Compact Dual-Sided Axe Sharpening File by Helko Werk Germany

Helko Werk is widely recognized as a producer of premium world-class handmade axes and is one of the oldest axe manufacturers still operating in Europe. The story of Helko Werk began in the village of Cronenberg, Germany, now part of the city of Wuppertal, where in 1844, August Helsper founded the August Helsper Werkzeugfabrik (the Helsper Tool Factory) and began producing axes for the region.

The factory was built alongside the Nöllenhammerbach creek in Gelpetal, a small forest valley that bisected the town, with the creek running the factory's waterwheel and providing the power that drove the forge hammers and grinding wheels. The factory remained at this location for more than sixty years, and as the operation became more firmly established, the product line grew to encompass other forestry and farming tools, even including hoes and planters for coffee and banana plantations.

In 1909, the Helsper family relocated the factory three kilometers away, where it has remained ever since. This new site was situated near a local railway station, allowing for the direct shipment of steel from the Ruhr-Factories, now ThyssenKrupp AG. The Helsper Tool Factory increased its export of axes beyond the borders of Europe during the early twentieth century, and by the 1930s was regularly shipping axes to countries in Africa, Asia, and South America.

It was also around this time that the Helsper family formed a partnership with the Kotthaus family, setting the stage for exponential growth throughout the remainder of the twentieth century and giving the company its current name: Helko (an amalgam of Helsper and Kotthaus).

Helko Werk's product lines include the Classic range, which combines versatility, performance, and aesthetics to create a premium line of pristine working axes; the Traditional line, a premium collection of hand-forged German heritage axes; and the Vario 2000, a patented design using a German engineered fastening system that introduces incredible versatility and efficiency. The Förster by Helko line is a commercial range of professional axes and forestry tools, while the Frontier Collection includes an assortment of top-quality outdoor and travel gear.

Helko Werk also offers a range of premium sharpening, maintenance, and leather accessories to keep their axes and other tools in peak condition. This includes the Dual Sided Axe File, designed to bring an axe blade to a general purpose mid-level sharpness, and the Helko Werk Sharpening Stone, Pouch, and File kit for more precise honing. The company's leather products, including sheaths and conditioning products, are made in the USA from full-grain, vegetable tanned cowhide leather.

Whether you're a seasoned outdoorsman or a homeowner in need of reliable tools, Helko Werk's commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction makes them a trusted name in the world of premium axes and forestry equipment.

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