Is it Helle Good, or Helle Bad? The Helle Temagami Designed by Les Stroud

[@Herr_Gamer]

Norwegian here, grew up with Helle from the moment my hands were big enough to fit their kid scout knives. Got many more over the years along with some handmedowns and inherited ones. Even the most beaten up, uncared for and overall damaged knife is still in functional shape and it’s a Jaktkniv from the 80’s. Got an even older one I can’t find the name for that has had proper care and you’d easily be fooled into thinking it was new. Point is, Helle can be trusted and your issues seem to be another really weird case I’m noticing with americans being the only ones to experience defects in their stuff

[@feralgrandad4429]

I'm British, but I spend a lot of my outdoor life in Scandinavia. I've several Helle knives. I've used them from Jutland in Denmark to Lulea in Sweden and up to far side of the Artic Circle Alta on hiking/fishing trips. Never, not once let me down.

[@TheStickbow]

I brought the Helle temagami about 18 months ago, I have never felt it to be a good knife, barely a reasonable one, I have tried to like it, but blade is hard to sharpen and does not hold its edge so I leave it on the shelf. Then I brought the L”ars Falt falt knife from Castrom knives and wow the difference is incredible, the sheath is a better stronger one and the knife feels 100% Bushcraft, it is sharper, stronger and just works and excels at all tasks, if you want to try another knife go for this one, or better still try a Jacklore classic. Good luck, take care.

[@sswartztoronto]

I buy Helle blanks and add my own handle/sheath...I'm shocked yours wasn't sharp, mine always come scary sharp...btw, the handle Helle supplies is curly birch, not maple. The scales are oiled and rolled in wax, that's why you are getting stain transfer.

[@allengarrow6295]

I believe the handle is birch. I have the high carbon version and it’s my favorite knife. Thank you for the review. Very well done

[@BHorodnik]

Love your vids! Keep them coming! I own about a half dozen Helle knives and never considered quality an issue. I believe the Temagami has a boiled linseed oil finish, which is different then how the wood on my other Helle knives are finished. I can see how some of the colorants from the sheath leather could bleed into into the wood. A beeswax topcoat could help reduce bleed through. My Temagami is the carbon steel version.

[@jamesbparkin740]

A probably-stupid question from across the Atlantic. What is that wood that you were batoning?

[@troybranaman316]

I was wondering the same thing 🤔 .

[@jgstevens5169]

At the Helle price point. The Mora models are worlds ahead! Thank you for your review!!

[@matsalm2943]

I live in Gothenburg Sweden. I'm now retired but working with trailing cats and dogs that are on the run from their owners. It means I very often carry a knife in case I have to use the first aid kit. We also cover areas where we have huge forests. Then I carry a larger first aid kit and also a much larger fixed blade knife. On several occasion especially in the winter and it gets dark at 15.00 hrs we have been unsure if we manage to get out of the forest or if we have to stay until daylight. Soo I have many knifes to huge from depending on what I expect I need. Personally I don't have any knife from Helle. I think that are better knife makers in Norway but they are small makers or hobby makers. Sweden and Finland have great knife producers Like Mora and Fällkniven and others. It is many hobby knife makers in Sweden and Finland. Some produces fantastic knifes that look like a piece of art. In Sweden stainless steel is more popular and in Finland most Puukkos are still not stainless and the onde that exist are pretty expensive. Around 300 USD plus freight.This was the short version regarding scandinavian knives.

[@TjM2076]

for the birch handle, a few coats of linseed oil would help protect it. I use boiled linseed oil on my axe handles and after a few coats and letting the oil polimerize inside the wood fibers, my handles always turn out great. but as far as knife handles go, I always build my knives from new and vintage quality blanks, and I am able to choose the handle material I put on the knife, if its wood, I always stabilize it before I even do anything with it. unless it's desert ironwood and the likes, then no need to stabilize it.

[@FD_Boss]

I have a suggestion about the “marring” from the leather on the handle. Leave it alone. It’s a tool. Tools get used. Gives it character. If you want a beautiful safe queen, leave it in the safe and don’t use it. It’s the only way to keep it from getting “marred”.

[@Skully317]

Excellent reply 👏🏼

[@mikhailkan2726]

It's definitely a quality issue. Working knife would get character anyway through scratches and stuff

[@starlingblack814]

I would have expected Les Stroud to make a larger knife for survival; this knife seems more bushcraft. The fact that it was designed by Les Stroud definitely gives it a cool factor. Although I don't think I would buy this knife for that price. A couple of Mora Garbergs is probably just as good or even better and certainly more bang for the bucks. In any case, it is a cool knife. Thanks Doc for the review.

[@clifffritz6484]

You don’t need anything larger than this.

[@scrum5atk1]

Have you got a video of the wetterling axe? I have one Cheers Bruce

[@WaynesGoneWild]

Hi Ernie, I know this is an older video, but this is the first time I've seen it (despite being a Subscriber). I have a stainless steel Temagami from the 1st series, so early it came with a Scandinavian style sheath with the seam down the back, and I absolutely love it. It is still razor sharp and stays so with minimal effort. Mine has a beautiful highly patterned Curly Birch handle, which has never had any transfer from the sheath to it, although it has darkened somewhat over time. I have or have had many different styles and brands of knives, particularly the major Scandinavian brands, many may perform certain tasks better, but at the end of the day the Temagami is definitely my go to knife for most outings. Regards.😊

[@staalefo]

My Helle Hunter 28 is almost 25 years now (costed 40USD back then). Used it to the fullest. It's beaten up but it's still my primary knife. I think Helle isn't as good as they should be in quality control, my first Helle Hunter knife was flawless, my second had several cosmetic flaws plus it was dull. Now it's sharp and it does it job. The cosmetic isn't so important for me any more.

[@Herr_Gamer]

I’m not sure why, but a lot of americans experience issues with Helle. No idea why that is, but I’ve never seen or had issues with their stuff here

[@staalefo]

I'm from the same "here" as you. First one bought in Trondheim, the other one bought in Tromsø

[@Herr_Gamer]

@@staalefo huh. Guess it’s about luck then. If you’re ever getting more I suggest going for to physical stores and asking if you can look it over before buying

[@appreciatizer5911]

I love Les. I still watch him to this day. He's fantastic and it brings back a lot of nostalgia.

[@dougfinch452]

Ive had many Helle knives and they were ALL sharp as heck out of the box! Something had to be wrong with yours. Give Helle another shot. I recommend the Eggen as the superior bush craft knife. The Temagami is more of a survival knife. BTW they come in the triple laminated and stainless. All my Helle triple laminated blades are awesome!

[@craptastic4527]

I've bought both the harding and the viking, both required a touch up but otherwise pretty sharp.

[@richarddews1106]

That's what makes knives collecting so much fun taking a knife that's not perfice an making it ur on touches on it an making it ur on

[@bahjinelson3986]

How about the L.T. Wright Kephart Genesis Scandi?

[@edwtg59]

Good video, thanks. Suggest you review and compare the Helle Lars Falt knife to the Les Stroud Temagami…that would be really interesting!

[@lovetheusa45]

my lt wright knife came razor sharp i love the design and blade steel sheath for the money you spent for the helle you could have gotten a lt wright knife

[@jeffreyfernandes2662]

A suggestion, if i may; buy the bare blade from Helle or it's many distributors and finish it to your liking. Tung oil or linseed oil cut with beeswax and some turpentine make a great wood finish for any wood handle. you will save over half of retail and have a knife you can be proud of.

[@karaski24]

That’s a beautiful knife.

[@outdoorfriendsnet525]

Hi - You can make a Review about the Helle Eggen and then you can compare both. I have tne Temagami - its realy sharp and i have the Viking - but I dont use it often.

[@richarddews1106]

Plese review the esee cr 2.5 I have that knife an its one of those deals dinomight come s in small package

[@alf3553]

I’ve looked at that knife & I do live close to Temagami. But I’ve seen very mixed reviews on this blade, some issues being the little finger guard can break off if you beat the crap out of the knife. Mark from Temagami Tarts makes the best Butter Tarts, found at the Temagami Market during the summer 👍 get some if your in town.

[@lisantica842]

I have a lot of knives, from Chris Reeve to Randall to Customs and all in-between, but one knife that has impressed me the most for the price is the Cold Steel 20NPKZ Finn Hawk 4" Fixed Blade Knife. I have found them for as little as $15, but they're higher right now. I'd love for you to try one. The handle is a bit soft which can be good for grip, but it's the sharpness of the blade that is unreal! Use with caution if you decide to try one. I have the Temagami, but bought it second hand to be able to buy one with pretty handles. It's sharp though...maybe you can exchange yours. I think the Temagami handle is very comfortable.

[@Sokol10]

One can never have enough knives. ;)

[@browsman2328]

I’m not familiar with Helle knives and I rarely use fixed blades so I can’t speak about it’s issues except to say for that price it should be perfect. The only full tang fixed blade I have is a Ukrainian made BPS knife 8 1/2 inches long with a walnut handle. I don’t see the particular one I bought on Amazon anymore, but it is similar to their B1 Bushcraft knife which is on Amazon with some other BPS knives. The one I bought was sharp out of the box with a Scandi grind and carbon steel. It has a full tang visible all around the handle. It came with a very nice leather sheath. It seems OK but I don’t use it much. The most expensive knife I have is a Cold Steel Recon 1 folder in S35vn steel. It is a real beast and probably as strong as some fixed blades.

[@LocnavLivoc]

put it next to a mora. just curious :)

[@MichaelR58]

Good review ,thanks for sharing ,God bless !

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

I own three Helle blades, 2 Mândras and one Temagami. One Mândra and the Temagamy were knife blanks I purchased and have DIY handles and sheaths I made myself. The other Mândra came 'complete' with perfect curly birch scales a decent leather neckknife style sheath and was razor sharp. The two blanks were not dull, but also not sharp. Helle does seem to have inconsistent quality control, as you hear many complaints about their knives being dull, while others, like me, are very satisfied!

[@Jaxon1776]

Love Les' original Survivorman series. I have this knife and his discontinued Wetterlings axe. I love the axe and it's my go to for most trips. The knife is okay, but it's not my go to by a long shot. It won't strike a Firesteel which is okay because I prefer to use a dedicated striker. My knife did come very sharp out of the box, but I bought it 8 or 9 years ago.

[@MrBrentles]

Ive had 2 tamagamis. Slightly small handle. But suits my friend perfect. Fits me borderline perfect

[@squatch2461]

For the handle. I like tung oil, lightly applied, with steel wool used lightly between coats for wood handles and handrails.

[@richardzak8378]

Birchwood Casey makes a wood coating that is durable and leaves a polished shine on wood. I have used it on my gun stocks and it has held up for years.

[@ohfsir]

I got Eggen and it came scary sharp. But agree with your assessment of the handles. Mine was not curly at all. Rather plain. The promo pics doesn't show what you actually get. I sanded it down and treated it with a gun stock oil kit from tetra gun. Quite happy with the result.

[@domcabal3793]

I own a Skog and the edge came scary sharp out of the tube. I like wearing it as a neck knife cause it's lightweight.

[@troybranaman316]

I have never used a helle knife before but I think one of the most underrated knives is a Marttiini big game hunter. They come very sharp and are very nice . They are amazing for feather sticks . For a custom knife try a Kyle Noseworthy Prevail. They arnt cheap but they are very reasonable for what you get . He is a fellow KZbinr . He is an amazing knife maker and person . Great video as usual Ernie!! Take care and stay safe my friend!!

[@asd7959]

2k clear cost for the handle nice gloss and protection when scuff can buff it out again

[@paulhayes9765]

Hi Ernie If you sand your scales down, try rubbing it down with beeswax and then buff it. Or try a few coats of double boiled linseed oil. Beeswax is used for finishing work on wooded cutting boards. Great videos. Cheers

[@clifffritz6484]

This guy is a clown worrying about a knife getting stained.

[@johnhoward7298]

Did You get a Monday morning knife ? ( I hear They like the booze over there , LOL ) I used to use tru. oil when refinishing gun stocks . Or if I didn't need to strip the stock to bare wood I just used pledge furniture polish & hand rubbed it in . In either event , I hand rubbed the wood till My hand got hot ( just do it while You watch something on tv. So You doñt get bored ( LOL ) . but , You're only doing a knife ( be sure to tape up the blade ( wouldn't want to get cut , or , get anything on the blade ) . Hope this helps .

[@BosomBuddyCreations]

For the money, I am happy with my Mora

[@patrickclynch4780]

I have so many knives (69 yo) I believe knives are made to be used. So I would not t worry about the sheath markings on the handle. That is cosmetic. Btw I would love to talk to you about stoves. Trangia user since 1990s. I have a svea 123 that needs a part, I have many alcohol stoves. Have you heard of brasslight?

[@tylerw.9100]

Try 5 (or more) coats of Tung oil with light sanding in between each coat.

[@matheuhatten3590]

I would love if you could review the quechua 2 person or 4 person cook kit. Your videos are the best. I always look forward to seeing what you will review next. Thank you and keep up the awesome videos.

[@steinarhagen1976]

I would recommend you to take a look at Brusletto Bamsen Masur. I have that knife myself and are very satisfied whit it. Also the Brusletto Storbukken Masur look very interesting, I have however no personal experience whit it. The Helle Tamagami knife in your review seems to be a little overpriced, but otherwise a good bushcraft knife.

[@CheezeheadChris]

Les designed a line of knives for Camillus a few years back. I picked one up as I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket. It was labeled a survival knife. Kinda gimmicky. With a plastic hard plastic sheath. To me, it really felt like a toy. I know nothing about Helle, but have heard of the brand. If you're looking for a new knife , my I suggest the Victorinox Swiss Army Outdoor knife. There are two different sizes and last I checked, under $200. Full tang. It's their 1st large outdoor knife. I luv my Vics. I've been eyeing one for a very long time.

[@viewsandreviews180]

Good review. While I’ve not used this knife I couldn’t help comparing it to Mora companion which is much more affordable. I’ve used a Companion for a few years with no complaints and could almost buy 15 of these for the same money.

[@neemancallender9092]

These are available in both laminated carbon or stainless steel Also not Helle’s first full tang Use beeswax for the handle All my Helle knives are screaming sharp I almost never sharpen them just strop them sharp

[@royphelps8084]

I'll keep a mora for cooking and such . I've got my big beaters for tuff stuff .

[@KettleCamping]

Great video!👍

[@cliffordwright1603]

I have 3 Helle knives. One is the Temagami. I bought it not because of Les Stroud but because I was a jr ranger in Temagami. I bought it when it first came out several years ago. It came very sharp but the sheath was mediocre.

[@howardvarley8795]

I bought this knife a few years ago, the handle doesnt look like curly maple should, and the tang didnt fit the handle properly - there was a gap between wood and metal, and I agree about the sheath, its cheap and nasty. The engraving on the blade was really poor too, you can hardly see it now. It did however come sharp and it cut like a light-sabre at first and its Very comfy in the hand even over long periods of use. All in all I'm not really happy with it. No I wouldnt buy it again, it scratches much too easily and quickly becomes unsightly and a big lump of the handle broke off the first time I accidentally dropped it. I’m English BTW.

[@ironteacup2569]

I 100% love the look of a helle knife... idk if it is good but they look awesome. sad they didn't sharpen yours prior to you getting it. I Might not get one just based on that

[@Scurvy_Soso]

It's weird, I've bought a helle knife around the same time as you (the viking model which is less expensive than this one) and it did come razor sharp, the handle has a nice wooden piece too... Maybe it has to do with the craftman that finished this particular knife 🤔

[@Chass9999]

for the handle.. where the sheath is rubbing.. clear fingernail polish.

[@lemham4565]

If I were you I would try a custom Buck Knife. I have one and it's very very good. Around $190 with engraving,.and choosing components.

[@TheRichtaber]

I have two Helle knives. The Eggen, which is somewhat similar to the Temagami; the Eggen is a pretty decent knife. I also have one of their folders, which is similar to the Eggen but a little smaller. Also a decent knife.

[@FotoCreatives]

I had once a Helle Temagami and like Helle Temagami (at 5:38) had a crack in the bolster. I don't know if you've noticed that yourself but it shows clearly in your video. This problem also appears in the video of DBK (Dutch Bushcraft Knives). It broke off during battoning. That's obviously a weak spot. Also the leather sheath is poor quality. A shame because the knife looks great, feels great in the hand and Helle is a great brand!

[@Mntnere]

I have the eggen , love the helle knives

[@troyjenkins3886]

Wow,my Helle knives have all been scary sharp.The whole knife and sheath are handmade in their little factory in Norway.They have a new anniversary Temagami out with a different steell than the tripple laminated and can uae spine for ferro rods.I own like 13 Helles.My newesr one is the Laplander.My only gripe with Helle is they need to work on some of their sheath designs.I had one fail but the US warranty center replaced it with no issues.If you like a traditional Nordic designs,try their Viking or Nying knife.

[@camojoe83]

Helles are great knives. The premium you paid was for the branding, not any sort of special treatment above and beyond what they usually make. I'd actually suspect corners being cut to get that branding on there at that price point. I'm sure his name harvested a third of that knifes wholesale price or more. Helle knows more about knives than Les Stroud. I'll stick with literally any of their other knives and know it'll come the way they always do: sharp and pretty.

[@amo757]

It has similar steel to a $30 Mora. For the money I would expect better steel.

[@timberboy1984]

Tru oil as a handle finish.

[@zeusdagmire6185]

I bought two of these. One carbon steel for myself and a SS for a gift for my brother. The SS looked much better. Luck of the draw. I much prefer the SS to my carbon steel version.

[@01cthompson]

I own the Skog, Gro, Sprout, and Viking from Helle. All four are fine knives and definitely worth the price. With that said the Les Stroud models seem to be very overpriced compared to the regular models. I think you are paying for the name and at the same time suffering from the fact that Helle realized they had to share the profits and didn't put as much into them as their other knives.

[@nokogiri5132]

The handles are birch, not maple. Cheers

[@mudsslinger]

buy a new sheath for it a higher quality one, or a Kydex sheath you can make , I think Joker knives are very nice and great sheaths , also check out Jeo-Tec

[@kevinAuman1]

First of all, do not sand that handle lol just buy one of the "rust erasers" it's a chunk of rubber with the same silicone carbides as your sharpening stones in the rubber and they're amazing for cleaning diamond stones of metal or as intended removing rust and other things such as in your case the staining once you've removed it just coat the handme in boiled linseed oil wait 30mins and wipe off any excess then 24hrs later after it has completely soaked into the grain of the maple then do another coat and the handle will be protected from all elements in fact that is what all custom knife makers do with their handles...

[@mikelychock0310]

Hate to say it, Doc, but don’t buy wood handled knives. Stick with Micarta or other synthetics.

[@RoyceKitts]

i'm binge watching Survivorman again.

[@TheAcidheat]

bark river bravo 1 3v is much better than temagami.. its kinda soft so it will scratch easilly and it deform on the spine if u baton.. i own temagami and its nice if u dont use it.. for light work its good but for batoning its crap... my came very sharp out of the box like a razor but it dulls fast too if u baton... if u want trully good knife for a life time choose 3v bark river.. it will last u for sure and it is built like a tank.

[@-ChrizB-]

I’ve got an original, in carbon. It’s a bonk knife at the end of the day. So many others out there that are far better in many areas. Bear G knives even smoke this import.

[@alaskaraftconnection-alask3397]

Helle has been around a long time. They know what they are doing in terms of materials, process, and production. That said... I would relate them today and 'overall' on models like the one here as higher cost to lesser value mixed in with namesakes hyperbole. Also keep in mind these survivor-man-type shows are essentially BS no matter what the unknowing watching and entertained may believe. While some skill-sets are filmed, demonstrated to a certain extent, and appear legit... There are very often to almost always local professional's networks of support; and even significant elements with assets outfitting/guiding/transporting the operations. Been there and done that involvement wise = outfitting and guiding as well as performing the actual tasks for 'outdoor stage props'. Concerning the Knife: 2 things come to mind on this particular knife (just blade 'as is' out of the box). The grind of this blade is quite shallow as it steepens. Shallower plus a strange feeling of acuity than other Scandi grinds. Also --- Laminated steel apex edges can be somewhat interesting to fine tune vs. mono-metals. When you get it just right... slices like a laser. It even has a different satisfying sound slicing. However... it will eventually lose that fine tuning to tasks, and become frustrating to the tune of feeling perfect again.

[@danielcharbonneau222]

You didn't get what you paid for. I would return it and then re order it or talk to their customer service team and get a replacement then see what you get the second time around. That knife is not as advertised.

[@tomhysell596]

looks like a mora knife with a wooden handle

[@-o-The-Duke-o-]

Dont use anything but raw linseed or flaxseed oild for the handle. Throw out the sheath and find someone to make a pretty natural colored sheath for it. Helle is still learning. They are trying to play in the hipster high end market and it will take time before they hit paydirt. I hate this world we've created.

[@rozilmer]

The couloration of your knifes handle and even of the brass pin probably comes from the tanning process. Must be chrom tannend leather. I have the same problem with a Puma four star and a Lee Benchmade knife. I myself think that knife is very much overpriced. I also don`t like the short and therefore relativly steep angeled bevel of those knifes. But that`s just me. Best bet for your sheet issue: Buy some vegtannend leather and make your own sheet. Easy enough.

[@jacobbcox1985]

My advice get an LT Wright over Helle not hating but at this price LT Wright is better value.

[@bobjohnson9597]

medical doctors aren't overpriced? wax the inside of the sheath and the leather dye will not transfer, mine has not but if thats important to a FIRST worlder like yourself then buy G10 or seal the leather and handles. the knife has an easy to touch up edge is extremely strong and will last you a lifetime. what more could you want?

[@jbpmusic4900]

Kydex

[@martinmadsen4162]

it does not look like a knife for me There is no way i would pay that much for a knife that flimsy. If you want quality buy a wander tactical knife they are top of the line craftmanship.

[@wmcowgill]

It looks to be a fancy mora. Les Stroud lost my interest when He called an antelope a deer!

[@survivaltrotter-com]

Really? "Les Stroud lost my interest when He called an antelope a deer!" Narrow mind opinion of Les Stroud! You don't make mistakes? Get real! Mistakes in " Les Stroud lost my interest when He called an antelope a deer!" -1 He must be: he -2 a space too much: "He called". Its Mora not mora! Positive greetings from The Netherlands! :)

[@barryrosenlieb6092]

For that price I'm not impressed

[@hillbillyfromtheswamp6223]

Wayyyyyy too much money for what crap the package seems to be. Pretty disappointed in this.

[@John..18]

It's birch not maple, it's pronounced Hellah, not Helly,, perhaps you should do a bit more research before making a video, ??

[@Il-FEROX-lI]

Guy complains about knife value on a review filmed on a Gameboy camera.

[@joachimleppert6172]

Du redest zu viel!