Fallkniven S1 or F1?

L

ljg

Joined
Jul 14, 2004
Messages
109
Earlier I had a thread about getting a decent camp/survival knife in the 4-5" range that would be good for bushcraft and (gasp) throwing.

I've pretty much decided on the Fallkniven S1 or F1, but am having trouble deciding which.

Any advice?

I'm partial to the longer blade length of the S1 (5" vs 4" for the F1) as this will be my only wilderness hiking fixed blade that I will carry. But I'm not sure if the very large swedge on the S1 would hamper batoning.
I really like the shape and styling of the F1, I only wish the S1 had the same blade shape.

Any thoughts?

thanks in advance,

ljg
 
ljg said:
But I'm not sure if the very large swedge on the S1 would hamper batoning.
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In regards to making the tip delicate, no, it is still very robust. It will however cost you to lose some efficiency, as the swedge will drive the knife into the baton. But unless there is a sharpened double edge, this usually isn't a signifiant problem. I have batoned on an S1 many times.

-Cliff
 
I like the F1 due to the shorter blade. Their just easier for me to manuver. Have you had a chance to either use or, at least handle one of each?
 
thebladerunr said:
...Have you had a chance to either use or, at least handle one of each?
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Sadly I haven't been able to get my hands on either of these blades. *sigh* It would make decision making much easier.

Cliff,
thanks for the note about batonning! I'm glad the blade shape still lends itself to it.


ljg
 
I have handled pretty much all of Fallknivens knives of this type from the Thor to the F1. If you think you will need the little additional length that the S1 offers then go with that. Otherwise I think you will be happy enough with an F1. The Micarta model is particularly nice.
 
I have both the F1 and the S1 and i think the S1 would be a better blade for your purposes. I've found the longer blade of the S1 to be more useful for heavy work like batoning and other things you need to use it for when you don't carry anything heavier(ie. axe).
 
I have and use, both. I prefer the F1 for most of the work. I usually do not need the larger knife where I hike/camp. That is a hard choice.
IMHO
I like the blade grind of the F1 for most cutting chores. The blade weight of the S1 allows for better chopping. The F1 is easier to sharpen than the S1. I have not found anything I needed to do that I could not do with the F1. Then again, I have not needed to cut down trees or build houses... ;)

Carry both..... :D
 
I am a very dedicated F! owner. Buy, use like hell, and enjoy.

PS: To give you an idea how much I like Fallknivens, I have an MC-1 ordered. Pure self indulgence.
 
Of the two, I prefer the F1.

For pure bushcraft though, I would probably select a simple Mora 2000, whic works better for me at ~1/4 the price.
 
I tried both and went with the larger S1. The only thing about the S1 that I don't like is the smallish handle. It feels short and skinny in my xl hands (size11)
I'm not able to get full leverage with it. I may replace the handles to cure it of this and then it will be a perfect fit, FOR ME. If you have large hands go with the F1 its overall scale (size) works rather well. Hope this helps..
 
My hand is probably average size and I still think the handle of the S1 is too thin. I´d go for the F1.
 
ml100 said:
My hand is probably average size and I still think the handle of the S1 is too thin. I´d go for the F1.
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Is the handle of the S1 *thinner* than the F1??
Or does it just seem thinner because the S1 has the longer blade?

ljg
 
They both use the same size handle. The F1 feels better only because of the smaller blade.
The S1 could be better served with a slightly longer and thicker handle. Like I said I have to go to the trouble of making a great knife better, for me..maybe its the size of me mits. Finding 11.5 size gloves limits my choices.. That's my problem though...
 
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