Fehrman OR Chris Reeve???? SURVIVAL

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want2learn

Joined
May 15, 2004
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Hey, my name's Al and i'm new to the forums. I've been reading a lot for about a month and am certainly impressed with the amount of knowledge found here.

So I decided to finally post a question that I think a few folks here can answer.

I have collected knives for about 6 years and finally want to invest in a pure work horse of a knife for camping/hunting/survival. I spend a lot of time in the woods and I realize there's no 1 knife for every job but I like to pack light and travel far. So here's my question:
Can anyone help me to decide between a Fehrman-Final Judgement and a Chris Reeve-Project 1 for long treks involving lots of chopping/digging/preparing, based on their ecperiences?
Please point out all the pro's and cons you can think of for each knife. I need experienced minds to guide me on this one.
I would love to get both but can't afford it :rolleyes: . I have gone through all 125 pages on the CRK forum searching for answers and have found all but I need help with this one. I am asking this question based on the assumption that I will not have any other means of cutting/sawing or choping.

Thanks very much in advance!
 
First off, welcome aboard! Both of the knives you mention are of excellent quality and materials, and I have owned and used both. I would choose the Fehrman for a general large field/survival knife for several reasons. It is very comfortable to hold and use for long periods, the Reeve tends to roll and dig into your palm with heavy use. The Fehrman is larger and is canted slightly, this makes it an excellent chopper. It's also made from 3V which I found extremely hard to get dull.
Some points for the Reeve are, it's lighter, more compact and of course has some small storage space in the handle. It's made from solid A2 which is an excellent steel for work knives IMO.
If at all possible, handle as many knives as possible as picking a survival blade is such a personal preference type of thing. I haven't heard one negative comment from anyone who has picked up a Fehrman. The Final Judgement is my pick.
 
I've been drooling over Eric Fehrman's stuff since he first started posting his wares here. I thought "Busse knockoff" but as you can see by the following posts, his knives are the shiznit:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=277707&highlight=fehrman

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293068&highlight=fehrman

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244576&highlight=fehrman

“I am telling you....I have never seen or held a better made knife at this price or even higher, from a semi-custom or production shop...ever.” http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254319&highlight=fehrman

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=237397

someday when I have the $$ to spend on a "doomsday knife," it will be a Fehrman. !!
 
I do not own any Chris Reeve blades but I do have a Fehrman First Strike (7.5") and believe it to be a very good heavy use blade. I also have a Swamp Rat Battle Rat. Both knives could take far more than I can dish out on a normal basis. They both could probably take most over the top extreme use that I could put them through. I think that the BR could take a little more abuse, but FS slices a little better. What does this have to do with your question? Well, Mr. Fehrman makes a big blade that can chop and take abuse but still slice like a chefs knife (well almost). It's seems slightly more versatile than the other hard-use big blades. You probably can't go wrong with either, but my experience with Fehrman knives makes me cast my vote in that direction.

I should also mention that Mr. Fehrman is a great gentleman to deal with. And so are the guys at Swamp Rat, but that's not one of your choices.
 
I heard ages ago that Fehrman was coming out with a few new designs, but they aren't on the website.

Does anyone have information on the new line of Fehrmans?

Thanks
 
Eric right now is very BUSY,He will be coming out with new blades and offers.
Im not sure when but I know it will be soon,he is trying to find time to update his web site and introduce his new line of blades.

I know he works on alot of other projects outside the knife business,but when they do come out I think you will like what you see :D
 
PlaceKnives,
The new stuff would be the "Extreme Judgement", "Shadow Scout", and smaller knife "neck knife???". The Last Chance, First Strike, and Final Judgement all received a change to the tip and some newly designed handle grips (still using linen micarta). Working with two companies for the best coating options.
Terrill Hoffman took some great pictures awhile back but Eric hasn't been able to update the web site yet - he's one of the most busy guys you'll ever come across. I'd love to send you guys some pictures - Eric would probably kick my butt, and I not able to post pics here anyway. Maybe we can work out something on the pics???

Jay Fehrman

John 14:6
 
Maybe someone could post the pics here for you? I REALLY need to see these new bldes! :D
 
Hey Jay,

I think I still have some of the photo's Terrill had taken saved on my picture file,If you want and if Eric doesnt mind I can email them to whoever wants to see them?
Ryan
 
"I spend a lot of time in the woods and I realize there's no 1 knife for every job but I like to pack light and travel far."

I understand where you are coming from. :) If I was going out with only 1 knife, I would want it to be big and reliable. I have learned from experience and instruction that a big knife is a general purpose tool, whereas a small knife is a specialized tool. A big knife can do anything a small knife can do (slice material, clean game, etc), but it may take more patience to accomplish the task. A small knife can be very good at particular tasks, but it cannot chop large materials or do the heavier work that a large blade is capable of. So, if only taking 1 knife, I'd take a large one.

To preface my reply to the question of the 2 knives - I have never held either knife before. However, I have done a decent amount of survival tasks and have an experienced opinion on what makes a good survival knife. That being said... based on the pictures, I like the looks of the Fehrman. It is a good, general-purpose size. It will ppresumably chop well, yet others have stated that it slices well, too. I also like Micarta for handle material. The knurled handle of the CRK sure seems like it would eat into the skin, unless a glove was used. And, given the choice, I prefer a full-tang knife to a hollow handles knife, even though the CRK is made of 1 piece steel.

As someone else mentioned, have you looked into Swamp Rat knives? THey are decently priced and, from what I read, excellent work pieces.
 
My vote is for the Fehrman. I have never owned one, but I will say that the crk p1 needs some improvement. The design is great, the sheath is great...but the steel is hard to sharpen especially with the edge geomtry on the knife. The p1 didn't cut very well either.
 
kuanomar said:
I think that the BR could take a little more abuse, but FS slices a little better.... Mr. Fehrman makes a big blade that can chop and take abuse but still slice like a chefs knife (well almost).
Click to expand...

Hello all,
Does Fehrman grind his edges thinner than most other makers of big knives? I thought his blades were 1/4" stock.

Jeremy
 
Fehrman blades(the survival series) are made of 1/4 but his edges are thinner then any other large blade that I have owned.
My Final Judgement slices very well,my last chance is scalpel sharp,I cut myself with the Last Chance 2 weeks ago,its sliced pretty deep but I didnt even know it until I saw blood all over my damn clothes :eek:
 
Fehrman is taking advantage of the toughness and strength of properly heat-treated 3V steel. With that material, he can make a knife with a thinner edge that will still hold up to chopping stresses. And a great guy to deal with.
 
Featherstone,
Eric said we could post some pics, trouble is I'm just to computer illiterate to post any! Not sure what pics you have, but give em what ya got.

Thanks, Jay

John 14:6
 
Im in the same boat with ya Jay,me and computers dont get along LOL.
I have the FJ,LC,A peace maker photo,and the one Eric calls the monster LOL.

I will email them to people who want to see them,Tell Eric I said Hi.
 
my email is dariuslovehall08@aol.comor jonathan.eldridge@us.army.mil
 
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