Fallkniven dilemma! Can't choose!

jacobconroy75

"Brain Cloud" is real.
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I need some help with a decision yall. After agonizing between a Fallkniven F1L3Ggm and NL5 Idun for days....I can't make a decision! My plan is wear either in a Cricket sheath from JRE on the trail, but I need some help.

Does anyone own both of these? If so, how do you feel about them? What's your favorite. I'm an ultralight backpacker that splurges for knife weight. Four inches is as small as I'm willing to go and I like quality gear. I'll be using it to open packages, process wood for very small campfires, and might fillet a fish here and there. Whittling is not out of the question either. :)

Because I will be regularly battoning wood around 3 inches for the fire, the rat tang on the NL5 gives me pause. Thought on that?

The Idun is VG10. The F1L3Ggm is 3G. If the Idun was 3G my choice would be easy. Will I be missing out if I choose VG10 over 3G?

I'd be open to suggestions for comparable knives from different manufacturers. I have a Benchmade 162 and Bravo 1. Neither "does it" for me.

Show me the path folks! Any insight is appreciated.
 
Tough choice. How about the SK 1 Jarl. Really can't go wrong with any Fallkniven. I must say I've never heard of the idun being a rat tang. I believe the tang is plenty thick and has no problem batonning.
 
Neither the F1 fulltang or the NL5 are "lightweight" 4" blades, but the NL5 is lighter than the F1gm.
VG-10 is more than enough, for Your described criterias.
It takes and hold an edge for very long!

A regular Thermorun handled F1 in VG-10, will be more lightweight and still have a large tang for the job.
My choice of between the F1micarta and NL5, was the NL5.
This was several years ago and the NL5 has coped with a lot of hard duty's, without any trouble.


Regards
Mikael
 
As always Mikael is bang on. I have the F1L3Ggm and the NL5 Idun. There is a significant weight difference between them.
The NL5 is considerably lighter. But it has a wider handle which some people prefer. If you swing it there is slightly more impact from the heavier F1L3Ggm.
The NL5 blade is a bit more "Classic RWL drop-point hunter" style and wider than the F1 blade which is more a hunter-survival style as I call it.
The NL5 has an open top sheath while the F1L has a flap cover but there isn't much weight difference in the sheaths and the footprint is about the same.
The NL5 sheath shows off the leather handle. Both are such great knives that I think it will come down to nothing more than your personal taste, blade shape, leather or micarta, etc.
As I like the weight to be as un-noticeable as possible, I find myself using my basic thermorun F1 the most.
 
Thanks to everyone for the input. My search began as I started reading about the thermorun F1. Perhaps it would be wise to start with one of those to see how I like the Fallknivens. Again, if money was there to spend, would you prefer the 3G or VG-10 version?

I like the look of the Jarl and will probably pick up the SK 3. For now though, the more popular models should allow me to find a horizontal sheath more easily without having to have one made (and waiting for a month or two to get it).

Wonder how long it will take to have one of each? lol.
 
So your gonna get the SK 3 or is that a typo. I have a juni n love it but doesn't quite size up to the needs of fire making. It can be done, it's a solid little performer, but the jarl is better size wise. Pretty knives though. Good luck.
 
Still need a 4 inch (want it anyway). The SK 3 looks like it would be great for whittling.
 
Well, I just ordered a base-model VG-10 F1, a Spyderco Bushcraft, and a Mora Black. Maybe I'll finally decide what kind of grind I prefer.

Thank you all for the advice.
 
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