Helle Fossekallen: Versatile, functional, and just plain beautiful
I went searching for a knife that carries easily, stows away without much bulk or weight, and performs flawlessly in the field. And, I wanted it to last a lifetime.
Named after Norway’s national bird, the Helle Fossekallen checks all of those boxes, and then some. Aesthetically, it’s a beautiful piece of Norwegian craftsmanship that even non-knife enthusiasts can appreciate. And to be honest, I’m not really a knife enthusiast. I am a gear junkie, though.
It’s actually a problem.
Why I Bought This Knife
To be clear, I’m not a knife collector or enthusiast (per se). But, I’m an avid camper, backpacker, and hobbyist. In the past year, I picked up whittling, carving, and general woodworking — a hobby that’s appealed to me since the days of pretending sticks were swords in the backyard.
While my Swiss Army Knife does the trick for most camp needs and kicks ass for finer carving, I wanted a bigger — but not big — knife that was more comfortable to work with for longer periods of time, was tough as nails, and sharper than a tack. What’s more, I also wanted a knife that could help me with general camp stuff, like prepping food and getting kindling for a fire, and a go-to hunting knife.
Again, not being well-versed and knowledgeable about the knife world, I wasn’t sure where to look really. Google helped a ton, naturally.
Eventually, having stumbled upon Helle on either Backcountry.com or Duluth Pack, I discovered Helle of Norway and was pretty much dead set on owning one. Although, the price was a factor.
About Helle of Norway
Helle touts itself on its very manual, time-intensive process for making high-quality knives for people who enjoy and work outdoors. Boasting up to 45 manual steps, the level of detail and labor that goes into making each knife shows in the final product.
The company has been around since the 1930s, started by two Norwegians using a forge on a farm. What started as seemingly casual knife-making turned into a legacy of quality knives after the founder bicycled over mountains to increase sales in Oslo. Today, the company sells to people all over the world, including hunters, outdoorsy folks, and likely collectors.
The knives that Helle makes are fine instruments for anything a knife is meant to do. The quality and design shows it, and so does the price tag. Helle knives aren’t cheap. But you do get what you pay for.
The Helle Fossekallen can be found on Amazon for $114.
Now, for non-knife enthusiasts, you’re probably thinking no way am I paying that much for a knife. At least that’s what I thought.
Searching around for knives that spec out similarly to Helle’s, you’ll find some fluctuation. Some knives topple that price tag tenfold, while others drop to $50. So why pay all that money for a knife if there are others like it for less?
The Tech Specs
One of the main points of intrigue for me was the curly birch handle. Mainly because it’s beautiful. It just looks good.
But it goes beyond aesthetic. The handle is designed in a way that makes it very comfortable to hold and grip, with a wavy, articulated build. With that, there is a guard that prevents what could be a disastrous slip.
I’ve used this knife in Minnesota’s cold weather, wet weather, hot weather; gloves, wet hands, sweaty hands. Thankfully, this handle has made it so that I have a firm, confident grip on the knife when using it for processing wood, food or game.
And while the handle is all fine and dandy, what about the part that actually cuts? Believe me, the blade exceeds expectation. This is also where the price tag comes in.
Helle blades are made from a triple laminated stainless steel. What does that mean?
Think of a sandwich. On the top and bottom, you have bread. The good stuff is in the middle. Helle knives are kind of the same way.
There are three main layers to Helle knife blades. On the outside is 18/8 stainless steel, which prevents rust, corrosion, and overall damage to the blade. The inside is a high alloy steel, which keeps an extremely sharp edge for long periods of time. The inside metal, however, is more susceptible to breakage and rust. That’s why the outer layers were added to provide protection while still allowing for a sharp, sharp edge. Out of the box, the sharpness of the blade is insane. It’s almost too sharp. Like, scared to even use it sharp.
For me, having a knife that resists rust and corrosion, while also keeping an edge was important. When I take this knife out, I’m usually going into pretty harsh conditions, including into variable weather, marshy or wetland areas, and, of course, the backcountry — where anything can happen. All the tech specs were a big selling point for me on the knife.
Would I Buy Another Helle Knife?
If my wallet allows it, you betcha. But, I don’t plan on it anytime soon.
Would it be awesome to have a collection of these incredible knives? Heck yeah! However, these knives are built to be used and put through the ringer. At least, that’s my impression.
The Fossekallen has been a great knife to me after over a year of continued use, and it’s hardly showing any signs of wear. I’ve only sharpened it once too. Probably didn’t even need to either. That said, I imagine this knife being with me for a long, long time before needing replacing or retirement.
But, depending on the need and use, there are numerous other knives by Helle that could easily take over in its place or surpass this knife.
If you’re harder on tools or need something stronger, Helle released a third knife in a line designed with Survivorman’s Les Stroud: the Wabakimi. Or, if you’re looking for something smaller, lighter and more backpacker-friendly, Helle has a folding knife that looks pretty rad too.
Depending on your need and budget, Helle has you covered, basically is what I’m trying to say.
So, again, would I get another Helle? Yes, but I don’t think I’ll need too.
What kind of tools do you bring into the field? Any particular knives that you trust to get the job done? Leave a comment below.