Knife Review: Didi Galgalu
Helle Knives History
Our friends at Helle Knives have been making purpose-built and beautiful blades for nearly a century. In 1932, brothers Steinar and Sigmund Helle established A/S Helle Fabrikker in the old blacksmith shop on their family farm. They learned the craft from their father, the village blacksmith. Since then, the Helle facility has been producing knives in Holmedal on the West Coast of Norway.
The Story Behind the Didi Galgalu
The unique name of this knife from Helle offers a hint to its origins. The blade takes its name from the Didi Galgalu Desert in Northern Kenya. Andars of Helle designed it on a 15,000-kilometer multi-month overland journey across Africa with the legendary Voetspore team. He took several partially finished versions of the knife, and he and the team filed and shaped the handles each night around the campfire as they traversed the savannah and valleys. The Didi Galgalu isn't necessarily new to the Helle line. It's only been available in the US market for a year, but it's been popular in other Helle markets since 2015.
Experience
Several members of the GABC team have spent some time with the Didi Galgalu. We've tackled a number of everyday and camp tasks with it, and it's excelled in both roles. The 5.1-inch blade and 4.5-inch handle make a great tool that can handle light chopping as well as detailed work.
READ MORE: The Best Cordage for Bushcraft
The knife is crafted from polished Alleima 14C28N stainless steel that's hardened to 59-61 HRC. The scales are made from curly birch, and our review example has some amazing grain and color that continued to develop with use. The spine includes a very keen 90-degree grind that makes it perfect for scraping a ferro rod, fat wood, or other tasks.
For a knife that comes in just under 10 inches, can handle carving and slicing tasks, and is constructed of quality stainless steel, the Didi Galgalu is a great all-around knife. You can chop out some tent stakes, carve a spatula, and then immediately swap to slicing up dinner to use your freshly crafted utensil, all without swapping cutting tools.
Pros
- Excellent edge geometry that balances carving and slicing.
- The 90-degree spine throws great sparks from a ferro rod or can be used for scraping.
- The handle is very comfortable during extended use.
Cons
- The handle contours might be limited for some grips.
- The birch scales will require maintenance and care in humid environments.