Bark River STS-5 vs Fallkniven A1 vs Cold Steel SRK San Mai III

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big.me

Joined
Jul 31, 2011
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I really want to buy a knife that size...
been looking around on the internet, and both knives do seem amazing. They are so similar in every aspect, from the sheath to the steel used.
I will be mainly using the knife as a camp knife/survival blade?/light chopper. Already have a large khukhri so all the heavy duty chopping goes to that :p
any help on which knife and what sheath i should get would be much appreciated :)
big.me
 
I think the STS 5 would be a bad choice for a camp knife. Bark River knives are excellent knives but I would hesitate to do hard work with the STS 5 and feel it is more of a fighter than a camp knife. I think a better choice would be the SRK. The knife is heavy enough to baton with and be able to do some moderate prying yet the edge is fine enough for food prep. The Fallkniven is also an excellent choice since it has a VG10 laminated blade which is the same or very similar to the San Mai. I would rate this knife above the SRK because from what I have seen it is one tough knife and has a huge following. I have also seen complaints that the Cold Steel handles come loose under extreme use.
 
Over here, currently, Fallkniven have priced themselves out of the market. I believe you still get a really good deal in the States for Falkies, so if I was over there I'd go that way. Cold Steel are less common over here, although still over priced for what you get.
Whichever choice I made, the first thing that would happen is the handle will be replaced.

Have you considered the Ranger M95 Sissipuukko in 6" blade? Considerably cheaper and the sheath is excellent.
The 4" replaced the Falkie F1 as the scandwegian armed forces favourite.
 
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shaving sharp said:
I think the STS 5 would be a bad choice for a camp knife. Bark River knives are excellent knives but I would hesitate to do hard work with the STS 5 and feel it is more of a fighter than a camp knife.
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Precisely. The STS line are specifically designed as fighters. Fighters aren't camp knives.
 
I would definitely go with the SRK - could get 3 of the AUS 8 versions for the price of the Fallkniven A1 bare blade. The S1 is more comparable to the SRK but it's too far up there also - maybe search for a used one. No dirty deeds BRKT even on sale 80% off.

I would get the SRK AUS8 for $60 and have fun with it while waiting for a used S1 or A1 to pop up.
 
parbajtor said:
Have you considered the Ranger M95 Sissipuukko in 6" blade? Considerably cheaper and the sheath is excellent.
The 4" replaced the Falkie F1 as the scandwegian armed forces favourite.
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That certainly does look promising, but I'm not too sure on the steel used on that blade? I can't seem to find much information about that knife... From what I know, it is a 1045 carbon steel? I don't know if I'd like that type of steel, looks a bit soft for me. I'm a 5160/1095 carbon steel person or I'll go with stainless (pointing me towards the ESEE).
just looked up on the ESEE 5, any thoughts on that now that I've cut down my choices to ESEE 5 vs fallkniven A1?
big.me
 
bada61265 said:
i would substitute the sts for the bravo 1 and then your in a much better comparison.
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True. But I'd substitute one of the Barkies designed specifically as camp knives. There's gotta be a half dozen of them. I'm sure the Bark River fans can list them.

That Bravo 1 was apparently designed for the Spec Bravo Tango Recon Force or something, and I'm sure whatever they do, it ain't camping.
 
marcinek said:
True. But I'd substitute one of the Barkies designed specifically as camp knives. There's gotta be a half dozen of them. I'm sure the Bark River fans can list them.

That Bravo 1 was apparently designed for the Spec Bravo Tango Recon Force or something, and I'm sure whatever they do, it ain't camping.
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while it may of been designed as a survival knife i think it fits the comparison much better than the sts 5. should catch bluntruths video review on this one.
 
I'll second the M95 Sissipuukko. It's a great knife. The fit and finish isn't very precise, but that's not what's important. It delivers every time and it can be made hellishly sharp. Fallkniven knives are way more expensive, but the fit and finish is comparable to Spyderco, Benchmade, ESSE etc.
 
IMO If you are going to be carrying a khukuri ( or any big chopper), a 5"-6" inch blade is overkill. I would think a 3"-4" inch utility knife would be a better choice. Like others have stated the STS-5 was designed to be a fighter, not a camp blade. As far as BRKT goes the Canadian Special, Fox River, Highland, or the Gameskeeper would be a nice compliment knife (lengths range from 4"-4.5").

If you are set on a 5" or larger blade and looking at your uses, I'd go with a Becker BK2 Campanion, but that's just me.:)
 
I have an A1 and it is an outstanding bush knife. I really doubt you can do any better IMO. It is well worth the price but if you do get one be sure it comes with the leather sheath. The kydex sheath that most of them have is not very secure at all.
 
The A1 all the way.

I had the STS5, too chunky for my living and didn't like the balance so I sold it. I also prefer the A1 over my CS Recon Scout. Get an A1, you won't be disappointed!

ETA: not sure what the complaints are with the Zytel sheath - it works great IMO and is very secure. It's very simple though so if you are looking for something fancy get an after market one.
 
marcinek said:
That Bravo 1 was apparently designed for the Spec Bravo Tango Recon Force or something, and I'm sure whatever they do, it ain't camping.
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Wow, never looked at the bravo 1, but now that I did, i'm blown.
since i've watched bluntruth's video and his modifications to his bravo 1, i.e. removing the thumb ramp/firesteel. But i'm wishing that bark river made something like the bravo one, but around 5-6 inches, because that seems like the perfect size for me. The bravo 2 is too long...
I am leaning towards the RAMP-LESS bravo one than the fallkniven A1 now.
Any thoughts on that?
Ramp-less Bravo 1 or Fallkniven A1?
 
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i like it, of course, i did recommend it lol. i dont think the bravo 1 being a little less length should be as big an issue as its performance. id like o get one, right now though have a bravo 2, gunny and canadian special. the gunny is somewhat similar to the b1 b2 in that the overall design is the same on a smaller scale, the b1 is a little longer and of course a thicker blade stock. the convex is amazing. the reason i recommend the b1 is because the b2 is such a awsome knife. the Gunny is another knife you could look at if it were a tad longer. personally for edc, and even woods edc i find the gunny and canadian special about the perfect size. if i have to build a shelter or hunt bear im grabbin my B2, lol. Fallkniven makes a great knife, my only real gripe with them is the over molded grips. i hate them, i dont think high end knife when i see rubber molded over a steel tang. maybe its just me but i love to see a full tang and some nicely sculpted micarta or wood on the handles.
 
Asking Bravo 1 or A1 is like asking BMW or Benz...can't go wrong either way, it just comes down to personal feel and taste, as they are also about the same price (170-200) If you go with the Bravo I would recommend Rampless with Micarta...I have a 'ramped' with G-10. The G10 sure looks good but it's slick on the Bravo..I've had to scuff it quite a bit. I also keep trying to put my thumb where the ramp is when I hold it. Have you looked into the Fallkniven F1? If you've already got a desig chopper then you may want to check that out. I got my F1 for 100 on amazon (and it's worth that and more, and sometimes I honestly wonder why I paid 200 for my Bravo 1). Also something about the F1 just feels right in hand and it's an amazing can-do everything type of design..simple but so useful.

Also check out the ESEE-4...great knife as well and about 100.00

Can't go wrong with any of these knives though. Happy shopping.
 
darkpath5 said:
Have you looked into the Fallkniven F1? If you've already got a desig chopper then you may want to check that out. I got my F1 for 100 on amazon (and it's worth that and more, and sometimes I honestly wonder why I paid 200 for my Bravo 1). Also something about the F1 just feels right in hand and it's an amazing can-do everything type of design..simple but so useful.

Also check out the ESEE-4...great knife as well and about 100.00
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I think the F1 is too small overlaps with the folder I already have (spyderco pacific salt), plus my kukri is a 12" blade, quite large, so I was thinking of something in-between... Sorry for mentioning it now.
And I hope I agree, rampless bravo 1 w/ micarta vs A1/S1 vs Esse 4/5.

This is getting harder and harder to decide... more and more awesome knives jump out at me haha
 
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I actually think I will be going with the B-1 with ramp, and if I don't like it.. i'll just sand it off :)
But I'd like to thank everyone for their precious input!
Meanwhile... If i have the cash, I'll go for the A-1 and maybe tell you guys which one feels better for me :P
 
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