Need help choosing a fixed blade and info on knives.

[soul blade]

I am looking for some thing round about £50.00. I'll only be using it around the house and garden.

I have picked out 2 knives so far:
Fallkniven F1, this is what I know about it. VG-10 stainless steel, kraton rubber handle.

Does this knife perform well? And whats the kraton rubber like? hard, soft????

The other is:
Ka-bar 1943 USMC. This is what I know. O1 steel, black epoxy coated blade.


Whats the O1 steel like, how does it perform? Whats the difference between O1 and VG-10 which is better for what I want? Whats the black epoxy coat like? Does it come off easy?

What would you suggest I look at in my price range?

Thanks for any help.

 

[baraqyal]

Well, to start with, I would recommend the Frost Mora knives for general house/garden use. They're pretty cheap, common, and harmless looking. This is a good thing; especially in a place where the knife laws are pretty much insane.

As for the two knives in question.

VG10 stainless is good steel. Takes a good edge, is fairly stain and rust resistant, and is not impossible to sharpen.

O1, IIRC, is a high carbon tool steel, and is not stainless. It should hold an edge fairly well, but will be more liable to rust and stain.

The falkniven is a good knife. So is the ka-bar. But, they are very different. The falkniven F1 is a "survival" type knife with a short blade. The Ka-bar is a "combat" type knife with a bigger blade. Either one will perform many functions. What are you planning on doing with them? Kitchen use? Utility use? Tactical use? Chopping?

Some blades perform better than others at different tasks. You may want to look around more before deciding.

If I'm converting right, thats about $75. You might be able to find a Spyderco or Benchmade fixed blade for that. Depending on shipping, you may be able to find a Greco or a Swamp Rat Knife Works for just a few dollars more. Also look at Ontario, and Becker.

There are also all sorts of swedish/nordic knives available in the US that are cheap and tough - you may be able to find them easier than a American blade in the UK.

Good luck!
-- Rob

 

[Alberta Ed]

The grip of the F1 is called Thermorun, if memory serves. It is a bit harder than kraton but still affords a good grip. VG-10 comes closer to a good high carbon steel than any other 'stainless' in my experience. It takes a very good edge which seems to have more 'bite' than other stainless steels I have used. It takes a bit more time to sharpen than a carbon steel, but that is not a big problem. Diamond hones work well.
The K-Bar traditionally has been made in 1095 high carbon steel, probably not too dissimilar than 01. Lately there have been stainless (12C27, a very good Swedish cutlery steel) and D2 variations offered. I'm unaware of any currently made in 01 other than by a customer maker. Good knife, probably a little large for working around the garden and house, but more blade is better than none