Original Fallkniven A1. User impressions, please

[Iblametheparents]

Hi. I've no doubt using the search function will turn up reviews and I may be posting in the wrong area of the forum but I would really like to hear long term user opinions on the older, original Fallkniven A1 and general discussion is likely the most read section.

I've been considering pulling the trigger on one for a very long time but I am still concerned at the chippiness of the steel and the expense compared to a good carbon steel 6 inch bladed knife.

So those of you who own one and actually use it, how do you find it?
What are the negative issues you've found.
What are the positives?
How have you found long term maintenance?
Any issues with the handle materials?
Do you consider it money well spent?
Would you purchase it again if you lost it?
What would you alter?

This won't be living in the drawer at home. It will be expected to work for me from coastline to mountain top and all environments inbetween.

Forgive me if that sounds hyperbolic. Having seen the recent Survival Lily video where she was unhappy with the S1, an opinion I firmly support her in, as this is marketed as a survival knife, I want know if my buy once, cry once attitude applies here.

Thank you for reading and I appreciate greatly any response.

 

[Dangerously]

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/fallkniven-a1-overview.1274870/

I love my A1.

The survival Lilly video struck me as a bit ridiculous. For example, she smashed the pommel on rocks and complained that the handle material tore because she missed. Then she suggests a “better” knife that doesn’t even have a metal pommel at all, just kraton. So it couldn’t do that task either. How about just don’t smack your tools carelessly?

 

[Yonose]

If you can get the leather sheath for the same money or close, you’ll be happier overall with the knife. The chips on my s1 were all inflicted while using the knife in a manner not intended for the knife. Hitting rocks or pebbles for example. I don’t agree with Lily about the knife she reviewed, except for the fact that the knife can be quite expensive in some countries, and that the price can be a question of import/export taxes rather than added value. If I could get them for the price I originally paid, I would definitely buy more. There’s nothing wrong with going the carbon steel route, or even A2 or infi, though these might be more expensive.

 

[DJC72]

I own three A1’s and an A1 Pro.
A few general comments:
They are very nice stainless “survival” knives that are extremely corrosive resistant. They cut fairly well considering we are talking 1/4” at the spine. The A1 is cumbersome for extended cutting sessions. Batonning is a Brees with the A1. The heat treat on the Vg-10 is spot on and the knife can be maintained through stropping. Ergonomics are very comfortable.

If the zombie apocalypse occurred this afternoon and the Fallkniven was my only blade, I wouldn’t bat an eye. The A1 Pro with Cos steel is so good. I love that blade steel.

 

[353]

I love mine. Chopping and battoning is where it shines, but it is also a decent allrounder.

With the plastic sheeth it's truly a super low maintenance survival/camp KING.

 

[Pilsner]

The survival Lily video is utter crap; she behaves like an idiot then whines about it. Also, the S1 is a forest knife. The F1 is a so-called ‘survival knife’. Ahem.

The A1 is an excellent large knife. I have used it extensively in forest environments and it is superb. I don’t find it difficult to sharpen freehand. It takes and maintains a good edge. I’d recommend the leather sheath unless you will be using it in polar regions. The A1 is big enough and bad enough to do anything you could reasonably expect of a ‘survival knife’. A word of advice on ‘survival’: don’t take any notice of incompetent people on YouTube.