Fallkniven H1 feedback

deltablade

deltablade

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Jul 29, 2006
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I just got an H1, and am concerned that the handle with no guard will allow my hand to slip down on the blade. Have any of you used the knife in the field, for field dressing and such? could you comment on the practicality and safety of the handle design?
many thanks
 
I haven't used the H1, but i have used the S1 and F1 extensively... and my biggest concern about both of these knives has been just that. the blade steel keeps a good working edge, holds up well to abuse and is easily touched up on a diamond plate I have glued to the sheath. the handle can take a beating but when working in wet conditions or using the blade in a pushing motion I am extra careful with the lack of guard it has to keep my fingers slice free. so far so good, but I couldn't agree more with your observation.
 
When using knives with no guards, I always go for something with some belly to the handle and the thinnest part of the handle is where the little finger wraps around. This will stop the hand slipping up. Grip is more towards a katana grip than a fencing grip. Something like this
P1080701.jpg
 
that being the case if you're using this as a hunting knife or EDC, there's going to come a point where you're going to require multiple hand positions and with wet hands (or bloody) I wouldn't even consider a knife like this an option... the last thing you want with animal blood on your hands is to run your fingers up the little hump and across the blade. I cringe just looking at that.
 
Don't have one either, but have dressed alot of deer and used similar designs for field dressing. The net is I had to be very careful
and was concerned about a slip the whole time I used them, so I currently use only knives that have some time of guard integrated into the design. I know some folks dislike guards for woods or survival use, but have wondered how many of the scandinavian style knife fans have used them at dusk when their hands are stone numb and the knife handle is covered with fish or game slime. Maybe the scandinavians are good with it, but not me! In any case, Fallkniven makes a great knife but if you are not completely comfortable with it I would return and get one of the many other good hunting knives available such as the BRKT Fox River.
 
It's not even an issue for me.I have handled knives of all kinds for 40 years and never needed a guard on one.I don't however stab things or fight with knives, where I could see the need for a guard.

I have dressed dozens of deer with just a Case brand pocket folder.Butcher knives don't have guards because they aren't needed.What is needed is education in the proper way to handle a knife when dressing an animal.I'm sorry to be so harsh but there is never any need to stab or exert enough force for your hand to slip,even with blood soaked hands, when dressing or processing an animal.Think scapel,and the precise cuts a surgeon uses when you are processing an animal.The only difficult cut to make is along the side of the sternum to split the rib cage and you should use a draw cut there and not any kind of push cut.There is really no need to use a single push cut anywhere on a deer.The closest thing would be when opening the belly,which doesn't even have to be done if you can process it in a few hours.Even that cut should be very precise and guided as you use two fingers of your other hand to keep the guts out of the way.There should never be enough force used for your hand to slip.

A guard on my hunting knife would do nothing for me but get in my way.
 
Totaly agree, a guard on a hunting knife is just in the way, if you are push cutting to clean game, then you need to learn how to properly clean game.
 
just an observation guys... but the gentleman only asked about cleaning game as one possible example. there are other situations that could require different grasps and diffferent pressures, that being the case, maybe it's different where I'm from but hands do get cold and numb as mentioned by KYColonel a few posts up and when hands get cold, hands lose dexterity and when that happens, you may not notice your hand losing grip till it's too late. dunno... maybe i'm paranoid a little. i've handled a lot of knives with no guards and i've never slid my hand up the blade either.
 
The theory is you use the proper technique and the lack of a finger guard is manageable. For stabbing, you use what they call the two handed push stab grip. Hold the knife with one hand and push on the end with the other.

I acutally like some kind of finger guard that's not too large or in the way.
 
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Fine motor skills are the first thing to go when you are cold and wet, I consider a guard to be important, and it has nothing to do with skill or experience. I know a few major league knife makers that agree with having a guard, and can give real world examples of why they are necessary. I've butchered lots of animals, and a guard has never gotten in my way.
 
it's like a condom... better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. think protection guys, lol
 
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