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Head to head

Gerber StrongArm vs Helle Nordlys

Gerber StrongArm runs a 4.8″ drop point blade in 420HC; Helle Nordlys runs 4.8″ of drop point in Sandvik 14C28N. The Gerber StrongArm is the lighter of the two by 2.61 oz.

01234567 in
  • Gerber StrongArm · Drop Point
    4.8″ blade · 0.187″ spine · 7.2 oz · ~1.3″ tall
  • Helle Nordlys · Drop Point
    4.8″ blade · 0.122″ spine · 9.81 oz · ~1.3″ tall (derived) · family outline
Spine thickness, same scale
0.187″
0.122″
Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Outlines traced from makers' photos, except where marked as the shape family's.
SpecGerberGerber StrongArmCheck priceHelleHelle NordlysCheck price
Blade length4.8″4.8″
Spine thickness0.187″0.122″
Overall length9.8″—
Weight7.2 oz9.81 oz
Blade shapeDrop PointDrop Point
Steel420HCSandvik 14C28N
GrindFlat—
LockFixedFixed
Handle materialGlass-Filled NylonCurly Birch
Country of originUSANorway
Price bandMidPremium

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

420HC

Buck's Paul Bos heat treat is what makes this ordinary steel good. Dulls sooner than premium steels and takes ninety seconds to fix.

Sandvik 14C28N

Developed with Kershaw. Tough, rust-resistant, and about as easy to sharpen as a good steel gets — the reason it dominates the value tier.