FALLKNIVEN F-1: Initial thoughts

[Hansen]

Just rec'd my Fallkniven F-1 in the mail, and while this is not a complete review, this is what I think of it so far:
1. Bought it at a good price from Discount Knives - they had the best price. It is a very inexpensive knife, considering it is of such high quality.
2. Overall appearance is great - smooth lines, well designed and generally a beautiful knife.
3. Handle is a VERY HARD Rubber type material; like hard kraton - hard, but not too hard. I think just perfect. Seems it will be more durable than Kraton.
4. Blade is quite thick (3/16"), 4" long, and has plenty belly for skinning. I love drop points - and she's got one.
5. Sheath is VERY high quality black leather. I would have preferred kydex, or a leather sheath that didn't have such a large snap-button flap; in fact I would have preferred no snap-flap at all. This is definitely NOT a quick-draw sheath - oh well, can't have everything.

Overall, this blade is made very well, feels good, looks good, and is a bargain - I highly recommend it.

 

I just received the same blade a few days ago for the October jungle trip. I like everything, so far, but the handle. A little small for my hand and needs a slight more palm swell for me. Otherwise it seems to be a good piece. Should make a good hunter/camp knife. We shall see.....Jeff


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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

 

[Hansen]

Jeff,
Funny I was going to email you and ask if you would take one of these F-1's to the jungle and do a review of it. Seems to me the VG-10 Stain Resistant Steel would be excellent in the tropics. I agree with you the handle could use a little more swell, but you must have HUGE hands, 'cause everyone says I have big hands, and I find the handle just right. I really enjoy reading your knife reviews on your web site, and look forward to reading about the F-1 in the future. God willing, I will be able to accompany you some day to the Amazon. Happy Trails,
-Dennis Hansen

 

[Griffon]

Sheath is VERY high quality black leather. I would have preferred kydex, or a leather sheath that didn't have such a large snap-button flap; in fact I would have preferred no snap-flap at all. This is definitely NOT a quick-draw sheath - oh well, can't have everything.

In this case, there <strong>is</strong> an open dangler sheath as an alternative.

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Urban Fredriksson
www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
See above for:
* The F1's aircrew sheath photo

 

[James Mattis]

The open dangler sheath for the F1 is also not exactly a quick-draw design, since it is a tight fit of leather to grip, designed to make sure the knife is there when you need it - a variation of the traditional Scandinavian low-ride deep-pouch design.

And it may be that not everybody has the low-ride pouch sheath available, since Fallkniven's US distributor was not, last time I checked, importing every variation in the line - like the low ride pouch version of the F1, or the black-blade A1. I get those from their Canadian distributor.

Look for the F1 and the WM to be available with Micarta handles in a few months.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001