Skookum or Fallkniven H1

G

GEC

Joined
May 8, 2007
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950
Okay, I was looking at a older thread about the Skookum Bush Tool. There was a picture of a Skookum and a H1. I was thinking of getting the Skookum, but the H1 seems to be the same specs and less money. Same blade shape and size except for grind. Does anyone have a good comparison between the two? Out of the two which one would you take?
 
What are you going to use it for primarily? Woods duty/bushcraft stuff?

The H1 was designed primarily with the hunter in mind, so woodwork is not intended to be its primary function (though some like it for that). The F1 is a great knife too (I just got one and really love it) but it wasn't designed for that kind of work either. It was meant to be a boringly rugged knife, small enough to stay with a pilot, that could help him save his life. Just happens to be awesome in the woods too. :)

The skookum looks awesome, but is accompanied by long waits and high dollars. Those both turn me off a bit. It's like the H1, but with a different grind, steel, thickness, handle material, handle shape... or in other words it's tough to compare 'em.

I'm sure HD will be along sometime, I think he's got both. Good luck in your decision! :thumbup:


Aside suggestions (sorry, can't help it :D):

Seems like another custom scandi might be in the works for you, like the koster bushcraft if you've got smaller hands. You can get that sooner and will spend much less than the skookum would cost.

The Bark River bushcraft stuff (Northstar, Aurora, Nebula..) would probably work well for you too, again at less cost and wait time.
 
The reality of it is, most knives will serve you well unless you purposefully abuse it.

Most of us buy & own more knives than we will ever use in our lifetimes because we like collecting them.

Buy and use what you like most and can justifiably afford.
 
hollowdweller said:
H1 has a thicker blade, thinner handle and convex edge if I am correct.
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HD is correct.

H1 is .21" thick to the SBT .125".

Also the H1 is convex ground, not scandi.

Either will serve you well. Buy what you want, or what you can afford. The Fallkniven F1 is arguably one of the best outdoor blades there is. The H1 I'm sure is a very functional outdoor tool.
 
H1 is too thick IMO. I would take a buttless skookum between the two. The Skookum is also high carbon which many people prefer.
 
For emphasis, I will echo what others have said about both knives.

I own both the Skookum and the H-1. There is NOTHING similar about the two in design, dimensions, materials, intended use, or the way they work in the hand. Apples and oranges. :)

Though I like the F-1 & S-1 (I have several other Fallknivens...mostly gifts), the handles are too narrow for my larger hand. The handle on my H-1 is a slight improvement on the F-1 (for my hand), however the blade is much too thick to serve my purposes. I have used the H-1 in the ranch butcher shop, and for utility work around the cattle ranch - just to get a feel for possible use on the hunt and in camp - however the thick blade doesn't begin to compete with several of my other knives doing skinning or general camp chores. If I had to choose a Fallkniven, of the several I have, for general outdoor use, it would be the F-1. The S-1 would be a close second.

All who have used my Skookum have found it to be extremely comfortable, thin enough blade to excel at wood working or carving, good practical dimensions for all-around camp and field work. In my opinion, the Skookum is worth every nickel. And, as far as the waiting list goes (very reasonable IMO); there is a good reason why there is one! Rod doesn't cookie cutter these things out the door. The time, patience, and quality shows throughout the Skookum.
 
Dannyboy Leather said:
For emphasis, I will echo what others have said about both knives.

I own both the Skookum and the H-1. There is NOTHING similar about the two in design, dimensions, materials, intended use, or the way they work in the hand. Apples and oranges. :)

Though I like the F-1 & S-1 (I have several other Fallknivens...mostly gifts), the handles are too narrow for my larger hand. The handle on my H-1 is a slight improvement on the F-1 (for my hand), however the blade is much too thick to serve my purposes. I have used the H-1 in the ranch butcher shop, and for utility work around the cattle ranch - just to get a feel for possible use on the hunt and in camp - however the thick blade doesn't begin to compete with several of my other knives doing skinning or general camp chores. If I had to choose a Fallkniven, of the several I have, for general outdoor use, it would be the F-1. The S-1 would be a close second.

All who have used my Skookum have found it to be extremely comfortable, thin enough blade to excel at wood working or carving, good practical dimensions for all-around camp and field work. In my opinion, the Skookum is worth every nickel. And, as far as the waiting list goes (very reasonable IMO); there is a good reason why there is one! Rod doesn't cookie cutter these things out the door. The time, patience, and quality shows throughout the Skookum.
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I like the F1 I have but I gotta agree with you on the thickness factor.

I kind of see the Fallkniven as the knife I might take for surviving because it is rust resistant and the convex edge is strong. However almost always when I'm hiking and camping the thinner bladed knives like my Chudzinski Nessmuk and the Skookum are the ones I end up taking .
 
GEC said:
Okay hopefully ROCK6 won't mind if I use his pic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/ROCK-6/Scandies.jpg
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No problem and I too agree that the H1 is MUCH thicker than I first thought. The convex grind does help a lot but like so many already stated, the design is great, but the thickness is just too much. I will say that it has a good handle (width-wise), great sweeping blade and is extremely stout for severe use, but IMHO if they did away with the laminated blade and went with a 3/16(or a little less) of just VG10, it would be much more effective. The SBT is a much better "bushcraft" knife design and the overall finish is superb. If I had the choice, it would be the SBT but I would not feel under-knifed with the H1 either.

ROCK6
 
sicily02 said:
Contact Bear the dog and ask about the Breeden (Kelly knife.) he has one.
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When the heck are you going to get a website so we can start seeing (and buying!!!) your steel?!?! :D (Not that most of us haven't been ogling every bear-review thread...)
 
kind of see the Fallkniven as the knife I might take for surviving because it is rust resistant and the convex edge is strong. However almost always when I'm hiking and camping the thinner bladed knives like my Chudzinski Nessmuk and the Skookum are the ones I end up taking .
Reply With Quote
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Ditto.

If I had the choice, it would be the SBT but I would not feel under-knifed with the H1 either.
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I have the tendency to side with those who made their living with their knives many years ago; in the woods, cleared ground, or industry. Many of the old-time, highly experienced woodsmen had a greater fear of being over-knifed, rather than under-knifed. Either attribute would not be desirable, of course, but there must exist a reasonable compromise. Fair arguments can be made on behalf of either position, but I personally do better "making due" with under-knifed, rather than having to wrestle with excessive weight and thickness of over-knifed for the general outdoor tasks (not talking shelter building here). Pressed for an example, I might consider something like the variety of Bark River knives (et al) with the thinner blades. If a guy breaks one of these, he is doing something wrong. Yet, because of their excellent geometry and materials, these knives will perform any reasonable task that a knife is expected to accomplish with strength and endurance.

"The thick chisel-edged belt knives, which are generally sold, are of little value in the wilderness. Get your belt knife too thin rather than too thick. - Calvin Rutstrum
 
I LOVE my skookum. Rod is a great guy too. I just got an F1 and love that too, you may want to take that into consideration. Rod is on back order for 2 years I think.
 
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