On the fence between RC-3 or Falkniven F1

Owned both.

Still own the F1

I did not like the handle length on the ESEE 3 and I thought the choil was silly for such a small blade. It removes a large piece of the already small blade.

The F1 has been amazing. I have not been gentle with it. It feels great and has been tough as nails. The VG10 has been trouble free. My only complaint would be the width of the handles but it is a pilot survival knife where space is at a premium.
 
I don't have a ton of knives, but several I may be selling off soon...but I would never part with my F1 and RC3......both "handled" to better suit me...

F1build010-1.jpg


OsageRC3001.jpg
 
MEJ,
I've owned both. The F1 went to my daughter when she became a Master Guide for Pathfinders (Church outdoor survival type group)
She needed a bullet proof knife, and the F1 was it. Chipping was never an issue with me nor was the handle. The knife handled everything that I threw at it, and I'm glad that you chose that knife. You won't regret it.
I just bought a ESEE-3, and haven't had a chance to test it much, but it is one heck of a knife as well
The biggest difference that I noticed was that the F1 is thicker than the ESSE-3.
Have to agree with those on here who say that both are great knives because they are.
 
My F1 has a micarta handle. I really like it, but have little experience using it since I have only owned it since Saturday and it is my first Fallniven. I expect it will become my blade of choice for outdoor activities. I doubt I will be doing any batoning with it, but I feel it would likely be up to the challenge.

I looked at the ESEE-3 as an all around field knife and bought a ESEE-4 with the slightly longer blade. It is very comfortable knife I would not be afraid to use hard if needed. I mostly bought it to try to learn about ESEE blades. It was certainly a lot cheaper than my F1. The F1 is just magnetic; it draws me toward it like some of the Randalls do.

Either of these and a SAK and machete would make an excellent 3-blade woods combo.
 
I had both, sold the RC-3 and kept the F1. I like the ergos better on F1, RC-3 too thin for me. Though I really liked the ESEE sheath.
 
I purchased both of these knives almost 2 years ago because I couldn't choose between them. I'll give you some pro's and con's from my experiences that might help you out.

F1
The handle is much more comfortable as its rubberized. It's also longer and fits my larger sized hands (3xl gloves). The handle material is not as durable becuase it is softer and I have tore off a 1/8 to 3/16 peice right near the bottom of the blade from batoning and drawing from the kydex sheath. Keep in mind that its a tool for me and how it looks doesn't mean anything to me.

The steel is very good as I'm sure you've watched the rediculous stress test video's on the net. I do have a small chip in the edge from smacking a rock, but its allmost gone from resharpening.

The width of the spine is amazing and the knife feels like an absolute tank.

It has done everything you can think of on camping trips and asked for more. It's not a chopper or batoner, but you can make due on smaller projects, it is a great handy knife.

The sheath options are not good IMO. I purchased a kydex from the bst here and was able to get a few mounting options.


ESEE 3
The handle is small for me. My pinky doesn't even touch the butt of the grip. The grip is also much less forgiving after some long tasks. This is basicly the deal breaker for me.

The finish coating on the blade is excellent. It has rubbed from hard use but it has not scratched off or shown bare spots.

I did get a few rust spots on the sharpened edge from some weekend wet weather camping but it didn't set in long enough that a quick polish on a stone didn't knock off.

The blade thickness is noticebly less then the f1 but still functions the same when demanding alot from a small knife.
.
The sheath options are excellent and Fallkniven should take some pointers.

Its a full flat ground and is easier for me to sharpen and my preference for grinds, but that's just me.



My personal preference is the F1 and I don't do yardwork, camp and general outdoors activities without it. It has a workmans feel to it. Like you have a tool in your hand, where as the esee 3 felt more like an oversized folder.

I considered getting the esee4 but the F1 would still trump it for my use.
 
I Have numerous esee and falkniven blades. I reach for the falknivens far more often. For starters the grind on the falks is substantially better. I like the handle substantially better. Is far more grippy, eats up more shock and is more comfortable to me, not to mention better in the wet and the cold. I have grown to love the sheath one I knocked. Now I like vg10 a lot but really like 1095 but only or the reason that esee know how to heat treat it to get everything out of it you can. they have made this steel stellar. Performance wise my falks have surpassed my esee and I believe much has to do with the grind.
 
F1, plays nice with water and get sparks off the firesteel on the get go- none of that thick black coating getting in the way. Easy to sharpen and holds an edge.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
I Have numerous esee and falkniven blades. I reach for the falknivens far more often. For starters the grind on the falks is substantially better. I like the handle substantially better. Is far more grippy, eats up more shock and is more comfortable to me, not to mention better in the wet and the cold. I have grown to love the sheath one I knocked. Now I like vg10 a lot but really like 1095 but only or the reason that esee know how to heat treat it to get everything out of it you can. they have made this steel stellar. Performance wise my falks have surpassed my esee and I believe much has to do with the grind.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind my asking, what is it specifically about the grind that you consider better?
 
it is predominately easier to sharpen but seems to carve better and baton better (splits the log faster...I believe from being a more progressive wedge like shape). Convex grinds are known to be better all around. Chopping it seems to stick less...once again I believe from the progressive wedge shape of the grind profile. Also, Try putting both blades (other grind) against a piece of wood tilt the blade while pushing it down see which one bites in at a lesser angle bigger the angle the less fine work you can do efficiently at least this is my finding. And one final note is the grind is known to be stronger...a consistent angle as opposed to a stepped grind but this can be debated. My hands-on experience has helped me conclude to all of the above
 
I have an ESEE 3 and a 4. I prefer the 3 (an RC-3 MIL) better because the #4 has such a short handle for the size of the blade and a tiny choil (same size handle as the 3 stacked on thop of each other).

ESEE - put a longer handle or a bigger choil on your #3 and #4 plz!! They're ridiculously stubby!!

I don't own a Falkniven F1. I was going to buy one until I saw how short it was as well. I'd rather carry my USMC Ka-Bar.
 
Last edited:
MEJ said:
So how long of you actually had it... many years? No but i heard that VG-10 is prone to chipping?
Click to expand...
I've only observed that on my Tojiro Flash Paring knife, which has VG-10 at Rc 62, is extremely thin behind the edge, and ground at 10-12 degrees per side.

My Spyderco Moran Featherweight didn't chip when I used it to trim my papaya tree after I chopped down half of it with my Junglas. Given the lower hardness and convex ground blade of the F1, I highly doubt it would happen unless you do something abusive with your knife.
 
Fallkniven, because it performs better than the RC-3. It may not be as tough but I like my strength with finesse and not just brute force. The ergonomics are better too.
 
I've never handled the F1...its on my wishlist though.

I do have a 3, and it's a very nice knife. But the handle is a little too short in my hands, which are not overlarge.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The RC-3 (actually called the ESEE-3 now) is worth easily twice the money that it costs. One of my favorite fixed blades. Period. Extremely comfortable, USA made, no-nonsense functional design, tough as nails, and an unconditional lifetime guarantee. The sheath is one of the best factory-produced sheaths I've seen from any maker, as well. What's not to like? :D:thumbup:
Click to expand...

what makes ur esee 3 better than my mora clipper? lol those esee knives are terribly overpriced... however i'd go with the esee over the f1
 
celebornen said:
what makes ur esee 3 better than my mora clipper? lol those esee knives are terribly overpriced... however i'd go with the esee over the f1
Click to expand...

On what observations do you base your statement. Just curious. :)
 
MEJ said:
So how long of you actually had it... many years? No but i heard that VG-10 is prone to chipping?
Click to expand...

My F1 has been my only fixed blade for a couple of years now. I have only had two incidents of chipping. One when I dropped it onto a brick, the other when removing a section of old carpeting. I hit a staple :o

Both chips sharpened out over time. It has been used hard,and often.:thumbup:
 
I have some experience with both manufacturers. I own a standard F1, a custom F1, and an ESEE 6. I have also held all of the ESEE models at my local knife store (SMKW). With that said, I would choose the F1 over ANY knife from ESEE. Without a second thought. Others may have the opposite opinion and that's ok with me. Based on my experiences and what I like in a knife, ESEE doesn't offer anything even worthy of comparison.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top