esee 4 vs fallkniven f1

I also had both knives. I kept the F1 and sold the ESEE 4. Don't get me wrong. The ESEE 4 is a nice knife. I just couldn't get the handle to work for me.
 
John Smith V said:
I'd say, between these two, the F1 IS the wilderness knife. That means hunting comes first, camp chores/sheltering follows.

The ESEE4, OTOH, is more military/tactical. Very tough blade. The flat sides of the micarta handle can drive nails.

Very different knives.

You really need to know specifically what exactly you'll do with the knife to know what to look for.

Hunting? Go with F1
Packing ammo crates? ESEE-4
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I agree, well said. I actually used the g-10 handles of the rc-4 to push my tent poles in the (rock filled) ground, both alumunium ones and wooden ones (also in my vid). I wouldn't do that with the f1's handle.

JNewell said:
Nice review(s), thanks. :thumbup: BTW, your English is really outstanding.
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Thanks my friend!
 
The only thing I wish my ESEE RC-4 had was an extra 1/2" (12mm) in handle length. I have large hands and the handle is a bit cramped. My hand just fits... barely. In ever other way, it is perfect and still very comfortable.
 
I don't think you can go wrong either.
I have the F1 and my Dad has an ESEE 4. They're both great, just different. So it's up to you. Would you prefer a 1095 blade that is slightly larger, or a VG-10 laminate stainless steel blade that is a little bit on the lighter side?
Good luck with your decision.. I know how hard it can be, haha
 
I have both the F1 and RAT RC-4 (bought before the name change, same knife). I like the feel of the F1 a little better and its nice it is stainless for some wet environments. It lives in my flight bag. However, I use the RC-4 more as an all around hiking, camping, backpacking knife. To make things more complicated you may want to consider the BRKT Bravo-1 as its in this size range and a heck of a knife also. I have two of them. So I guess my advice would be to get both the F1 and ESEE-4 and maybe the Barkie too. Yeah, lots of help I am, I know. :D
 
I originally ordered a Bravo 1 and a RC4. Without using either I sent the RC4 packing. The Sheath on the RC4 was really top notch. Though out well!!! I also like the weight but the handle was not so comfortable...small and boxy. The warranty on the other hand is something no other company can beat!!! I have heard BRKT is very good as well. But I have my reservation on the Bravo 1 as well...it is thick and almost seems a little too thick for its length. It can damn near double as a prybar!! The handle being polished looks nice but doesnt function as well as I thought. And I made the mistake of order one with the thumb ramp. I hear you can send it in to get it ground down from BRKT but I have to call to make sure of this. It is a tank of a knife. The grind helps it significantly offset its thickness. However my experience although not the same nor can it be fairly compared with the A1 is proof enough coupled with the overwhelming following of the F1 support that this is truly a knife that leads its category well ahead of the others mentioned...so I ordered it!!! As well as an S1...I couldnt help myself. Just wish Fallkniven had the same warranty. But then again my A1 has been beaten like no tomorrow!!! My handle is a mess! I spared it in no way! Super happy and love the design of the Fallkniven.
 
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the decision is basically between flat-ground 1095 and convex ground VG-10 laminate.

i had to make exactly the same decision myself recently for some outdoors/hunting knives.

in the end it came down to the RC-5+Izula VS S1+WM1.

the Fallknivens won out in the end and i do not regret that decision.
 
There's a thread on laminated/composite blades running now and someone linked to the destruction test at Knifetests.com for the A1. They eventually trashed the knife after unimaginable (ab)use, but even then it was still cutting. If I didn't already own an F1, seeing that series of videos would make me run out and buy one ASAP.
 
I also saw those video...that sealed the deal on the A1!!! It took a pounding! I dont know of too many blades that can take a beating like that!! I guess noss is slated to do a Bravo 1 test. He has the knife he just needs the time. And yes these test are over the top but why not. I like to see the limits. Some of these so call survival knifes used during his test didnt fair too well. And some of them where very expensive!!
 
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