fallkniven - general opinions?

[Lee D]

$130 did not get you 25% to 50% "more quality" than others that will do just as good a job. I can get a Becker BK2 (Companion) for 60% of the Fällkniven F1. I also find it rather amusing, and pitiful, actually, that the Fällkniven is made in Japan, not Sweden, yet commands a "European-made" price. The BK2 is US-made. And, no, the VG-10 does not justify that higher price or imply "higher quality."

Comparing the Campanion to the F1 is apples to oranges. I own both and the F1 gets used far more often than the Becker does, so I would suppose that alone justifies the higher price tag. Years ago I loved the idea of a sharpened prybar, but realistically its not a user friendly design. I suppose a better comparison would be a BK16, or an ESEE 3... I own those as well, and they are great knives, but some of us will still prefer the F1, making it well worth the price.

 

[Brisket]

Fallkniven is one of my favorite production brands and as with many other brands some models represent a better value than others. The Kraton handled F1, S1, H1 & A1 in VG-10 laminate are examples of those that are an excellent value as well as the U2 and WM1.

I think this thread needs some photos and less BS, so here are some Fallkniven pics.

WM1 3G

H1 with custom amber carved stag bone handle

F1 with custom desert ironwood handle

 

[Tasmaniac]

 

[KenHash]

$130 did not get you 25% to 50% "more quality" than others that will do just as good a job. I can get a Becker BK2 (Companion) for 60% of the Fällkniven F1. I also find it rather amusing, and pitiful, actually, that the Fällkniven is made in Japan, not Sweden, yet commands a "European-made" price. The BK2 is US-made. And, no, the VG-10 does not justify that higher price or imply "higher quality."

What exactly do you find "amusing and pitiful"? Because if you are suggesting that the Fallknivens should be cheaper because they are made in Japan and not Europe, then sorry but you have been oblivious to global trade patterns for the last 10 years. It's BECAUSE they're made in Seki (and by a Top maker no less) that they are very expensive. Companies like Cold Steel, SOG and others all moved the bulk of their production out of Japan to Taiwan 10 years ago because Seki manufacturing became too expensive.

 

[Tasmaniac]

What exactly do you find "amusing and pitiful"? Because if you are suggesting that the Fallknivens should be cheaper because they are made in Japan and not Europe, then soory but you have been oblivious to global trade patterns for the last 10 years. It's BECAUSE they're made in Seki (and by a Top maker no less) that they are very expensive. Companies like Cold Steel, SOG and others all moved their production out of Japan to Taiwan 10 yrears ago because Seki manufacturing became too expensive.

Excellent response :thumbup:

 

[Jhansenak47]

What exactly do you find "amusing and pitiful"? Because if you are suggesting that the Fallknivens should be cheaper because they are made in Japan and not Europe, then sorry but you have been oblivious to global trade patterns for the last 10 years. It's BECAUSE they're made in Seki (and by a Top maker no less) that they are very expensive. Companies like Cold Steel, SOG and others all moved the bulk of their production out of Japan to Taiwan 10 years ago because Seki manufacturing became too expensive.

Not to mention that fallkniven uses the higher end steels that cost more to manufacture as they have higher stone costs.

 

[calc]

I love their plastic sheaths. I generally hate sheaths that come with knives, but the A1 plastic is perfect for me.

I think this point needs to be highlighted. I'm very picky about sheaths as I like to belt carry. The Fallkniven sheaths, while not the prettiest, are extremely functional and perfect for belt carry (with the exception of the F1 only in the case of using a lanyard). And that in itself exemplifies Fallkniven products - above all, simply functional.

 

[beaconterraone]

Comparing the Campanion to the F1 is apples to oranges.

I suppose you're right; the BK2 is longer, much stronger, and higher value (quality to price ratio).

Years ago I loved the idea of a sharpened prybar, but realistically its not a user friendly design. I suppose a better comparison would be a BK16, or an ESEE 3... I own those as well, and they are great knives, but some of us will still prefer the F1, making it well worth the price.

Vanilla vs. chocolate, I suppose.

 

[beaconterraone]

What exactly do you find "amusing and pitiful"? Because if you are suggesting that the Fallknivens should be cheaper because they are made in Japan and not Europe, then sorry but you have been oblivious to global trade patterns for the last 10 years. It's BECAUSE they're made in Seki (and by a Top maker no less) that they are very expensive. Companies like Cold Steel, SOG and others all moved the bulk of their production out of Japan to Taiwan 10 years ago because Seki manufacturing became too expensive.

Moving production to Japan was for cheaper production costs than Sweden (and considering the price charged, considerably higher profit margins). Of course, Japanese production costs are the highest in Asia, for good reason. And, it's really sad that the Swedes' prime military knives are no longer made in Sweden.

 

[Allmenatwar]

What do you think of fallkniven?!!

Initially very disappointed with parts bin sheath from F1, poor handle fit around hand guard and out of box sharpness, however over time, some care on the blade and with a leather sheath the knife has more than proved itself hunting around the world. The blade does hold its edge, is not difficult to keep sharp and does not incline to rust. High price but probably worth it in the long run.

 

[Brisket]

I suppose you're right; the BK2 is longer, much stronger, and higher value (quality to price ratio).

Don't forget, the BK2 also makes for a better emergency boat anchor.

 

[Lee D]

I suppose you're right; the BK2 is longer, much stronger, and higher value (quality to price ratio).

I'm not 100% sure how you are so certain of that, considering you posted that you ordered your first Becker on the 21st.....having owned a BK2 since '04, I'm at least basing my opinion on 10 years experience with these knives.

 

[Tasmaniac]

Don't forget, the BK2 also makes for a better emergency boat anchor.

And it makes a handy dandy refrigerator stabber.

 

[22-rimfire]

$130 did not get you 25% to 50% "more quality" than others that will do just as good a job. I can get a Becker BK2 (Companion) for 60% of the Fällkniven F1. I also find it rather amusing, and pitiful, actually, that the Fällkniven is made in Japan, not Sweden, yet commands a "European-made" price. The BK2 is US-made. And, no, the VG-10 does not justify that higher price or imply "higher quality."

The percentages always apply to knives in a general sense. Is the BK-2 better than a Chinese Schrade? Probably, but is it 25 or 50% better? To some it is and to others it is not. Just because something is US made does not make it better. You will also note that the VG-10 is laminated and is a more expensive process versus a slab of 1095 in the BK-2. As others have said, the BK-2 is not a good comparison and perhaps the BK-17 would be a more apt comparison. But I get your point and it is a matter of personal preference.

Are Bark River knives a value over a Kabar Becker of similar size? Personal preference and willingness to spend the money for one over the other. I always have said that Kabar Becker knives are a good value when looking at price versus overall quality. I own a few Beckers (BK-2, BK-14, BK-15, BK-24, BK-16, and BK-7). By the same token, I much prefer other brands like Blackjack, Bark River, Fallkniven and so forth. But if I am going to beat a knife to death in the woods, I'll take the Becker or ESEE. I just don't treat knives like that.

As to the thread topic, I think Fallkniven knives are well made and a good choice. I personally don't care for the handles on the cheaper versions. My F1 has micarta handles.

 

[Chocula]

I have an A1 that I really like. It is heavy for extended carry, but I like the design, geometry, and sheath. Would like it more if it were of a thinner stock.
I originally had an F1 that I sold due to it being small for my hand and too think for such a little blade, but the quality left its impression and I picked up the A1 later.

 

[Mikael W]

Moving production to Japan was for cheaper production costs than Sweden (and considering the price charged, considerably higher profit margins). Of course, Japanese production costs are the highest in Asia, for good reason. And, it's really sad that the Swedes' prime military knives are no longer made in Sweden.

Nope!
Production costs are higher in Japan and Fällkniven has never been made in Sweden.
Sweden doesn't have any knifemaking companys, that equal the quality and production volumes of Hattori in Seki, Japan.

Regards
Mikael

 

[Brisket]

I have an A1 that I really like. It is heavy for extended carry, but I like the design, geometry, and sheath. Would like it more if it were of a thinner stock.
I originally had an F1 that I sold due to it being small for my hand and too think for such a little blade, but the quality left its impression and I picked up the A1 later.

Chocula, have you tried the S1? The blade is a little thicker (+.02") than the F1 but also has a longer blade (+1.3") and slightly longer handle (+.10").

 

[KenHash]

Moving production to Japan was for cheaper production costs than Sweden (and considering the price charged, considerably higher profit margins). Of course, Japanese production costs are the highest in Asia, for good reason. And, it's really sad that the Swedes' prime military knives are no longer made in Sweden.

Costs in Sweden were never the issue. Peter Hjortberger himself has stated that the traditional domestic Swedish knifemaking skill and technoglogy was not suited to make the types of knives he envinsioned. Costs per se in Sweden were never the issue, he would have had to import everything from machinery,workers, designers, everything that already existed in some other countries. Fallkniven orginally contracted with Linder in Solingen German to manufacture their knives. They then swirched to Hattori in Seki Japan. Fallkniven did not choose to manufacture in Japanfor the same
reasons U.S. companies manufacture in Taiwan and China. There it is clearly to cut costs below US productuion.

I don't know where you get the idea that the main military knife of the Swedish mikitary isn't
made in Sweden.

"The most commonly used knives used in the Swedish forces are the ordinary Mora knives."

http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/knivar/swed_knife.htm

 

[rustyrazor]

$130 did not get you 25% to 50% "more quality" than others that will do just as good a job. I can get a Becker BK2 (Companion) for 60% of the Fällkniven F1. I also find it rather amusing, and pitiful, actually, that the Fällkniven is made in Japan, not Sweden, yet commands a "European-made" price. The BK2 is US-made. And, no, the VG-10 does not justify that higher price or imply "higher quality."

It appears that either i didn't express myself properly or you read that 100% wrong and ran with it, so allow me to claify. Did i ever once say fallkniven was 25 to 50% more quality than becker? Nope, not once. I said people regard Beckers as quality knives as a reference, along with a few other brands if memory serves. I tend to agree with you "BECKERS ARE GREAT KNIVES" however, to clarify what i said, that for the money i spent (6+ years ago) on the F1 i would say i got my money's worth out of it time and again... to do the math, lets say $130/6 years and rounded gives me a knife that i paid approximately 21 dollars a year for... pretty good deal I recon. I can't see comparing the BK2 with the fallkniven F1 as any more relevant than comparing a porsche 911 turbo with a land rover discovery, but since you bought it up, here goes: BK2 weighs in at 1lb even, has a .250" thick blade at 5 1/4" long and an overall lenght of 10 1/2", while the F1 weighs in at 6oz, has a 3.8" blade, 0.180" thick and an overall length of 8.3". That being said, maybe someone looking for a knife to compare to the F1 might want something in the same ballpark, if this were a comparison thread... which it again, it's not. NO, VG-10 doesn't justify that much of a higher price, you're right. However the laminating process can't be as cheap as using 1095 can it? and if they did use 1095, who knows what they would have charged for one then... but again, that implies we are comparing two similar knives... and we just aren't. Furthermore, why do they have to justify the price to anyone?

 

[hiwa]

Excellent but overpriced. If you've money to burn, buy several.

Had the coin in the past , so I bought 5 F-1's , 3 S-1's , and an A-1. My favorite is right in the middle with the S1. The 5" blade size is really handy in the woods without getting too heavy to carry. Mine all have thermorun handles which I love. That stuff is really tough and gives great grip and minimal vibration transfer.

My users all get the convex steepened up a couple degrees to handle hard use and I've never had a problem with them. I have all the sheath types and by far prefer the plastic ones.