Helle advertising German Swiss Knife

[North Man]

Hi

I found this, it is maybe from the 80s and i should have sent an email to Helle but i already got a question or two there about other products, this is a 91mm and very similar to a Victorinox construction, maybe a k.off, it is actually well made, not sure if this is a Helle advertising or a product made for helle in Germany, blade says Germany inox, all springs and blade/functions is well polished, good snap in the springs, i would say this is maybe better made than some of the latest asia pirates today but it is not Victorinox quality, does anybody know this? helle did make some pocketknives before but they are not high quality and they have also used in the 80s if i remember correct cutleries in Japan

[J Mackrel Jones]

The shape of the small blade, the reamer (with nail-nick near the end), and the one-piece tweezer are very similar to those on an ISC (Imperial Schrade) made in Germany.  Any connection there?

[North Man]

Hi

No, not on the types i have seen, do you have a link to see?
This knife is assembled much more correct and smooth function, but again this is not Victorinox quality or near,.
ps no half stop on the flat screwdriver with cap opener and the keyring like you see attached with shim for ring, could be this knife is more 90s or even other,

[North Man]

it is fun this knife,
we know Victorinox started to use keyring attachment on spring in 1991,
the Helle advertising fit more a 80s style if we can say so ,. looking at the springs and much more they have atleast borrowed a few things :)the flat screwdriver is a copy
I will find out

[altered.ego]

Except for those extra tools and scales colour, this looks exactly like my Adler knife.

[ColoSwiss]

Some info from memory (so it could be iffy):

Believe the ISC knives were made by Adler.

Someone over on SOSAK said the Adlers were so close to Vics that the handles would interchange. Believe there was also a discussion about whether the Alders were licensed copies or unofficial knock-offs. Don't remember the final conclusion.

I had heard that Adler was bought by Mikov, but one of the  European members said not true.

Will now sit back and wait to be proven wrong.

[Sazabi]

For what it's worth, ISC knives can still be found NIB at SMKW, too.  They feel almost Victorinox, but not quite.

[North Man]

HI

Thank you all for the great answers and alot interesting! I have also found a few details, the information is not 100% but it seems Helle imported this advertising model shown from Germany, there was more models including small keyring model,In green color with Helle on the scale .May be in the late 80s,.

[North Man]

same measure, the edges on the green is alittle more polished

[lowtech]

I had a DOVO knife, made in Solingen that looked nearly exactly liek a Vic, but with a differing tool combination, i gave it to my brotehr but i could borrow it to check tang stamps and make a comparison shot.

[North Man]

sure please do so

[ColoSwiss]

Here's a Victorinox, Imperial Schrade (ISC) and Adler.

2 - The ISC has a one-piece tweezers like the one on the Helle. This particular Adler doesn't have either toothpick or tweezers.

3 - The reamers on the ISC and Adler are the same; also the Helle. The Victorinox reamer (top) is substantially different.

4 - The screwdriver tip on the Victorinox (left) appears to be more sharply defined that on the other two knives. The Helle seems to be like the ISC and Adler.

I'd say there's a good chance the Helle was made by Adler.  There are apparently several other firms in the Solingen area that also make copies of the Swiss-army knife (Adler is located in the former East Germany). However the Solingen-made knives tend to say 'Solingen' on them, even if they don't have a brand name.

[ColoSwiss]

Here are some more German-made pocket knives.

top - A pair of ISCs, both with the one-piece tweezers.

middle - A couple of older Henckles, neither with t&t.

bottom - A Richartz Picnic and an unnamed 'Solingen'.

[North Man]

excellent this info ColoSwiss!
Could be Adler or Imperial Schrade but also other but i believe we are on  the correct track

[North Man]

Once again my curiosity took overhand and i sent an email, if this is one of the Helle bought from Germany by the Helle company then i am glad, in the reply it says:
we bought some years knives from Adler messer GmbH Leegebruch Germany they did not have any info on ISC, ..

I can also see on the nailnick on the can opener its just like an Adler, i find this very interesting for sure,...

[ColoSwiss]

Imperial Schrade was an American knife company. Most of their products were made in the US. Some were produced overseas, including the SAK-style knives which were made in Germany, reportedly by Adler (the comparison above seems to confirm this). The original company is now out of business. The brand name is now owned by Taylor Brands, which also owns a number of other knife brands, and all current production is done outside the US.

Thanks for checking on the Helle - Adler connection. 

[dks]

Some pictures on Schrade Century and some information from an an older thread.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,31439.msg521747.html#msg521747

[North Man]

Imperial Schrade was an American knife company. Most of their products were made in the US. Some were produced overseas, including the SAK-style knives which were made in Germany, reportedly by Adler (the comparison above seems to confirm this). The original company is now out of business. The brand name is now owned by Taylor Brands, which also owns a number of other knife brands, and all current production is done outside the US.

Thanks for checking on the Helle - Adler connection. 

you are all welcome