Fallkniven updates the F1 - the F1 "Pro"

[retzius]

It appears that Fallkniven has updated the F1 as the F1 Pro

http://www.fallkniven.com/en/shop/details/626/7/new-products/f1pro

The changes are:

New and improved Pro series specification
Pro series of F1, S1 and A1 differs from its predecessors in the following important details:
1. The laminated VG10 steel is replaced with a laminate cobalt steel (lam. CoS) which, amongst other things, ensures a durable edge and improved edge retention.
2. The blades are consistently thicker causing an increased torsional rigidity - they will withstand even greater external forces than before.
3. The tapered tang is wider and thicker and thus significantly stronger.
4. The crossguard is made of stainless steel and permanently mounted to the tang.
5. The convex edge has been refined to improve the cutting properties.
6. The zytel sheaths are redesigned meaning they are more durable and are better suited to the Molle attachment system.
7. The knives are supplied with our most valued combination whetstone, the DC4. It offers both a diamond whetstone and a ceramic stone for field sharpening.
8. The knives are packed in shock-resistant, waterproof boxes that can be used for storage of smart phones, GPS, documents, survival gear and much more.
Understandably these knives fall into a higher price category. However, considering the unparalleled quality they are by no means over priced. A professional survival knife should be able to be relied upon in the all-weather and we really mean all weather. It should also be pleasant, safe and comfortable to handle whether it’s fine or rough work, summer heat or winter cold. We have considered everything in the design of this quite superb knife and we, therefore, offer a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship.

I like some of the changes but I don't like the new grind and that it is even thicker than before. I will reserve judgement until I have one in hand...

Also, they seem to be listed at about $300. I can get a custom for that price.

 

[collim1]

I still dream of a F1 original with a leather sheath. This one sounds nice but holy cow what a price jump.

 

[Herlock]

Hi. Interesting, missed that pro! I also don't like the "swedge" and new grind so much and 4mm thickness was just perfect, 5 can be too thick for the blade length. New crossguard doesn't make me crazy but it looks it's well designed, machined and dimensioned. Good they did something to improve the sheath. Overall I prefer the "original" F1 but it's probably not very easy to "improve" an almost perfect knife . I love mine.

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

Also looks like some sort of swedge added to the spine. If that's right, I personally don't see the benefit of the thicker blade, as it's now a much worse design for batoning (the one application where I see the thicker blade as being more useful). The original blade seemed quite thick to me already at 4.5mm -- in fact, I always thought the the blade was pretty stubby for its length.

 

[shunsui]

Looks like the crossguard is there mainly to protect the handle. Doesn't do much for your fingers.

The F1 is supposed to be a survival knife for pilots. Think I'd rather have this version if I'm the Military.

 

[retzius]

If they had just changed the steel and given the F1 the Improved Convex Edge I would have been a happy camper. I don't like the new grind, the swedge, and the thicker steel. Also, for the price, I would have liked to see them include a nice leather sheath with the option to buy the Zytel. I think a nice quality leather sheath would have gone more with the look and feel of the new knife; I doubt many people are going to buy a $300+ beater knife.

 

[craytab]

It is nice to see Fallkniven join the rest of the modern world and offer a basic lifetime warranty. That was always my biggest grip with the company and is why I don't own one of their products.

But $300? That is far too much. In that price range you can get so much more than what these offer. Survive!, Busse & kin, several Esees with TKC scales, Big Chris customs. If they really are $300 I think they are pricing themselves right out of the market. There will still be fans that buy them regardless but is that enough to sustain the product?

 

[Alberta Ed]

Great knife, but I'll rely on my original F1/VG-10 until I wear it out, which should probably be never. Great design, tough to improve on, though the new model is intriguing.

 

[marcinek]

I take it they will still me making the "not-Pro" version, correct?

 

[jfk1110]

There is good video over view of all 3 pro series knives on bushcraft canada website. Check em out.
They will still make original series. Also the F1d is available in Lam CoS steel n tan handle. Above site has video for that one as well

 

[DJC72]

The S1 and A1 will also get the "Pro" treatment. My only complaint is all the Pro models will be thicker. The A1 at .275 is a little much.

 

[retzius]

The S1 and A1 will also get the "Pro" treatment. My only complaint is all the Pro models will be thicker. The A1 at .275 is a little much.

Agreed. The thickness is ridiculous. I already thought they were overly thick to the point that if affected their cutting performance with little practical benefit. I don't understand why they feel they need to make these knives thicker??

Are people actually breaking these things?

 

[Mikael W]

A month ago, I got one of the first ten F1 Pro's availible in Sweden.
I use it at my work as a kitchen carpenter.
This means it has to cut not only wood, but also thick carboard, plastics, tape and various fiberboards.
Sometimes I accidentally cut into concrete walls or old nails.
So, my knives has a hard time.

To my pleasure the Cobalt steel has a lot of toughness and ease of sharpening.
It's also very wear-resistant.
I have no clue how the metallurgical part works in this steel, but I think it feels like a very good carbonsteel.

The pic's:

Here's the knife in the sheath, together with the TK2 in a F1z sheath.

About thickness.
Yes it's thick, but the new geometry works well for allaround use.
Heavy and thick cardboard boxes are edgekillers on any knife, but not here!
The cutting resistance is higher for a thick knife, but the F1 Pro does it good enough.

About cost.
I doubt it will be as high as $300 in the US, as Your taxes are lower than European taxes.


I believe the Pro series will be popular primarily among armyguy's and outdoor people, but time will tell.



Regards
Mikael

 

[retzius]

Thanks for your reply Mikael.

Hows is the new sheath? Is the retention better? I keep a thick rubber band around the little protrusion on the current zytel sheath to prevent the knife from rattling around.

 

[Mikael W]

Retzius, the retention is definitely better!
Still it's a little bit of room around the knife, but no way it will accidentally fall out of the sheath!
Personally I prefer a leathersheath and I ordered the knife with an extra F1 foldover sheath.


Regards
Mikael

 

[DJC72]

I plan on picking up one of the Pro Series but I'm not sure which one I want. I own A1's and an F1, maybe it's time for an S1.

 

[Mikael W]

I plan on picking up one of the Pro Series but I'm not sure which one I want. I own A1's and an F1, maybe it's time for an S1.

I have yet to handle the S1 Pro, but the spec's makes me think it will handle camping chores with ease.


Regards
Mikael

 

[KenHash]

I am on the fence for now with the F1 Pro. I have no doubt that it is a great knife, the new steel, grind, everything. In fact the biggest thing keeping me from jumping on the Pro is that my current standard F1 is so great at what it does. I find the F1 very satisfactory for my casual weekend outdoor activities. But I can
definitely see the attraction of the new Pro grind and specs for more rugged use.

 

[mete]

I wouldn't doubt that the thicker blade is greatly influenced by all the forum discussion about batoning ! That's something I rarely do .

 

[Mikael W]

Ken & Mete.

I know Your respective personal preferences and I sure like Your choices.

The TK1/TK2 for those who wants a Fällkniven with thinner blade.
The F1 for a good allrounder.
Mete's TK1 is perhaps the most advanced TK1 ever made, with the skeletonized tang.
I really admired it, when it was showed some years ago!

My own F1 3G is somewhere in between of those models.
The spine is thinned to 4 mm and the cross-sectional profile is thinner than the standard F1, but not as thin as the TK's.

My F13G:

At work:

The orange nylon mallet has been used in batoning this knife through wood, so yes I baton!


Regards
Mikael