FALLKNIVEN knifes

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KWHunter

Joined
Feb 18, 2008
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I'm thinking to buy a FALLKNIVEN to use as my hunting knife; I'm not familiar with neither the brand and models, nor the material of the blade.
Is it a good choice? The price would say so but I would like some educated opinions.
I'm looking at the Frey and A1.
Thanks.
 
Excellent knives. They use VG-10 (laminated IIRC) and a powdered steel called 3G.

I have used a F1 for a long time (VG-10) and it's my go to blade for winter or if I might run into tough conditions.

Great feel in the hand, excellent sheaths (I have only used the leather ones) and take and hold an edge very well.

My only complaint, very small one really, is since I'm used to carbon steel blades, it takes a little more effort to put an edge on it. Very minor in the scheme of things though. There 3G steel is pricey as well. IMHO I'd stick with the VG-10. They have used it for years, and it costs less.

Can't go wrong with them. Hope that helps.

Oh, and welcome to BF :)
 
Fallkniven knives are very well thought of on the forums.
 
Can't say enough good things about my A1, although being the weight it is I'm not sure about its usefullness in hunting. Just seems too hefty. Although not being a hunter myself as yet, I base this opinion on no professional foundation. It is quite a blade, though.
I hear great things about the H1 for hunting purposes.
I use my A1 as a camp knife, and i haven't needed to take a hatchet since i bought it..
 
Fallkniven knives are OK! The lam. VG10 steel is good, the 3G steel is even better! (Check out the TK 1, 2, 5 and 6 for hunting knives in 3G steel)
 
I would go with either the F1 (TK1/2) or H1 or WM1 (TK5/6) for a hunting knife.
Over here in Sweden the WM1 is popular as a hunting knife because it is not longer than your index finger when gutting a moose.

The F1 is popular with the military (and such) and as a general purpose outdoor knife (complemented with a Bahco saw and a good multitool).

The S1 or A1 is good as a camping knive. Hovever a folding Bahco saw is safer for cutting branches and firewood than chopping away like a mad man :)

The good thing with Fallkniven is that they have like a two dimensional instead of a linear product range. Start with the F1, if too small, choose a S1 or A1 or A2, if too large, choose a WM1, if too boring and big choose a TK5/6, just boring, a Micarta F1 or TK1/2 or NL5 and so on. There is a Fallkniven for everyone, except for me, and some other strange guys, who has been infected with the Fallkniven virus and cant have enough of them. I have 33 and more coming in. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXO30YHopw
24 F1 + A1 + 3 S1 + H1 + 3 WM1 + U2 = http://hem.passagen.se/nodh
 
For hunting definitely consider the H1 which was designed for just that.

Fallknivens may seem unusual with their thick blades and convex edges, but the combination works extremely well.
 
Fällknivens are good knives, great cutters, and still very tough. For hunting, I'd go with a H1 like others have suggested. I've really enjoyed using the H1, and not just in hunting related tasks. :)
 
I don't know about there entire line, but the VG10 blades, solid or laminated, are at least made in Japan, if not the whole knife. So much for 'fine Swedish steel'! And, the ~$105 F1 is rubber handled - the Micarta variant is ~$270. Send your money a bit WSW - to MI's UP - try a Bark River or Northwoods Knives example. My BR 'Gameskeeper' is an excellent knife - in .215" A2 - for $160 up delivered, depending on handle material (Micarta is the cheapest!), and with a nice leather sheath. My N K 'Gladstone Drop Point Hunter', in cocobolo or desert ironwood, was about half the Gameskeeper's cost in Micarta. You don't have to spend quite so much - or send it quite so far - for a good custom-like hunter.

Stainz
 
...ATT DET SKALL VARA SÅ J**A SVÅRT ATT FATTA!!
YESSSSSS!!. The Fallkniven knives ARE made in Japan, from Swedish steel. The leather sheaths were made in Spain and the new Zytel sheaths are made in Sweden.

The first F1 knives (M6310- and ATS34) were made by Linder in Germany. Since 1997 The VG10 and Laminated VG10 and all other models are made in Japan, on machines owned by Fallkniven.
If you like the Fallkniven blade but not the handle, you can buy a bare blade and handle it yourself.

Here is the whole Fallkniven history: http://hem.passagen.se/nodh/

Fallkniven and Bark River are not competitors per se, they complement each other and are of equal quality. BR make most knives in Carbon steel and Fallkniven make their knives from VG10 with sides of 420J2, SGPS or 3G steel. The Lam VG10 F1 was released in 2003 or so and the only knives in VG10 only today are the WM1 and the F2.
 
I have the basic F1 with the leather sheath... amazing bang for the buck. I also have the P1 in cocobolo. I am currently saving up the the Thor or Odin -- don't really have need for either -- I just like the looks of them. I really can't say enough about how please I've been with their quality, sharpness etc.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
For hunting definitely consider the H1 which was designed for just that.

Fallknivens may seem unusual with their thick blades and convex edges, but the combination works extremely well.
Click to expand...

Works well indeed. I'll admit that I was very skeptical about the sliding ability at first. Was pleasantly surprised in the end.

I did thin the edge on my F1 a little more (knife is not mine until I've sharpened it or modified it in some way) and re-convexed a small secondary edge bevel. Easier IMO to field sharpen with some sandpaper, piece of duct tape, and my thigh.

The thickness of the spine makes it an efficient knife to baton with. I'm an axe guy, so batoning isn't my thing, but wouldn't hesitate a moment to do so if I needed to.
 
I believe VG10 is a Japaneese steel. Little matter re the 420 SS laminates they use - laminated edged devices from Japan have been around - and appreciated - for centuries. My favorite mortising chisel set is a laminate set from Japan. The softer iron takes the impact, the steel holds an edge.

Still, I just have a problem with their pricing... you can buy an F1 blade for $80 - with a rubber-like handle and sheath for $105 - with a Micarta handle for $270! Like I said, a Bark River Fox River or Gameskeeper, in Micarta, is a fantastic tool - form and function - convex edged - and <$160. One caveat... they are, as I like to call them, like alien seed pods... you won't stop with one!

Stainz
 
Stainz said:
Still, I just have a problem with their pricing... you can buy an F1 blade for $80 - with a rubber-like handle and sheath for $105 - with a Micarta handle for $270!
Click to expand...

I have an idea: just don't buy the Micarta version. :p It's more of a collector's type item anyway than a user. The F1 with Thermorun handles isn't meant to be pretty, it's meant to be a user, especially in cold environs (which is why the tang isn't exposed in the handle, so it doesn't freeze right to your hand). If you want Micarta scales for an F1, just buy a blade blank and get it customized by someone, and get exactly the kind of scales you want. :thumbup:
 
I have an F1 and a bark river nebula, and I agree to go with a bark river, they have some amazing designs, and the prices are very good.
 
Thanks, very helpful reviews and opinions.
Just a bit confused...
VG10, is it swedish or japanese? As per Fallkniven, it is swedish, they say our now renowned VG10 steel'.
As per these guys here:
http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_original_list.htm
It is japanese and they have developed it...
Therefore, how much is swedish in the knives other than the name and marketer?!
The japanese made excellent blade steels for centuries, they have a great tradition in using laminated composite steel and selective heat treating so there is no concern about quality here.
 
VG-10 is only available in Japan. If VG-10 steel is to be used the knife or any other product must be made in Japan. Peter, the owner of Fallkniven moved all of his equipment from Sweeden to Japan to have his knives made there in order to use VG-10 steel. The knives are made to Peter specs on his tools. Fallkniven makes an excellent product and they stand behind their products as well. Bark River makes a great product too. Find a knife from either maker that fits what you want and get it, you won't be disappointed with either one.
 
KWHunter said:
Thanks, very helpful reviews and opinions.
Just a bit confused...
VG10, is it swedish or japanese? As per Fallkniven, it is swedish, they say our now renowned VG10 steel'.
As per these guys here:
http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_original_list.htm
It is japanese and they have developed it...
Therefore, how much is swedish in the knives other than the name and marketer?!
The japanese made excellent blade steels for centuries, they have a great tradition in using laminated composite steel and selective heat treating so there is no concern about quality here.
Click to expand...

VG10 is a Japanese stainless steel, that's a fact. Fällkniven knives are made in Japan.

The steel is Japanese, but the name obviously, as well as the company itself and the designs of their blades, are all Swedish.

Why that matters to anyone, I will never know. The Japanese have always known how to make good steel.
 
Elen said:
Why that matters to anyone, I will never know.
Click to expand...

Not that it matters much; if made in china it would. Probably it is different in your neck of the woods but here in North America whatever brand name you buy chances are it's made in china.
 
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