I had a Shrew Lil Favorite for a little while which is same thing as a Helms essentially, Gregg basically was building the Helms under the Shrew line for Ron while also building his Java version concurrently. And yes, think of the Elkheart as the original Classic Hunter like at least version 3 or 4.0..its the CH SS hahaha....
The Lil Favorite/ Helms is a quick little static, honestly they are both neck and neck speed wise, I think the Elkheart might actually be a little more efficient/quicker pound for pound.
The Elk' is quieter far as my ear can tell, but that's almost unfair to the Lil Favorite/ Helms as it is dang quiet for a recurve, one of the quietest 'hooked' bows I have tried hahaha.
I really think with each of them it boils down to what you like the look of. I think that's the beauty of what Gregg builds..much like Toelke...he has a flavor for everyone and so the 'longbow' guys get the Elk' and the recurve guys get the 'Helms'. A local buddy of mine and fellow TGer who fell in love with my Elkheart but loves recurves decided on a Helms and just got on the list yesterday I believe.