Fallkniven F1, ESEE RC-3, ESEE Izula, Griptilian

freq18hz

freq18hz

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Mar 4, 2010
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Alright folks. If you had to choose 1 as an emergency always in your hiking pack knife, which would you choose and why? Very interested to hear from people who have hands on experience with all 4 of these. Also very interested to hear opinions on the different blade steels, rust, strength, and weight. I want something reliable that is as strong and lightweight as possible. Thanks!

BTW asking about the Griptilian folder, not the fixed.

-Freq
 
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Is 3 out of 4 OK??

I would rate em like so:
Izula....in the bag and don't worry bout it, but always know it's there.
RC 3...a little more versatile , have within reach at all times....
F 1......wear it, use it...it brings more spring to your step because it's on you..
F1 is THE PRIZE!!!!!:thumbup:
 
I'd go RC-3. Small (but not too small), tough, light, handy, affordable (though not cheap), warrented against even abuse.
 
The izula would be my highest rated bag knife as it is light weight and will get the job done in a pinch. Yo should use this with your reliable belt knife though.
 
I wonder, will the Griptilian (ritter or standard) fulfill this task properly? The blade is almost as long as the fallkniven and the RC-3, and it weighs about the same as an izula which has a much shorter and easier to rust blade.
 
I have the IZULA, RC-3 & RC-4 and several different benchmades.

I would choose a fixed blade for the scenario you described, so the Griptillian is out.

Out of the list given, I would pick the RC-3.
 
freq18hz said:
I wonder, will the Griptilian (ritter or standard) fulfill this task properly? The blade is almost as long as the fallkniven and the RC-3, and it weighs about the same as an izula which has a much shorter and easier to rust blade.
Click to expand...

DO NOT BUT THE GRIPTILIAN FIXED BLADE!!!!!!!! at least not the benchmade one, the ritter is fine
the tang is larger than the handles and not just a little, its alot bigger it really digs into your hand.

the rc-3/4 are awesome blades i sold my rc-4 and my second rc-3 but im keeping my other, i really like it.
the falkniven (my experiance is with the s1, about the same size just different blades) is also an awesome but but if you hit a rock or somthing harder than the steel its going to chip, where as the 1095 of the rc-3/4 will most likely roll.
 
I have the F1 and a RAT RC4, the other two I have no experience with.

Between the F1 and RC4 I would choose the F1 without question.

Not because the RC4 isn't a good knife, but because for me personally the F1 is more comfortable in the hand.

As for blade chipping, I use several Fallkniven knives side by side with various other blades and yes VG10 and SGPS can micro chip whereas 1095 and others will roll.

In my experience though the chipping/rolling on the edge resulted in similar amounts of edge damage when used for comparable tasks. By this I mean the knives only required sharpening to refresh the edge.

A damaged edge, is a damaged edge, it will need to be refreshed.

Kevin
 
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i dont have much experience with any but the izula...but i can say that it is a very capable little blade...if your looking to save weight, it would be a solid chioce...and i would stick with a fixed blade:D
 
Out of the list above I would have to go RC3MIL and Izula but would highly suggest RC4 and Izula. These two would be great together in your scenario,If you want reliable, strength and a very reasonable weight go with these two.IMHO. Also you cant beat the warranty and CS of ESEE great people.
 
It would seem to me though, that all these knives seem to have a plusses/drawbacks. Specifically:

PROS


Izula - Very strong and lighweight for its size. Easy way to carry some extra paracord on the handle and sheath. Comes with a whistle (woo woo). Unbeatable warranty. Easy to field sharpen.

Fallkniven - Premium quality knife. Very sturdy and thick for its size, premium VG10 steel holds an edge and resists corrosion. Very comfortable to hold, handle works well in all conditions, does not break down. Relatively light for the blade length.

ESEE-3 - Built like a tank. Big enough to baton. Holds an edge awesome, easy to field sharpen. Unbeatable warranty. Awesome jimping on the blade. A serious no nonsense knife.

Griptilian (folder) - Very light for its packed size. Great blade length for its size. Corrosion resistant, so it can sit in my pack without maintenance. Can be field sharpened. Very strong for a folder, can baton wood with it if necessary. Has F1/ESEE-3 blade length in a size/weight less than the Izula.


CONS:

ESEE-3 - bulky, heavy, rusts easier, costs the same as an F1. Possibility that it is so large, it will be left out of my pack/be too bulky or heavy.

Fallkniven F1- Expensive, bulky, heavy, ESEE has a better warranty. VG10 is hard to field sharpen. Blade can supposedly chip easier than other steels. Possibility that it is so large, it will be left out of my pack/be too bulky or heavy on the trail.

Izula - Small cutting surface. Skeletonized design reduces strength. Rusts easier. Sheath adds a lot of weight.

Griptilian - not as strong as a fixed blade

------------

It seems to me that for the following requirements that the Griptilian is the obvious choice:

Sole emergency/survival knife
Able to reside in pack at all times
Requires no maintenance, never have to touch it unless I need to
Will be able to build a shelter/baton wood if necessary



Anyone else care to chime in? I'm not looking for tacticool advice, or to further my knife sickness. I'm looking for real world, hopefully never have to be in an emergency knife advice. I am not hiding in a bunker with ammo boxes.

-Freq
 
They are all completely different, how could one choose?

At least you have top quality choises the pick from, pick the one you want and don't look back.
 
depending on the size of your pack i'd go with the esee3 and a sak (hiker). if the 3 is too big for your carry needs then get an izula and sak combo. why: 'cause they both have many ways to carry and are great for field use (easy to sharpen, trustworthy) and i'd bring the sak 'cause it has handy tools including a saw and it's small :D
 
I'd pick the izula for daily carry over just in a hiking pack, for that i'll chose a rc3,
i can't comment on the fallkniven but the grip i would leave at home on a hike, a Fixed blade is stronger and more reliable imo
 
Izula. It's lighter than the rest, and if it's an almost-never-use, always-have knife, weight is the biggest factor. Second is durability, only because each of them is pretty durable; for emergencies I'd want a fixed blade, and none of those fixed blades are going to fail you in regular uses.
 
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