RC-4 or a falkniven?

3

3wolves

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Dec 28, 2007
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Alright I need like $20 more and I can order my new FB. I was really set on the RC-4 but with all the talk of falknivens I am real curious. I really like the RC warranty and the fact that the scales come off for custom ones or cleaning. For the ultimate woods knife, would you go with the RC or Falkniven? (S1 or F1). I need a good slicer as well as a strong blade.
thanks.
 
Thats a really tough one and something I agonized about myself until choosing and RC4. Here is my attempts at a balanced post (admittedly I'm still in love with my RC-4 and have subsequently ordered an RC-6).

Pluses for the F1
Stainless laminated blade, good for corrosion resistance
Convex edge supposedly the best cutter
I like the ability to buy a plain blade
Different sheath options - although I don't believe anyone of them is quite as good as the RC-4 kydex.

Pluses for the RC-4
Slightly larger blade, and I think it has more belly (I like the visuals of the RC's blade better)
Carbon blade (since getting my Opinel, I just love 1095 for ease of sharpening) at the risk of lower corrosion resistance
V-grind. I'm more familiar with the sharpmaker sharpening and just haven't experience convex yet
Mircata handles - they just appeal to me more than the grip of the F1
 
This thread is just cruel.I really love my Fallknivens but I'm saving for some RC blades too.I don't think you'll be sorry with either.
 
the f1 is a good knife, dont know about rc-4, but from what ive seen, it aint bad
F1 is the sweedish air force survival knife, it took 8 years to develop it, and its made to resist the subarctic climate, at least fallkniven said that
very strong, stainless steel blade knife, but shorter than rc-4, i has almost 10 cm blade
 
Shorter blade is a plus IMO.

Either knife would serve you well, you can't go wrong with either. Personally I prefer the F1, it's closer to my ideal size and I like the design more.
 
I have both the F1 and the RC-4.
The F1 is super sharp and feels like a great knife. I haven't used it much at all, I have only had it for a month or so. I am not crazy about the sheath, but it is easy enough to have a nice one made for it.

The RC-4 is not as sharp out of the box, bot still is an awesome cutter. I can make fuzz sticks with ease with it. (and I am far from a skilled woodsman)I have had it a little under a month. The sheathing system is awesome with so many variations of carry. This knife is extremely comfortable in my hands which makes it fun to use. My vote is for the RC-4, I would carry it everyday but it is a little to big, so I carry its little brotha the RC-3 everywhere.
Again, I am no pro and I am kind of new to the world of quality blades. I am sure the other guys which are more knowledgeable than I will chime in soon.
 
I would go with the RC4, but put a convex edge on it, which is the major plus for the fallkniven. Everything else about the RC is better, I'd say.
 
I keep hearing about convex edges. what are they? I have had knives for such a long time but am only recently finding out about edge geometry and super steels, which is why I love this forum so much.
 
I don't own either one but I've convexed the edges on the RAT 3 and 4 for Bear the Dog. The RAT knives are very comfortable in the hand. If I was in the market for a fixed blade, I would definately look at the RAT series. I have no experience with the Falknivens.
Scott
 
I would go for the RC4, I just prefer plain Carbon steels, yeah they may tarnish but that doesn't detract from their performance and they have stood the test of time.
Check out some old Blacksmiths shops, some of their Carbon tools are hundreds of years old and still going strong !!!
 
You'll be good with either of them, depending on the size you want. As some of the guys said, there is a slight difference. I have an H1 which turned out to be a surprisingly good slicer. The massively thick blade put me off until I actually used it. :) I did not trust Fallkniven myself until I got the H1. I'm still not sure how I feel about "rubber" handles. The RATs feel better in my hand, but the Fallknivens have a great grip in wet conditions and are probably better in the cold.
 
I personally regard the Fallkniven S1 as the perfect wilderness knife - its the same laminated VG10 as the F1 but is a bit longer and a much more useful shape.
 
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