I got a Helle of a Knife.

[gamekeeper]

The weekend I decided to swop some large knives I no longer use for something more handy. I looked at several but this one seemed to fit my hand and I like Scandinavian knives so I choose this Helle triple laminated stainless blade with Curly Birch and Reindeer Antler handle. Sorry for poor photo, please see video below.



Interesting short video on how they are made.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 0085,d.d2k

[Blaine]

I really like that one....I absolutely love good knives....

[Mike Armstrong]

I've got a couple of Helle's; like them very much. The first one my brother brought back from NATO maneuvers in northern Norway back in the 1970s. I've since got several from an American distributor, Ragweed Forge; great guy to deal with.

[Borregos]

That is a nice knife

[Pitchy]

[Nath]

Congrats GK....always fancied one of them myself....I like their chunky handles and deep scabbards/sheaths.

N

[bdhold]

very nice. I really like the antler checks.
I'll show my Waite B&T with spalted maple scales

[piller]

I like the edge they come with, and that they hold the edge very well. The laminated versions are great for almost anything.

[Rusty]

I had a Helle blade that Jr now claims. I used it for a time as a patch knife when cutting patches on the muzzle loader I was shooting. It was the absolutely the best knife I've ever used. The short blade is just right for everyday use.

[Griff]

Be advised: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpGcJ3JoFY0

[gamekeeper]

Be advised: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpGcJ3JoFY0

I had seen that video but I did not aquire that knife for battening or other heavy work, I have plenty of survival knives that will stand up to anything I'm likely to use them for.
I dont know why the handle broke when he was hitting the back of the blade though. Even the Cold Steel Survival Edge with a hollow handle can be used for battening and my trusty Glock knife is really tough, I think I'd break before it did...

[Griff]

So, since you understood what he said... what's "battening"?

[Griff]

My favorite knife is this similar shaped Browning:


With it's very slightly less than 3-¼" blade, I suspect it's slightly longer than your Helle:

[gamekeeper]

So, since you understood what he said... what's "battening"?

Battening is splitting small logs by putting the blade on the end of the log and then bashing the blade with another piece of wood till it splits the log. This is only necessary if you do not have an axe and need to make firewood etc.
I agree that the Helle knives have a narrow looking tang but that review is the only bad one I've seen, most regard the knife favorably and I'm sure the company would not keep turning out the same design if it kept failing. I suspect the guys technique is poor or maybe a fault in the tang of that particular knife.

BTW, my blade is 4". I like your Browning, it looks real useful..

[Griff]

Thanks for the explanation GK, I know of the technique, just never heard it named. I've had to do it... But, no, I don't think I'd use my little skinner for that particular camp chore. And if I did, I wouldn't bet on it holding up. I have to agree, I don't believe that's a fair assessment of the knife's usefulness or even sturdiness... seems way over-board in expectations.

[Pete44ru]

I dont know why the handle broke when he was hitting the back of the blade though.

FWIW, I've found the fault's in a combination of a narrow tang (sometimes just a round, bolt shape) and the characteristic of the particular piece of wood (a natural material) for the handle.

I had a well-made knife that split a one-piece handle while I was pounding on the blade's spine with my fist, attempting to split a deer's pelvis bone during a field dressing.

I was holding the handle very tightly, as you might expect, and the wood split when the blade hit a hard spot & rolled slightly off to one side at I hit on it. (It turned out to be a good thing I always carry 2 knives while hunting)

Nice choice, GK .

I like Nordic's too - moreso after picking up a custom Loodh: http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... stom+knife






.

[gamekeeper]

Wow, that custom Loodh is a beauty..

[MrMurphy]

It's called "batoning", like a police baton typically in pronouncing the word.

He does describe the process right through.

[Charles]

Back in the early 60's, I had a friend who damaged the blade of his Randall knife splitting kindling and such. He sent it back to Randall to be fixed. Randall did fix it, but it came back with a nasty and profane letter from Bo Randall waxing on about the kind of a fool that didn't know the difference between a knife and an ax.

He made his point and I have never forgotten it. I have knives, hatchets and axes and I know the purpose of each. Thanks again Bo.....

[Blaine]

I got burned on a FleaBay Buck 110 purchase.....The blade was about 1/4th sharpened away I don't have the guts to send it to Buck for a new blade....they might think I did it I work on it every so often....That's some tough-butt steel...someone had to work real hard to ruin it.....

[gamekeeper]

It's called "batoning", like a police baton typically in pronouncing the word.

He does describe the process right through.

I stand corrected, thanks...

[Mike Armstrong]

I'd think anybody that spent much time hunting big game or any other pursuit that required being out in the boonies for any length of time WOULD have a serious "camp" knife (say "survival" if you like) in camp, a hunting knife to carry, and a pocket knife.

I prefer a short machete that serves both as a "camp" knife and hatchet (in Latin America it serves for "all of the above"). Next choice would be a 7 1/2" Grayman "Pounder." My Marine son wouldn't have anything but a G2 Kabar. All will split wood, or cut wood if you need to.

Splitting logs with a fine hunting knife is for desperation only, like defending yourself with a .25. Best results not to be expected....

[Birdman]

Nice looking knives guys. I got a few knives that I admit to abusing, but I prefer to use a knife for knife work and a hatchet for hatchet work.

[bdhold]

Nice looking knives guys. I got a few knives that I admit to abusing, but I prefer to use a knife for knife work and a hatchet for hatchet work.

I keep $20 abuse knives around, Cold Steel in the kitchen, Spyderco Byrd in the shop

The funnest thing about having a "pretty" knife collection is picking one for the upcoming outing - which one will got to Alaska, RV trip, the kayaking trip, or just to eat BBQ at Smitty's Market.

[Griff]

I can hear the "...DDAAAADD!" all the way over here in AZ!