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fallkniven A-1 or S-1

M

machinest

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Nov 11, 2006
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thinking of getting a survival, bushcraft knife, after reading a few reviews the fallkniven seems to be near the top of the list, which would be better the s1 or a1 or for those of you that have used a lot of knives, could you recomend something better in a production knife in this price range :)
 
I have gone through a lot of knives, customs and productions. If you decide to go the production route, there is nothing that the Rat RC4 and RC6 couldnt do. In fact, they are the only production knives I have left, all others are custom blades. This is just my opinion, and for the record, I have never used Falk blades before, but hear great things about them. I like being able to buy american when I can though.
 
S1. I like all Fallkniven knives I have used but the S1 is the perfect size for any chore a knife can be asked to perform.

If you have an S1 plus a good hatchet you can do anything.
 
I'd go for the S1 between it and the A1. Just a more practical size. But I'd also go for the F1 before it too.

Becker (made by KaBar), Bark River, and Rat Cutlery are other good brands to look into for the money.
 
I agree with Spooky. I have an S1 with custom desert ironwood handles and love it. But, for what you're talking about, I think the F1 would be a better choice. The blade's a little shorter and it's a little thinner as well. I would think it would be a better choice for bushcraft stuff--as far as FK knives go.
 
Fallkniven makes a quality product. I have an A1 and it's a very nice knife, but a bit of a beast. My brother has an S1 and seems to me that it would make a better all-purpose bushcraft/survival knife.
 
I haven't used either the S1 or A1.

I have however used other models in the Fallkniven range for close to 6 years.

Whilst there may be some that are their equal, IMO there are none that are better (especially if you don't want the steel to limit the environment you can use them in) :thumbup:




Kind regards
Mick
 
I would either pick the F1 or the S1. It depends on what kind of "knife mentality" you have. It also depends on where and when you are to carry the knife.

The F1 is more politically correct and doesnt threat anyone. The S1 is bordering to "murder-death-kill-rambo-ninja-dangerous-weapon" knife in the eyes of uneducated people.

The F1 does not chop at all but that is easily compensated if you use a baton.
The weight might also be an issue. The F1 you can easily carry around 24/7, even in a neck sheath if necessary. The S1, and especially the A1 are a bit too heavy.

If you get a S1 or A1, get yourself a WM1 or U2 as backup and hang it around your neck.

I myself use the F1 and H1 when bushcrafting and I bring the WM1 in a neck sheath and the U2 in my pocket.
Also if you have two knives you can use one for food and one for wood work.
 
As many have pointed I rather draw the line between A1 and F1.

F1 is a short bushcraft/multipurpose knife.
A1 is a (small) big knife with some chopping potential.
S1 sits somewhere between. In terms of utility knife the extra inches don't bring much and it is not big enough to be an efficient chopper.

That if you buy the "big knife as intermediate chopper" scheme.

So if you plan to do some chopping take the A1 if you want an utility knife take F1 (or H1).
 
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Get the A1.It's nice :thumbup:
The S1 is IMO too big for fine work and too small for heavier stuff.And for a knife of its size it has a pretty thick grind :)
 
I have the A1 and the F1 and i´m very happy with both. Ravaillac and ZombaiO are right on this one.
 
I have some experience with the A1. I have one in the coated black finish. I have to agree with most of the users with their comments about the A1. From my view, the A1 is a capable knife. Has some chopping potential with its 6inch+ blade. Batonning is great but cant split big-huge logs. Only thing I have a problem with that the tip can roll easy as if you were to stab them into a log a lot but other than that it is a sweet survival blade. For the S1 I only made feather sticks with them. I noticed that it is a tad bit thicker than the A1 but the flase edge is thinner. Don't if that will contribute to anything. Both come in the stain finish or the black one. shorter vs larger i guess.
 
The S1 would be a little easier to carry...I've found fixed blades over 5.5" too cumbersome for belt carry; there are excellent aftermarket sheaths and other "systems" to mitigate, but they often take away from the simplicity to carry.

With a few different techniques you can still compete with the better chopping performance of the A1. I skipped the A1 and went with the A2, but I would opt to carry the S1 as a on-body 24/7 fixed blade. I have carried the A2 in the pack if I need more leverage or chopping power.

ROCK6
 
If you are set on a stainless blade then the s-1 is the better choice. You actualy lose some funtionality with the larger blade while gaining little (lets face it chopping with a 6 inch blade is inefficient at best, the use of a baton is safer and more productive).

Myself I prefer carbon steel so the RAT cutlery RC4 fills this niche for me as far as a production piece goes. My favorite being my 5 1/2 inch bladed custom by G.L. Drew.

I also encourage you to get the wm-1 or another smaller blade for the fine work.
 
I have had the F1 & S1. I REALLY regret trading the F1. I will be replacing that F1 in the near future!! S1 did nothing for me in relation to its size, don't miss the S1 one bit. An F1 & small hatchet is golden. Just my opinion.
 
I have WM1 F1 and S1. S1 hands down. If you go WM1 or F1 you may well need a larger chopper ( knife or axe) If you go A1 you might need a smaller blade ( yeah yeah if you have the skills you can build a log cabin with a ULU made from a sharpened tin can, but.)
We get customers in the shop asking for F1's untill we put a S1 in their other hand. Then we sell S1's to F1's three to one. So I would strongly recommend putting either in your hand, before you pull the trigger.
Dbltap45apc.Horse for courses. I have a few rats, a R1 folder I love and EDC, R3 in D2 and an Izula ( I also love the R3 I just can't come to terms with the Izula) But I really don't think you can compare the performance of a 1095 blade to a laminate Vg10. If I could get a R3 configured in the VG10 420J laminate I may never buy another knife. Well maybe.
My understanding the Rat line was intended as a cheaper work horse line Nothing wrong with that and I love 'em for it, but I know which brand I'll be grabbing when the zombies arise.
Carl
 
wildmike said:
You actualy lose some funtionality with the larger blade while gaining little (lets face it chopping with a 6 inch blade is inefficient at best, the use of a baton is safer and more productive).
Click to expand...
Just to make it clear. I'd say A1 over S1 but I'd still get F1 over both.
 
I got the F1 3G after spending a lot of time reading and watching videos. A loong time. In the end, I am more than happy with this knife. It actually to this day stirs emotion in me. As a survival knife, that is the top of the heap as far as Falk knives go for survival/bushcraft. I didn't go for the A1 and S1 simply because of their size/specs. You should definitely get the F1, pair it up with a serious chopper, maybe something from RAT and you are set to go. FYI, the size of the F1 make it ideal for bushcraft, in the end you want a reliable flexible knife that wouldn't be a burden because its too big or too long or too heavy. Trust me on this, i know from experience.
 
I would get the F1 first, and A1 second. I am not a fan of the S1.

No one has mentioned the really skinny handle that the S1 comes with. Its thinner than that on the A1 or even F1. Don't know why.

I used to think that the S1 would be a good size, but in practice it was too short to chop, too thick to slice, the swedge interfered with batton work and the handle was too skinny for real comfort when carving. All personal preferece and if you got a different handle it wouldn't be bad.
 
think i will go with the f1 3.8 inch blade .180 thick and carry a machete for the heavy stuff, what is the handle material on the falks thermorun is this like hard plastic or rubbery any chance of it breaking or pealing off. also what would be a good sheath to go with this knife. regards jon.
 
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