Fallkinaven F1 Question

S

Squeezymo

Joined
Feb 4, 2008
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315
I am looking for a new camping/survival knife. I want it to be under $100, but I can go a little bit over.

I am looking at the F1 because it sells for under $90 on some sites. But I am not too confident about the 3.8" blade size. What are some personal experiences with this knife? Who have used it for bushcraft and such?

Other options I am looking at are the Benchmade Fixed Griptillian and possibly an RAT-5.

Any suggestions other than those? And please, don't suggest a Busse. Yes I want one. No I can't afford one. Yes I want an A1. But I can't afford one.
 
The F1 is a popular one in the Wilderness forums. 4 About 4" is fine for bushcraft type stuff. I do not have one but have been very pleased with my S1. Also worth looking at in your price range is the RAT RC3 and Koster's new Bushcraft knife. I had a Rat 3 and just recently got the Koster. Both are great for outdoors work. Currently my favorite outdoors knife is the Dozier K7 but it's a bit out of your price range. The Spyderco Moran looks like a good choice too but I haven't heard much about it.
 
A whole lot of people like the F1 for outdoor use. Including me. It's not the size of the knife. ;) 4" of blade is plenty for a knife, and only if you intend to use your knife as a replacement for an axe are you going to need a larger blade. The steel on the F1 is good, the blade geometry is just right, and it's a tough little thing.
 
Elen said:
A whole lot of people like the F1 for outdoor use. Including me. It's not the size of the knife. ;) 4" of blade is plenty for a knife, and only if you intend to use your knife as a replacement for an axe are you going to need a larger blade. The steel on the F1 is good, the blade geometry is just right, and it's a tough little thing.
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Oh sweet. I don't like the idea of using my knife as an axe. I could just... use an axe. Or a $7 machete from wal-mart.

Unfortunately I have had no experience with sharpening knives, and the convex edge daunts me
 
on ebay you can find a good old 119 or 120 made of 425m or 440c ....Buck's420 Hc is a very good steel too,but i dont know the fallkniven F1...its a good knife for sure but its a short blade...
 
The F1 is a great knife. I also have the fixed grip and the Rat5, and to me, the F1 beats them both.

If you don't mind going over $100, look at the Bark River Northstar or Candian Special.
 
Squeezymo said:
Unfortunately I have had no experience with sharpening knives, and the convex edge daunts me
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Then this is the knife for you! Sharpening a convex edge is pretty much idiot proof...much easier than a flat grind unless you have a nice sharpening system like a Sharpmaker and experience with it.

http://home.nycap.rr.com/sosak/convex.htm

Here is a nice introductory tutorial. Follow it, and I don't see how you can go wrong :)
 
Squeezymo said:
Sweet!

That is the kind of response I'm looking for
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Glad I could help...by the "idiot-proof" part, I meant that mousepad technique described at the bottom of the page...sharpening with a strop or on a hard surface is also pretty easy, but takes a little more practice.

Good luck...and I highly suggest the F1 btw.
 
I just got my first F1 last Friday and am very impressed. To me it's the perfect size knife.
 
I just got an F-1 and made a fuzz stick. Man that edge brought me the thinnest shavings I have ever made with a knife.

It is an A+ for Bushcraft
 
What about survival situations? I dunno, I still have some hang-ups on the 3 3/8" blade. Even if it doesn't make a difference, I still would rather get a bigger blade and not worry about it.

Any input on the RAT-5?
 
As far as blade size goes there is huge debates that go on often.

My input is that a small knife is more convient to carry thus more likely to have it on you. If I knew I was going into the woods for an indeterminant period of time, sure i would like a big womping chopper.

But most survival situations are not planned.
 
psy-ops said:
As far as blade size goes there is huge debates that go on often.

My input is that a small knife is more convient to carry thus more likely to have it on you. If I knew I was going into the woods for an indeterminant period of time, sure i would like a big womping chopper.

But most survival situations are not planned.
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Well do you think an F1 would suffice for survival just as well as a larger knife?
 
Squeezymo said:
Well do you think an F1 would suffice for survival just as well as a larger knife?
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That's too simple a question. Suffice for what tasks exactly? 3 3/8 inches is enough for anything you're going to need as far as cutting, and its easier to burn things in half than chop them. There are also was of "skirting" a tree with a smaller knife to get the same effect without actually chopping. Head on over to the survival forum, there's some good reading on this sort of thing there.:thumbup:
 
Midwest Ninja said:
That's too simple a question. Suffice for what tasks exactly? 3 3/8 inches is enough for anything you're going to need as far as cutting, and its easier to burn things in half than chop them. There are also was of "skirting" a tree with a smaller knife to get the same effect without actually chopping. Head on over to the survival forum, there's some good reading on this sort of thing there.:thumbup:
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I don't really like the idea of chopping wood with my knife, so good point. And, my mistake it is actually 3.8". But I live in AZ, and mountain lions are kind of a worry here.

Actually about a few months ago my dad went hiking in a sandy area, and to get back to his mountain bike he followed his footsteps back out. Turns out there were mountain lion tracks following his when he retraced his steps. I just like the idea of having a bigger knife than 3.8" for stabbin the beasts.

Where is the survival forum?!?!? I have been looking around for it but haven't found it!!
 
Dan Lequin said:
Buck 119 - 120 sharp and strong
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Dan Lequin said:
on ebay you can find a good old 119 or 120 made of 425m or 440c ....Buck's420 Hc is a very good steel too,but i dont know the fallkniven F1...its a good knife for sure but its a short blade...
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I guess some people just don't give up, no matter what the thread title or the OP says.:rolleyes:


Squeezymo said:
What about survival situations? I dunno, I still have some hang-ups on the 3 3/8" blade. Even if it doesn't make a difference, I still would rather get a bigger blade and not worry about it.

Any input on the RAT-5?
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Well, the Swedish Air Force doesn't seem to have a problem issuing the F1 as a survival knife, so, either they (the Swedish Air Force) have it all wrong, or the knife simply works. I guess it's up to you to decide.

"Mod. F1 is the official survival knife for pilots within the Swedish Air Force since 1995." http://www.fallkniven.com/a1f1/f1_en.htm

I have an F1 and wouldn't feel a bit slighted if it were the only knife I had in a "survival" situation. You might consider spending some time reading in the "Wilderness & Survival Skills" forum.;)

Squeezymo said:
Where is the survival forum?!?!? I have been looking around for it but haven't found it!!
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http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=692

Regards,
3G
 
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