Recently I was looking for a knife to take backpacking so I searched blogs to get ideas. Some, not all, of the criteria I had was to find a knife that I could use as an all around camp knife and in case of an emergency could be used as a survival knife.
I didn't want it to weigh too much because I was in the process of lightening my whole backpacking weight and was counting ounces. The knife was one area I didn't want to compromise myself with or I could have gone with the very light mora knife and case at around 3.6 ozs. (hummm maybe I'll still get one...$15 can't go wrong). Maybe I shouldn't use the word compromise because I hear lots of good things about mora knives so in that respect it is not a compromise or at least debateable by many. So sorry in advance don't want to offend anyone, I know it's a great bush knife, but I think most know what I mean.
Anyway, my 20 year old Schrade usa 153uh Uncle Henry weighed 6.9 ozs and 10.5 ozs in it's sheath. (So with the F1 I loose 3.4 ozs).
It came down to two knifes for me the Doug Ritter RSK Mk3 and the Fallkniven F1. I couldn't decide so I bought both of them with the intention of sending one back after handling them. This is want I learned:
First of all I can not compare the DR to the Griptilian (I handled one at a store), I felt the DR is just an all around better knife in every way. One of DR strongest attributes IMHO is the ergonomics, it felt so good in my hand which makes working with it nice probably due to its rounded handle and being well balanced. The thumb ramp jimping, and finger guard makes me feel more secure too. Both handles are gripy. That said the F1 was definately sharper, and working with a sharp knife makes work easier. Now were comparing VG-10 with S30V and that's a long debate, we all have our own preferrences.
Currently sharpening the convex grind is harder for me, so I like the fact I can use my Lansky knife sharpener on the DR.
I thought the DR would be too big and long of a knife for me, but when I held it I could tell it was well balanced and would be just fine. The F1 is more compact and the grip isn't as comfortable, but still comfortable enough. Each have drop point blades, but so fare the DR's bellie seems slightly more useable and that extra 7 tenth of an inch blade length is nice to have.
Both are well built and I can see they will hold up to anything I'll throw at them. I don't go snow camping yet so I don't need the handle material to completely cover the steel (like on the F1) to keep my hand from touching the cold steel, so I like the DR handle better because I think it will hold up slightly better, and I like the looks better. If I ever have to baton with DR hitting the G-10 handle is less likey because of the blade shape and because the tang is flush with the scales. If I hit the F1's handle (Thermorun, feels like a very hard rubber) repeatedly it may cause it to look different. Also if I hit the handle repeatedly I should give up backpacking because obviously I should be committed somewhere.
Both have tangs that extend beyound the end of the handle which I like. The F1's tang is taller so it would be easier to hit with another object. Neither protrude more that 2 mm.
I purchased the F1 with the company kydex sheath because it weighs less. The F1 can be purchased with a nice leather sheath too. For me the kydex sheath met my needs, well made, simple, compact, lightweight, and secure. I'll need to get a new sheath made for the DR because I have nothing good to say about it. If you like large sheaths with lots of options for attaching, it may work for you although it does look and feel cheap. For what the DR cost I would think one could get a DR sheath like the F1's, at least as an option.
I like a simpler sheath and hope to find someone on the forum to make a fold over kydex model with an attachable tech-lock. A kydex sheath that doesn't rely on snugness to keep the knife in the sheath, but instead has a snapping loop like the F1's sheath and a ribbon/nylon belt loop like the F1's. With a removeable tech-lock it would allow me to wear it either horizontally or use the belt loop. It would add weight though.
Price: Yes the DR is more expensive, but is it worth it?....that's up to you. The F1 seems to be a very good value.
Blade Finish: The DR does have a stonewashing finish that is kind of unique and looks cool, but I hear it also adds to it's durability. Small scratches don't show as easily as on the pretty satin finish of the F1.
So ultimately I ended up keeping both
(That's partly what I mean by compromising myself mentioned above, I like certain kinds of knives and these two fall in that category. No logical reason why I need both knifes, or for that matter why I'll probably end up getting a Mora too.)
If I could only keep one....it would be Doug Ritter. Just because I thinks it's cooler. Now is that the wow cooler or the functional cooler?...Yet to be determined.
I want to give a shout out to KnifeWorks, a big thumbs up!
Weight
DR (knife only): 5.7 ozs. With sheath, tossed it before I could weigh it, sorry
F1 (knife only): 5.2 ozs. With Fallkniven sheath: 6.8 ozs
Size
DR (inches where not indicated):
Overall Length 9.1 Blade Length 4.5 Blade Thick .14in / 3.56mm
F1 (inches where not indicated):
Overall Length 8.3 Blade Length 3.8 Blade Thick .18in / 4.5mm
Steel / Grind:
DR S30V with High Flat Grind
F1 Laminated VG-10 with Convex Grind
I didn't want it to weigh too much because I was in the process of lightening my whole backpacking weight and was counting ounces. The knife was one area I didn't want to compromise myself with or I could have gone with the very light mora knife and case at around 3.6 ozs. (hummm maybe I'll still get one...$15 can't go wrong). Maybe I shouldn't use the word compromise because I hear lots of good things about mora knives so in that respect it is not a compromise or at least debateable by many. So sorry in advance don't want to offend anyone, I know it's a great bush knife, but I think most know what I mean.
Anyway, my 20 year old Schrade usa 153uh Uncle Henry weighed 6.9 ozs and 10.5 ozs in it's sheath. (So with the F1 I loose 3.4 ozs).
It came down to two knifes for me the Doug Ritter RSK Mk3 and the Fallkniven F1. I couldn't decide so I bought both of them with the intention of sending one back after handling them. This is want I learned:
First of all I can not compare the DR to the Griptilian (I handled one at a store), I felt the DR is just an all around better knife in every way. One of DR strongest attributes IMHO is the ergonomics, it felt so good in my hand which makes working with it nice probably due to its rounded handle and being well balanced. The thumb ramp jimping, and finger guard makes me feel more secure too. Both handles are gripy. That said the F1 was definately sharper, and working with a sharp knife makes work easier. Now were comparing VG-10 with S30V and that's a long debate, we all have our own preferrences.
Currently sharpening the convex grind is harder for me, so I like the fact I can use my Lansky knife sharpener on the DR.
I thought the DR would be too big and long of a knife for me, but when I held it I could tell it was well balanced and would be just fine. The F1 is more compact and the grip isn't as comfortable, but still comfortable enough. Each have drop point blades, but so fare the DR's bellie seems slightly more useable and that extra 7 tenth of an inch blade length is nice to have.
Both are well built and I can see they will hold up to anything I'll throw at them. I don't go snow camping yet so I don't need the handle material to completely cover the steel (like on the F1) to keep my hand from touching the cold steel, so I like the DR handle better because I think it will hold up slightly better, and I like the looks better. If I ever have to baton with DR hitting the G-10 handle is less likey because of the blade shape and because the tang is flush with the scales. If I hit the F1's handle (Thermorun, feels like a very hard rubber) repeatedly it may cause it to look different. Also if I hit the handle repeatedly I should give up backpacking because obviously I should be committed somewhere.
Both have tangs that extend beyound the end of the handle which I like. The F1's tang is taller so it would be easier to hit with another object. Neither protrude more that 2 mm.
I purchased the F1 with the company kydex sheath because it weighs less. The F1 can be purchased with a nice leather sheath too. For me the kydex sheath met my needs, well made, simple, compact, lightweight, and secure. I'll need to get a new sheath made for the DR because I have nothing good to say about it. If you like large sheaths with lots of options for attaching, it may work for you although it does look and feel cheap. For what the DR cost I would think one could get a DR sheath like the F1's, at least as an option.
I like a simpler sheath and hope to find someone on the forum to make a fold over kydex model with an attachable tech-lock. A kydex sheath that doesn't rely on snugness to keep the knife in the sheath, but instead has a snapping loop like the F1's sheath and a ribbon/nylon belt loop like the F1's. With a removeable tech-lock it would allow me to wear it either horizontally or use the belt loop. It would add weight though.
Price: Yes the DR is more expensive, but is it worth it?....that's up to you. The F1 seems to be a very good value.
Blade Finish: The DR does have a stonewashing finish that is kind of unique and looks cool, but I hear it also adds to it's durability. Small scratches don't show as easily as on the pretty satin finish of the F1.
So ultimately I ended up keeping both
(That's partly what I mean by compromising myself mentioned above, I like certain kinds of knives and these two fall in that category. No logical reason why I need both knifes, or for that matter why I'll probably end up getting a Mora too.)
If I could only keep one....it would be Doug Ritter. Just because I thinks it's cooler. Now is that the wow cooler or the functional cooler?...Yet to be determined.
I want to give a shout out to KnifeWorks, a big thumbs up!
Weight
DR (knife only): 5.7 ozs. With sheath, tossed it before I could weigh it, sorry
F1 (knife only): 5.2 ozs. With Fallkniven sheath: 6.8 ozs
Size
DR (inches where not indicated):
Overall Length 9.1 Blade Length 4.5 Blade Thick .14in / 3.56mm
F1 (inches where not indicated):
Overall Length 8.3 Blade Length 3.8 Blade Thick .18in / 4.5mm
Steel / Grind:
DR S30V with High Flat Grind
F1 Laminated VG-10 with Convex Grind
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