Fallkniven F1 or Bark River Aurora

[jackman2]

I posted this question in another section after learning of the existence of the latter. Figured the question was a better fit here.

I am looking for a gook all pupose backpacking / camping knife. I have a Game Warden which I usually carry, but I am looking for something slightly bigger. I have done a good deal of research on the Fallkniven F1 and was completely sold. It seemed to be everything I wanted.

Today I saw a picture of the Bark River Aurora and it blew me away. I have a Mini Canadian and I am very impressed with the overall quality of Bark River. But I have also heard great things about Fallkniven. I also have a Strider PTCC and I love smoothed G10.

What do you think? Which would you prefer and why? I understand the Aurora is more money, but I have some knives sitting around that I could trade or sell to get one. Is it worth spending the extra money? I know a lot of people swear by the F1.

 

[Col. Cornelius]

I have an Aurora and just love it. Mine has G10 orange scales. It is my primary bushcraft style knife.

I take it every camping trip and have used it alot in the past year. Based on my experience, I would highly reccomend it.

 

[soapboxpreacher]

I have an F1 and a bravo 1 but no Aurora. Not an apples to apples comparison but I tend to like my Fallknivens generally better...They make better Kool-Aid! I do not like the polished handle on the Barks. Yeah you can clean them and screw around with it but that is a pain...I have soaped it and now getting ready for some denatured alc. But still...I fine myself reaching for my S1 over me Bravo 1 all the time (Better comparison) But the F1 is probably my most used knife now. I really like it for far too many reasons...grip, grind, size, weight, and performance in all tasks expected from a knife of this length!

 

[jackman2]

Ya I know they are not the same knife, but I am going to buy one of them. Just looking for thoughts on which way to lean. I like the idea of the nice grip on the F1. Reminds me a little of the old Carbon V Master Hunter that I never bought. Always liked the look of that knife. Seemed like it would be nice to hold.

 

[soapboxpreacher]

Oh and the handle although not as tough on the F1 as the micarta or g10 but certainly no whimp, the F1 is far more grippy this to me is a big plus...wearing winter gloves or what not that handle will not move around in your hand...my Bravo did!! I also like the Vg10 stainless. I tend to be around water and moisture a lot and dont worry about corrosion. I have had no chipping with any of my Fallknivens. My A1 which has seen an absolute beat down just wont quit. After owning and using, Kabars, Ontarios, ESEE, and Barks I find myself reaching for my Fallknivens over all others. But warranty is better on a Bark...not really a huge selling point when you have a great knife that will last no matter what you do with it. Just my Kool-Aid induced 2 cents. Do the F1 I guarantee you will love it!

 

[sodak]

They are both high quality knives. I would focus on ergonomics and intended use. When I first bought an F1, I was surprised how small it was, much smaller than a CS Master Hunter (but it works well). But if you've got medium sized hands (like me) then it's perfect. If you are a large person, then it might be too small.

I love my F1, and doubt you'd go wrong with either.

 

[soapboxpreacher]

Ya I know they are not the same knife, but I am going to buy one of them. Just looking for thoughts on which way to lean. I like the idea of the nice grip on the F1. Reminds me a little of the old Carbon V Master Hunter that I never bought. Always liked the look of that knife. Seemed like it would be nice to hold.

I like the F1 handle better than the Master hunter (haven't held one from the Carbon V days, just vg1). I am yet to get hot spots from any Fallkniven handle...but neither from a micarta or g10 for that matter but just feel I have better control with the Fallkniven handles then the micartas. I like my Bravo 1 but it feels like an oversized steak knife for some dumb reason. Maybe that is my mental block...I dont know....I want to like it and I do I just like some other stuff better.

 

[Dag-nabit]

Based on my experience with both Fallkniven and Bark River, I can confidently recommend either knife based on quality, fit, and finish.

I had an Aurora Recurve, but gifted it without ever using it, so I can't provide a hands on opinion of of the Aurora specifically, but all my Bark Rivers serve me well.

As do my Fallknivens.

Personally I prefer wood or micarta handles and my F1 user is a micarta version. The exception being in cold weather, with gloved hands, then, like soapboxpreacher, I find the grippy thermorun handles a real plus. I generally don't use my knives in extremely wet/slippery service, but the thermorun would likely have an advantage in those conditions as well.

I find BRKT's A2 steel holds an edge well, and I have yet to have any issue with rust or corrosion. Fallkniven's laminated VG10 or 3G steels also hold an excellent edge and have the advantage of stainless if your work environment is wet or corrosive.

BRKT's lifetime warranty is a better offering than Fallkniven's 2 year warranty, but I don't feel it is indicative of overall quality, rather it represents a difference in philosophy. Bark River says; buy our knife and we stand behind it forever. Fallkniven says; we manufacture great knives, if there is a defect it should manifest itself within the first two years, after that we are confident the knife will last for generations.

Everything else is personal preference. The fit and feel of the knife in hand, how the blade shape/geometry will work for you, etc. can only be determined by ownership and use.

I know this isn't very helpful narrowing the choice, but buy either knife with confidence in quality.

Kevin

 

[Incahiker]

You can't go wrong with either, but I had an aurora (2 in fact) and sold both of them. They were ok, but the handles were just wayyyy.. to big for what I wanted. I like the BRKT North star much better then the Aurora. And the knife I like the most for the outdoors is the spyderco bushcraft. That knife feels awesome in the hand (handle isn't oversized like the aurora) and the O1 steel they use is really good.

 

[michaelm466]

Good recommendations here, you can't go wrong with either, I have the Bravo-1 as well, and while it is a smoother handle the ergonomics are so good it doesn't really need super grippiness. Also you can order/buy BRKTS in a Matte finish (unpolished) for extra grippiness if that's important to you, for the same price as the regular without special ordering. Another thing you may want to do is look at the BRKT Liten Bror. It's a smaller version of the Aurora with CPM-3V steel which will be tougher and hold an edge better than the other two. (it's my prefered steel for fixed blades) has a convex scandi grind and the blade is 3.77 inches much like the 3.8 inches of the F1.

 

[MVF]

Just in case this helps, I have a NorthStar that I love- except for the fact that the handle (Dark Curly Maple, in this case) is so slippery that I have come close to cutting myself so often I no longer trust it (or maybe I should say trust myself with it). There are Bark River knives with guards, but the ones I have seen (only 3) had fit & finish issues at the guard I found unacceptable at that price. As soon as I sell a few more things, I will be ordering an F1 that I have high hopes will be my everyday user.

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

Good recommendations here, you can't go wrong with either, I have the Bravo-1 as well, and while it is a smoother handle the ergonomics are so good it doesn't really need super grippiness. Also you can order/buy BRKTS in a Matte finish (unpolished) for extra grippiness if that's important to you, for the same price as the regular without special ordering. Another thing you may want to do is look at the BRKT Liten Bror. It's a smaller version of the Aurora with CPM-3V steel which will be tougher and hold an edge better than the other two. (it's my prefered steel for fixed blades) has a convex scandi grind and the blade is 3.77 inches much like the 3.8 inches of the F1.

Yeah I would go with the grippier handled bark river if that is a concern for you. I do think that the rubbery handles are underrated, and I have a knife that has a very similar construction to a fallkniven, and I like its handle (I believe it is kraton like the fallknivens) even though it isn't as expensive and in vogue as micarta or g-10.

Fallkniven gets excellent reviews from the people who have them, and that can't be denied. To me that is pretty good evidence that this knife will be very tough and dependable for you. I still wonder, however, whether they are overpriced for what you get, which is a good (but not great) stainless steel blade and a kraton handle. From what I have seen, their steels definitely aren't high up in the list in terms of edge retention. It sounds like Bark River's A2 is a better performer in that arena.

If you want a stainless blade, another option is a bark river in stainless ... it will cost you a pretty penny, but you are getting a top-knotch stainless (CPM 154).

 

[Rob_Angerer]

Seriously ==> Buy them both, handle them, use them... clean up the one you don't want to keep and sell it used on the forums. It'll cost you postage (twice) and a small "haircut" when seling a used blade, but to get the knife that is "right" for you and your usage, it's worth it, IMO. I don't think you'll regret the outlay.

A2 is tough and a good edge holder, but for backpacking, camping and such, not sure the maintenance aspects of a carbon steel are worth the hassle for a small knife that will be used for a big variety of tasks including food prep. (i.e. tough is a requirement for a big knife, not so much for small knife)

The good stainless blades are just so much easier to maintain when you are out and about for multiple days. And you only give up toughness, not edge holding, with good stainless (I'm assuming you'd carry a small sharpening stone/rod/stick of some kind for multiple day journey).

 

[soapboxpreacher]

Yeah I would go with the grippier handled bark river if that is a concern for you. I do think that the rubbery handles are underrated, and I have a knife that has a very similar construction to a fallkniven, and I like its handle (I believe it is kraton like the fallknivens) even though it isn't as expensive and in vogue as micarta or g-10.

Fallkniven gets excellent reviews from the people who have them, and that can't be denied. To me that is pretty good evidence that this knife will be very tough and dependable for you. I still wonder, however, whether they are overpriced for what you get, which is a good (but not great) stainless steel blade and a kraton handle. From what I have seen, their steels definitely aren't high up in the list in terms of edge retention. It sounds like Bark River's A2 is a better performer in that arena.

If you want a stainless blade, another option is a bark river in stainless ... it will cost you a pretty penny, but you are getting a top-knotch stainless (CPM 154).

Go check out a way over the top review/test of the Bravo 1 done on knifetests.com Noss who runs it, does some over the top stuff that no one would ever do but you do get to see exactly what a knife can take. I watched all the Bravo 1 d-test on that site and was disappointed in the A2 steel on the Bravo 1. It did not hold up well. It rolled, dinged and chip, didnt hold an edge well after many of the test. I know it is extreme but I like that and want to know the limits. This is better test then I have seen from anyone else and all tests are done pretty much the same to every knife he tests so you know once again exactly what it can handle. No guessing when I use the knife. The A2 did not live up to my expectations...I thought it would take more considering the rep and hype. Once again not my opinion but someone else test that prove my disappointment.

 

[Pilot1]

I have an F1, BRKT Bravo-1 and Gunny which is closer in size to the F1. The F1 is a small but very capable knife. It is a good all around choice as is its larger brother the S1. I don't have an Aurora, but everyone has said great things about it. I really like my Bravo-1 and Gunny, but I also like the F1 a lot. It comes down to stainless vs A2, although as others have said the Bravo-1 and Gunny can be had in stainless steel, but they will cost your more than the Fallknivens in general.

I bought the F1 first then have added the Barkies when I got to know them a bit. You can't go wrong with either. These days I do tend to grab the Bravo-1 more often, but that is because my F1 has become my dedicated flight bag knife. I really want an S1 also.

 

[jackman2]

Seriously ==> Buy them both, handle them, use them... clean up the one you don't want to keep and sell it used on the forums. It'll cost you postage (twice) and a small "haircut" when seling a used blade, but to get the knife that is "right" for you and your usage, it's worth it, IMO. I don't think you'll regret the outlay.

Haha. I can't tell you how many times I have done just this and still have both knives. I have hard time parting with my knives.

I am blown away by how many people are all about the F1. I figured the Bark River would be more popular. Based on the fact that it is cheaper and still preferred makes me think the F1 is for me.

The issue with no guard scares me. I love the look of the Northstar, but I look at that knife and see myself sliding my hand right onto the blade. Yikes.

 

[j man]

Thats a tuff one?
Get a Barkniven or a Fallknriver.

I love the F-1. Have two. Standard and 3G.
Love Barkys too.

Flip a coin. But i Bet you will have a F-1 by 2012.

 

[bear71]

Of course it's all about what you want to do with the knife. I have both, in fact I have 2 auroras in 3v (had to get one for the wife she kept stealing mine!), the Fallkniven is a great everyday use knife and the laminated steel is top notch. If i want to perform some serous wood processing or butchery I would go with the aurora every time, the grind from new is superb and with a light strop will come back to form.

Horses for courses

 

[sodak]

You're, uh, about 4 years too late.