UNDERSTAND THE TERMINOLOGY
This is the first step to choosing your Helle knife. Knowing what the different terminology means. Knowing this should help direct you to what Helle knife is right for you and your needs.
Laminated
Layers of different stainless steel blended to make a knife with varied amounts of durability and sharpness.
✅ Pro’s: Can be made sharper than non laminated
❌ Con’s: Generally not as strong as non laminated. Can be used with a ferro rod but it will dull the knife effecting long term properties.
Non Laminated
A solid/uniform piece of steel. Designed to be as strong and durable as possible.
✅ Pro’s: Stronger and can be less brittle. Can also be used repeatidly with a ferro rod to create a spark
❌ Con’s: Not as sharp as laminated
Full-Tang
The blade extends from tip to grip.
✅ Pro’s: Offer superior strength and decrease the chances of handle breakages. Can also be used for carving and survival techniques like battoning.
❌ Cons: Increased weight. Usually have an exposed blade in the handle which increases corrosion risk, therefore more maintainance is required (oiling and washing after it gets wet)
Stick-Tang
The blade ends part way into the handle.
✅ Pro’s: Lighter weight, cheaper and more durable from corrosion because the blade is hidden in the handle. So deals with getting wet better, less maintenance.
❌ Cons: Not as strong or is ideal to be used for carving/survival techniques like battoning. The Helle warranty voided if so you batton. See here.
Handle Size
Ideally you'd have your hand on the handle to feel for fit. For large hands make sure you get a handle that fits a larger hand. Smaller hands can work with both smaller and larger handles. If you are unsure, just email/call us here.
Metal Type
This is the number at the end of the product name
- Sandvik 12C27: for tougher conditions close to water. The most corrosion resistent
- Stainless H3LS (helle 3 layer steel) : More corrosion resistant than the Carbon H2LC
- Carbon H2LC (helle 3 layer carbon) : Least corrosion resistant but the sharpest
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HELLE KNIVES
Helle Eggen | H3LSS (laminated and stick-tang)
The all in one knife that will tackle anything your throw at it. Extremely sharp for cutting meat but more susceptible to corrosion compared to the Sandvik 12C27.
Where: Indoor & Outdoor
What: Cutting meat, fish and all other all kitchenwork, tackling the wilderness and any kind of craft work.
Handle: Comfortable so you can work with it for long periods of time. Suitable for small to large hands.
Helle Eggen | Sandvik 12C27 (non laminated and stick-tang)
Same as the original Eggen but with a non laminated blade to make it more resistant to corrosion from the 12C27 steel.
Where: Indoor & Outdoor
What: Cutting meat, fish and all other all kitchenwork, tackling the wilderness and any kind of craft work.
Handle: Comfortable so you can work with it for long periods of time. Suitable for small to large hands.
Helle Viking | Carbon H2LCA (laminated and stick-tang)
A utility knife thats made for the experienced blade handler due to having no finger guard. Needs to be well maintained, cleaned and oiled if using with meat
Where: Indoor use mainly
What: Craftsmanship
Handle: Works well for small to large size hands but has no finger guard
Helle GT | 14C28N (laminated and stick-tang)
A workhorse that can be used for all tasks. Features a longer blade than all of the above longer handle for much larger hands.
Where: Indoor & Outdoor
What: Tackling the wilderness, kitchenwork and craftwork
Handle: Long handle for larger hands
Helle Raud M Folding | 12C27 (non laminated)
The most durable steel combined with a packable folding knife. The M is medium, larger than the S small version and suitable for a four finger grip.
Were: Indoor, Outdoor & Urban Environments
What: Cutting meat, fish and all other all kitchenwork, tackling the wilderness and any kind of craft work.
Handle: Suitable for a 4 finger grip with large hands, smaller hands can get a S
Helle Utvear | 12C27 (non laminated and full-tang)
According to Andrius, our hard goods buyer "it's the best knife!". Made to be as durable as possible with 12C27 steel so it can stand up to all types of bushcraft but sharp enough to be able to cut or carve. It's not as sharp as a laminated knife but it does the job well.
Where: Indoor and Outdoor
What: Bushcraft, kitchenwork, tackling all wilderness challenges
Handle: Has a medium handle so fits small to medium hands
Skog | H3LSS (laminated and stick tang)
Designed almost purely for woodwork and carving with some durability for outdoor use but would need oil and cleaning after each use.
Where: Indoor carving
What: Carving, some outdoor work
Handle: Designed to be held for a long time with comfort
Nord | Sandvik 14C28N (Laminated and full tang)
This still is highly durable and more resistant to corrosion. This knife is happy being used outdoors. For all kinds of tasks. The full tang give it a very sturdy feel.
Where: Indoor & Outdoor
What: Cutting meat, fish and all other all kitchenwork, tackling the wilderness and any kind of craft work.
Handle: Suitable for small to large hands but doesn't have a big finger protector so maybe not the most beginner friendly.
Gaupe | H3LSS (Laminated and stick tang)
The bigger brother to the Helle Eggen - featuring a longer blade an handle for people with larger hands. It's an all in one knife that can tackle a little bit of everything. Extremely sharp for cutting meat but more susceptible to corrosion compared to the Sandvik 12C27.
Where: Indoor & Outdoor
What: Cutting meat, fish and all other all kitchenwork, tackling the wilderness and any kind of craft work.
Handle: Comfortable so you can work with it for long periods of time. Suitable for large hands.
Temagami | 14C28N (Non Laminated and full tang)
Non laminated make this knife burley and durable. Ideal for using as a fero rod but also sharp enough (because of the steel used) to be used for all types of outdoor bushwork.
Where: Indoor and Outdoor
What: Ferro rod, Bushcraft, kitchenwork, tackling all wilderness challenges
Handle: Has a medium handle so fits small to medium hands
Mandra | H3LSS (Laminated and full tang)
This still is highly durable and resistant to corrosion so does not need to be oiled right away. This knife is happy being used outdoors. For all kinds of tasks. The full tang give it a very sturdy feel. It has no finger protection on the handle so only for more experienced knife handlers.
Where: Indoor & Outdoor
What: Cutting meat, fish and all other all kitchenwork, tackling the wilderness and any kind of craft work.
Handle: Suitable for small to large hands but doesn't have a big finger protector so maybe not the most beginner friendly.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
All round knife for all sorts of general use indoor and outdoor: Helle Utvear/Nord
All round with a focus on cutting: Helle Eggen H3LS
All round with a focus on durability: Eggen Sandvik
Specialized for carving and indoor usage: Skog/Viking
Specialized for bushcraft work: Helle Utvear
Compact and discrete: Raud M
Very large hands: GT
HELLE KNIVES FAQ'S
What is the history of Helle Knives
A/S Helle Fabrikker was established in 1932 by the brothers Steinar and Sigmund Helle (28 and 21 years old) in the old blacksmith shop on the family farm. Their father was the village smith and he had passed on the craft traditions to his sons. From the very beginning knives were the most important products.
What size knife is legal to carry in Canada?
There is no specific blade size restriction for carry in Canadian law. However, the larger the size of the blade, the more difficult it would be to identify it as a tool for everyday use.
Can I legally carry a knife in Canada?
There is no law banning the carrying in public knives with sheaths, knives that take both hands to open and any knife with a fixed blade and certain non-prohibited folding knives, assuming they are not carried for a purpose dangerous to public peace or for the purpose of committing a criminal offense.