Opinions on the new Fallkniven f1x?

[rexromic]

Like the original and PRO F1 better.

 

[crumpet8]

I hope Fallkniven will eventually sell these new sheaths with the Pro line as well.

I hope they make a better zytel sheath for the old F1 too.

 

[AUS_Camper]

I tried the original S1 in the new S1x sheath and it does fit, and it does lock, so is 100% useable but **WITH SOME CAVEATS** but it seems possible to customise the sheath quite easily with a Dremel and small bit of kydex to get around these.

From what I can see, I think it would be very easy for Fallkniven to create a similar sheath system for the Original and Pro lines but just adjusting the cutout where the guard locks in.

Could be customised by dremelling out the cutout to fit the Thermorun guard, and gluing in a small bit of Kydex that's 2mm thick so the nose of the guard pinches against the sheath with epoxy.

(I know there's a typo in the image above. Sorry)

This is how the S1x guard locks in, as a reference.

The S1x sheaths are US$12.95 (these are *insane* value) so definitely cheap enough to experiment. Unfortunately I'm in Australia and the postage cost is more than the cost of the sheath so I won't be getting one to experiment until an AU supplier has them available.

 

[WillB]

Went and looked on blade HQ etc and they're under 200. At that price, seem like an excellent choice. At the MSRP, not so much...

 

[d762nato]

Thanks for posting it looks like a pretty simple fix. I hope Fallkniven follows suit as well.

 

[crumpet8]

You legend Aus! There is hope for us yet. If I see some in a store around here’s I’ll test out the f1 in the new sheath

 

[AUS_Camper]

Good luck!

 

[WillB]

Always wanted a Fallkniven but none of their designs really did for me until this
f1x came out. I just ordered one. Hoping it will be my new go to knife for all things outdoor related.

 

[crumpet8]

sounds like you hit the jackpot then, from early accounts the new x series is a nice improvement on the original. Ive actually come around to how they look now too I think

 

[WillB]

Cost
Yeah it’s pretty expensive, and I think the price is what causes such critical judgement of them, and rules them out for a lot of people. Overpriced? Well, I don’t know of any other brand making laminated CoS blades that are cheaper, so I’m not sure anyone can actually say they are overpriced, only that they are expensive. You can definitely get great quality stainless knives for less money in elmax, s35vn and CPM154. Maybe for some people those steels are a better choice? Once I’ve tested the laminated CoS I’ll know if it’s a better choice for me or not.

So what's the conclusion?

 

[R. Deckard]

Been a lurker for years--just received the F1XB from BHQ today. The thermorun handle scales are terribly uncomfortable in hand and feel cheap. Feels like they'd easily rip flesh. I have a physical job and work with my hands in addition to having barbell calluses so it's not like I have keyboard warrior hands covered in lotion all day. All my other knives are micarta, G10 or wood. 5 minutes after holding the knife I sent an email to BHQ asking for a return label. I don't have the patience to wait for aftermarket scales. It also arrived rather dull... but I love everything else about this knife.

 

[AUS_Camper]

So what's the conclusion?

It's still early days, but so far my conclusion is that the steel is great and a bit of a non-factor as they are all good. Knife arrived with a good working edge and sharpened to a really nice razor edge quickly (I'm using a Ken Swartz diamond emulsion on leather strops, 8, 4 and 2 micron). In all honesty, I can't pinpoint anything that stands out over other stainless super steels in real world use but I strop OFTEN and my knives don't really go fast a good working edge. If they do, I use a ken onion workshop with grinder attachment and have any knife in any steel razor sharp again in 5 mins.

I'd say overall, I prefer my bark river Bravo 1 for a 6mm hard use main knife because of the handle, not the steel. It's more comfortable. BUT, I buy fallknivens specifically for wet and dirty conditions because of ease of maintenance, rough grip in slippery conditions (at the expense of comfort) and a sheath that's easy to wash out - dirt and grit get's wedged in the edges of kydex sheaths where the two halves join - NOT the case with FK zytel moulded sheaths where there are no nooks and crannies and the whole thing is open at the bottom to flush out dirt with water (hard with a single small hole like kydex ones), and obviously leather sheaths are not great in water and mud. The Zytels are the best wet dirty weather sheaths, hands down. And out of all the Fallknivens, I think the x series with upgraded sheath and exposed tang are the best Fallkniven designs to date for me. So that's why I like the knife - it's a good package overall.

SO conclusion is **Drum roll** if you like the x series designs and want stainless then the CoS steel is a performer, better than VG10 and has the benefits of laminate steel. If you prefer the design of a different stainless knife (s35vn for example) I doubt you will miss the laminated CoS. I would *personally* choose design over steel.

 

[WillB]

It's still early days, but so far my conclusion is that the steel is great and a bit of a non-factor as they are all good. Knife arrived with a good working edge and sharpened to a really nice razor edge quickly (I'm using a Ken Swartz diamond emulsion on leather strops, 8, 4 and 2 micron). In all honesty, I can't pinpoint anything that stands out over other stainless super steels in real world use but I strop OFTEN and my knives don't really go fast a good working edge. If they do, I use a ken onion workshop with grinder attachment and have any knife in any steel razor sharp again in 5 mins.

I'd say overall, I prefer my bark river Bravo 1 for a 6mm hard use main knife because of the handle, not the steel. It's more comfortable. BUT, I buy fallknivens specifically for wet and dirty conditions because of ease of maintenance, rough grip in slippery conditions (at the expense of comfort) and a sheath that's easy to wash out - dirt and grit get's wedged in the edges of kydex sheaths where the two halves join - NOT the case with FK zytel moulded sheaths where there are no nooks and crannies and the whole thing is open at the bottom to flush out dirt with water (hard with a single small hole like kydex ones), and obviously leather sheaths are not great in water and mud. The Zytels are the best wet dirty weather sheaths, hands down. And out of all the Fallknivens, I think the x series with upgraded sheath and exposed tang are the best Fallkniven designs to date for me. So that's why I like the knife - it's a good package overall.

SO conclusion is **Drum roll** if you like the x series designs and want stainless then the CoS steel is a performer, better than VG10 and has the benefits of laminate steel. If you prefer the design of a different stainless knife (s35vn for example) I doubt you will miss the laminated CoS. I would *personally* choose design over steel.

Ditto. People get OCD over the steel some times. Thanx for the write up. My f1X showed up yesterday.

 

[AUS_Camper]

Nice, let me know how you like it! I skipped the F1x as I have a lot of 4 inch blades but I’m enjoying the S1x enough to consider picking one up. Exchange rates for the AU$ are making premium knives too expensive now though. I bought a lot of mine when our dollar was a lot stronger :/

 

[WillB]

Nice, let me know how you like it! I skipped the F1x as I have a lot of 4 inch blades but I’m enjoying the S1x enough to consider picking one up. Exchange rates for the AU$ are making premium knives too expensive now though. I bought a lot of mine when our dollar was a lot stronger :/

I'm already thinking maybe I should have gotten the S1X although I know 4" is probably more than adequate for most uses.

 

[crumpet8]

Been a lurker for years--just received the F1XB from BHQ today. The thermorun handle scales are terribly uncomfortable in hand and feel cheap. Feels like they'd easily rip flesh. I have a physical job and work with my hands in addition to having barbell calluses so it's not like I have keyboard warrior hands covered in lotion all day. All my other knives are micarta, G10 or wood. 5 minutes after holding the knife I sent an email to BHQ asking for a return label. I don't have the patience to wait for aftermarket scales. It also arrived rather dull... but I love everything else about this knife.

Interesting about the handles. Are they not flush or a good fit with the now exposed tang? I have the older f1 with wraparound kraton (or what I thought was Thermorun) and have no problem with it. In fact, it’s one of my preferred handles for cold and wet.

 

[d762nato]

Been a lurker for years--just received the F1XB from BHQ today. The thermorun handle scales are terribly uncomfortable in hand and feel cheap. Feels like they'd easily rip flesh. I have a physical job and work with my hands in addition to having barbell calluses so it's not like I have keyboard warrior hands covered in lotion all day. All my other knives are micarta, G10 or wood. 5 minutes after holding the knife I sent an email to BHQ asking for a return label. I don't have the patience to wait for aftermarket scales. It also arrived rather dull... but I love everything else about this knife.

Man up or you can wear gloves if they hurt your hands. Their suppose to be grippy for wet and cold conditions and weather proof. I would have just made some nice scales of your choice if they hurt too much. Well you may want too try the pro line, good luck.

 

[AUS_Camper]

Interesting about the handles. Are they not flush or a good fit with the now exposed tang? I have the older f1 with wraparound kraton (or what I thought was Thermorun) and have no problem with it. In fact, it’s one of my preferred handles for cold and wet.

They just have a very aggressive texture. When you really push down on something hard then it can get a little uncomfortable. The scales don’t line up with the metal, but have a uniform gap all around so it’s intentional, not poor fit and finish. However, that hasn’t caused any discomfort whatsoever. I thought it might, but it doesn’t.

 

[AUS_Camper]

I'm already thinking maybe I should have gotten the S1X although I know 4" is probably more than adequate for most uses.

And some days I’ll be doing something finicky and wish I had a F1x. Just can’t win haha. One day I’ll buy an F1x, it looks really nice and a great kayaking / boating knife. I have a GSO 5.1 on order so my knife budget is spent for the year, well and truly!

 

[jeepin]

They just have a very aggressive texture. When you really push down on something hard then it can get a little uncomfortable. The scales don’t line up with the metal, but have a uniform gap all around so it’s intentional, not poor fit and finish. However, that hasn’t caused any discomfort whatsoever. I thought it might, but it doesn’t.

You can use fine sandpaper to knock the texturing down a little.