Leuku and Blade Materials

[ncarvajal]

Gents,

Was hoping to get your expert opinion.

Not so long ago, I was given a Sami Knife by my dearest and life long friend from Norway prior to him going on his fourth tour of the sands.

This is the knife:
http://www.helle.no/go.cfm?id=66334&type=text&lang=nob&path=0i66168i66169i66179i66334

According to the website the blade is constructed from triple laminated stainless steel with the core being made of a high alloy steel, which sits between two layers of tough stainless steel (18/8) which is not laminated. I think the core is high in carbon but not sure. The handle is birch and the tang goes all the way to through the handle.

I know nothing about knife construction so most of that is pretty much 'gobbledegook' to me so was hoping on your expert opinion, especially because I read often on the forum that an all carbon steel blade is the benchmark.

Is this knife strong enough in construction for regular use in bushcraft? Is this laminate construction any good? Is it used in other knives? I see no point in having a knife for display purposes only so it would be great to use it and have it as a reminder of a good friend.

At the same time I would prefer to use it safe in the knowledge it is not going to die on me if I baton with it, strike a firesteel, etc, so thought it a good idea to get your thoughts on the knife and blade.

From a search I think quite a few of you here have Sami Knives (though non by Helle) so especially interested in hearing what you have to say!

Thanks!
NC

 

[Wayland]

That's a good tool, should last you a lifetime if it's sharpened properly.

01 tool steel is favoured by some people because it's easy to look after and tough but modern stainless steels and laminated steels are just as good these days.

That's a fine gift.

 

[John Fenna]

Looks excellent!
Helle make great knives, laminated blades are strong and not hard to sharpen, the tang construction is strong - all in all I would be overjoyed to have one myself!
Lucky man!

 

[robin wood]

Great blade I would say. The idea of the lamination is that it is like a ham sandwich, the ham is the very hard core, the bread is softer but tougher. With blades made of a single steel we always have to compromise between hardness and toughness, make it too hard and it becomes more brittle and likely to chip, too soft and it is tough but will need sharpening more regularly. It is far harder and more expensive to make a blade like the one you have there. Plain carbon is favoured by knifemakers primarily because it is cheap and easy and good.

A blade made only of a modern high alloy steel will be very good but a little more difficult to sharpen because it is very wear resistant and harder to grind the metal away the softer/tougher sides on your knife will be easier to sharpen. What you have there is a superb compromise and it won't rust if you get it wet.

 

[ncarvajal]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I am really looking forward to using this knife regularly from now on.

Best,
NC

 

[spamel]

The Fallkniven range have a lot of laminated blades in them. Their reliability has never been doubted by users, and they are very popular knives. Mora do laminated knives as well, so that is two other knife makers that I can think of off the top of my head that make laminated blades. It'll be a good user, shame to leave it in a drawer. I'm sure your friend gifted it to you imagining that you would be outdoors using it all the time.

 

[redneck]

You've got a cracker there, leuku's are my favourite tool , and although I use a lauri one, the Helle one will give you years of pleasure, just take care of it..

 

[edispilff]

Helle's take a wicked edge. You have definately scored with that one!

a couple other company's that do laminated blades are Brusletto, and cold steel (san mai). The softer stainless on the outside will do a firesteel as long as it's pretty squared.. but it will go round after a period of time because of the softness.

Helle Blades are my favorite production stick tang