Method of manufacturing a helical gear allowing strategic placement of a hardenable wear-resistant and high strength layer at predetermined locations on the gear. The method includes the steps of forming a gear core preform having the general shape of the helical gear and positioning the gear core preform within an elastomeric mold having the specific shape of the helical gear. The method also includes the steps of filling the mold at the predetermined locations with the hardenable metallurgical material and densifying the gear core preform and the metallurgical material. Lastly, the method also includes the step of heat treating the densified gear core preform and metallurgical material, to obtain the helical gear having a wear-resistant layer at the predetermined locations. A helical gear formed according to method is also provided.