fallkniven A1 vs Esee 6 vs Ratmandu

[shunsui]

I like the design of the ESEE-6 the best. Full flat grind with a usable choil, large handle. The other two are pretty good knives though.

 

[soapboxpreacher]

Dag I agree with one of your points from my first hand experience. They are both excellent but I have found the same, the edge retention is better on y VG-10 but I think some of that if because of the convex grind. As for sharpening I find the Mouse pad to be very fast and forgiving, the 1095 is easy as well but requires a precise angle guide to put it on or a tricky freehand. I have put both knives (RC6 and the A1) under the loupe. The A1 has seen a tremendous amount of use more then the RC6, the edge is better on my A1 and seems to show no signs of letting up...I just wish I would have never got a coated one...the black coating that fallkniven puts in is GARBAGE! It comes off easy. Reason being it is on a stainless VG-10 steel and not a 1095 non-stainless.

 

[Falcor]

I live and work in a pretty humid climate and have experience with all three knives and firmly believe that all three are great. If I had to choose between them it would have to be the mission that decided which one to take because each has its own strengths.

I suggest that you list your top 3 requirements (only 3 - based upon the "The Rule of 3s") and then list the top 3 virtues of each knife as YOU see them, and you will find that the knife you need will jump right out at you. This only works if you are absolutely honest in your listings.

BTW, Swamp Rats do not rust anymore or less than 1095, you just need to keep on top of the rust prevention. The A1 of course does not have that issue and the VG10 core can really take and keep a good edge.

IMO, Rowen, the makers of the RC6 get the best out of 1095 and I doubt you will be able to tell the difference in practical terms with Swamp Rat. However if pushed to the extreme then of course the Swamp Rat will prevail.

Ergonomics is very much a personal thing, and I must agree that the Swamp Rat feels good in the hand for me, however I find that when I replace the rubber handle on the A1 or S1 with Marcarta, it feels good in the hand too.

I suggest you best define your mission and work from there - or buy all of them :thumbup:

 

[Dag-nabit]

Dag I agree with one of your points from my first hand experience. They are both excellent but I have found the same, the edge retention is better on y VG-10 but I think some of that if because of the convex grind. As for sharpening I find the Mouse pad to be very fast and forgiving, the 1095 is easy as well but requires a precise angle guide to put it on or a tricky freehand. I have put both knives (RC6 and the A1) under the loupe. The A1 has seen a tremendous amount of use more then the RC6, the edge is better on my A1 and seems to show no signs of letting up...I just wish I would have never got a coated one...the black coating that fallkniven puts in is GARBAGE! It comes off easy. Reason being it is on a stainless VG-10 steel and not a 1095 non-stainless.

I'm not sure if the edge holding on my RC4 is any better convexed vs V grind because I convexed the edge before I ever used it. I never had a chance to compare the V grind.

I agree that Fallkniven's CeraCoat 8H coating is very poor in terms of durability. Their website states "there are times when you want to avoid reflection from your blade" which I suppose is the only practical reason to coat a stainless blade. But if that is a desired function of the knife, then a durable coating would be sensible IMO.

I have to give full marks to ESEE on their coating. So far the coating on my RC4 is holding up very well. (but it doesn't get used much)

Kevin

 

[fudo]

I would go with the A1. I've had mine for about 12 years.:thumbup:

 

[mat_890]

Considering Fallkniven has no fan-forum on this site, I figure they have to be pretty good to get the recommendations they did

I have an A-1 that sees use, but not anything extreme. To make sure I wasn't dreaming about the edge holding ability I smashed it into so softwood as hard as I could 80-100 times. My arm hurts, but there is no visible damage under a x10 jewelers loupe. Also gave it a few wacks on a scrap piece of hardwood, again it hurt my arm but not the blade.

 

[sambo.]

But I have a hard time believing that its VG-10 stainless out performs the rowen 1095 that ESEE uses and the Swamp Rat's SR-101 steel in terms of holding an edge and ease of re-sharpening (both very well regarded non-stainless steels).

i was very pleasantly surprised at how easy the Lam VG-10 in my S1 was to sharpen up.

sure, it takes a little more effort than sharpening a carbon steel Mora 840, but i was amazed at just how little extra effort it took. the 3G steel in my WM1 is a little tougher again than the VG-10, but with a good diamond/ceramic stone, we're talking about a 5 min job on the WM1 opposed to a 2 minute job on the 840.

as for edge holding, i don't own an ESEE (yet) or a Busse, but i have never before had a knife that can dress out more than three feral pigs without needing, at least, a run across a steel.

As far as your concern with 1095, it sure sounds like the rowen heat treat that ESEE gives its knives makes the most of 1095 steel, and most ESEE owners say that it holds a great edge, although the SR-101 is almost unanimously regarded as better in this department.

everything i've heard about ESEE and Busse heat treating leads me to believe they do the job right.

in my mind, 1095 is the "Gold Standard" against which all other steel should be judged.

1095 is awesome stuff when it's done properly.

 

[alexander80]

Well. I love my Falki A1 and VG 10 wich I can sharpen to crazy sharpnes, BUT today I become owner of ESEE 6! ....this knife cut like crazy for 6 inch blade!!!
Become factory scary/shaving sharp and with nice sheath! Great slicer for this 6 inch blade! You can slice tommato and take picture trough them!
Some pics

:-D :-D :-D

I have and Scrap Yard 511 /very togh knife/ but came with factory no sheath and with dull edge! It is difficult to me to sharpen it and I give it to be reprofiled - thin convex edge.
I can not speak about ESEE 1095 edge holding vs Falki VG 10 VS ScYa Sr101, so I use ESEE6 just little now / I hope to use it intensive during hunting season/, But personaly in first impresion I like ESEE 6 more than Falk A1 and Scrap Yard 511! Just personal thinking! Time will show!