Fallkniven A1

I'm sorry to be digging this up again. I was about to order this morning when I started having second thoughts. I will always be able to carry more than one knife so maybe the A1 isn't the best choice after all. I just get the feeling that VG-10 will dull quickly cutting ropes and that kind of thing. I'd probably be better off getting a big chopper in 5160 and a small utility knife in D2 or something. Am I right or should I just go for the A1. Thanks.

If you'll be able to carry more than one knife, then you don't have to worry whether the A1 can slice tomatoes. :D Just carry a nice good small, thinner knife that can, and use the bigger knives for whatever you use them for.

I don't know where you got the feeling VG-10 would dull quickly cutting ropes, though. :confused: VG-10 holds and edge well, and rope is no exception.

But if you want two knives, then sure, two knives will do better than one in a wide range of tasks, obviously. A small slicer and a big chopper will both slice and chop better than a medium sized blade like the A1. Depending on the quality, it will be more expensive, though, and heavier to carry. That's how these trade-offs go.


As a way of comparison, how does VG10 hold up against 1095(corrosion resistance aside)

1095 is tougher in impact work, and not nearly as brittle as VG-10. But VG-10 will hold an edge longer in non-impact work, unless there's mystery heat treat on the 1095. :D
 
Elen, you're a life saver. Thanks so much. About the cutting ropes, that was just a guess based on bad experiences I've had with stainless steels. thanks again.
 
Elen, you're a life saver. Thanks so much. About the cutting ropes, that was just a guess based on bad experiences I've had with stainless steels. thanks again.

Stainless steels have a come a long way. :eek: It was once true that carbon steels were just plain superior in performance to them in every way except in corrosion resistance. That is no longer the case, fortunately. Although still, as a general rule, carbon steels tend to be tougher for impact work.
 
I still dont understand the need for BIG knives for just chopping.
Knives are made for CUTTING. You apply the blade to the material, then add force and the material separates in two. The impact on the blade is nearly none.
You can also cut by placing the blade on the material and pound down on the blade with something. It is still low impact on the blade because it already has contact with the material.
A comparable example. One person has a rifle and shoots with it. He is "afraid" of the recoil and holds the gun away from his shoulder. The gun moves that little extra and gives the guy a soar shoulder. The second guy takes the same weapon and does the same thing, but holds the gun tight and doesnt get a soar shoulder.
The same with knives.
You can split wood with a Mora knife that a medium size chopper cant, it is just how you use it.
So instead of bringing that huge chopper, get a 4-6" blade instead to baton on.
I myself never use an axe. I use an Fallkniven H1 instead.
 
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