F1 Question

[Guyon]

Are the current Fallkniven F1 blades a laminated steel, or are they VG-10 through and through?

 

[ashtxsniper]

Laminated VG-10 according to there website.

http://www.fallkniven.com/a1f1/f1_en.htm

 

[Dave568]

The current version is VG10 laminated with 420J2

 

[Rockywolf]

And thanks to the suggestions in threads here, I bought one off ebay, it came a few days ago, and I highly recommend it! Shaving sharp, a great size and excellent sheath.

 

[DeadeyeLefty]

Only because the original question seems to be answered: how do you F1 owners find the handles ? I do a lot of my own handle scales and I haven't decided whether to get one with the factory handle, or just order a blank.

 

[ashtxsniper]

The handles on my A1 are awesome.

 

[Rockywolf]

Deadeye, I used mine in my restaurant for food prep and it was excellent. Handle got sticky from cutting up fruit and was still "grippy". I was pleased with the performance!

 

[Guyon]

Is there an advantage to laminating with a cheaper steel like 420J?

 

[Stephen Tolar]

Deadeye,

I have both the standard F1 with the thermorun handles and a factory blade blank with custom natural micarta handle slabs. Scott Tanguay did the handle work and gave them his "groove" treatment.

I love both but use the thermorun version more just because it was my first and already a user. Don't be concerned about the grip. It's good.

Another thing to consider is the differences in the blade geometry. The blank version is ground thinner close to the edge and the tip is definately pointier. I like both of these aspects better. I'm not sure if these differences are across the line or just between my two knives. Anybody else notice this?

Guyon, I think the reason for laminating was to increase the lateral strength of the blade by adding outside layers of a more flexible steel..

Stephen

 

[Guyon]

Guyon, I think the reason for laminating was to increase the lateral strength of the blade by adding outside layers of a more flexible steel..

Makes sense. Thanks. :thumbup:

 

[ashtxsniper]

Supposedly a 20% increase in flexibility or 20% more flex till it snaps. This is what laminateing the blade did for them.

 

[nodh]

There are basically four F1 blade types:
The first rare ATS34 pointier blade.
The pure VG10 flatgrind.
The pure VG10 convex.
The Lam. VG10 convex.

Watch them all on http://hem.passagen.se/nodh

 

[okbohn]

I didn't notice the differences in grind on the blades vs the production knives. The main difference I found was the tang.

 

[Elen]

Only because the original question seems to be answered: how do you F1 owners find the handles ? I do a lot of my own handle scales and I haven't decided whether to get one with the factory handle, or just order a blank.

I can safely say the F1 Thermorun handles are the most comfortable handles I've ever had the pleasure of having on a knife. Sure, it's just ugly black elastomer, but damn, it's grippy to the extreme, with cold bloody hands or thick gloves.

 

[nodh]

There are three "versions" of tang on the F1 knife.
The ATS34 knives did not have a protruding tang, it is just inside the plastic though.
All other versions from early VG10 onwards all have a protruding tang.
The blade only with its profile looking like the normal knife is naturally visible everywhere.

The Micarta handled knives do have a slight different tang though since it is level with the handle.

All types of blade are actually production blades, just in different years.
They do have the same material in the handle although the ATS34 model feels just a tad smaller.