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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Fallkniven SK-1
- Thread starter leomitch
- Start date
- Joined
- May 2, 2010
- Messages
- 374
Guess he didn't have much to say??
Sorry! I got things screwed up and I thought I had cancelled it. I was trying to solve the mystery of how to put up good sized pictures but was interrupted and bla, blah, blah! I will be back with an actual review soon...a really great knife with one or two shot-comings IMO!
Apologies! I will be back soon!
Best to all
Leo
Apologies! I will be back soon!
Best to all
Leo
Fallkniven SK-1 Jarl Knife
Well I have waited for this knife for some time since it was announced before its release. My son purchased it for my collection just last week and finally it is in my hands. As always I like to think of these writings more as my impressions rather than a full review, because I rarely get the chance to try them in the physical buscraft situation anymore. But having said that I certainly use them around the kitchen, in the yard and whenever they can be needed. Even though I am a collector, none of my knives are Queens.
My first impression of the SK-1 is that the grip is absolutely beautiful. Fallkniven made the grips with Curly Birch and lightly oiled them to bring out the figures. This was a great idea because now I can add to the patina on it by the judicious use of other oils to get the look I want.
When I was a pipe smoker I used to rub the fine briar wood of my best pipes against my nose to pick up the oils found there (an old pipe smokers trick) and this enhanced the look of the wood. I won't do that in this case as I like my nose too much. Instead I have used an expensive German beeswax cream which is used to protect leather on the wood and this has given it a rich glow without being too shiny. Having said this about how beautiful the handle is, I also have to say, I wish they had chosen another design. I find that this style, which I remember from previous Swedish knives many years ago, does not feel right in my hand and for me is too cylindrical. Beyond just the feel of it, I find it does not give me the grip I would like if I were using it for vigorous bush-craft, however it is fine in the kitchen.
I also wish they had given it a little more of a guard than they did or a choil where one could choke up safely on that frighteningly sharp blade. And speaking of blades this one is a winner! It is just shy of being 4 inches in length and is 3/16th of an inch thick. The tang is hidden inside the handle. The edge is made of 3G laminate powder steel at 62 Rockwell with the 3G steel being sandwiched in VG-10 steel which makes up the rest of the blade. This blade is beautiful to see and the edge is extremely keen and slices its way through telephone book paper being pushed against it and when the blade is turned at a 90 degree angle, it continues on smoothly from the heel of the blade to the tip without hesitation. The upper almost half of the blade has a false, unsharpened edge and the point is such, that in concert with the wickedly sharp edge, there will be no problem for the hunter who has to penetrate the skin of an elk or a moose when dressing out their game. As for me, I used it today to quarter a chicken and it was a breeze.
The fit and finish of this knife is excellent. The guard and the butt cap are of silver-nickel and the gold insignia of Fallkniven add to the beauty of this knife. They might have taken a little more time and buffed the sharp edge off of the guard. Perhaps I am too picky here, but it is after all a $300 plus tax knife and one of their upper echelon offerings.
They have supplied the knife with a sturdy, well sewn, high quality black leather sheath on a dangle so it can hang off your belt. Even that phenomenally sharp blade is safe inside this scabbard.
The overall impression of this knife is keen abilities wrapped up in beautiful design. For me, with the exception of the shape of the grip, this is an extremely fine tool for anyone who needs a sharp friend riding on his belt.
Best regards to all
Leo
Well I have waited for this knife for some time since it was announced before its release. My son purchased it for my collection just last week and finally it is in my hands. As always I like to think of these writings more as my impressions rather than a full review, because I rarely get the chance to try them in the physical buscraft situation anymore. But having said that I certainly use them around the kitchen, in the yard and whenever they can be needed. Even though I am a collector, none of my knives are Queens.
My first impression of the SK-1 is that the grip is absolutely beautiful. Fallkniven made the grips with Curly Birch and lightly oiled them to bring out the figures. This was a great idea because now I can add to the patina on it by the judicious use of other oils to get the look I want.
When I was a pipe smoker I used to rub the fine briar wood of my best pipes against my nose to pick up the oils found there (an old pipe smokers trick) and this enhanced the look of the wood. I won't do that in this case as I like my nose too much. Instead I have used an expensive German beeswax cream which is used to protect leather on the wood and this has given it a rich glow without being too shiny. Having said this about how beautiful the handle is, I also have to say, I wish they had chosen another design. I find that this style, which I remember from previous Swedish knives many years ago, does not feel right in my hand and for me is too cylindrical. Beyond just the feel of it, I find it does not give me the grip I would like if I were using it for vigorous bush-craft, however it is fine in the kitchen.
I also wish they had given it a little more of a guard than they did or a choil where one could choke up safely on that frighteningly sharp blade. And speaking of blades this one is a winner! It is just shy of being 4 inches in length and is 3/16th of an inch thick. The tang is hidden inside the handle. The edge is made of 3G laminate powder steel at 62 Rockwell with the 3G steel being sandwiched in VG-10 steel which makes up the rest of the blade. This blade is beautiful to see and the edge is extremely keen and slices its way through telephone book paper being pushed against it and when the blade is turned at a 90 degree angle, it continues on smoothly from the heel of the blade to the tip without hesitation. The upper almost half of the blade has a false, unsharpened edge and the point is such, that in concert with the wickedly sharp edge, there will be no problem for the hunter who has to penetrate the skin of an elk or a moose when dressing out their game. As for me, I used it today to quarter a chicken and it was a breeze.
The fit and finish of this knife is excellent. The guard and the butt cap are of silver-nickel and the gold insignia of Fallkniven add to the beauty of this knife. They might have taken a little more time and buffed the sharp edge off of the guard. Perhaps I am too picky here, but it is after all a $300 plus tax knife and one of their upper echelon offerings.
They have supplied the knife with a sturdy, well sewn, high quality black leather sheath on a dangle so it can hang off your belt. Even that phenomenally sharp blade is safe inside this scabbard.
The overall impression of this knife is keen abilities wrapped up in beautiful design. For me, with the exception of the shape of the grip, this is an extremely fine tool for anyone who needs a sharp friend riding on his belt.
Best regards to all
Leo
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
- Messages
- 3,685
Just recieved mine, very well made, has an exceptional feel to it. The quality easily overrides the price. The sheaths black paint comes off onto the wood handle until it gets broken in. Currently looking for something to protect the wood. Other than the sheath needing a break-in, this is an unbeliviable knife and am proud to own it.
Glad you are enjoying your SK-1! They are exceptional knives of the highest quality. I haven't had any of the dye from the leather rub off on anything but you are right, the leather does take a bit of breaking in for the knife to fit correctly.
All in all, money well spent!
Best regards
Leo
All in all, money well spent!
Best regards
Leo
