Fallkniven F1 Folks

T

texasrimfirenut

Joined
Oct 13, 2013
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168
Going to purchase a second F1, just to have as a backup. Yup many folks with a prepper mentality like to have a duplicate of their most valuable tool, lol!

The 1st I got has the plastic sheath with it. I am not overly impressed with it but I find myself waist deep in water often fly fishing so I went with it. My A1 also has the plastic sheath, just cause I got it second hand and that's what it had with it.

On ordering the second F1, its only $5 more to get the leather sheath but is the leather sheath of any account? Is it any better than the plastic one? The plastic one is serviceable of course but don't like the noise it makes and even though I've only had it a short while the lock on it holding the knife in has lost most of its knife holding ability strength already.

Now why not just get the leather sheath and see which one you like better you idiot is what you are thinking. I agree but that brings me to the second question about the sheaths.

I am going to get the F1 with the black coating on it. I've heard the coating is not very durable at all. Would the leather sheath take part of the black coating off over time? Of course if the leather sheath is a keeper I could just switch sheaths since I won't really be using the second one with the black blade much at all but will probably pull it in/out of the sheath often not wanting to wear my black coating.

Bark River sells a sheath that is supposed to fit the ESEE or the F1 and it has the firesteel holder on it that I'd really like to have. Locating a kydex sheath with firesteel holder that will also attach to the belt for $50 or under seems impossible to find and I would be afraid the bark river leather one wouldn't hold up to the weekly trips in water during the spring while I do a lot of fishing.

So what say you all? And I know, I know! I've heard it many time ... I over think stuff way too much but I am sure there are some of you F1 users out there that already know the answers to my questions.
 
The Fallkniven F1 factory leather sheath is one of the better quality factory sheaths I have experienced. I am not a big fan of snap flap style sheaths nor black leather in general but it is sturdy and secure. I have 4 F1's with 2 of those being customs (Desert Ironwood, Stag). I would recommend you look beyond the Bark River offerings for a sheath for your F1 as there are many better options IMO.

Why do you want the black coating on a stainless blade?
 
The stock sheath or a custom kydex one would be best for your uses. Ive got a kydex sheath for my F1, although i got it without the optional firesteel holder. I got it from a UK maker and it didnt cost me that much. I can post pics later if you want.

A cordura sheath, like the Spec Ops Combat Master sheath, is an option too. They make a 4 inch version, but i think it might be slightly too big for the F1 maybe?
 
I use the FK open dangler and it's a good hard use sheath.
I also have the KSF F1 Forest sheath, with EEP treatment.
The KSF sheath is very elegant and it fits my custom F1 like a glove.

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Regards
Mikael
 
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I picked up a random Kydex for my F1 and made a little belt clip out of kydex so I could carry in shorts with an elastic waist.
The whole thing worked out so well I had Azwelke make one for my S1 and PHK. His sheaths and clips are much nicer than the F1 sheath but it still works fine.
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EDIT: The F1 and S1 started out with black coating. I stripped them when they became scratched and beat up to find a cool look under the coating.
The steel has a hazy Grey color that looks almost like a patina.
 
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I would go with a custom made sheath (personally)! I love my Fallkniven knife and I'm a fan of GOOD leather sheaths as well, just because they break in to how you use them... Ex: You draw your knife out YOUR own certain way, the leather smooths at certain points, breaks in and basically customizes itself (in my opinion). Also a good leather craftsman uses top notch leather that will last a lifetime! Skystorm Leatherworks is a personal favorite of mine! He makes awesome sheaths and makes them EXACTLY how you want them! BUT everyone has there own preferences and I'm sure there's gonna be 20 other posts saying kydex/plastic is the only way to go! It's just apples and oranges bro, but my opinion I would go w/ a custom leather sheath that's made just how you want it! If you get dead set on kydex/plastic, I got several buds that like their Bawidamann Blades PUP platform that allows you to customize your draw method as well. Hope this helps a little! Enjoy your new purchase and God bless you and yours!
 
The leather sheath is good if you like leather and the flap. I have the leather sheath with my F1.
 
The coating is not terrible but will wear. Looks cool though. The big advantage of coating is actually the longterm rust-prevention under the thermorun. (The local knife shop owner told me he has actually seen rust under the thermorun of a stripped F1.)

Further, there are kydex F1 sheaths on the big auction site for around 20/30 USD. Custom made Apocalypse kydex sheath with leather belt-loop, tek-lok, fire-steel loop and Maxpedition pouch will cost you around 95 USD.
 
The F1 leather sheath is very good, as others have said. I have both even though I only have one standard F1.

Two quick fixes for the issues with the plastic sheath:

- get a pair of those soft ear plugs you wear to protect your hearing, cut one in half and stuff it down the sheath. It will cushion the blade and minimise the rattle.

- wrap a rubber band around the retention clip that holds the knife in place. The extra pressure makes a huge difference to how well it holds the knife. I can hold mine upside down and shake it quite vigourously and it won't fall out.
 
i ordered my first F1 with the leather, and as embarrassing as it is, I will admit on its first trip out on my buddy's bass boat i cut clean thru the factory leather when trying to put it back in the sheath. :o I blamed it on the flap interfering (never have liked a flap on sheaths or holsters) and the fact that I was sitting down :D ....I ordered the zytel to replace it, and all my F1s have road in factory plastic ever since. theyre cheap, yet very functional imo
 
Im from Sweden and I always wanted the F1. Just started saving money, that otherwise would have gone to ps3 games or other trekking gear, i hope to be able to purchase it within two months. Although im a bit obsessed with keeping the weight down in my 85 litres backpack for wanderings/trekking(language barrier sry), i even cut my toothbrush in half, i dry my own food etc. but i concider the F1 to be worth its weight in gold. Does any other brand, Gerber, Buck, have anything comparable to the F1? It took eight years to develope, or so they say. If so, (and i guess they do), it would be awesome to hear the alternarives. By the way, Fällkniven/Fallkniven is swedish for "the folder knife", I always thought that was odd since they produce much more than folders. Im gonna follow up on the names origin and come back to you guys.
 
I wouldn't worry about the coating coming off your Fallkniven, because it will. But hey, I think it makes them look even better! My A1.....

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