Reindeer has been one of the most important animals in the Norwegian fauna for thousands of years, and the indigenous Sami population has herded and tended their “domesticated herds of Reindeer since at least the 1500. The Rein has been the most important source of wild animal proteins in Norway since then. In addition, the reindeer has supplied the people of the Nordic countries with pelts for warmth, and – most importantly for Helle – antlers for crafts.
Reindeer antlers are a treasured craft material for several reasons. First, provided that they are harvested and stored correctly they offer a natural supply of hard yet machinable natural material. Second, as with most natural materials, the natural variation in patterning and colour make them aesthetically appealing.
Third, Scandinavian reindeer antlers are also a very sustainable source of handle material. There are two primary ways one can acquire antlers, depending partly on whether they come from wild Reindeer or “domesticated” herds. The first is from picking fallen antlers in the wild. The male Reindeer (who have the largest antlers that are best for knife handles) fell their antlers in late autumn/early winter, and if you are knowledgeable and get your timing right, you can harvest the antlers before they start to decay. The second is from antlers from animals harvested for meat. Domesticated Nordic herds are carefully monitored to make sure that the flock is kept at a sustainable level and that only the surplus is harvested. By using antlers in our knife handles Helle also contributes to using the whole animal, ensuring that the amount of waste is kept to a minimum.
There is a more sinister reason for us highlighting the Rein this year though – the ongoing plight of Wildlife across the globe. As the UN has highlighted time and time again over the past decade, we are facing a crisis in terms of biodiversity – and even the well-tended wild and semi-domesticated Nordic reindeer herds are currently under pressure. The main threats is, as in many parts of the world, human encroachment. The “domesticated” Northern herds in Norway, often owned and tended by the indigenous Sami, are increasingly seeing their natural habitats encroached by human activity – there is simply less and less wilderness available for the herds to roam and grass freely on.
As a species, we have to take the challenge of securing biodiversity seriously. Our 2023 Limited Edition knife is therefore dedicated towards raising awareness of the precariousness of our ecosystems in general and the Reindeer in particular. It is in our own best interest to harvest responsibly from nature so that we can continue to enjoy its bounty.
Description of knife:
The Rein is of course built with the image of a Reindeer in mind. These are large, gracious animals that are ideally suited to life up north. The colours in the knife mirror those of the reindeer – earthly tones split by variations in white. The knife features a scandi grind, 9 cm highly polished blade in our laminate H3LS steel. The composite handle has an ample belly built by equal parts leather and reindeer antler inlets, framed by a front and back piece in dark oak. The shape is that of a classic, Norwegian outdoor knife, ideally suited to most things you need a knife for when venturing out either for your Sunday trip or longer adventures.
The knife comes in a sheath made from genuine, vegetable-tanned brown leather and features a Reindeer print on the front.
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Now and then we head out on trips where we allow ourselves a bit more luxury, especially regarding our cooking. Both how we cook and what we cook. Most of these trips are with friends and family, offering quality time and many conversations around the campfire at night. These are trips where food is more in focus.
Our philosophy is that good food improves the experience in so many ways. This blog is about cooking during our latest trip and some of the tools we brought with us – both Helle knives and other equipment. So, if you are looking for lightweight: This is not it!
All the cooking during this trip was done over open fire, using classic cast-iron pots and pans. Much of the food was rich on fat, protein, and starch. Well needed in the cold, rainy mountain weather we experienced. Each meal was spiced with hungry and good company.
First and maybe most importantly, we brought a good selection of knives so that everyone could pick and choose. It’s always highly appreciated by friends to have and use well-made and well-maintained tools and knives. The selection used on this trip can be found in this month’s selection of Staff favourites.
In Scandinavia we can hike freely across any land without the landowner’s permission. This is called "the freedom to roam". This does however not allow anyone to build camp, cut trees or take firewood as one pleases without permission. In our case we had all the firewood transported to camp. What is free to use in plenty is the fresh and safe water to just scoop up and drink.
A few favorite meals during our last trip were Reindeer Entrecote with fried potatoes and bearnaise, another was the reindeer kebab or the classic Pitepalt (can’t be translated) with fried bacon and lingonberry’s. The latter is a classic dish made from northers Sweden. Nothing lightweight in other words.
The knives we use in our outdoor kitchen on this trip proved worthy as always.
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The connection to nature and the effect it has on us also influence everything we make at Helle, and the Nord knife is no exception. For us Nord (North) is more than a direction.
Just like the steepness of the Nordic mountains the Nord knife stands up tall. What you see is exactly what you get. Nord represents our impression of the honesty and pureness of the northern climate and terrain, putting the Helle philosophy on open display for all to see.
The Nord knife is developed to meet the demands of the Scandinavian wilderness. Sprung out of our 90 yearlong traditions as knifemakers and taking one step further. This knife combines our history with the emergence of a new outdoor generation – using our tools in a different manner and for other purposes than our ancestors.
Development of the Nord knife started during a wilderness trip, drawing inspiration from a knife that has its roots in the true north, the Lappland. For quite some time, we had been nurturing the idea of adjusting it slightly to better meet the demands and tasks around camp.
It's now more than two years since this new knife was put on the drawing board and first samples where made. Like always ideas often take their own path if allowed, and that is normally the case when we work with new products in the Helle development team. Samples were produced, adjustments made, and then new samples, adjusted angles, finding balance, finding the size, choice of steel – Until the product reveals itself and becomes obvious.
Our aim was to make a knife with much more to offer than what the actual size suggests. Thus, the Nord knife combines a longer handle with a large, but not excessive blade, which replicates the functionality of a smaller knife when cutting and carving. The hand shaped handle offers a secure and natural grip close to the blade, creating great balance for cutting and whittling.
At the same time, the full length offers a great swing-weight when clearing branches, as it allows the hand to secure its grip further towards the pomel. And when held for pull strokes, it is just as comfortable. This knife quickly became a favorite and the talk of the forest among our outdoor friends who had the chance to test the prototypes.
With a 3,7mm thick Sandvik 14c28n blade and a sharp shine, Nord will take on most challenges thrown at it. Thin enough for cutting properties and strong enough for most tasks on your adventures.
]]>This summer we decided to do something special during our summer holiday. It was our friend and flyfishing guide Mattias @landforss who came up with the idea. He invited me to join him and his dog on a flyfishing trip to one of his favorite spots in Swedish Lapland.
Mattias also invited the @Neasna Sisters and their father, and I invited Benny @solitary_man and my 16-year-old son. A group of people from age 16 to mid 50’s. Some meeting for the first time, but all with the same love for the outdoors and adventures.
Since Mattias organized everything on site for our arrival, all I could do was to pack up the car and make sure to bring a bunch of knives for testing. Some of our classics designs like the Gaupe and Hellefisk were in the knife roll, but also the new Nord and the updated Temagami. Plus of course some prototypes, but we must leave those out of this story for now. I promise that if they make it through to production you will see more of them next year.
The weather forecast promised demanding weather and delivered just that. Winds up to about 20 m/s (40+ miles/h) and temperatures close to freezing at night. The cool thing with bringing together the right crew is that even though the weather was tough, and the wind was cold, there was always a smile on everyone’s face. I think that’s what sets outdoorsmen and women apart from “normal” people … LOL. Soon the tarp was set up and giving some protection.
Fire comes first, then coffee kettle with @lemmelkaffe and then food was prepared. More stories to come on preparing food in the wild.
Everyone knows that a good night’s sleep is key to feeling good. Even with the wind howling and the tarp flapping a bit more than what one can wish for, we slept well after the long hike up to the camp, followed by a great meal. Dreaming of the river, and the days to come. More on that on that to come. But here is a sneak peek.
#helleadventures
#hellesummer
#hikingwithfriends
#helleflyfishing
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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.
Picture: Helle Fjellkniven
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.
Helle JS
Jan Steffen’s design features a 110 mm long and highly polished H3LS blade with a slight false edge/swedge on the spine. The 107 mm handle features stacked red leather inlets and curly birch in combination. The sheath, made with the original 1930s style Helle print on it, is done in black with red stitching to honor the forge that Jan Steffen’s grandfather was in charge of running.
Picture: Helle JS - Limited Edition
Model name: JS |
Model no: 200676 |
Total length: 217mm |
Steel: H3LS |
Handle: Dyed leather, curly birch |
RRP: 149 EUR |
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.
Picture: Helle SE - Limited Edition
Model name: SE |
Model no: 200684 |
Total length: 225mm |
Steel: H3LS |
Handle: Dyed leather, reindeer antlers, curly birch |
RRP: 149 EUR |
Picture: Helle JS & SE - Limited Edition
Here are some general rules to follow:
Sharpening
Helle knives are known for their sharpness out of the box. Maintaining that razor-sharpness is important for the maintained performance of your knife. We recommend using traditional flat sharpening stones or a sharpening system that allows for different angles. The level of wear on the edge determines the grain size to be used to get the knife back to its original sharpness. To maintain and preserve a good edge, please read the section about Scandi grind and angles, followed by how we prefer to sharpen our knives using our classic sharpening stones.
Scandi grind and angles
We often get questions about grind angles and whether our knives come with a scandi grind or a true scandi grind. We refer to our blades as True Scandi Grinds, but understand that some may debate that a true scandi grind is something else than what we supply. We believe that what we supply is the best option for a reliable, sharp and long-lasting edge. We also know that other Scandinavian manufacturers use similar techniques in their production. Maybe not exact, since this is a process we do by hand.
The scandi grind on Helle blades averages around 22,5 degrees. Please measure your angle for the best result. There are slight variations between different Helle models.
Every Helle knife is sharpened by hand. During the final process, the knives are stropped with a particular disc and compound, creating a small, visible micro edge. This process creates a sharper edge that is less prone to chipping.
Depending on how you prefer your blade, there are different ways to go about your sharpening. If your blade is just a little bit dull, you can focus on touching up the micro bevel, or if you need to re-establish an edge that has been fully lost.
If you only wish to re-establish the razor-sharp edge:
How to sharpen the blade:
Tips and tricks to make sure you sharpen correctly.
It is difficult to know if the right pressure is applied and if the right angle is maintained. We therefore recommend using a marker pen to color the scandi bevel before sharpening. Make a few strokes and you will see if the color disappears evenly from the bevel. If not, you recolor and adjust the pressure until the color is removed evenly.
A knife is a very personal tool and we appreciate that each and every user may have their own preferred ways of sharpening.
The Helle Sharpening stones
We offer two stones with two different uses. The smaller field stone and a larger sharpening stone for home maintenance.
The smaller stone measures 115 x 30 x 15 mm with a 320 grit on one side and 500 grit on the other. This is a perfect stone to carry in the pack on field trips. The stones come in a Helle made leather pouch to protect it from breakage. Stones are fragile.
The larger stone measures 200 x 50 x 25 mm with a 360 grit on one side and a 1000 grit on the other. This stone in combination with the small stone gives you a perfect setup to maintain your Helle knives. The bigger stone also comes with the option of a leather sheath for safe storage.
]]>November 2021 - 1932 – 2022. Exciting times ahead, as we enter our 90-year anniversary. In 2022, Helle plans on bringing lots of great news to the market. But why wait?
The Temagami 14C28N celebrates the 10-year collaboration between Les Stroud aka Survivorman and Helle and the unveiling of the first Temagami in 2011.
The Limited Edition Temagami 14C28N comes ‐ as the name suggests ‐ with a different steel. It also has a 90-degree sharp spine right out of the box. A sharp spine can be used for many things, one is to light a fire using a ferro rod.
The first Temagami represented the starting point of a long and friendly relationship, a relationship that with time also allowed us to participate on adventures beyond our wildest expectations.
Once you endeavor to become a ‘woodsman’ or an outdoor guide of any pursuit, it is inevitable that you will begin to become comfortable with ‐ and then likely obsessed with ‐ your ‘bush knife’. This certainly was my experience. And as fate would have it, one of the first knife brands I found in my hands was Helle. Instantly I recognized the beautiful marriage of form and function so perfectly crafted by Helle knives. I used a few different models for hundreds of adventure trips and survival expeditions in the wild. I used them for cutting rope and carving traps and possibly the most important adventure job for a knife of all: spreading peanut butter on my bagel.
When, by complete chance Helle contacted me (I shall let them say why they did that), to inquire about developing a knife together I was simultaneously honored and excited. Finally, I could have my druthers and design and build a knife that would combine all of the elements of adventuring that I considered important.
They did not disappoint in that my main contact there: Anders Haglund and I spent many, many months going over blade and steel and grip and wood type and tang until at last we were ready to launch our first design: The Temagami. Thusly named after the first place I ever experienced outdoor adventure.
The Temagami pulls together the ruggedness required to be worthy of any kind of outdoor adventure with the elegance of the curly birch grips and the sizing that fits just about every hand out there, somehow perfectly. I have been fortunate enough to even visit the factory, where I was able to walk through (and participate in) every stage of making the knife from the steel to the wood to the sheath.
My TV series Survivorman was the zeitgeist of all survival TV. Without it, the others would not likely exist. My Helle knife has been there now with me for the past ten years of adventuring around the globe. And I suspect that it will be there for 40 more years of wilderness adventure and survival.
It’s easy to say in a marketing brief that your brand strives for the utmost quality and design beauty along with function. Helle actually means it.
… Les Stroud
The partnership between Helle and Les started in the first part of 2010, when we reached out to Les about a collaboration idea. This was then followed by design meetings over Skype and the product was finalized when Anders Haglund, creative director at Helle visited the Les Stroud at the Survivorman headquarters in Canada.
The knife received a successful launch during a tradeshow in Toronto in February 2011.
Anders Haglund and Les Stroud during a product development meeting in Canada 2010
That same year Helle had the opportunity to help organizing Survivorman Ten Days in the Norwegian wilderness, December 2011. An adventure we will never forget and probably one of the hardest days Les experienced as Survivorman. The December weather in Norway can be quite demanding, shifting from rain in the day to well below freezing at night.
Photo by Anders Haglund, during the Survivorman 10 days in Norway
Filming took place on a small peninsula in the fjord district. For those that don’t know Norwegian topography, it is more like a 1000-meter steep mountain sticking straight out of the equally deep fjord. Windy, dark and cold, deep soft snow and no dry wood as far as the eyes can see. Only a few hours of daylight and long, cold nights. An episode that would make most people want to stay indoors. On the other hand, it also offers breathtaking views and the surrounding scenery we are so proud to present.
During the time Les visited Norway, Les also had the opportunity to stop by the factory to take part in producing a Helle Temagami knife.
A few years later, Les wanted to come back to Europe for yet another Survivorman episode. Once again, the team at Helle had the opportunity to help. This time the shoot was destined for the Carpathian Mountain range, the area well known from the Count Dracula stories.
Photo by Anders Haglund, Les Stroud and Ion Sanduloiu from Salvamonte Arges
The filming was done with in collaboration with the Salvamont Mountain rescue team, which was given limited knowledge of his plans. Les acted as a tourist who by mistake came off trail, and a search and rescue operation was initiated. The episode tells the story from two perspectives. One of a person in distress (although Les is not often in distress) and the other of a rescue team in search of a missing person.
During all these years, the Temagami knife has been the go-to for outdoorsmen and women to use around the camp. A reliable work knife that can be used for longer periods of time. With a handle so well shaped that it won’t give you hotspots in your hands, even after long sessions of carving.
The only task the Temagami was never built to perform was to use it with a ferro rod. This limited run has a sharp spine and will produce sparks like firework during a celebration.
]]>We have therefore been working diligently to find out what we can alter and improve on the Kletten. A consistent theme we met when talking to customer was that the shape and mechanism work well, but that it would be nice if the Kletten was offered in a darker, alternative wood as well. At Helle we try to stick to our northern, woods as much as possible, and dark woods are hard to find here.
Enter Kebony. Kebony is a Norwegian innovation whereby wood is stabilized using waste biomass, making traditional northern woods denser and darker in the same process. The result is a sustainable wood that outperforms traditional, exotic hardwoods. The scales on the new Kletten K are made from kebonized maple, which leaves the patterning of the maple intact while strengthening the already dense structure of the maple further.
We first started using this material for our cutlery, and our craftsman has loved shaping it into smooth wooden scales with a satin finish that will age and get more beautiful after years of use. It will alter and turn grey over time if you wish it to – just leave it exposed to the elements. If you wish to preserve its dark brown basic color treat it with oil every now and again to preserve the outer layer. Regardless of what you do the scales will stay strong.
The new Kletten K therefore combines the mechanism, shape and grind of the regular Kletten, but packs it in a dark, smooth and handsome material instead. We hope you enjoy using it as much as we have enjoyed testing it.
Kletten K will be available in selected stores by early October 2020.
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"I don't really feel like there is a need to honor me with a knife." Torodd looks awkwardly down at his skis. "There are people before who have done more." The start of any conversation with Torodd about the 2020 limited edition knife in his honor always starts like this. And it is true of course. This is also why the 2020 limited edition knife is modeled on the Sigmund, but takes it a step further. It has the same size and traditional print, but the details and colors are different. ”When I took over at Helle I knew our strengths were the products we had. We just had to make them better known and more relevant," says Torodd.
Torodd Helle is the last of the second generation of Helle’s active in the business. The son of founder Sigmund, Torodd started in the company after finishing business school in 1980, and therefore celebrates 40 years with the company this year. For the first 25 years he was the Financial Director, while the past 15 he spent as Managing Director. During these years he travelled the world with Helle knives in his bag, and as ”Mr. Helle” became an important part of the image of the company outside of Norway.
The second (Torodd) and second third (Svein-Erik and Jan Steffen) generation at Helle.
While he formally retired and passed down responsibilities to the third generation in 2019, Torodd remains deeply committed to Helle and actively pushes it forward. ”My history with Helle has been the same as others before me – full of highs and lows” says Torodd. ”But it has mostly been fun. We have prospered through a stubborn determination to make proper knives. This stubbornness and quality focus is something that I think will be passed down to the next generation.”
Torodd holding Torodd
The Torodd limited edition knife honors this stubbornness and forward momentum, which Torodd the person put to good use even before starting his career at Helle. It is of course no coincidence that the knife is modeled on his father’s namesake, or that it carries his well-known signature. But the green leather spacers and stitching is not just a homage to the Helle Green, but also to Torodd's football (soccer) career. His talent was clear at an early age – he played in the green jerseys of Holmedal in the most talented boys team ever produced in the village. And he would later play the Norwegian cup final with Norwegian minnows Sogndal. ”Football was an important part of my youth,” says Torodd and cracks a smile. ”I have always been very competitive. This has come in handy in business as well.”
Torodd (third from right in back row) and the Sogndal cup final team
What Torodd appreciates most about Holmedal today though, is the closeness to nature. “It is great to be able to walk out your front door, walk straight up a few hills and be surrounded by the forest.” Torodd, who resides on the family farm in Myra where Helle started, also likes skiing in the local mountains and traveling. “One of the best things about my work for Helle has been traveling to see new places and people. Preferably both,” Torodd says. “People connect emotionally with our products. That is a quality not all products have, and something that is quite special to see. That is what I will miss the most.” Torodd looks at the knife and seems quietly pleased with the result. “I hope people feel a connection to this knife too.”
Torodd where he feels at home - skiing in the mountains surrounding Holmedal.
The 2020 Helle limited edition knives thus honors both the efforts and achievements of the 2nd generation at Helle. And it does so in a way that is both functional and beautiful – precisely the way that it has been since 1932, and Torodd wants it to remain.
]]>During summer Helle closes down production for four weeks. All the workers go on holiday and the factory is eerily quiet. This is a historical tradition at Helle, we have always taken long holidays and closed production completely.
To celebrate the summer holidays, all the staff got to together at the local village pub on the final Friday to eat, talk and wish each other a good vacation.
We also paid special attention to three of our workers who have been with us for 20 and 30 years respectively. At Helle we are privileged to have workers that are both skilled and loyal.
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The final result
In order to reach the this stage we have tested different shapes, mechanisms, different screws and materials. We have ground and sanded by hand. And we have felt and used a lot of small folders. We have carried them with us in our day-to-day tasks, just like you would with a knife that is a proper Every Day Carry knife. The result is a small knife for the small adventures, but one that feels like a regular Helle knife.
A Kletten prototype, 2am on the Norwegian West Coast.
This is how we like to develop knives. By making by hand, testing them in the field and remaking them again. We have whittled, we have use it as a tool, sometimes we even (accidentally of course) cut ourselves. We have carried it with us for a long time (though you might not have seen it given its size). This is part of the Helle philosophy. Only by developing and testing products in this fashion can we achieve the quality criteria we set ourselves.
Sometimes the Kletten has been hidden in plain sight.
The end result is a product we know, that we are proud of and that we think you will appreciate.
Stay tuned for more information on the knife and the story behind it on this blog. It will be available for purchase from autumn 2019. And do see the product page for more pictures and specifications.
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632 Myra - red leather, red stitching, red building.
The shape of the 632 Myra is a classic Helle design. With a 10cm handle and a 7,2cm blade, it is not a big knife, but the ergonomic shape of the handle and sturdiness and sharpness of the traditional three-layer Helle laminated steel means that it performs the basic functions of a Nordic knife particularly well: carving, slicing and cutting comes naturally for Myra.
The composite handle and sheath brings a modern flair to the design. The handle combines Helle’s signature curly birch with a layer of red leather and darkened oak. The leather is matched by the red stitching which makes the brown leather sheath stand out among its Helle peers. Read more about the specifications here.
Homage to past in year of transition
The story behind the knife is all about the timing. 2019 is a year of change at Helle. Former Director Torodd Helle is stepping down, and a new generation Helle is taking over. It is therefore a time to look back as well as forward. This year´s limited edition knife has been developed under the close supervision of Torodd as well as the new leadership team. “632 Myra brings together much of what Helle has developed into during my 40 years with the company – the traditional Nordic design emboldened by modern details from the new generation,” Torodd comments.
Former director Torodd inspecting the Myra where it all started.
The name 632 Myra is also not a coincidence. The 2019 limited edition knife is the only current Helle knife that has the model number inscribed on the blade. 32 is an important number for Helle, given that it was the year Steinar and Sigmund started their work. And “Myra” is the local nickname for the farm where Steinar and Sigmund grew up – and where outgoing director Torodd lives today. “Myra was where it all started,” Torodd explains. “At the time there was no electricity in Holmedal, so Steinar and Sigmund would work when it rained, powering their grinding wheel with water from the local stream.” Though electrification and new markets made it possible for Helle to move to a larger factory in the 1940s, many of the principles of production that Helle work after today can be found in Myra. It is therefore fitting to honor the location with a knife.
The first in an annual series of special edition knives
Helle has only produced 1000 copies of the Myra. These 1000 copies have been taken up by our distributors and retailers in Norway, USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Finland, Holland, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia and South Africa. Please contact the Helle distributor in your country for more information on how you can acquire these rare items.
Producing a limited edition Helle knife is something that Helle will do annually from this year onwards. These Helle LE knives will be remakes Helle models, twists on current designs or particular models made for particular occasions. 632 Myra is a bit of both the first and last.
]]>New people, same philosophy as Helle announces third generation ownership.
]]>Svein-Erik Helle and Jan Steffen Helle renew 87-year-old heritage knife brand.
For Norwegian - please follow this link.
Svein-Erik and Jan Steffen. Photo: Stine Bøthun.
Helle has built its legacy of handcrafted, Nordic style knives on stubborn determination and a refusal to compromise. These principles continue to shape the evolution of the brand as third generation owners, Svein-Erik and Jan Steffen Helle, take the lead at the 87-year-old knife maker.
Since 1932 Helle has created knives for international markets from the small village of Holmedal, on the west coast of Norway. For generations this has been achieved through hard work and by harnessing the distinct qualities, lifestyle and identity of Holmedal. Like his grandfather and Helle co-founder, Sigmund Helle, Jan Steffen assumes the role of Production Manager. Jan has worked with metals his entire life. He spent the past five years getting to know every step of the intricate process that goes into making each Helle knife.
Jan Steffen takes charge of the production.
“The most exciting thing about working at Helle is being involved in so many processes to create a finished knife,” explains Jan Steffen Helle. “The machinery has lived a long, distinguished life, and over the years has passed through the hands of many skilled craftsmen. This is the heart and soul of Helle knife making. We’ll continue to nurture that tradition, rather than replace it with something else.”
As with his father and grandfather before him, Svein-Erik assumes the role of Managing Director. Svein-Erik grew up with the Helle factory as an important part of his family, but never felt destined to work there. “I did not recognize just how special the company was until I left home and came back ten years later,” he says.
Svein-Erik at work with marketing director Anders.
“I enjoy working with people on a global scale, but at first that didn’t come to mind when thinking about a knife factory in rural Norway,” he explains. “Today Helle is a world-renowned brand precisely because of its location and people. It enables us to handcraft knives with a clear identity and sense of quality. I treasure the opportunity to nurture and strengthen that legacy.”
As part of its legacy, the Helle brand and products remain steadfast even in times of change. Former owner and Managing Director, Torodd Helle will continue to support the brand and new ownership in an advisory role. In keeping with tradition, the skill and experience behind the brand is passed on to the next generation.
The Helle management team: Solbjørg (logistics), Anders, Jan-Steffen, Svein-Erik and Torodd. Photo: Stine Bøthun.
With the next generation of ownership, Helle of Norway enters exciting times with expanding markets, exciting new product launches and innovation. These changes will be introduced gradually, based on Helle’s strong foundation in the past, place, people and production. The evolution at Helle will continue in the same tradition that has shaped the brand of quality, identity and individuality.
Stay tuned for new products and company announcements.
]]>Download the 2019 Helle Catalogue
A brief history of Helle catalogues
Catalogues have been one of the most important tools for Helle since the start. In our archives we have catalogues made by Steinar and Sigmund in the 1930s! The earliest catalogues were based on drawings, not photos, showing the artistic streak of Helle at the time. Since Helle mostly made knives for the Norwegian market, they were all in Norwegian, of course.
By the 1960s and 70s cutlery and kitchen knives were more important than sports knives - and the market was both domestic and international. During these decades Helle both designed its own products and produced on license for others - but all the catalogues carried the distinctive "Made in Norway" trademark.
At the end of the 1970s and throughout the 1980s, Helle made a lot of headway in the Norwegian sports knives market as the popularity of our laminated three layer stainless steel grew. The number of sporting knives offered by Helle subsequently rose as well, meaning that the format of the brochures were often broad page.
The 1990s and 2000s also saw an expansion of models. But the minimalist trends of the time meant that the size of the catalogues were reduced - enter the era of the booklets. Helle's catalogues had also by these decades gradually expanded to include images of not just the knives, but their production and use. And you typically found our catalogues in at least three languages.
Today the large-scale format is back, but we dedicate more space to document the individuality and characteristics of each knife. For the past five years we have kept the same format of our catalogues. But given the trend of Helle catalogues changing with the times, it is perhaps not a surprise that 2019 is the year of the digital catalogue. We believe that by going digital we will not only lessen waste and reduce costs for the environment, but that the the availability and use of the catalogues will increase, because you can access them directly.
We hope you take this opportunity!
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Flatlay with a Helle Arv. Photo by Camilla Nilsen.
Over time we learned each Helle knife tells a story that transcends the wood, steel and leather they combine. Our customer’s experiences connect our past with the future, and make Helle something greater than just an ordinary knife. Skilled hands craft each Helle knife, creating an individual connection between the people making and those using our knives. This bond between knife maker and knife user represents a global community, spanning generations.
While we don’t receive as many letters and postcards these days, we have kept most of those from the past. These days our customers can quickly communicate with us online, and interact with each other directly. Your stories of the pursuit of nature, determination in the face of challenge, pride of ownership, and loyalty to tradition make Helle the world renowned brand it is today.
Each year we highlight a few members of the Helle community though our ambassador program. Like our knives, Helle ambassadors represent a love of nature, adventure, handiwork, and shared traditions that bring our community together.
Ambassador in action. Photo by Roman Kahler.
Learn more about the 2019 Helle Ambassador team and follow their adventures here:
Camilla, Norway: @buscraftandcoffee
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Leslie, USA: @waldeinsamkeit_woodcraft |
Roman, USA: @foranova |
Svenn-Inge, Norway: @svinges |
Thomas, Sweden: @thomas.wijk_ |
Zenia Maltha, Denmark: @zeniim |
We want to hear your stories and experiences using Helle Knives. Please email your photos and stories to hellesocial1932@gmail.com. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
To be considered for the Helle ambassador team, please apply here. The next application period begins in Feb 2020, but we will keep your information on file.
]]>It seems like websites have a shorter lifespan than both knives and people at Helle. This new platform is the fourth generation helle.com webpage since its first appearance in 2001. As you can see from the screenshot of helle.com from 2001, it has evolved quite a bit. The previous three has served us well, but it is time to move on to simpler and better things. To us, keeping it simple is important - simplicity means that we can invest our resources in what matters - making quality knives and showing them to you.
Communicating Helle
It is for this reason that we are proud of the new webpage. It offers us a simple, clean way of communicating with those interested in our knives. In other words: just the way we like it. And we intend to use this communication platform frequently.
The website has three sections that will be relatively constant:
And then there is this section - Discover Helle. This is where we will post regular updates and news about developments at Helle, whether big or small. News about products, news about the place, news about the people, news about the production - even news about the past. We strongly believe that by you getting to know us better you will appreciate our knives even more. This is what Discover Helle is all about.
By subscribing to our newsletter you will receive an email every time there is something new in this section, so please do.
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