Helle Celebrates 90 Years Of Knifemaking In Holmedal

This summer it will be 90 years since two brothers 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 grandparent’s 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.

SE Limited Edition.

Svein-Erik’s design features a 110mm long and highly polished H3LS blade with a slight false edge/swedge on the spine. The 115mm handle incorporates 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 – Steinar Helle's favorite material.

JS Limited Edition.

Jan Steffen’s design also features a 110mm long and highly polished H3LS blade with a slight false edge/swedge on the spine. The handle is slightly shorter at 107mm and 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.

Model name: SE Limited Edition
Model no: 200684
UPC: 7023892006847
Total length: 225mm
Steel: H3LS
Handle: Curly birch, reindeer antlers, dyed leather
MSRP $228

Model name: JS Limited Edition
Model no: 200676
UPC: 7023892006762
Total length: 217mm
Steel: H3LS
Handle : Curly birch and dyed leather
MSRP $228