ve forgotten. The Gaupe is my wife’s favoured knife for hacking at branches and plants. The edge seems to hold up well. YMMV
 
Pilsner said:
Just curious, OP, why has the GT got a bad press? I have a Gaupe and it’s great. I did once get pretty much to the bottom of their laminate materials, but I’m sorry to say I’ve forgotten. The Gaupe is my wife’s favoured knife for hacking at branches and plants. The edge seems to hold up well. YMMV
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Hey Pilsner. There are a number of reviews online and on youtube where some people ding the brand for not being full tang. In the modern bushcraft trend this brand seems to be really under appreciated. I know everyone has their feelings on the batoning wood, but as I get older I really look at it like using a hatchet to fillet a fish. Like sure – you can do it if you absolutely had to. But there is a way better tool for the job. I honestly would rather have a light blade with a comfortable handle than a full tang in most circumstances.

The bade steel is what has always made me wonder. The edge retention seems to be good (Not super steel), but the real win is the razor finish it takes and the ability to get it back to that same sharpness level easily in the field with a small stone and the back of your leather belt. Other steels this just is not possible in the same way. I have really used my Eggen a lot and had zero issues thus far. One of my best knives. I am sure the GT will be the same.
 
steelhog said:
Hey Pilsner. There are a number of reviews online and on youtube where some people ding the brand for not being full tang. In the modern bushcraft trend this brand seems to be really under appreciated. I know everyone has their feelings on the batoning wood, but as I get older I really look at it like using a hatchet to fillet a fish. Like sure – you can do it if you absolutely had to. But there is a way better tool for the job. I honestly would rather have a light blade with a comfortable handle than a full tang in most circumstances.

The bade steel is what has always made me wonder. The edge retention seems to be good (Not super steel), but the real win is the razor finish it takes and the ability to get it back to that same sharpness level easily in the field with a small stone and the back of your leather belt. Other steels this just is not possible in the same way. I have really used my Eggen a lot and had zero issues thus far. One of my best knives. I am sure the GT will be the same.
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With you 100%. If you know what you’re about, full tang really isn’t an issue. More ways to get dry wood than batonning huge logs with hammer blows. I got a fire started with very wet wood a few weeks ago using a small folder. Helle make great knives. Yes, it ain’t a mega-uber-super-steel, but it is great for any schmuck with a stone and a bit of skill. I have cut myself with the Gaupe, twice. It gets very sharp! :)
 
For sure. Not knocking on anyone for doing it – it’s just not for me. I think Helle makes 1 knife ¾ tang for Les Stroud but I think that’s it. I’m sure it’s a sweet knife - That may need to be my next purchase.
 
The Utvaer is a full tang model they make for those looking for a modern bushcrafter knife. I have one, I like it, but I don’t plan on banging on the spine of it. I enjoy the fit and finish of their knives greatly for the price point. There are often NIB models on auction sites for significantly less than MSRP.
 
The Utvaer looks really cool. What is the general take on the Utvaer vs. the temagami (Les Stroud knife). I think I may still be more interested in the Les Stroud knife as the Utvaer has a pointed end that looks like it would be constantly poking you in side while in the sheath.
 
Prior to my custom Jones Brothers Puukko, my Helle Symfoni was my go-to hiking/camping knife. It worked just fine for all my camp needs and never let me down. Of course my camp tasks don't involve batoning logs. If I think I will need to chop wood I bring along either a hatchet or a machete/treebeater. About the only fault I could find with it is that the traditional leather sheath has become too loose over the years. Easily fixed by contacting any number of sheath makers.
 
Actually, the definition of "full tang" is not consistent. :eek: Full "through" tang is considered full tang in some places/companies/groups. Personally, I am in the "full" full tang o_O camp (preferably visible) but it is not the only way. ;)
 
Nice knives, very practical, as noted. They used to feature a triple laminate blade with high carbon at the center, but now I believe they are all stainless, except for the Viking model, which is supposed to be triple laminated high carbon steel. Check out Helle's website.
 
Got to take out my new GT and test it out a bit today. As expected its fantastic! I will try to post up a full review some time.
 
Sorry for hijacking, but.. For those of you that use your Helle: how do you sharpen it? Stones/grit(/microbevel?)? Do you polish the bevel back to how it looked from factory? Pics of a used and resharpened Helle are welcomed!
 
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