Fällkniven Improvement Rant

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Vicarious Reality

Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
1,319
The A1, S1, F1 models are some of my best knives, but as most things, they need some improvement.

The first thing i would change is the back of the handles, they are simply too square.

The second would be to tinker with the guards, the f1's tiny nub doesn't really do much good, and i would slightly decrease the acuteness of the handle-guard curve on all listed knives, making it more like a Scrapyard Regulator.

The third would be to get rid of the sharp corners on the handle right where the thumb is when put on top.

The fourth would be to slightly increase the size of the rear of the handle, to make it more like a Cold steel OSS.

The fifth would be to offer the whole sortiment in cheaper, more efficient steels.

Any Fällkniven employees taking notes?
 
Vicarious Reality said:
The A1, S1, F1 models are some of my best knives, but as most things, they need some improvement.

The first thing i would change is the back of the handles, they are simply too square.

The second would be to tinker with the guards, the f1's tiny nub doesn't really do much good, and i would slightly decrease the acuteness of the handle-guard curve on all listed knives, making it more like a Scrapyard Regulator.

The third would be to get rid of the sharp corners on the handle right where the thumb is when put on top.

The fourth would be to slightly increase the size of the rear of the handle, to make it more like a Cold steel OSS.

The fifth would be to offer the whole sortiment in cheaper, more efficient steels.

Any Fällkniven employees taking notes?
Click to expand...

Hopefully not.

1. If they're too square for you, buy a belt sander.
2. The F1 guard works well. Any larger and it would get in the way. The H1 works even better without a guard.
3. If your thumb's on top, it should be slid forward onto the blade anyway. What are you trying to cut anyway, with your thumb way back there?
4. "Cold Steel OSS"? Talk about apples and oranges.
5. Why? There are plenty of mass market blades already. See Cold Steel above.
 
I don't agree with you wanting cheaper steel.

Most of your other issues can be taken care of with high grit sandpaper and elbow grease.
 
Raw blades are available, make your own however you want. Everyone is going to have something they want to change. Others would complain about your recommendations. Make all those changes, especially the cheaper steels and it's not a Fallkniven any more, so what's the point? That's what custom knives are about.
 
guns_and_labs said:
Hopefully not.

1. If they're too square for you, buy a belt sander.
2. The F1 guard works well. Any larger and it would get in the way. The H1 works even better without a guard.
3. If your thumb's on top, it should be slid forward onto the blade anyway. What are you trying to cut anyway, with your thumb way back there?
4. "Cold Steel OSS"? Talk about apples and oranges.
5. Why? There are plenty of mass market blades already. See Cold Steel above.
Click to expand...

1. Seriously, no one else have had any painful issues with this?
2. It seems all that guard does is dig into the side of my index finger.
3. My thumb isn't four feet long, there should be a smooth transition.
4. The OSS has a very secure design, swooping out to the sides and down slightly.
5. No blade has what i'm asking.
 
1: The square back has a purpose, to work as a scraper for the firesteel among other tings.
2: It is not made for stabbing. Traditional scandinavian knives doesnt have a guard at all, like the H1.
3: Dont put your thumb there then.
4: It is not made for chopping, therefore no need for a knob. It is however made to withstand batoning.
5: If you want a good knife if mass produced cheap steel, buy a bucket of Mora knives.

The F1 was developed purely as a survival knife for the Sw AF. It later surfaced on the open market because people liked it so much. It has a high end steel and other features because it will be the ONLY knife you have if you have to eject from a JAS39 Gripen fighter jet somewhere over the big forests in Sweden.
If you like to custom it you can buy a blade blank and grind it as you like.
Put up a picture to let us know when you are ready.
 
The only thing I'd change about the fallkniven knives is by making larger full flat grind versions.... oh wait.
 
I'm afraid I'm on board with everyone else here, and for the most part wouldn't want to see much changed with these knives.

I Most definately disagree with Fallkniven offering lower quality steel. The steel is a big reason why they are some of the best knives you own.

That said, I understand where you are coming from suggesting these knives, out of the box, aren't an exact fit for your personal preference. But that is the case with most production knives, they can't possibly be a perfect fit for everyone.

Change / modify what you can on your knives to make them work better for you, adapt to what can't be changed, and enjoy the years of service you will get from these top quality knives.

I contacted Fallkniven once suggesting a change to there TK series folders. The response I got back suggested I had insulted them, that they are confident in the design of their knives, and that they have the sales numbers to back the fact they are doing it right to appease the masses.

For the most part I think they are correct, they make outstanding quality knives designed to appeal to a large number of people. Unless a significant number of customers request the same modification as an improvement, there is very little chance any manufacture is going to change what is working (selling) well for them.

Kevin

PS. try an F1 Micarta, I think many of your ergo suggestions would be addressed. Unfortunately micarta isn't an option of the A1 and S1 unless you go custom.
 
Vicarious Reality said:
The A1, S1, F1 models are some of my best knives, but as most things, they need some improvement.

The first thing i would change is the back of the handles, they are simply too square.

The second would be to tinker with the guards, the f1's tiny nub doesn't really do much good, and i would slightly decrease the acuteness of the handle-guard curve on all listed knives, making it more like a Scrapyard Regulator.

The third would be to get rid of the sharp corners on the handle right where the thumb is when put on top.

The fourth would be to slightly increase the size of the rear of the handle, to make it more like a Cold steel OSS.

The fifth would be to offer the whole sortiment in cheaper, more efficient steels.

Any Fällkniven employees taking notes?
Click to expand...
f1 and a1 user here.

1. I like the back, ergonomically they fit me very well. I guess this is different for different people.
another thing: the handles are slightly smaller than other production models, but still fit my hands well. A handle is for gripping, no need for extra space anywhere, so long enough is long enough. A grip more to the back, to make chopping more effective is more or less a clue that you should have gotten a bigger knife. So again, no need for extra long handle

2. guards not necessary, no stabbing. As for slipping or for using it in the dark: when you're slipping your safety precautions have already failed. dry your hands first :) In the dark: ergos are good enough to feel how you're holding the blade. No guard for me please

3. I love those corners, firesteel heaven. No jimping please, no rounded corners please. as asked before, what kind of cuts are you making?

4. don't know that one

5. why not? as long as you have a choice. Quality would go down probably..

good of you to start this discussion, always makes for some interesting thoughts :thumbup:
 
In my opinion, the only thing I would change about the F1 is to add thumb serrations. But that hasn't even been a big deal.
Everything else works more than good
 
You seem to assume i meant use lower quality steel. I did not.
You also assume i was talking about rounding off the blade spine. I did not.
Have you never used the A1 to chop stuff? What's the point in having a large, thick knife?
The guard issue is perhaps not as much of a problem as i made it out to be. I still think they should be rounded off so they can't poke me.
 
Vicarious.
I too, disagree.

I think my S1 is a perfect example of what a woods knife should be. The knife is well thought out , most of what you descrbie has a purpose, including the nicely done square spine.

Tostig
 
The A1, S1, F1 models are some of my best knives, but as most things, they need some improvement.

The first thing i would change is the back of the handles, they are simply too square.
Click to expand...
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I like the square ends, they come in handy when hammering tent pegs into the ground. Other than that, they never bother me.
The second would be to tinker with the guards, the f1's tiny nub doesn't really do much good, and i would slightly decrease the acuteness of the handle-guard curve on all listed knives, making it more like a Scrapyard Regulator.
Click to expand...

It might be tiny, but ive never stabbed anything with such force that my hand might slip onto the blade.

The third would be to get rid of the sharp corners on the handle right where the thumb is when put on top.
Click to expand...

I agree with this one, they can get irritating when doing
detail work. but i can round them myself some day.

The fourth would be to slightly increase the size of the rear of the handle, to make it more like a Cold steel OSS.
Click to expand...

Handle size is a subjective thing. My F1 fits my hand good.

The fifth would be to offer the whole sortiment in cheaper, more efficient steels.
Click to expand...
The steel they use is excellent and easy to sharpen. Fallkies are relatively expensive, but i wouldnt buy one in AUS-something or 400 series stainless.

Any Fällkniven employees taking notes?
Click to expand...

Just keep on selling the blanks!
 
Knife makers design their knives to fit the needs of the majority of the customers .If you need something else take it to a custom maker to modify it. Fallkniven has an advantage of offering blade blanks so you can make a handle to fit you better.
I made significant modification to my TK-1 that great knife is now greater !
 
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