Fällkniven F1

RamZar

RamZar

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Mar 3, 2013
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I'm looking to get one of these smaller fixed blade knives. I like the overall blade length of 3.8", blade thickness of 0.18" and weight of just 5.3 ounces.

A few differences like the black blade with CeraCoat for less glare and more corrosion resistant although I'm not resistant to the satin blades. Your choice?

Then, you have the choice of Zytel sheath or full cover black leather. Of course, with the Zytel sheath you can deploy faster. Your choice?

The regular F1 is made with Laminated VG10 steel blade at 59 HRC.

Then, there's the limited edition version with the 3G steel blade at 62 HRC. However, this one only comes in satin and costs about $100 more. Is it worth it?

I'm sure there are comparable other fixed blade knives but looking for those of comparable size and in stock without long preorder wait times...

Thanks in advance.
 
I've got the 3G and it is a bitching knife.
I've had zero problems with chipping on the ultra hard edge.
(but then I mainly use small knives only for cutting / carving and not so much for chopping trees down :rolleyes:).
 
I have the regular F1 in satin. The black coated ones lose their coating very fast when you start to do work. Unless you need a non-reflective coating so you are not detected by enemies :rolleyes: I would get the regular. Second, the zytel sheath is very simple and utilitarian. It works well, it is light, and it is small. Deployment speed is a non-issue unless you need to quickly pull your blade out to fight off enemies :rolleyes: I would get whatever is cheapest.

Its a great simple knife that takes a pounding and asks for more. If you want a ninja attack blade you might look elsewhere.
 
Maniacal Pete said:
I've got the 3G and it is a bitching knife.
I've had zero problems with chipping on the ultra hard edge.
(but then I mainly use small knives only for cutting / carving and not so much for chopping trees down :rolleyes:).
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Which sheath did you go with and did you consider the VG10 at all or you just wanted a harder edge?
 
retzius said:
I have the regular F1 in satin. The black coated ones lose their coating very fast when you start to do work. Unless you need a non-reflective coating so you are not detected by enemies :rolleyes: I would get the regular. Second, the zytel sheath is very simple and utilitarian. It works well, it is light, and it is small. Deployment speed is a non-issue unless you need to quickly pull your blade out to fight off enemies :rolleyes: I would get whatever is cheapest.

Its a great simple knife that takes a pounding and asks for more. If you want a ninja attack blade you might look elsewhere.
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That was my first choice the satin blade with Zytel sheath. Big difference of $100 between VG10 and 3G.
 
RamZar said:
That was my first choice the satin blade with Zytel sheath. Big difference of $100 between VG10 and 3G.
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That is a good choice. The F1 is my favorite go to woods blade so far. It is a simple no frills utilitarian woods knife. A couple things I can tell you from my experience with it:

1. The handle seems small at first. Give it a chance and work with it. It is actually very nicely sized but it really shines when you are wearing gloves.
2. The outer layers of the laminated steel (420j) scratch very easily. The F1 can get ugly fast with use but it doesnt affect it performance.
3. The inner vg10 core is easy to sharpen in the field on a Fallkniven DC4 stone. Contrary to what many think, you do not need to use sandpaper and strop to sharpen this knife. Fallkniven recommends you just sharpen on a stone. Yes, you may create a small microbevel if you do this but the knife comes with that anyway and it will not affect the performance of the knife.
4. The sheath does rattle a bit. A rubber band over the thumb release tab will lock the blade in tight.
 
Go with the VG10 and have a kydex sheath made by one of the custom makers. I can PM you some of my favorites if you are interested. I am not a fan of the leather or zytel sheath from Fallkniven, but love the F1!
 
VG-10 or 3G, that is the question!

3g is a great steel no question about this and I have several of them.

VG-10 is enough for most work I do, soo if cost is an issue the answer is easy:

VG-10 in the Zytelsheath and Satin finish!



Regards
Mikael
 
Mikael W said:
VG-10 or 3G, that is the question!

3g is a great steel no question about this and I have several of them.

VG-10 is enough for most work I do, soo if cost is an issue the answer is easy:

VG-10 in the Zytelsheath and Satin finish!



Regards
Mikael
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Cost is not so much an issue as asking whether the extra $100 justifies the jump from VG10 to 3G.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the satin VG10 with Leather but won't pull the trigger until Sunday. The leather will cost me only an additional $6 and I like the looks of it. Hopefully, it'll be practical as well. Later, if I need it I can get a custom kydex sheath.
 
RamZar said:
Right now, I'm leaning towards the satin VG10 with Leather but won't pull the trigger until Sunday. The leather will cost me only an additional $6 and I like the looks of it. Hopefully, it'll be practical as well. Later, if I need it I can get a custom kydex sheath.
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I would actually go the other way. I would get the zytel sheath and then if you want a leather one get a custom leather one. The leather sheath is not my favorite and I don't like the flap that snaps over the top. The zytel sheath is very nice and actually, depending on where you will be using the knife, better in some ways than kydex. It drains easier, and if you are in the cold the knife will not freeze in the sheath like it can with kydex. Remember, its is a swedish survival knife (its cold up there!) so keep that in mind and you look at the design of the knife and the sheath. Once I understood this, it made sense why the handle is designed to feel great with glove on. :)
 
First of all, congrats on selecting an F1 which I consider an outstanding all-around field/survival knife. I have a few standard and custom versions of the F1 as well as the factory Zytel and leather sheaths and find the F1 a well designed knife.

Personally I dislike coated blades even when non-stainless steels are involved. They mark up and wear off easily leaving the blade looking worse than they did to begin with which is quite something . Since both the VG-10 and the 3G are stainless the only benefit the coating would provide would be stealth when the knife is unsheathed, so I would suggest you consider just how important that might be in your situation.

Fallkniven's 3G, which is a laminated blade of 420J2 over Super Gold Powdered Steel -SGPS), has greater edge holding ability than VG-10 but is substantially more expensive. Although I have some 3G Fallkniven's I don't think they are near the value as the VG-10 versions. The street price of a new F1 3G gets you in the price range of some custom offerings with premium steels which I would prefer.

I don't care much for the looks of the Zytel sheath but it is very efficient at securing and protecting the knife and would be better suited for high exposure to water and extreme weather than the leather sheath. The leather version is well constructed and much more sustantial than most factory leather sheaths and is an underpriced upgrade IMO. I personally prefer the dangler drop style of the S1 type sheath to the F1's full coverage WWII throwback style sheath but like the Zytel sheath it does the job it was intended to do.
 
RamZar said:
Cost is not so much an issue as asking whether the extra $100 justifies the jump from VG10 to 3G.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the satin VG10 with Leather but won't pull the trigger until Sunday. The leather will cost me only an additional $6 and I like the looks of it. Hopefully, it'll be practical as well. Later, if I need it I can get a custom kydex sheath.
Click to expand...

If cost isn't an issue and You want the performance of 3G, look at the thinner TK2z!
Here You get a blade designed for the 3G steel.

I have very few kydex sheaths and I think the Zytel is a better design than regular tightly fitting kydex.

If You like leather I think the aftermarket leather sheaths for the F1 are great!
Personally I have the KSF Leather Forrest sheath, that was made for the F1.

TK2 033.jpg


Regards
Mikael
 
Ordered the Fällkniven F1 Knife with Zytel Sheath (3.8" Satin Plain Laminated VG-10, 59 HRC) from BHQ. It was the last one in stock!
 
I have F1 (vg10) and TK2 (3G) both excellent steels VG10 is easier to sharpen though and is the best value for the buck.
both of knives are in zytel sheaths which are excellent (light weight and do not freeze)
 
RamZar said:
Ordered the Fällkniven F1 Knife with Zytel Sheath (3.8" Satin Plain Laminated VG-10, 59 HRC) from BHQ. It was the last one in stock!
Click to expand...

Good basic choice and You will have tons of aftermarket options, if You should feel for any upgrades in the future!


Regards
Mikael
 
RamZar said:
Ordered the Fällkniven F1 Knife with Zytel Sheath (3.8" Satin Plain Laminated VG-10, 59 HRC) from BHQ. It was the last one in stock!
Click to expand...

Great lightweight but thick fixed blade with excellent laminated cutting edge. Even the Zytel sheath is pretty good but it does rattle a bit. Very happy with it.

654a6b48-23ca-436d-9daa-bcc5f1bc538e_zps6cb0e334.jpg
 
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