Fallkniven F1 vs. Bark River Custom Highland Special

LightGuy

LightGuy

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I was about to pull the trigger on the Fallkniven F1 until I found it had a rubberized handle. I just can't get past it for some reason..

I found this 4" Bark River Custom Highland Special that seems to completely fit the bill (albeit at double the cost..)

The F1 has quite a following..does this Bark River compete? How does the Bark River's CPM S35VN compete agains the F1's laminated VG10?

Here's the one I'm considering getting:

http://www.the-knife-connection.com/br-custhighspec-bog10.html

Thanks for your thoughts on this before I pull the trigger!
 
I own several Bark River and Fallkniven knives. Both are top notch, quality built knives with excellent fit and finish. I don't have any Bark Rivers in that particular steel so I can't comment on it.

You can't go wrong with either brand. IMO

Fallkniven offers the F1 with micarta handles, the micarta version is quite a bit more money because it is also hand built and finished by a single craftsman (semi custom). My F1 user is the micarta version and I really like it.

You can also get custom handled F1's with the handles done by Bark River. Knives Ship Free and some of the other Bark River stocking dealers carry them. They are done in limited runs, so you may have to wait to find one that suits your taste.

Kevin

F1 Black Micarta - No longer vavailable
FallknivenF1-BlackMicarta-3.jpg


F1 Ivory Micarta
FallknivenF1-IvoryMicarta-1.jpg


F1 Maroon Micarta
FallknivenF1-MaroonMicarta-3.jpg


F1 Custom by Bark River
FallknivenF1-DIBTurquoise-1.jpg
 
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That paticular BRKT is a very fine knife and the steel is reportedly superior to that used in the F1.

However the F1's Thermorun handle is waaaay superior to every other rubber handled knife I've ever seen. It is far harder and more durable than the kraton used by Cold Steel and several other manufacturers. I was a little iffy on the F1 at first as well...until I got one and started using it. Now I can't say enough good about them. Get the F1. You will be amazed at how good it really is.
 
I would have agreed with you on the steel part until I saw a Bravo 1 get completely f'ed up by Noss at knifetests.com. I love both but the Bark will have a slicker handle that is not very friendly in the wet. My Bravo 1 will slide around in the wet (waxed micarta) and the cold. The F1 I have is tacky and will stay put. The Bark handle will take more abuse because it is micarta over kraton/Thermorun. But I just like how the F1 seems to stick to my hand...I never worry about it slipping out on a heavy force task! The Kraton/Thermorun is certainly not the same as the kraton CS uses, I have held a Master Hunter just recently and it actually felt harder where as the F1 was a softer feel. I do really like that Bark you are considering but my F1 is among my favorites in my now growing collection.
 
well, if i were in your boat I would think of the following. What grind do I want? Blade shape? Where it is made? Handle? How am I going to use it? I often go to youtube for knife reviews, and warranty. What steel type do I want (or want to try)? Some many things. In the end it's yours, what will make you happy? The history of the blade is also somthing to think about, for me.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
I would have agreed with you on the steel part until I saw a Bravo 1 get completely f'ed up by Noss at knifetests.com. I love both but the Bark will have a slicker handle that is not very friendly in the wet. My Bravo 1 will slide around in the wet (waxed micarta) and the cold. The F1 I have is tacky and will stay put. The Bark handle will take more abuse because it is micarta over kraton/Thermorun. But I just like how the F1 seems to stick to my hand...I never worry about it slipping out on a heavy force task! The Kraton/Thermorun is certainly not the same as the kraton CS uses, I have held a Master Hunter just recently and it actually felt harder where as the F1 was a softer feel. I do really like that Bark you are considering but my F1 is among my favorites in my now growing collection.
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Thanks for the input. I saw those videos at knifetests.com, but that Bravo 1 was using the A2 steel. The Custom Highland Special is using CPM S35VN - a completely different beast. I didn't see him test this steel on knifetests.com.
 
Dag-nabit said:
You can also get custom handled F1's with the handles done by Bark River. Knives Ship Free and some of the other Bark River stocking dealers carry them. They are done in limited runs, so you may have to wait to find one that suits your taste.

Kevin
Click to expand...

Those micarta versions are beautiful! Unfortunately I haven't seen the F1 offered in micarta by anyone for less than $260. $200 is pressing my limit on this 4" blade purchase....besides, I find it hard to pay an extra 150% just for micarta handles on a knife... $110 vs. $260??

If someone has them for ~$200 please point me in the right direction!
 
wildmike said:
That paticular BRKT is a very fine knife and the steel is reportedly superior to that used in the F1.

However the F1's Thermorun handle is waaaay superior to every other rubber handled knife I've ever seen. It is far harder and more durable than the kraton used by Cold Steel and several other manufacturers. I was a little iffy on the F1 at first as well...until I got one and started using it. Now I can't say enough good about them. Get the F1. You will be amazed at how good it really is.
Click to expand...
How does it handle accidental cuts? The thing that I like about Respirene C handles (Swamp Rat) is that if you accidentally cut them (I have), you can repair them with a lighter. You can re-melt it back together, it doesn't look good, but it works. I am wondering if anyone has tried this with the Thermorun. It would be great if Thermorun could be repaired in the same manner.

Not a deal breaker or anything, but nice to know. It's come in handy for me once or twice.
 
LightGuy said:
Those micarta versions are beautiful! Unfortunately I haven't seen the F1 offered in micarta by anyone for less than $260. $200 is pressing my limit on this 4" blade purchase....besides, I find it hard to pay an extra 150% just for micarta handles on a knife... $110 vs. $260??

If someone has them for ~$200 please point me in the right direction!
Click to expand...

As I mentioned above, the additional cost of the F1 micarta isn't just for the micarta handle material. The micarta version is hand crafted by one individual knife smith. It is a semi custom production knife. A good portion of the additional cost is for labor. If you handle both versions, the F1 micarta is a very different knife in the hand.

That said, the standard F1 with thermorun handles is also an excellent knife in it's own right. It was developed as a survival knife for the Swedish air force. It is possible for a downed Swedish pilot to find himself in arctic conditions. The full thermorun handle (no exposed tang subjecting a bare hand to freezing metal) is designed to work well in a variety of environments. The grippy thermorun works well in a gloved hand, and in wet or slippery situations. It also washes up easily.

With the exception of the high quality VG10 steel used, the F1 is designed as a no frills, utilitarian, get the job done knife, offered at an affordable price. (There may be a few of the Ltd Edition 3G versions still available)

Bark River knives are also semi custom hand finished production knives. I own several and consider them to be in the same class as Fallkniven with respect to quality, performance, and fit and finish.

Both Fallkniven and Bark River are convex ground blades.

You seem to be leaning toward the Bark River, so go for it. You can always pick up a Fallkniven down the road when you have some spare knife cash again. :thumbup:

Kevin
 
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LightGuy said:
Thanks for the input. I saw those videos at knifetests.com, but that Bravo 1 was using the A2 steel. The Custom Highland Special is using CPM S35VN - a completely different beast. I didn't see him test this steel on knifetests.com.
Click to expand...

Yeah you are right. I saw the specs on the A2 vs S35V and the toughness rating is much higher on A2. If that is the case and A2 fended like it did, S35VN wouldnt do as well.
 
The F1 with micarta has a different blank/tang on it. It is a bigger blank so it can go end to end so the micarta sandwiches the steel tang. The Thermorun handle version has a slightly smaller blank so the Thermorun can go around it. I like the look of the micarta but I would rather use the Thermorun because it is more tacky. Also, I am not a fan of the waxed micarta...the gloss finish is nice to look at but I have found with my other waxed micarta to be not as nice in the wet or cold compared to the non-waxed micarta. Just my opinion...the handle is a personal preference.
 
I don't exactly get those knife destruction tests. I do like knowing the limitations of a tool, I suppose. Yet, I've never broken a knife, or treated them like prybars and/or hammers, used a hammer on a knife, or cut through concrete. That's just me.
I just got the BRKT custom highland special. All I can say is that it looks great, feels very nice in hand, the usual quality sheath. It does cut, although it's .195 thick. That may be some issue, depending on use. I haven't owned it long enough to make any real judgement. The G-10 handle on mine is a bit slick, one could sand it to make it more rough.
 
foxx said:
There is a new "Custom" version, with thicker .195" CPM S35VN.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've been thinking about getting that one too for the corrosion resistance. But for now I'm content to test the good ol' A2 version out.
 
LightGuy said:
Those micarta versions are beautiful! Unfortunately I haven't seen the F1 offered in micarta by anyone for less than $260. $200 is pressing my limit on this 4" blade purchase....besides, I find it hard to pay an extra 150% just for micarta handles on a knife... $110 vs. $260??

If someone has them for ~$200 please point me in the right direction!
Click to expand...

Allow me to point you in the right direction....

Buy a F1 blade $100
Micarta material $ 10
Fashion the Micarta to the blade..
Total $110
Knowing you designed your own F1.................Priceless:thumbup:

F1build001.jpg


F1build010-1.jpg
 
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Dag-nabit said:
As I mentioned above, the additional cost of the F1 micarta isn't just for the micarta handle material. The micarta version is hand crafted by one individual knife smith. It is a semi custom production knife. A good portion of the additional cost is for labor. If you handle both versions, the F1 micarta is a very different knife in the hand.
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I was not aware of that, either, and had always wondered at the "outragous" premium for a micarta handle. Still, I wish FK would make a regular production knife with the micarta handles at a price closer to the thermorun handles as I would much prefer micarta but am just not willing to pay the premium for a "semi-custom" F1. :o
 
Spite being Swedish, I recommend the Highland Special. I pre-ordered mine in Olivewood with a drop edge. This is as close to custom as you would get without breaking the bank. S35VN has the upper hand compared with VG10. If I was to buy an F1 it would have to be 3G.

//Rickard//
 
Thanks for all the replies. To avoid the extra work of making/obtaining Micarta handles for the F1, I'm leaning toward the Custom Highland Special.

One last question - for those of you that have one - how are the ergos on the handle? It looks a little "square-ish" and I'm just wondering how comfortable it is to use.

Thanks again for all the input!
 
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If you need stainless, the Bark River in CPM S35VN is hard to beat. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:



Though I really like the performance of Bark River's regular A2 steel.





Big Mike
 
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