Recommendation? Fallkniven A1pro or TRC Apocalypse (L.CoS or Elmax)

Ah but you see that was a popularity contest.
Some of the best Steels,Geometries and HT are not widely available for the masses to truly have a full spectrum or picture of what they like best, people tend to repeat what they hear without going deeper as to why. Elmax is tough... BECAUSE that's why :D :p

Haha.

I got some Elmax laying around. I'll rock that stuff for thin Geometry and high HRC, takes a nice edge.

If I'm making a survival blade I'm not using Elmax. I'd push Vanax or CPM 154 into that role and support with thicker Geometry but with the added bonus of additional shock resistance over Elmax.

Of the non PM stainless I'd rock Lc200n, Nitro V and AEBL.

I've been focusing on laser thin Geometry for slicey knives because it seems there is a servere shortage of that for people to play with and I'm making everything by hand so I haven't had the time to do both. I figured there is never a shortage of thick knives though so I stick to my niche.

chumaman said:
DeadboxHero , 'one ''elmax'' swallow doesn't make a summer'......according to personal experience (elmax vs. M390) I am closer to the Russian position on this comparison ;)
After all it's up to the users .... I really have a lot of them who are extra happy with elmax .... cutting, sharpening etc.:) and not so happy with the M390 especially for sharpening ..... it plays a lot of user experience and knowledge ;)
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Twindog said:
Here are some results, in easy-to-see comparisons. The charts are from Bohler, and posted by BladeHQ.
https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Best-Knife-Steel-Guide--3368#m390
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I was in love with this site at first, however I found a couple of inconsistencies (e.g. CPM 3V and Elmax are rated as having the same corrosion resistance (I know Elmax is just barely characterised as stainless, but CPM 3V is not at all), and the VG10 rating just seems vay to harsh), so I'm a bit more cautious now. The diagrams are awesome though, I don't understand why not include a couple of more parameters and use those as a standard.
DeadboxHero said:
I have done a test with actual knives at great expensive to time and money to account for as many variables I could to the best of my abilities at the time.
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Yeah man, and thank you so much, fantastic job!. Independant tests, especially when conducted by obviously extremely knowledgable and dedicated people are, imho, essential for us mere mortals (with enough enthusiasm and interest) not to get caught up in the parallell dimension created by the evil marketing monster;))
DJC72 said:
While I like my A1 pro, and love the Cos steel, I find the Pro to be too thick at the spine. This new model looks solid.
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I find the A1x to be sort of nice also. In fact, I'm even considering switching my choice to it from the A1pro (if I go for it at the end;). But, theres no actual info on the ergonomics. From what little pictures are out there, the slabs seem quite "edgy", but it may be just the perspective. Also, with the new handle construction, there's added mass in the handle, so it's heavier (now pretty much 400g), and the balance will be different as well. A lot is different, but the thickness of the blade is the same as the A1pro.
hugofeynman said:
The A1 is a tested and proven knife. No Elmax knife in the world (thinner than 1/2”) can take the kind of abuse this Falkniven can. Just buy the damn A1!:D
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Stubai said:
Burschi, go with an A1 and don't look back. Servus!
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If they made the A1 in LCoS, I wouldn't hesitate for a second. To be honest, VG10 would most probably be enough for my purposes (especially how often I'll get to use it), but I would also certanly think about how it could have been "better" (mightier, prettier, whateverer). The utilitarian in me still hasn't given up on the A1, though. But if I let him win, I'll end up with a single 1095 blade, or something of that sort. Mmmmm no ;) :D

Guys, thanks again, I love it how the discussion has grown. If I got it correctly, the knives will essentially perform the same, that is, none should be problematic if I use it as a sane person. I think I also got it with the Elmax holding the edge longer, but lcos being perhaps a bit more tough. I think I'm leaning slightly toward the A1pro at this time (damn you Fallkniven for the A1x, if I like it when it comes out, I'll be really pissed!:D). I'll sleep on it one or two more times, and then flip a coin.

I'd still like to hear further experiences / thoughts.

Cheers
 
The TRC will be plenty durable. @Twindog and me just like to geek out and have disagreements. No biggie.

Get both :D

Gearo said:
I was in love with this site at first, however I found a couple of inconsistencies (e.g. CPM 3V and Elmax are rated as having the same corrosion resistance (I know Elmax is just barely characterised as stainless, but CPM 3V is not at all), and the VG10 rating just seems vay to harsh), so I'm a bit more cautious now. The diagrams are awesome though, I don't understand why not include a couple of more parameters and use those as a standard.

Yeah man, and thank you so much, fantastic job!. Independant tests, especially when conducted by obviously extremely knowledgable and dedicated people are, imho, essential for us mere mortals (with enough enthusiasm and interest) not to get caught up in the parallell dimension created by the evil marketing monster;))

I find the A1x to be sort of nice also. In fact, I'm even considering switching my choice to it from the A1pro (if I go for it at the end;). But, theres no actual info on the ergonomics. From what little pictures are out there, the slabs seem quite "edgy", but it may be just the perspective. Also, with the new handle construction, there's added mass in the handle, so it's heavier (now pretty much 400g), and the balance will be different as well. A lot is different, but the thickness of the blade is the same as the A1pro.


If they made the A1 in LCoS, I wouldn't hesitate for a second. To be honest, VG10 would most probably be enough for my purposes (especially how often I'll get to use it), but I would also certanly think about how it could have been "better" (mightier, prettier, whateverer). The utilitarian in me still hasn't given up on the A1, though. But if I let him win, I'll end up with a single 1095 blade, or something of that sort. Mmmmm no ;) :D

Guys, thanks again, I love it how the discussion has grown. If I got it correctly, the knives will essentially perform the same, that is, none should be problematic if I use it as a sane person. I think I also got it with the Elmax holding the edge longer, but lcos being perhaps a bit more tough. I think I'm leaning slightly toward the A1pro at this time (damn you Fallkniven for the A1x, if I like it when it comes out, I'll be really pissed!:D). I'll sleep on it one or two more times, and then flip a coin.

I'd still like to hear further experiences / thoughts.

Cheers
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Gearo said:
Hi there. I'm about to get one of those. For the past four weeks. Before that I've read everything I could get my hands on considering the steels, heat treatment and general knife construction, but that seemed to only make things worse:D So please, I need help - what are your experiences, thaughts, opinions about the knives/steels, what are the main advantages/disadvantages (which one is better for what activities) etc. Which one would you get yourself and why?
I'm leaving out the details about the exact intended usage in order to try and start a more general discussion. In my humble opinion, these could be the "best" knives in this category, so I'm kind of surprised there isn't more threads like this already.
Thanks!
Greetings from Vienna, Austria
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:) I don't know prices or availably for you , and you didn't ask about this knife ...but you might consider a Cold Steel CPM 3V SRK .

Not stainless , but should be very tough . :cool:
 
DeadboxHero said:
BECAUSE that's why :D :p

Haha.

I've been focusing on laser thin Geometry for slicey knives because it seems there is a servere shortage of that for people to play with and I'm making everything by hand so I haven't had the time to do both. I figured there is never a shortage of thick knives though so I stick to my niche.
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Of course .... geometry and very thin:p:thumbsup:
 
I think the Fallkniven is more versatile while doing everything the Apocalypse can. The A1 has a shorter blade height which allow for more control. As well as a convex; which is a more versatile grind. The handle is good in all weather while the TRC's tang protrudes a mm outside the scales and will get cold in the winter. I wrestled with this very question and just bought the A1 Pro for these minor albeit decisive reasons.
 
Any videos of testing?
Twindog said:
I varied the geometry and could easily see a big difference between a 30 degree inclusive edge and a 40 degree inclusive edge on the same steel blade, but I could not quantify it. I could see a big difference between certain steels (V4E and A2), but, again, I could not quantify the difference. I could not see a difference between V4E and 3V, but I know that 3V should be tougher.

It's like having two balls, and one is 30 percent bouncier than the other. If you throw them both against a wall a few times, you'll easily discover which ball is bouncier. But you won't be able to say it's 30 percent bouncier.
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