Question about F1 Handle???

J

Johnnytt

Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
8
Hello all. This is my first post. After reading all the support for the Fallkniven F1, I finally ordered one. I just got it in the mail today.

Well... I was very excited to see this thing... but I must say, I think I hate the handle. Is it me, or is it very slippery? I can't seem to hold a good grip on it.

Is this something other people notice? Does it improve with time? I'm very tempted to send it back.


Thanks for any input. :D
 
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you got the micarta handle or thermorum one?

I have one with the rubber handle & i fint it very adequate.
 
Yes, Thermorun is synthetic rubber.

The micarta handles are hard and smooth.

I have both and the Micarta handles are less grippy than the thermorun for sure, bit I don't have trouble getting a grip on either material.

I also EDC a Fallkniven PXL with Micarta handles, no problem with it yet either.

That said.... I haven't had to use them in extremely wet or slippery conditions yet. I'm not a hunter so haven't skinned or gutted an animal, nor had to try to work in a torrential downpour. Light rain and sweaty hands have not given me any difficulty.

Kevin
 
The handle is on the small size and this is a common concern.

I machined some shallow jimping on my F1 adjacent to the handle. This helped more with thumb proprioception than grip but that seemed to be enough for me to feel comfortable with it.

I agree with dagnabit and have not had any accidents due to slippage - with either the F1 thermorun or the PXL folder in micarta. I have found thermorun (seems similar to FRN on spyderco?) to be less comfortable but a more reliable / durable material than the softer krayton.

If you keep the F1 for a little while the handle may 'grow on you'. The blade will definetly grow on you :D
 
Yeah, the blade on this looks amazing. I just don't think this handle is going to get better for me. Doesn't hold a candle to the comfort and control of my Benchmade 950 Rift.

I'm think of replacing with CS Master Hunter. I've held that knife before and liked the feel of that grip better. hmmmmmm....
 
The F1 (and all Fallkniven's IMO) are great knives, but they are not the only great knives available.

Too bad the F1 doesn't seem to work for you, but you gotta go with something you are going to be happy with for many years.

If you decide to exchange, I hope your next choice knocks your socks off :thumbup:

Kevin
 
The Thermorun handles of new Fallkniven knives are still coated from factory with a sort of wax, too help loosen it from the mold it was made in.
If you clean this wax off, you will enhance it's gripping qualities noticably.
I do this with an old toothbrush and some liquid detergent and water, sometimes repeating the process a few times.
Work up a foam on the handle and let it stay on for a while, then rinse and repeat.
 
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The F1 has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. Has anyone had any luck putting a replacement handle on after they wore out the rubber one? I'd love to see the results...
Gabriel.
 
The F1 handle gets grippier as it gets dirtier, and strangely, grippier when it is wet.

It's the only knife I've batoned wood with so far that didn't give me henious blisters.


-Freq
 
I beileve fallkiven offers a blade blade of the F1 model, or at least it's very similar to it. The edge is already grinded on, so all you have to do it get handles for it. I know there are plenty of people who can do this for you, or maybe you could make it a project. No idea where you can get one. Maybe you could exchange it??

Here's a link to what I'm talking about: http://www.fallkniven.com/en/shop/details/24/26/blades/bf1
 
I'm in the process of putting wooden scales on my F1 blade. The bare blade handle shape is a bit different from the thermorum handle shape under the rubber. I love the size of the F1 handle, but I'll be sure to shape the scales for maximum comfort.
 
PB Wilson said:
I'm in the process of putting wooden scales on my F1 blade. The bare blade handle shape is a bit different from the thermorum handle shape under the rubber. I love the size of the F1 handle, but I'll be sure to shape the scales for maximum comfort.
Click to expand...
Did you start with a blank or thermorun?? If you take any pics please post.
And just for anyone else wanting to do this here is the cheapest blank I've managed to find http://www.efunctional.com/mofk-bf1.html at just a little over $70.
 
The F1 handle is designed to be grippy in the cold and wet, after all it is provided to the Swedish airforce!
The worst part about the handle for me is the lack of bulk - it's just a tad too thin for my hands. That said - in use it's just fine. Sometimes you just over analyse instead of trying it out and seeing how you go!
 
The Fallkniven H1 model has a kraton handle that is a little fatter and grippier. As mentioned, you can also buy the F1 blank without a handle on it and have someone put whatever handle you like on it.
 
I don't have any issues with it getting slippery, but the handle design could use some fine tuning.
I really dislike handles with a ''belly'' or a convex form.
Also, it seems rather square on top, but that helps a saber grip, i guess.
 
I have no problem with the thermorun grip. It could be more bulky but I've just rapped some jute twine around and that has majorly improved the grip, size and appearance a little too. I think the belly works just fine, it fits the hand much better than if it was straight handled. It's quite comfortable when used for bushcraft grip methods.
 
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