HELLE Viking WWC 2025 Triple laminated steel Special Edition

Product detailed description

The Viking WWC 2025 Special Edition was created for the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships as a tribute to strength, tradition, and precision craftsmanship. This knife combines millennia-old Nordic design with a modern material—the rubber used by Eleiko on their weightlifting discs. The result is an unexpected contrast between ancient aesthetics and 21st-century technology. Production is handled by the Norwegian workshop Helle, known for its handcrafting and attention to detail. Only 500 pieces were made, several of which will be presented to medalists at the finals in Førde, Norway.

The original Viking, a knife inspired by a round-the-world expedition on a Viking ship, served as the model. The handle is barrel-shaped, tapering towards the end for a firm and natural grip. Thanks to its simple but well-thought-out shape, it is not only attractive in appearance but also well-balanced in the hand. The absence of a guard requires a more experienced user – this tool is suited to those who respect its character.

The blade is made of laminated carbon steel, which remains black after hardening and has a raw, authentic look. A thin but strong tang runs through the entire handle and ends with a traditional rivet with a diamond washer, as blacksmiths did centuries ago. The knife comes with a hand-sewn leather sheath designed to be hung on a belt.

Each piece requires care – without regular treatment, carbon steel naturally rusts, which only emphasizes its lively character. The Viking WWC 2025 represents a connection between the past and the present, a tool and a collector's artifact that carries the spirit of the north, the strength of weightlifters, and the tradition of true craftsmanship.

Weight including sheath: 150 g
Blade material: Three-layer laminated Helle steel, carbon
Blade thickness: 3.7 mm
Blade length: 11 cm
Blade construction: Stick tang Handle material: Curly birch and Eleiko rubber
Handle length: 10.5 cm
Sheath material: Genuine leather
Design: Helle / Eleiko
Year of design: 2025 / Viking era
Made in Norway

Laminated carbon steel is a traditional and highly valued material that combines the properties of several layers of steel into one. This method of production originated in ancient times, when blacksmiths were looking for a way to combine hardness, toughness, and flexibility in a single blade. For Helle, it is one of the characteristic features of their knives, including special editions such as the Viking WWC 2025.

The basis of laminated carbon steel is a hard core with a high carbon content, which forms the blade itself. This allows for extreme sharpness and long-lasting cutting performance. On both sides of the core are softer layers of steel that protect the blade from breaking and contribute to its flexibility. This contrast between hardness and softness creates a unique structure, often visible to the eye as fine lines along the edge.

Such steel offers excellent cutting performance, but at the same time requires careful maintenance. Carbon components react with moisture and oxygen, so the blade can rust or patinate. Regular cleaning, drying, and light oiling will keep the surface protected and, over time, create a dark patina that looks natural and adds character to the knife.

Another advantage of laminated carbon steel is that it is easy to sharpen – the blade can be quickly restored to maximum sharpness using simple tools. In practice, this means that even after years of use, the knife will retain its cutting ability and remain a reliable working tool.

In knives such as the Viking WWC 2025, this steel symbolizes the combination of Nordic blacksmithing tradition and modern craftsmanship – authentic, lively, and created for those who appreciate real contact with the material.