BackpackGearTest
  Guest - Not logged in 

Reviews > Knives > Fixed Blade > Helle Algonquin Knife > Test Report by Rick Dreher

HELLE Algonquin Knife
Test Series by Rick Dreher

EXTREME CLOSEUP!

 


Long-Term Report

INITIAL REPORT - April 19, 2015
FIELD REPORT- July 7, 2015
LONG-TERM REPORT- September 5, 2015


TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Rick Dreher
EMAIL: redbike64(at)hotmail(dot)com
AGE: 61
LOCATION: Northern California
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 0" (1.83 m)
WEIGHT: 175 lb (79.40 kg)
FOOT SIZE US men's 11.5
TORSO LENGTH 19.5 in (50 cm)
YEARS HIKING 41

I enjoy going high and light and frequently take shorter "fast- packing" trips. My longest trips are a week or so. I've lightened my pack load because I enjoy hiking more when toting less, I can go farther and over tougher terrain, and I have cranky ankles. I use trekking poles and generally hike solo or tandem. I've backpacked all over the U.S. West and now primarily hike California's Sierra Nevada. My favorite trips are alpine and include off-trail travel and sleeping in high places. When winter arrives, I head back for snowshoe outings in the white stuff.


INITIAL REPORT

Product Information & Specs

Model: Helle Algonquin
Manufacturer & Website: A/S Helle Fabrikker http://www.helle.no
MSRP: $149
Type: Fixed-blade
Weight (manufacturer): 60 g
Weight (measured): 2.0 oz/58 g
Blade material: Triple-laminated carbon and 18/8 stainless steel
Blade thickness: 0.1 inch/2.8 mm
Total length: 6.3 in/162 mm
Blade length: 2.8 in/72 mm
Handle length: 3.5 in/90 mm
Handle material: Darkened oak, curly birch and leather
Sheath material: Leather
Sheath weight (manufacturer): 1 oz/30 g
Sheath weight (measured w/ lanyard): 1.2 oz/34 g
Ships with: Knife, sheath, lanyard, cleaning cloth, care instructions.

Knife itself
Posing for the camera

Design & Description

Overview and Description—The Helle Algonquin is a simple knife comprising a fixed steel blade and a hardwood handle that has a pommel (button for the sheath) at the end. The included leather sheath has a removable lanyard for wearing from the neck, but no belt loop. A sheath keeper tab fits over the pommel to anchor the knife in the sheath.

Design and Materials—The Algonquin is compact and in my view, a knife sized well for backpacking, especially compared the Jim Bowie-scale monstrosities I often see. ("Nice machete, will it chop onions?") Total length is 6.3 inches (162mm), with the blade accounting for 2.8 inches (72 mm). Blade shape is "normal" in knife terminology, with a straight back that the cutting edge curves up to meet at the point. The edge is ground symmetrically, befitting the blade laminations described below. The Algonquin is basically the size of a typical kitchen paring knife, but compared to my paring knives the blade is much stiffer, implying suitability for chopping more than for peeling or skinning. The handle contours match my hand and include a subtle finger guard and thumb notch to aid grip. The mostly oakwood handle is matte-finished, smooth and warm to the touch. The full-grain leather sheath is molded to the knife's shape and stitched along the blade end. The knife tucks into it perhaps three-quarters of the way and as noted, a tab closes over the pommel to keep the knife in place. The leather lanyard can be removed as desired, and is sized for wearing the knife from the neck.

Complete kit
Everything, and the knife too.

The Algonquin blade is a lamination of carbon steel between two stainless layers, a configuration that protects the hard but rust-prone edge material with added strength and oxidation protection. For a succinct description, here's Helle: "The core is made of high alloy steel which gives it a lasting, razor-sharp edge. This harder layer cannot however exclude the threat of rust or breakage. To exploit the superb qualities of the high alloy steel we added two layers of tough stainless steel (18/8) to protect the blade against breakage and corrosion, while the high carbon core still provides a superb cutting edge. This triple laminated stainless steel is unique to our knife blades."

IMAGE 4
Blade tip showing 2 steel types

At the other end, the handle is a combo of black oak with curly birch and red leather highlights, and the end pommel is brass, peened into place. The tanned leather sheath is to be treated with "saddle grease." If only I had that horse.

Support & Documentation

The Algonquin ships with a general knife owner's manual and a separate detailed Algonquin model description. The manual, plus Helle's webpage provide detailed blade maintenance information for both sharpening and honing. They recommend diamond or "hard fine-grained sandstone" whetstones for sharpening and caution against overheating the blade should honing ever be needed for a very dull or damaged edge (honing, being for very dull knives that need metal removed to restore the edge). Occasional grease or oil applications are recommended; I presume this is especially warranted in marine environments. Sheath care consists of occasionally using a penetrating agent, specifying, "non-acidic grease or wax." With no moving parts the maintenance list is blissfully short.

IMAGE 5
Handle: 2 woods + leather accents

First Evaluation

Let me get this out of the way: the Algonquin is beautiful. Both sheath and the knife itself evoke old-world materials and craft, this corner of the old world being a Norwegian seaside village where the Helle factory overlooks an actual fjord. The majority of knives I use come from modern factories, while the handmade Algonquin is a throwback that nevertheless appears as suitable for rigorous use as any high-tech alternative.

The knife is well fitted to the sheath and the pommel and tab are welcome added insurance against loss. It's nevertheless easy to remove the knife and in hand it is very comfortable. No blade testing yet, I want to photograph the mirror-polish finish first, but couldn't help but shave off some forearm hair to attest to its impressively sharp edge. (It's a guy thing.)

Sheath and Lanyard
Pommel tab and lanyard

In addition to fit the balance is also very good, not front-heavy. Grip is secure inside a dry and warm house; I'll eventually find how it is outdoors with cold, wet hands. I also need to decide how to carry the Algonquin hiking. Am unlikely to hang it from my neck while wearing a pack so do I stash it in the pack or find another way to keep it handy? Keeping it in my pants pocket as I would a folding knife seems out. A second, short piece of leather lacing supplied with the knife is undocumented, but perhaps a storage substitute for the neck lanyard? I might work with that, or look at other avenues for anchoring the knife.

Conclusions

The Helle Algonquin is ideally sized and shaped for how I use a knife hiking or backpacking. Being fixed-blade and not a folder, it's on the large side during transport yet is relatively light. The laminated blade has zero flex and I have no qualms about having it as my sole knife on a multiday trip.

Plusses
* Good size, balance, weight
* Strong and very sharp
* Excellent materials and craftsmanship
* Appealing design and detailing
* Sheath design and quality equal to those of the knife itself; keeper tab guards against knife loss

Possible Areas for Improvement
* Consider adding a belt/strap loop to sheath


FIELD REPORT

Field test locations and conditions

I carried the Algonquin into the Tahoe-region Sierra Nevada on two day hikes and two overnights. It was cloudy and rainy on a day hike, sunny and warm the rest of the time. I’ve settled on keeping the knife and sheath in an outside pack pocket, anchoring the lanyard in case it works free. It’s easy enough to get from a side pocket even while wearing a pack, so not a bad compromise versus a pocket knife. Am finding the sheath’s keeper tab pops free from the knife frequently, so don’t completely trust it. Hopefully, as the leather softens it will happen less often.

Food, before
Let's get chopping, shall we?

Kitchen Prep

Following my typical camp life, I mostly prepped food with the Algonquin. In the initial report I note how it has a thicker blade than a typical paring knife, and that’s how it works in practice. In my best Ron Popeil voice, these are the results.

Slicing—The very sharp blade easily slices various ingredients, including vegetables, cheese, fresh meat and sausage. Compared to a well-sharpened paring knife, I feel the Algonquin takes more force to slice all the way though and I’m confident that’s the blade thickness at play. The handle size and contour help with control.

Chopping—This is more of an adventure than slicing. The wedgy blade edge tends to send chopped pieces flying, and chopping pieces very thin, such as garlic slices, is not easy. I can do it, but my pieces are not consistent. Mincing into smaller bits is easier as the pieces don’t scatter as far.

Peeling—As an aid to peeling onions and garlic, the knife is really good. The sharp blade catches the thin layers and makes them easy to remove. Other peeling challenges, like carrots, potatoes, mangos and such are a lot more challenging; frankly, I’m not very good with any knife, preferring a dedicated kitchen peeler. Regardless, I could do it with the Algonquin, just at the loss of a lot of carrot or whatever, as my peelings are pretty thick and uneven.

Food, after
Time to eat.

Gutting fish—Step 1: catch fish. Once I complete step 1 I’ll get back to y’all. I blame the drought.

General Camp Use

Once in camp I find the neck lanyard good for keeping the knife handy, and it doesn’t bother me if I keep it inside my jacket or shirt so it’s not bouncing about or hanging up in the bushes.

The Algonquin is good for shaving fire tinder and sharpening stakes from small branches. Really good—they chose a good combination of stout and sharp and I find myself wondering why I ever wanted a larger knife than this. But I’m not seventeen anymore.

Blade Condition

The Algonquin remains sharp and I’ve not sharpened it yet. It’s lost the factory mirror finish but that only means I’m using it, since a fine knife deserves to be used.

Field Report Summary

The Helle Algonquin is an excellent knife to bring hiking and backpacking. It’s fairly small and light to carry and well-designed for my typical campsite and trailside tasks. It’s also a pleasure to use such a nicely crafted tool.

Plusses

  • Good size, balance, weight
  • Precise cutting possible while it can also tackle tasks that require blade strength
  • Strong and still sharp
  • Excellent materials and craftsmanship
  • Appealing design and detailing
  • Sheath design and quality equal to those of the knife itself; keeper tab to help prevent loss

Possible Areas for Improvement

  • Consider adding a belt/strap loop to sheath
  • Keeper tab works free

Long-Term Report

Long-Term test locations and conditions

During July I carried the Algonquin for a week in Lassen Volcanic Park and in August brought it on a four-day camping and day-hiking trip to Yosemite. Weather for both trips was clear and warm and elevations ranged from about 4,000 to 8,000 feet (1,220 - 2,440 m). Coldest night was right at freezing while the high was a stifling 90 F (32 C).

Again, I and others used the knife mostly for meal prep. Camp chores were limited to cutting line, shaving fire tinder, fashioning stakes and the like. My string of being skunked fishing is unbroken this summer, so I'm at least consistent there (in my defense, there was no water to fish where we were in Yosemite, while the Lassen Park fish just laughed).

Observations, wear & tear

The Algonquin worked as nicely as before and with added experience I'm a little better with fiddly kitchen prep. The chunky blade can still send slices flying, but if I anticipate it I can generally prevent this or at least corral the bits within my workspace. As before, balance and fit are great, it's never slippery and I find the knife ideal for camp chores. Such a pleasure to use.

knife in tree
In camp

I became accustomed to hanging the knife from my neck in camp and stowing it in an outside pack pocket on the move. Forgoing a pocket knife proved a non-issue on the trail. It turns out there's just not much call for trailside whittling (who knew?).

Finding the blade slightly dulled from new I've honed it with a kitchen steel. This improved it subtly and I should add that the blade remains quite sharp and does not yet warrant sharpening—the difference being sharpening involves removing blade material to restore the edge, while honing realigns the edge without grinding off any steel. I had expected to do some sharpening during the test but the blade simply doesn't yet require it. I take this as testament to how durable the blade really is—were it like my kitchen knives I'd have sharpened it by now. My go-to test is whether a knife can slice a garden-ripe tomato without smooshing it and the Algonquin still can, even if the slices aren't super thin. It's on the edge (pardon the pun) with biting outer onion skin, which is more difficult than the tomato test. At some point so there's an Algonquin sharpening in my future.

The handle's original sheen has dulled as the wood dries. To attempt a restoration I've tried a couple furniture polishes I found around the house but they didn't last, so the search continues for something (oil, wax, polish) that durably restores the wood's deep glow. The blade is still shiny and the sheath is quite nice as well.

Conclusions, future use

After these testing months I love carrying and using the Algonquin. The size, balance and fit all suit me to a "T" and the ease of use all add to a knife I consider safe to use. After trying numerous serrated and combination blades over the years, I find a smooth edge like the Algonquin's the best match for 90% of my needs. And while the somewhat thick blade profile might not be ideal for kitchen prep it's still suitable while being rugged enough for more challenging tasks than peeling garlic.

Will I continue using the Algonquin as my backpacking blade? I definitely will!

Acknowledgments

My grateful thanks to Helle Knives and BackpackGeartest.org for the opportunity to test the Algonquin!

Portion of this report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.5 Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.


Read more reviews of A/S Helle Fabrikker gear
Read more gear reviews by Rick Dreher

Reviews > Knives > Fixed Blade > Helle Algonquin Knife > Test Report by Rick Dreher



Product tested and reviewed in each Formal Test Report has been provided free of charge by the manufacturer to BackpackGearTest.org. Upon completion of the Test Series the writer is permitted to keep the product. Owner Reviews are based on product owned by the reviewer personally unless otherwise noted.



All material on this site is the exclusive property of BackpackGearTest.org.
BackpackGearTest software copyright David Anderson