Sorry if a rehash but I am about to pull the trigger on one of the knives listed in title... what would prefer for general camping & outdoor use? Not planning on batoning (but who knows in a pinch?) but want thoughts on steel options w each including toughness, maintenance, sharpening, and other factors you consider in such a choice.
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Fallkniven F1 Swedish Military vs BRKT Highland vs Rat Cutlery RC-4
- Thread starter D2FB
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I only have experience with the RC-4 and the Bravo-1....
Bravo-1 all the way. Great blade, bombproof, with an incredible grind! The handle is very ergonomic (at least for me), the thumb ramp doesn't get in my way at all, and even though the blade is VERY thick it till slices like crazy!!!! If you go with the Bravo-1, make sure to get the upgraded leather sheath - its awesome too!
As far as the RC-4 goes, its pretty good too, but the choil bothers me a lot. Feels like there's a lot of unused length there. The handle isn't as comfortable as the Bravo-1, and the full flat v-grind leaves a lot to be desired IMHO.
No experience with the Fallkniven, though I have heard good things.
Good luck! Let us know which way you go, and provide PICS!
Bravo-1 all the way. Great blade, bombproof, with an incredible grind! The handle is very ergonomic (at least for me), the thumb ramp doesn't get in my way at all, and even though the blade is VERY thick it till slices like crazy!!!! If you go with the Bravo-1, make sure to get the upgraded leather sheath - its awesome too!
As far as the RC-4 goes, its pretty good too, but the choil bothers me a lot. Feels like there's a lot of unused length there. The handle isn't as comfortable as the Bravo-1, and the full flat v-grind leaves a lot to be desired IMHO.
No experience with the Fallkniven, though I have heard good things.
Good luck! Let us know which way you go, and provide PICS!
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I absolutely love my RC-4 as its an indestructible knife and yet does every chore with ease and offers a lot of control. It is very well balanced and a comfortable grip. The fit/finish is superb and you cannot beat its warranty and Jeff/Mike are outstanding gentlemen.
I do enjoy the choil as it is well designed and helps add even more control for smaller cuts
I do enjoy the choil as it is well designed and helps add even more control for smaller cuts
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I find the Bravo a big big for most of the stuff I use a knife for but it's a heck of a nice knife.
I think the RAT and the Fallkniven are a more handy size for me.
In between the two I like the Fallkniven better because the grind is more useful the lack of choil and the fact that I think the VG 10 steel is a really great steel.
However the RAT and Fallkniven are both a little thicker in the blade than needed I think.
You might consider the Bark River Gunny which is around the size of the RAT and the Fallkniven, with a blade profile similar to the Fallkniven but somewhat thinner I think and yet it has the grind of the Bravo which I think cuts deeper than the Fallkniven or Rat out of the box.
I think the RAT and the Fallkniven are a more handy size for me.
In between the two I like the Fallkniven better because the grind is more useful the lack of choil and the fact that I think the VG 10 steel is a really great steel.
However the RAT and Fallkniven are both a little thicker in the blade than needed I think.
You might consider the Bark River Gunny which is around the size of the RAT and the Fallkniven, with a blade profile similar to the Fallkniven but somewhat thinner I think and yet it has the grind of the Bravo which I think cuts deeper than the Fallkniven or Rat out of the box.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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Three very similar knives, all good though different steels.
I only have the Highland, which I can recommend unreservedly for camping and outdoor activity. I do have a RAT HEST and a Fallkniven H1 and will vouch for their quality, as well. The Fallkniven is stainless, which might be a factor in damp climates. But the A2 and 1095 will be fine with even minimal maintenance, which you should be doing anyway.
You are not going to make a bad choice, whichever you pick.
I only have the Highland, which I can recommend unreservedly for camping and outdoor activity. I do have a RAT HEST and a Fallkniven H1 and will vouch for their quality, as well. The Fallkniven is stainless, which might be a factor in damp climates. But the A2 and 1095 will be fine with even minimal maintenance, which you should be doing anyway.
You are not going to make a bad choice, whichever you pick.
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If it was me id go for the Fallkniven F1.
Great size, laminated VG10 thats real tough, comes coated or satin. Fallkniven has (like the other manufacturers) a proven record and a great company that back their products up. The F1 is VERY popular here in Europe.
Something i think is very important when i buy a blade is the sheath. The F1 comes with 3 different options, 2 leather and 1 zytel, and theyre all great albeit the zytel sheath is real ugly IMO.
The F1 can also be bought as a blank blade and you can make your own handles if you please.
Great size, laminated VG10 thats real tough, comes coated or satin. Fallkniven has (like the other manufacturers) a proven record and a great company that back their products up. The F1 is VERY popular here in Europe.
Something i think is very important when i buy a blade is the sheath. The F1 comes with 3 different options, 2 leather and 1 zytel, and theyre all great albeit the zytel sheath is real ugly IMO.
The F1 can also be bought as a blank blade and you can make your own handles if you please.
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The F1 is one of those "if I only had one" blades. Pair it with a Concealex sheath from Normark for an absolutely classic match.
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I think the VG10 is close to as easy to sharpen as carbon steel(easier I think than D2 or 3v even)
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I have had several barkiese, just not the highland. I will never get a Rat for personal reasons so I will not pass judgment, but I do hate choils.
You really can't go wrong with any Barkie, but I just recently got to play with an F1 and all that I have to say is that the F1 is the next knife I will own.
You really can't go wrong with any Barkie, but I just recently got to play with an F1 and all that I have to say is that the F1 is the next knife I will own.
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i only own a Bravo1 (non stainless). it can sue take some abuse and it feels great in my hand...after a day of use some passes on the strop and its back to shaving hair.
F1 all the way, a superior design in my opinion. Virtually indestructible, doesn't need any maintenance due to the stainless, and is a very easy steel to sharpen (for me even!). I sharpen it quite acutely and it has lent itself very well to woodwork/carving, has made most benefits of my much thinner mora quite negligible for my uses in the woods.
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Flip a coin (a three sided coin 
). They are all nice knives. I have owned or currently own all three of them. All of them cut stuff. They are all tough, well made, well supported by their manufacturers, and well thought of on this forum. All of them will last you a lifetime or two with a modicum of care.
The RC-4 has a great sheath system that is extremely versatile. I like mine because I can go from a belt loop, to MOLLE, to a Tek-Lok with the same sheath. RAT really builds a lot of functionality into their sheaths. The high flat grind on the RC-4 really cuts well for such a thick blade.
The BRKT Highland is typical BRKT - meaning it is great. A2 is a great steel that takes a very fine edge easily and holds it. It is compact in size but still more than enough knife for most tasks. The Highland is kind of a classic.
The F1 is great too. They have some nice sheath options (I love the two kydex sheaths I have from On Scene Tactical, the OEM leather flap sheath is excellent, and JRE makes several great sheaths for these too). The ergos are quite good. VG10 steel is one of the only stainless steels that I like because it sharpens more like a carbon steel. The F1 is just a great all around knife.
So, like I said, flip a three sided coin if you can find one. Otherwise you will just have to get all three.
). They are all nice knives. I have owned or currently own all three of them. All of them cut stuff. They are all tough, well made, well supported by their manufacturers, and well thought of on this forum. All of them will last you a lifetime or two with a modicum of care.The RC-4 has a great sheath system that is extremely versatile. I like mine because I can go from a belt loop, to MOLLE, to a Tek-Lok with the same sheath. RAT really builds a lot of functionality into their sheaths. The high flat grind on the RC-4 really cuts well for such a thick blade.
The BRKT Highland is typical BRKT - meaning it is great. A2 is a great steel that takes a very fine edge easily and holds it. It is compact in size but still more than enough knife for most tasks. The Highland is kind of a classic.
The F1 is great too. They have some nice sheath options (I love the two kydex sheaths I have from On Scene Tactical, the OEM leather flap sheath is excellent, and JRE makes several great sheaths for these too). The ergos are quite good. VG10 steel is one of the only stainless steels that I like because it sharpens more like a carbon steel. The F1 is just a great all around knife.
So, like I said, flip a three sided coin if you can find one. Otherwise you will just have to get all three.
All 3 are very good blades.
My preference is the RC4. On mine I convexed the edge and it cuts like a razor. The sheath system allows me to set it up for carry in several different ways. The warranty and service from the guys at RAT cutlery make it even better.
RAT PACK# 103
My preference is the RC4. On mine I convexed the edge and it cuts like a razor. The sheath system allows me to set it up for carry in several different ways. The warranty and service from the guys at RAT cutlery make it even better.
RAT PACK# 103
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of your choices, i would go with the fallkie f1,
if other options are open, i would take my bark river canadian special. its on my belt pretty much at all times unless i'm in university or major public centers. at home, in the back yard and on the trail, the canadian special is always on my belt. its an awesome blade, great blade design, easy to sharpen, good steel and great sheath.
its based on a bomb proof design thats been around in canada for a very long time and it works really nicely.
my choice for a general purpose camp knife is a 7 inch fixed blade. that means it would be my bark river bravo 2 or cold steel srk. both are nice blades and serve their functions well.
if other options are open, i would take my bark river canadian special. its on my belt pretty much at all times unless i'm in university or major public centers. at home, in the back yard and on the trail, the canadian special is always on my belt. its an awesome blade, great blade design, easy to sharpen, good steel and great sheath.
its based on a bomb proof design thats been around in canada for a very long time and it works really nicely.
my choice for a general purpose camp knife is a 7 inch fixed blade. that means it would be my bark river bravo 2 or cold steel srk. both are nice blades and serve their functions well.
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I have (recently) batonned the F1 through 2 1/2" thick wood, pretty hard as well. Just an inch of the tip was protruding, which I hammered with another piece through the logs. No problem. All the thick branched on the left of thepic were batonned to 8 sizeable pieces each to keep the flames burning). The F1 is on the right of the pic in its sheath.
The final diner was great as well
The final diner was great as well