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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Helko Outdoor/Camping Hatchet: First Impression



This is an initial review\first impression of Helko of Germany's Camping Hatchet from their Classic Line. If you're not familiar with Helko, please check our recent review of their Vario 2000 Convertible Axe, which also explains more about their company history.


Specifications
Drop Forged C45 Steel, RC 55-56
Ash Handle
Advertised head weight- 1.1lbs (actual weight about 1.4lbs)
Advertised Length- 13.8 inches (this one measured in at 14.25 inches)
Weight without sheath- 25.6 ounces (as measured on a digital postal scale)
Weight with sheath- 26.7 ounces
Price- $47.30
Warranty- 5 years
Country of Origin- Made in Germany 

The hatchet comes with a thin, riveted leather sheath along with a small foldout brochure which explains Helko's history, type of steel, and the 5 year warranty.
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The sheath has two belt loop slits 1.5 inches wide. I did try it on a thinner belt and it held the hatchet fairly secure, though only field testing will tell if it actually stays put when brushing against tree limbs and bushes, etc.

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Rear view of the sheath:
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The head comes highly polished, which is very unusual for a hatchet in this price range.
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Handle/Grain

The handle is made from Ash and the grain is definitely less than optimal, but not the worst I've seen either. On hatchets, grain direction is generally not as much of a problem as compared to axes, since they aren't subjected to as much force during the swing. The handle is also covered with a thin lacquer.


Alignment

The alignment on this hatchet is almost perfect, though the end of the handle was milled slightly uneven.
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A better shot of the alignment vs the end of the handle:


The head is pinned to the haft with a traditional wooden wedge and reinforced with a round metal wedge. There is a small gap at the front of the eye, but overall it seems to be held together securely.

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Size Comparison between other hatchets

Here's the Helko next to a rebranded Wetterlings Wildlife Hatchet. The Helko is 14.25" long compared to the Wetterlings which is 12.5". Helko lists the head as weighing 1.1lbs, but I think the weight is actually 1.4lbs, since it's 3 ounces heavier than the 1.25lb Wetterlings.

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 The Camp hatchet next to Helko's Vario 2000 Convertible Hatchet:

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 Edge Profile

The edge profile is slightly thicker than the Wetterlings, but not too bad either. Before field testing it, I plan to hit it with a file and sharpening stone to thin it out slightly. 
(Helko is on the left)
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 The overall profile looks good for splitting as well.

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 Conclusion



Helko's Camp Hatchet looks very promising for the price. A highly polished head, German quality and a 5 year warranty all for under $50 bucks. No, the sheath isn't that great, but for this price, most traditional hatchets don't even come with a sheath. Also, the handle is varnished, but luckily, it's thin and should come off with only 5 minutes worth of scraping with a knife (or sanding it off with sandpaper) if you want to put linseed oil on it instead. The edge will need some work to make it razor sharp, but the overall profile is good so it shouldn't take too long to bring it up to par.

For more info or to purchase this hatchet visit http://www.helkonorthamerica.com

About the author
Jason Schwartz is the founder and senior editor of Rocky Mountain Bushcraft. He is a former Red Cross certified Wilderness & Remote First Aid Instructor, and has taught bushcraft and wilderness survival techniques to the Boy Scouts of America, interned with the US Forest Service, and studied wilderness survival, forestry and wildland firefighting at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colorado. Jason has also written for magazines such as The New Pioneer and Backpacker, including writing the "Tinder Finder" portion of Backpacker's "Complete Guide to Fire," which won a 2015 National Magazine Award (NMA). Email him at rockymountainbushcraft @ hotmail.com (without spaces)

11 comments:

  1. Seems like both of those should work fine, at least to get your money's worth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Rick, the Wetterlings is about $20-$30 more expensive than the Helko, so it definitely looks to be an interesting hatchet for the features, depending on how the field test turns out of course.

      Cheers, J

      Delete
  2. I like the handle shape it has. Looks like it would be very comfortable in different positions.

    -OutdoorEnvy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Outdoor, yeah, it's a bit straighter than most hatchet handles, so field testing should be interesting. I was able to hold the Helko two-handed reasonably well which I can't do with the Wetterlings.

      Cheers, J

      Delete
  3. I have recently, like within the last 72 hours, developed an unrelenting passion for axes and hatchets. I'm not sure if it's the archaic manliness intrinsic to the axe or if it's the primitive form that can only be improved upon and not recreated. Anyways, what's the best way to get solid information on axes, ie books, websites, forums for someone who knows rather little about the community?
    Also, I have an older hatchet that I would like to restore and identify (maker and model), any help would be greatly appreciated! My email, if it helps, is Nicholas.eugene.evans@gmail.com. Your time will not be wasted!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Outdoor, yeah, it's more straight than most hatchet handles, so field testing should be interesting. I was able to hold the Helko two-handed reasonably well which I can't do with the Wetterlings.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Rick, the Wetterlings is about $20-$30 more expensive than the Helko, so it definitely looks to be an interesting hatchet for the features, depending on how the field test turns out of course. 

    -Jason

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nicholas, welcome to the wonderful world of axes. Trust me, they are more addictive than survival knives! 

    As to what sites to look for, well obviously you're at one right now:) Also, check our side bar and just visit those links. One in particular is Bladeforums.com Axe forum , which is a treasure trove of information and they will also help you identify your axe.

    If you haven't done so, please sign up to receive email updates on the right. We will be posting lots of axe reviews and related info in the coming months.

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like axes and hatchets, too. My advice would be 'find it out and 'do it yourself'. I am in the teaching profession but am always a learner, too (Currently studying German!) so I would say, 'have a go' -you are as good as anyone else!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think you will find it measures up. I am an Engineering tutor and I can tell you the Germans dont make junk products. Their engineering design, quality and manufacture are up there with the best.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am in the process of getting one of these as a 'special order' from the UK's Helko importers in Cumbria. I also have the 700g classic axe in mirror finish and it is an excellent hatchet. Bang for buck Helko are very good tools and you will pay a lot less than Swedish axes. However, they will do the 'job' just as well. My hatchet will be coming with me on remote forest walks and camping trips. Just the job -can always get a 'better' sheath made up.

    ReplyDelete