ESEE 4 or Fallkniven F1

ESEE 4 or Fallkniven F1

  • ESEE 4

    Votes: 14 26.9%

  • Fallkniven F1

    Votes: 38 73.1%
  • Total voters
    52
lickback

lickback

Joined
Oct 9, 2018
Messages
71
Which of these would you recommend for a bugout bag? I've had my eye on the Fallkniven for awhile now, but I see ESEE is quite popular around here. I especially like the venom green with orange handle. Thanks for the input.
 
I would choose the Falkniven F1 every time over the ESEE 4 simply because I like it better. I have the fancy Falkniven handles on my F1 which makes me more hesitant to use it much. But I'll get over it. When I bought it, it was one of the most expensive knives I owned. That has changed but it's still up there $-wise.
 
For a BOB specifically, the F1. You don’t know what the situation will be that is causing you to “bug out.” Stainless steel would certainly be nice since you may or may not have time to maintain 1095 and you don’t know how wet your conditions will be. If I might have to hike all day in the rain with a knife on my belt, I’m picking stainless.

In my bags for such scenarios, my knives are all stainless for the same reasons. Otherwise, I’m generally a carbon steel fan.
 
Both are great knives and sheaths.

I believe Esee to have a lifetime warranty, but Falkniven’s warranty is good too.

I’d lean to the F1 as well. Durable, simple, and impervious to cold and moisture.
 
I like both. The all weather stainless steel is nice on the F1, but the micarta handles on the Esee are more durable than kraton. ESEE sheath systems are awesome, better than most. tough choice
 
Id have to go with the esee 4. The blade edge is the only uncoated part. I have a eye drop bottle with mineral oil in my bob. The sheath system is alot better on esee. If needed you could make new handles for the esee in the field.
 
I own both and prefer the F1, mainly due to ergonomics. The standard F1 is available in Cos steel now, which is a great steel.
 
Both very fine knives and you wont go wrong with either but quite a difference in price between the two.
I wouldnt feel 'undergunned' with the Esee and it would be great for a BOB but if you have the dough for the Fallkniven, then spring for that. There is just something about a well built knife with that extra finish and the Japanese knows how to make a good knife.
 
Worth looking at weight, also, for a BOB. The ESEE 4 weighs in at two ounces more than the Fällkniven F1.
 
For a bug out bag I choose an inexpensive but tough stainless knife. For me it is the SOG seal pup and seal team. Through experience I know I could do anything I need with these two and I didn't break the bank on either (secondary market).

As to the knives in question, I go esee. Likely not the 4, I'd rather have the 3 or 6. The 4 is thick for its size. That said, I think everything about tht esee is better. Handle material. Sheath. Warranty. It's been demonstrated many times that fallknivens ship with burnt edges. Take into account the initial sharpening to get down to "good" steel as part of the cost. Their's also a lot of chefs in the kitchen with Falk. Designed in Europe. Made in Asia. Sold by dealers here. It has proven a problem in the past. Knife sent for warranty to Europe. They then send it to Asia. No problem was found. Grind off the tip and send it back to the customer in the states. Quite a process.

Of course not much of this matters for a bug out bag knife. Hopefully, in an emergency situation you have a decent knife on you. I do like a company to stand firmly behind your emergency tool though.
 
craytab said:
For a bug out bag I choose an inexpensive but tough stainless knife. For me it is the SOG seal pup and seal team. Through experience I know I could do anything I need with these two and I didn't break the bank on either (secondary market).

As to the knives in question, I go esee. Likely not the 4, I'd rather have the 3 or 6. The 4 is thick for its size. That said, I think everything about tht esee is better. Handle material. Sheath. Warranty. It's been demonstrated many times that fallknivens ship with burnt edges. Take into account the initial sharpening to get down to "good" steel as part of the cost. Their's also a lot of chefs in the kitchen with Falk. Designed in Europe. Made in Asia. Sold by dealers here. It has proven a problem in the past. Knife sent for warranty to Europe. They then send it to Asia. No problem was found. Grind off the tip and send it back to the customer in the states. Quite a process.

Of course not much of this matters for a bug out bag knife. Hopefully, in an emergency situation you have a decent knife on you. I do like a company to stand firmly behind your emergency tool though.
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Yeah. I had a seal pup that I gave to a friend a few weeks ago. Good knife for the price. I like your arguments for ESEE. The 3 does look like a great size.. I've also been eyeing the Guardian 3 for a edc fixed blade.
 
I took delivery of both years ago and the F1 won me over hands down. It's plain jane but it's all business and does it superbly IMO.
 
Cobalt said:
I like both. The all weather stainless steel is nice on the F1, but the micarta handles on the Esee are more durable than kraton. ESEE sheath systems are awesome, better than most. tough choice
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Fallkniven uses Thermorun for its handles, harder than Kraton and impervious to just about everything. Good stuff, especially in the cold.
 
lickback said:
Yeah. I had a seal pup that I gave to a friend a few weeks ago. Good knife for the price. I like your arguments for ESEE. The 3 does look like a great size.. I've also been eyeing the Guardian 3 for a edc fixed blade.
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I also have a g3 and as an edc it is excellent.
 
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