fallkniven f-1

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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I posted a question similar to this earlier but it had several other things tied to it so I figured I'd give it a apce of it's own...just wanted some opinions on the fallkniven f-1 I'm looking for a camp knife That will also accomplish some basic bushcraft. My concerns are toughness, edge retention, ease of sharpening, and corrosion resistance. I don't own a convex grind blade but I believe that they can be maihntained and even sharpened with mere stropping. (please correct me if I'm wrong) Also I'm looking for a model with an exposed tang, do they all have these. any help would be appreciated, thanks.
 
The F1 is an excellent knife. It has an exposed tang, is beautifully convexed, and excells in corrosion resistance. Mine retains an edge well, about as well as you can expect from VG-10, which is excellent for a stainless. It is a hell of a knife and definately can be a do all kind of small fixed blade and still maintains a sheeple friendly apearance. The only thing I can complain about was the Kydex sheath I got with mine wasn't the nicest and I would expect more from a knife that was make so well. So I recommend leather for a purchase or you get a custom kydex done. Oh and also the finish wears easily, although this isn't a problem from the corrosion standpoint because of the laminated construction, but it does look like crap after using it for a while. The 420 on the outside is also soft and scratches easily. Hope this gives you some help.
 
No prob, I hope you get one. I'd rate mine a 8.5 on 1-10. The thing that I like about it most is that it is small enough to always have it with you and tuff enough to put some serious field time on. I would bet my life on this knife without a doubt. Good luck.
 
Get a Mora. You'll save mucho $, and you'd be surprised at how much of a beating they can take. Hell, for the price of an F1, you could get 7 or 8 Moras! They hold up pretty well for most basic bushcraft. Just a suggestion...
 
I'm not gonna talk you out of this one pal, sorry Mrs Riley, I don't have a Falkniven but I would not hesitate in getting one if I had spare funds.
I do have a Blackjack Grunt which has a convex edge and this is the sharpest knife I own and yes you can easily maintain the edge by stropping.
I believe that the Falknivens are even better than my Grunt ( better steel ) so yeah add one to your collection pal and make me jealous !!!:D :thumbup:
 
Fallkivens are very nicely made. I have an S-1 .I find the VG-10 to be an excellent steel ,holds an edge well but easy to sharpen. I did a test on old carpet which had lots of dirt and sand - a rough test. The edge held up well though the soft 420 obviously scratched.
 
riley-- you ave very good taste my friend.....:D the f-1 is an awesome knife..... well worth every penny....:thumbup: go for it....

i was totally surprised when i got it, seeing how i tend to prefer full tang knives... the convexed edge is sharper than all heck.... it is a great all around bush/camp knife..... mine has seen lots of use....

i ditched the factory sheath and scored a new sheath from eric(normark), with a firesteel loop on it..... it's much nicer and a lot more comfortable....here is a pic, but this isn't my knife, i still need to snap one of mine.... the sheaths are the same though.....:D

mike
f1.jpg
 
Great knife, and Normark's sheath is a perfect match. I've recently received a Fallkniven H1 (on loan) that is equally impressive.
 
Just to add a little confusion again Riley but have you thought about contacting Justin at Ranger knives and asking what he charges for one of these, as this looks and sounds to be a great knife...

http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/791805/

And despite what I said earlier, even though the Fallknivens are a better steel I still would not swap one,or any other stainless knife for my Grunt as to me the knife just feel right the ergonomics and everything is spot on.
The steel is AUS8 which is not a bad all round steel and on a knife as thick as this I don't think it matters too much anyway. Another bonus of the Grunt is that it can be had for $89.50 from newgraham...it says not in stock but that is usual for him and he will just order one in !!!
http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4993
 
If you are going for the F-1, consider hunting down the one with micarta handle... a few more bucks, but a real work of art, and much more comfortable in the hand. (IMO)

I also have the basic F-1, and it will do anything I want it to within reason.

It would be a mistake not to get a Fallkniven sharpening stone (daimond/ceramic) as well...

Just my 2 cents...

Doc
 
I've reported numerous times about my F-1. My wife got it and a Survival Sheath Systems Kydex belt sheath for me. The only thing that beats one or the other is the combination of the two. I've worked mine fairly hard and been able to bring the edge right back by stropping on a belt loaded with buffing compound. As reported previously, I (stupidly) managed to drop the knife, in the sheath, approximately forty feet from a lift. It landed point down in the sheath on concrete and there wasn't even an impact mark on the sheath. I'm sure that I'll buy other knives but not because I need to anymore. The F-1 is, and will remain, my EDC.
 
Thanks for the great advice guys..The opinions seem to say that I should go for it. I wa wondering what kind of finish the noncoated blades have..and for the people who own this, is it a big enough step in quality an durability above a mora to justify purchasing one, in you opinion, So far it seems that way to me. but this will be the most $ I've ever laid out on a single knife before so i just want to gather all the data I can first. Pit I do like that grunt, but 5&1/2 inch blade is just a little too long for my personal preference, Thanlks though.
 
I will also give the F1 a big thumbsup!

Can't go wrong with one and customer service is great. :)
 
RescueRiley said:
Thanks for the great advice guys..The opinions seem to say that I should go for it. I wa wondering what kind of finish the noncoated blades have..and for the people who own this, is it a big enough step in quality an durability above a mora to justify purchasing one, in you opinion, So far it seems that way to me. but this will be the most $ I've ever laid out on a single knife before so i just want to gather all the data I can first. Pit I do like that grunt, but 5&1/2 inch blade is just a little too long for my personal preference, Thanlks though.
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I've had this type of thought run through my mind a few times. What you have to remember is the knife is one of quaility, its well built, full tang (which is exposed at the back) Carrys a great name, and in my eyes is worth the extra money.
 
Go for it. Fallkniven makes some pretty amazing knives. I love mine. It is easy to sharpen and takes a really sharp edge.
 
any other opinions on the f-1...I understand it';s a good sturdy working knife...Built to last??
 
RescueRiley said:
Thanks for the great advice guys..The opinions seem to say that I should go for it. I wa wondering what kind of finish the noncoated blades have..and for the people who own this, is it a big enough step in quality an durability above a mora to justify purchasing one, in you opinion, So far it seems that way to me. but this will be the most $ I've ever laid out on a single knife before so i just want to gather all the data I can first. Pit I do like that grunt, but 5&1/2 inch blade is just a little too long for my personal preference, Thanlks though.
Click to expand...

Riley,

The black coating is just teflon and wears off. Somehow, my wife picked up the coated blade for the same price as the regular and her reasoning was that, even though the black wears away, the teflon is still in the pores of the steel and will still help prevent rust. She's so smart. I believe that the plain blade is a satin finish. Don't let teflon or plain be the deciding factor in getting an F-1. I'd take either one and be happy

Cutlery Shoppe has the standard blade with the leather sheath for 75.60 at: http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/index.asp?pageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6817

Once again, talk to Robert Humelbaugh at Survival Sheath Systems about a sheath for your brand new baby. He knows his stuff.

The only, and I mean only, issue that I've had with the F-1 is that when I run my thumb across the blade, it doesn't FEEL nearly as sharp as it is. Then I take it and scare the hair off my arm...and smile. This is just a product of me not being used to the convex edge.
 
The regular F1 has a brushed satin finish from spine to edge. If you hold it up to the light a certain way you can see the change in steel where they laminated the layers. They're pretty bulletproof, real no-nonsense without looking too tactical, been real happy with mine.
Compared with moras, the blade is twice as thick and i wouldn't hesitate using it to baton or stab and crack off wood for kindling, not something i would trust to a mora. The finish is excellent with a sharp corner on the spine that makes using a sparkrod real easy, compared to a mora where you have to file the spine to make it sharp enough. Finally, although i like my moras as backup to the F1 and they are great value for money, i don't think they're even in the same class. Spend the money, cry once, and be happy the rest of the time.
 
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