Fallkniven knives ?

22-rimfire said:
My wife makes precisely the same comment to me when I ask her what she wants for Christmas. Leaves me hanging and end up buying a bunch of useless junk or go for really expensive stuff. Easier to just tell them.... I WANT THIS! We're not kids anymore, or most of us aren't, so Christmas doesn't have the same magic that it had when you still believed in Santa.

Same applies to me, and if I tell my wife... ah, nothing. What she doesn't understand is that I really don't want ANYTHING for Chistmas, but ends up spending hundreds of dollars on useless or seldom used power tools or other junk. I WANT THIS!
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A lot of truth here. For me it depends on the year. Sometimes I really don't care. But you are correct, if nothing is mentioned then it is basically wasted money on well intentioned junk......... I think I know why I can't make my mind up on a Fallkniven. It's because I don't know what STYLE of knife to get next. I feel that I am learning things, when the interest is there, on these sub forums. And now that I see that there are higher levels of practical knife skills\useful wood processing, I may need a DIFFERENT type of knife. Yes I can use much of what I have now but I am seeing that it may be time to move into a more specialized type of outdoor blade. I used to scoff at all this scandi grind stuff seeing it as fringe silliness for people with too much time on their hands. Now I see things differently and that my outlook was naive and arrogant. When all is said and done I go for practical over what I perceive as aesthetic fluff. Maybe it was playing with Mora's that did it, I don't know. I just feel that I am searching for a much more dedicated wood processing blade that I can't quite put my finger on yet. Funny how these things evolve. A few years ago I never would have considered the Izula 2 to be a wonderful little blade, even less that it would be one of my preferred go to carries.
 
The forums are great, but it comes down to your knowledge, experience, and how much money you're willing to put into a cutting tool. The cost factor seems to be a floating limit and it has gradually increased over time for me. It is nice to know what other people like or don't like, but ultimately it is up to you to decide. I have to admit that I buy a lot on intuition and impressions with a modest backdrop of materials either pushing me toward or away from a purchase.

I handled Fallkniven knives a couple of times in stores, ogled them on line, and finally bought one during a trip to WV/VA when I stopped at one of the knife dealers who has been a sponsor at BLADE. I bought a couple knives that day including the F1 I mentioned earlier. I just kept looking at the pricing, handling the different models, and I just couldn't get past the beautiful ivory handled micata one. Bought it and I'm glad I did. I know that I paid a lot more because of the handles. Could have just left and called and had it shipped and avoided sales tax, but I didn't. I felt it was worth more to me than the sales tax to be able to handle them in person and handle not just one or two but every model including the folders. I almost bought one of those too, and then pulled back due to financial realites.

I was pretty impressed with my Mora Companion carbon steel. I like it, but it is so light that I know I won't choose it to carry in the woods unless I am counting ounces.

Scandi grinds... convex grinds, flat grinds, hollow grinds, chisel grinds; lions and bears, oh my. I go with my impressions mostly. I do have trouble sharpening a convex grind by hand. I tend to over sharpen for the most part. Been really liking my Kabar Beckers lately. Frankly, I could be happy with a Vic SAK folder, the BK-16 for regular use, the BK-7 as my large blade, and a stiff machete for major chopping tasks for the rest of my life and never look at another knife unless I loose one. Add an axe to that list too. But, I know there will be more knives.

It all started with Randall knives 20 years ago when I became willing to spend "that kind of money" on a knife. (I mentioned earlier in this thread that the F1 was my most expensive factory knife, forgot about the Randalls. The No. 15 is my favorite.) But if any knives have influcenced me more in the last 5 years, it has been Bob Dozier's knives and the realization that I really prefer a smaller fixed blade overall in the woods versus some big honking knife that you carry to be "cool". As a result, I tend to carry a small Dozier Personal on my belt from time to time as an EDC and sometimes in the woods.
 
Tixx said:
A wood processing blade would be an axe more than a knife.
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:D I saw that faux pas after I posted and was too tired to clarify. I was wasted from metal detecting for hours in weather just above zero, with snow flakes blowing around.
 
22-rimfire said:
The forums are great, but it comes down to your knowledge, experience, and how much money you're willing to put into a cutting tool. The cost factor seems to be a floating limit and it has gradually increased over time for me. It is nice to know what other people like or don't like, but ultimately it is up to you to decide. I have to admit that I buy a lot on intuition and impressions with a modest backdrop of materials either pushing me toward or away from a purchase.

I handled Fallkniven knives a couple of times in stores, ogled them on line, and finally bought one during a trip to WV/VA when I stopped at one of the knife dealers who has been a sponsor at BLADE. I bought a couple knives that day including the F1 I mentioned earlier. I just kept looking at the pricing, handling the different models, and I just couldn't get past the beautiful ivory handled micata one. Bought it and I'm glad I did. I know that I paid a lot more because of the handles. Could have just left and called and had it shipped and avoided sales tax, but I didn't. I felt it was worth more to me than the sales tax to be able to handle them in person and handle not just one or two but every model including the folders. I almost bought one of those too, and then pulled back due to financial realites.

I was pretty impressed with my Mora Companion carbon steel. I like it, but it is so light that I know I won't choose it to carry in the woods unless I am counting ounces.

Scandi grinds... convex grinds, flat grinds, hollow grinds, chisel grinds; lions and bears, oh my. I go with my impressions mostly. I do have trouble sharpening a convex grind by hand. I tend to over sharpen for the most part. Been really liking my Kabar Beckers lately. Frankly, I could be happy with a Vic SAK folder, the BK-16 for regular use, the BK-7 as my large blade, and a stiff machete for major chopping tasks for the rest of my life and never look at another knife unless I loose one. Add an axe to that list too. But, I know there will be more knives.

It all started with Randall knives 20 years ago when I became willing to spend "that kind of money" on a knife. (I mentioned earlier in this thread that the F1 was my most expensive factory knife, forgot about the Randalls. The No. 15 is my favorite.) But if any knives have influcenced me more in the last 5 years, it has been Bob Dozier's knives and the realization that I really prefer a smaller fixed blade overall in the woods versus some big honking knife that you carry to be "cool". As a result, I tend to carry a small Dozier Personal on my belt from time to time as an EDC and sometimes in the woods.
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Thanks for your thoughts, I enjoy seeing someone elses journey, it helps to clarify mine. Sometimes I just want to dump most of my steel other than axes and just have a couple of nice basic blades. But unfortunately I am not wired that way. So I guess I wont beat myself up over it, it's harmless fun anyway. The Fallkniven H1 turned me off because of its small grip and I am now thinking about a Spyderco Bushcraft. I have never had a burning insatiable desire to go hard on skills and such, but I do see the practical side of additional outdoor skills\knowledge. And that for me is the heart of it. I have many outdoor interests which all seem to converge more or less, and all bring me peace\pleasure. Lately I have a renewed interest in feather\fuzz sticks and I'm going to practice this winter. Although I don't get bothered if my feathers aren't perfect, I'm just happy to get the fire going quicker. :) This also brings to my attention that I may have to up my game when it comes to sharpening knives for the sticks. Funny how this seems to keep coming around and how many of these skills or crafts are correlated. I have been around, seen and done things, but I'm trying to leave my ego at the door as I have more to learn. :thumbup:
 
upnorth said:
...I am now thinking about a Spyderco Bushcraft.
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i knew i smelled spyderco bushcraft :D i have a fallkniven s1 (sold my f1 when i received my s1) and it's my do-it-all knife due to the very grippy handle material and low maintenance blade. having said that, the bushcraft is in a whole other level of enjoyment to use due to the handle shape. i've handled blind horse knives, fiddleback, etc. and the bushcraft always comes out ahead in handle ergos.

fallknivens are great knives and you can't go wrong with an f1 or s1. they're very utilitarian like a pickup truck. the bushcraft is like a sports car in comparison though...they both get the job done but one is more fun.
 
There is a new Blackjack bushcraft knife out now too that is very appealing to me too. I believe all the knives are being sold by one dealer.
 
I have been looking for a time at the FI
A lovely knife

Then I realized for that sort of money I can get myself a custom from one of the many very skilled knifemakers here
Which I have just done
 
22-rimfire said:
There is a new Blackjack bushcraft knife out now too that is very appealing to me too. I believe all the knives are being sold by one dealer.
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Are you referring to the "Blackjack Bushcraft Companion" by bark River?

Nice that this boilerplate ad copy reflects so little knowledge of the BRKT line over the years:
The Blackjack Bushcraft Companion is BRKT's entry into the field of bushcraft/survival.
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JV3 said:
i knew i smelled spyderco bushcraft :D QUOTE]

:D I'll take a boo at the S1. For a while I was, and still am, moderately interested in the H1. I just want to stop buying eye candy out of compulsion and get a more serious tool with real practical application.
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neeman said:
I have been looking for a time at the FI
A lovely knife

Then I realized for that sort of money I can get myself a custom from one of the many very skilled knifemakers here
Which I have just done
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Yes sir. I am also making that consideration, as Fiddleback makes some highly attractive and useful blades.
 
Thomas Linton, that's the Blackjack... everyone is producing a traditional bushcraft knife now it seems.

The thing about a "custom" in that price range, are they really any better? I have my doubts personally but there is certainly a pride factor.
 
22-rimfire said:
Thomas Linton, that's the Blackjack... everyone is producing a traditional bushcraft knife now it seems.

The thing about a "custom" in that price range, are they really any better? I have my doubts personally but there is certainly a pride factor.
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Figured that was it. Bark River has an entire line of what they classify as "bushcraft" knives, some around for several years. http://www.barkriverknives.com/index/bushcraft/

The BBK is hardly their entry into the field.
 
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I own the H1, S1, A1, F1, SK1 Jarl and Idun. My favorite users are my SK1 Jarl and Idun after taking a round file and several grits of sandpaper to the inside the guard.
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I recently picked up a Barkie handled F1. It is nicely made and seems to be the perfect length for most hiking camp related tasks. It also cleans out large game well! Also my most expensive production knife, but a beautiful one at that.

+1 on the northern lights. My next knife will be the Frej
 
I have got F1 and A1 a perfect combo
and I have TK2 which is a step up from F1 IMO
 
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22-rimfire said:
...........
The thing about a "custom" in that price range, are they really any better? I have my doubts personally but there is certainly a pride factor.
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Better?
So subjective
But reading about folk saying the F1 has a smaller handle
And knowing I like a fuller handle, having used masonry and capenrty hammers for so long
Being able to get a knife that 'fits' me

Beyond the pride factor, is having a hand made tool of great beauty
 
Anyone else found the F1's edge chips rather easily?
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They use powertools to grind the bevel and put the edge on at the factory. The edge steel tends to get brittle from the heat. After a bit of sharpening it tends to roll more and not chip as bad.
 
I have really gravitated to the WM1 as my favorite Fallkniven. The F1 and H1 are closely tied for 2nd, but that WM1 is just a great all around blade, and easy to carry.
 
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