Helle Norwegian Knives & Traditional Scandinavian Blades

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Ragweed Forge

Kevin B. (Athens, US)

Redbeard Cares So Very Much For His Customers and It Shows!!!

Recently, I passed on very particular knife due to some more pressing obligations. Sometimes, you just KNOW a knife feels right and it's "yours". When telling Redbeard this story, he graciously offered to help me find one for the Christmas season. I originally declined as my heart was set on this exact one, in which I was sure it was now destined for someone else. Low and behold an opportunity presented itself for this one! I asked Redbeard if the offer still stood and if he could procure it as I could not directly. He went to work and was able to work his EXCEPTIONAL customer service magic to make it happen. I received the knife from him today and absolutely love it.
For years I have been a loyal and extremely happy customer of Redbeard and Ragweed Forge and have had the pleasure and HONOR to call him a friend. THIS is why. He truly cares about his customers and goes out of his way for them. I have raved about his business for years and love him being my primary procurer of shiny, pointy things. Redbeard, THANK YOU, so very much, for all that you do for me and for all of your customers. You are a blessing to deal with and I cherish being one of your customers. You know I'll be back again as always and will strive to bring others as well! It's nice to be able to stake your own reputation on someone else's business and care with absolutely no hesitation whatsoever. You take such great care of all and we so very much appreciate it!

Ragweed Forge

Rando (Ashland, US)

3 Orders

A great source of hard to find items. Quick as it should be, customer service is quick to answer questions. I purchased some Helle blànks and all are perfect. Trying a Laurie Little Leuka to emulate a Grandfather knife, so I ordered one of them also. Priced right. Thanks

Ragweed Forge

Lynne LG (Rowlett, US)

Mora 2000!!

I ordered this knife last Thursday and it has already been delivered!! Excellent shipping and fast service....oh and the knife - hubby LOVED it!! Will definitely be ordering from Ragweed Forge again!! Thank you so much

Ragweed Forge

Casey (Talladega, US)

Great Products

I purchased 2 Laurin Metalli blades from Ragweed, as well as some finger guards. These blades are very high quality and everything arrived on time. I will definitely be shopping here again!

Ragweed Forge

David Coates (Calhoun, US)

helle viking wwc 2025

just got my 2025 helle viking wwc knife it looks great thank you redbeard i love it

David M

High value Sami-style Puukko

Puukkos made in the Arctic Circle are a little different than most of their Southern Finnish cousins. They usually have Leuku-style flat/flared pommel; handles feature wood and reindeer antler pieces; and sheaths are deeper fit with reindeer leather twisted thong attachments. Kauhavan makers do imitate this style, but it is a deliberate nod to the Sami heritage. I wanted a true Sami-style Puukko; so I went for a Wood Jewel. Loved the knife! Sheath was so-so. I just made my own veg-tan sheath because I liked the knife so much (see pictures).

First, let me get the factory sheath out of the way. It's leaps and bounds over a Mora sheath, but it's still not in the same league with competitors' sheaths. I was able to confirm with an employee of Wood Jewel via email that the sheaths are chromium tanned leather, that have undergone a vegetable re-tan. Basically, the veg re-tan makes it stiffer leather than a straight chrome-tan, but it's not the higher quality, pure veg-tan you're going to get with most Finnish knives. Using chrome-tanned leather is a perfectly reasonable cost-savings measure, as most folks won't mind. Veg-tanned leather is considerably more expensive and its benefits are only subtle. (Chrome tanning takes under 24 hours versus veg-tanning, which takes months). The downside to chromium tanned leather is that it doesn't wet-form around your knife, and the rough edges won't burnish smooth (I tried). While decently thick, the leather on the sheath feels fairly pliable instead of being hard like most wet-formed Puukko sheaths. Because the leather can't be wet-formed, the stitching on the back--while nice and straight--is not tight against the profile of the knife or lesta insert. From the manufacturer's video, you can see that the leather is folded over, pulled tight and stitched, but not wet-formed during manufacture. This is really an aesthetic/ traditional issue only. It doesn't affect function. Functional, yes; aesthetically charming, yes; but it just lacked that extra quality and tradition I've come to appreciate from other Finnish makers in a similar price point (Erappuu, for example), or from a slightly higher price point (Ahti or Kauhavan Puukkopaja). But, if you're someone who is already content with Mora sheaths, these will be a very satisfying step up. Phew! I got that off my chest...

Now onto the knife... wow! This is a nice knife. I gave it five stars despite the sheath because the knife steals the show. You've got your standard 80CRV2 Lauri blade with the same HRC 59 rockwell hardness as you'll get in most Finnish knives. It hasn't been thinned as with Ahti or KPP to remove the thin secondary bevel, but given the pricepoint, and the fact that all knives need regular sharpening anyway, it doesn't matter to me--Just sharpen it.

Because most Finnish makers are not bladesmiths (they're mostly all buying their blades from Lauri Metalli), the joy in trying out a particular knife brand is in the style of handle: that's the real work these makers do. Candidly, I am stunned at the handle work on my Wood Jewel. Perhaps Wood Jewel's proximity in Kolari to Masur Birch forests in the Arctic circle allows them to source the more highly-grained pieces at lower costs? Buying a block of this wood in the U.S. with this level of figuring to make my own handle would have cost about 2/3ds the total MSRP of this knife! There's no question that Wood Jewel are using more highly figured birch wood than all of its competitors--hands down. The reindeer antler sections within the handle are a very classy, much less common touch when compared to some of the Southern Finnish makers. KPP has a few models with antler but they're coming in between two/two-and-a-half times the price. Erappuu uses some antler, but I can't find them in the U.S.

You can tell the hafting is all done by hand and eye. Several more expensive makers (Ahti and KPP) actually use a machine to automate the handle shaping of some of their models. While that makes them consistent, there's a certain charm lost in it. My Wood Jewel's ever-so-slightly asymmetric handle exudes old-school character that is a big plus for me. As you look at the hafting under the light you can see the odd, subtle, stray grind mark in the brass bolster as the craftsman pressed too hard against the belt. I actually like these kind of attributes. Somebody actually made this! The fit of the blade into the brass bolster is 100% flawless. On much more expensive knives I've had to use a touch of epoxy to fill the gaps. Not here: It's as tight fitting as a mora blade into a plastic mora handle. Seamless! Very well done.

Finally, this particular model is the perfect size. Full four finger grip on the handle. The blade length is long enough to cut through an onion or potato, but short enough for good control in carving. An exceptional all-round outdoors knife.

Wood Jewel WJ-VI

Kevin B.

Redbeard Cares So Very Much For His Customers and It Shows!!!

Ragweed Forge

David M

End of the quest?

This might be that proverbial "grail" knife that knife enthusiasts are always in search of but rarely find. It doesn't have many bells or whistles; it's just elegant in its simplicity, and eminently capable. Even the sheath bears mentioning its own right: it's the best design I've ever used (with a roller mechanism that grips the finger guard). The leather looks to be veg tan, died during tanning. It's the good stuff for sure.

There's a balance to this knife design that has been struck to make it so useful. The grind in the blade is so high, that it actually cuts tomatoes with similar finesse to an Opinel. But, the stock is still so thick that it batons through wood like a hatchet. In the picture I uploaded, I sliced a tomato thinly with ease after making six feathersticks and batoning two aspen logs. The knife is also perfectly weighted in the hand; balancing evenly on the forefinger toward the front of the grip... and that grip! The grip is even better than the Mora Bushcraft Black (which I thought was already as good as a handle could get).

If there's a criticism it's that the spine won't strike a ferro rod. I'm not sure why that functionality is omitted from the design, but frankly, after you've tried this thing, you simply won't care. Just use the metal striker than comes with your ferro rod.

Context is everything though. If you're only interested in wood carving, then just buy an Ahti or KPP knife-they are a true scandi grind with a barely visible microbevel, and they will make curls on a feather stick until the cows come home. But if you want to strike a balance between carving, food prep, and some heavier camp chores, this is your knife. And that extra length really helps with food prep and grabbing food out of the fire. I don't see how you could top this knife for bushcrafting and camping.

Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko Uncoated (Leather Sheath) FJP143

Anthony P

Berget Good to go!

Talk about the little knife that could!

I bought a Mustard coloured Berget to replace a lost Spyderco small model folder (a Dragonfly) after a quick conversation with Redbeard.

He suggested the Mustard Coloured Micarta handle.

As usual when ordering from Ragweed Forge the knife arrived promptly and well packaged.
Upon opening I was greeted with a good looking knife but small.
The Mustard coloured handle looks sharp and the Skandi grind looks workmanlike.

The usual Helle quality shines through, the knife locks up as secure as any quality American folder and sharp enough to cut paper right out of the box.

I been carrying it around for about a month now using it for the usual stuff, package and mail openings, cutting insulation back on wires etc.

It does the job on that as you would expect it to.
I went backpacking this week to a spot I like to hangout and make a big fire at night and relax.

When I stopped for my first lunch I went to cut a bagel to make a peanut butter sandwich and that’s when I realized I left my sheath knife in the jeep.

Luckily I had the Berget on me and my Sven Saw in my pack.

Got to the place I camp towards evening and there was enough daylight left to gather firewood.

Everything was soaked but the Berget made shavings and a couple of fuzz sticks from some pine branches and the saw cut enough wood for me to make a fire to keep me company through the night.

I cut a length of paracord for a clothsline of a hank I thrown into my pack at the last second to dry out my clothes and camp was set!

So the Berget worked out great.
Fire prep, Cutting my bagels and spreading peanut butter for lunch, cutting cord for various uses around camp and even splinter removal as I was too lazy to hunt through my pack for a needle in my boo boo kit.

The only negatives I can say about it is that it’s thicker than a modern folder, the blade is noticeably short, and it doesn’t have a clip.
But it carries easily enough in your pants watch or side cargo pocket.

It opens slower than a modern folder being a nail nik.

But the thickness of the micarta handle makes it a jem to hold and the Micarta is grippy.

The knife is comfortable to use for an extended period.

I can’t say enough good things about the Berget.

If the style catches your eye and you need a small daily carry folder or know someone that does don’t hesitate to get a Berget.

I’m happy with this purchase so thank you Redbeard.

Helle Berget - Beige Canvas Micarta

Larry Mann

I need to convince myself to use the beauty

I watched several videos first before buying. I only heard one small complaint. It was about the belt hanger. No problem, I fixed it with a small piece of sheepskin. The knife is perfect.

Roselli RW210 Carpenter's Knife, UHC Steel