Description
This summer it will be 90 years since brothers Sigmund and Steinar Helle built their own forge and started making knives on their family farm in Holmedal. Much has changed since, but for Helle Sigmund and Steinar’s focus still applies: To make solid tools that both feel and look good. 90 years and two generations later, Helle’s design philosophy is still founded in the same established principle. Today, it is current production manager Jan Steffen (the grandson of Sigmund) and current MD Svein-Erik (the grandson of Steinar) that are entrusted with carrying these principles forward.
When designing this year’s limited edition knife, Jan Steffen and Svein-Erik wanted to honor their grandparents by designing a knife that preserved the essence of their grandparents’ design philosophy. They agreed that the point of departure should be the pride of Helle in the three first decades of production: the Fjellkniven series. This was Helle’s “high-end” option at the time and combined many of the elements of traditional Norwegian knife culture with high-end material choices, featuring a highly polished blade with false edge/swedge on the spine. Jan Steffen and Svein-Erik also agreed that the right thing to do was to reuse the old sheath pattern developed by their grandparents in the 1930s and reintroduced with the Sigmund.
But here the agreement ended. Jan Steffen wanted to honor his grandfather’s forging skills and include a red element in the design. Svein-Erik on the other hand wanted to include the classic Helle green and incorporate the classic reindeer antlers – his grandfather’s favorite – in the design. Since diversity of opinions has been treasured within the Helle family from the beginning, they therefore agreed to make one design each.
Helle therefore proudly presents two limited edition knives for 2022 - The JS and The SE.
Helle SE
Svein-Erik’s design also features a 110 mm long and highly polished H3LS blade with a slight false edge/swedge on the spine. The handle is slightly longer at 115 mm, incorporating antler inlets in addition to curly birch and dyed green leather. The sheath, made with the original 1930s style Helle print on it, is done in classic tan leather with white stitching to match the antler horn – Svein-Erik’s grandfather’s favorite material.
Maintenance
Helle knives are designed to retain their sharpness as a lifelong outdoors companion. But it is still important to take care of your knife and its sheath.
The Handle. Dry the handle with a soft cloth if wet and wax occasionally.
The Sheath. The leather needs to be impregnated occasionally with colourless
impregnation agent (grease or wax) to keep supple. Dry the sheath
carefully in room temperature if it becomes wet.
The Blade. Wipe the blade with a soft cloth if wet and treat with grease occasionally.
Sharpening
Use a diamond tool or a wet stone for sharpening. Place the knife bevel flat to the sharpening tool and work the entire blade. Work one side until you can feel a slight burr on the opposite side. Switch side and repeat the procedure until you feel the burr on the first side. You have now established an edge.
Remove the burr by stroking the blade gently over the sharpening surface on both sides, as if cutting very thin slices. Keep the bevel flat towards the sharpener and move from side to side until the burr is gone.
If the blade is very dull or damaged, use a fine-grained grindstone and plenty of water and sharpen until you have a raw edge. Use much cooling liquid and never sharpen on a dry stone. A hot-ground edge looses its heat treatment and ruins the blade.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 101 Grams (3.52 oz)
- Overall length: 21.7 cm (8.54")
- Blade material: H3LS stainless steel
- Blade thickness: 2.7mm (0.11″)
- Blade length: 11 cm (4.33″)
- Handle material: Dyed leather, curly birch
- Handle length: 10.7 cm (4.2″)
- Designer: Svein-Erik
- Released: 2022
- SKU: SE