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Still stradling the fence on the F1, over thinking it all

T

texasrimfirenut

Joined
Oct 13, 2013
Messages
168
Guys, got some advice last week and was set on buying the F1 over the S1. Over thinking it all I chickened out and grabbed up the ESEE 3 after already having the ESEE 4. Very pleased with that purchase and don't regret it a bit. Glad to have both. Will probably carry the 3 as an everyday knife and probably the 4 when I head out camping/bush whacking. Gonna get the scales for the ESEE 3 to "purty" it up just a bit more. Will for sure be picking up the Izula II very soon when I can find the knife/kit combo in the color I want.

Where my dilemma comes in is this: Keep seeing very good reviews on the Fallkniven F1. I prefer the black blade but read where it isn't very durable, the color that is and that it comes off with some use and makes the knife not look so good. I've always been somewhat of a gear snob taking exceptional care and preserving as much looks as possible. So I was back to getting the non-black blade even though I don't care for anything that reflects while in the woods or really any time. Then comes all the post I've seen on several different web site about the knife chipping. Most all seem to be minor and are repairable with some sharpening. I seem to gleam from all this that after sharpening it up real well you get past the edge of the blade that wants to chip easier. I really think I'd like the knife from most things I've read and the youtube videos I've seem.

Still having a hard time getting past what I consider a fairly expensive knife and it micro chipping on me. I don't abuse my knives all too often and if I were to baton for any reason I am sure it would be with one of my much longer knife blades. Although I've heard these are exceptional knives I am still concerned that the knife only has a two year warranty instead of a life time like ESEE or Bark River. Furthermore, I spent some time on Fallkniven's web site. If I did have a problem with the knife would I have to send it overseas for warranty work or replacement?

So how likely is that that I'd have problems with the F1 chipping? If I have any problem with the knife how difficult is it to work with them for service?

Thanks guys. I know knives are a personal choice/decision and I just don't want to make a mistake I'd end up wishing I hadn't made whether that is getting the knife and regretting spending the money or never getting a knife that "could be the one."

Thanks for any advice/comments.
 
I think it all comes down to edge geometry. My F1 and S1 came screaming sharp with very fine edges right out of the box. I have heard the stories about chipping but I have not had that experience and I thump on my knives pretty good. Then again, I don't look at my edges under a microscope. Many say after the first touch up or sharpening they don't chip any further.
They may not be for everyone but I would not think twice about buying another Fallkniven.
 
The F1 is such a respected knife, I ended up going with the Esee4 also but I still might add one. Too many people rave about them, there has to be something to it.
 
No issues ever with my F1s. They're not fancy, but they sure do work. If you like convex grinds, you owe it to yourself to try one out.
 
The Fallknivens I have never had problems with chipping or anything else. Like you stated , if the edge does get dinged and you sharpen it out , it seems to be even better on edge holding. I think the factory edge is very thin , and I suspect the guys that had chipping issues never sharpened them past what the factory edge was . I could be wrong of course , but that's Jmo.

My favorite FK is the S1 because of the point and blade length preference , but the F1 is one heck of a great compact bush knife in it's own right. The Zytel sheath is a pretty good compact rig , but I have custom leather as well.

It's a great choice for a bush knife ; I would definitely try it out.
 
I'm eager to try a Fallkniven of some sort as well. VG-10 is impressive, to me, while lackluster to some. Noss (that infamous Dtest guy, for whatever he's worth to you) thought Fallknivens, at least the A1 where plenty tough for his insane shenanigans. The ones I've felt sported very sharp edges from the factory.
 
Fällkniven VG-10 knives are very good, but usually it takes a few initial sharpenings to get past the factory edge.
I almost always have to set my own edge to a new knife regardless of the brand.
Black coatings are in the way for this edge and doesn't add to cutting performance.

Once the edge is set,the performance start to show and with regular maintenance of the edge, Your knife will be a longlasting tool.



Regards
Mikael
 
Thanks guys. I have several knives but am really a knife novice. Two more things. Is it doable for a novice knife sharpener to set a new edge on a knife? Also anyone ever warrenty their Fallknivens or had to deal with returning one or know anyone that has? I would be interested to know how involved that could be?
 
From what I've read the warranty isn't great, they tend to lean towards any failure being your fault. That's how I've interpreted what I've read, there are some big discussions on here if you do a search. Because of the grind on the f1, you won't really be setting a new edge you'll just be stropping past the thin wire steel that may or may not be there when you get it. I batonned my brand new f1 and didn't chip.
 
its a fairly inexpensive knife for what you get plus thousands of people swear by em so why not just get it? if you don't like it (id be VERY surprised if you didn't) you could easily resell. I recently bought an nl4 and cant get over how great it is. very high quality
 
texasrimfirenut said:
Thanks guys. I have several knives but am really a knife novice. Two more things. Is it doable for a novice knife sharpener to set a new edge on a knife? Also anyone ever warrenty their Fallknivens or had to deal with returning one or know anyone that has? I would be interested to know how involved that could be?
Click to expand...

I have returned one knife and got a new one 2 days later.
No questions asked.
The two year warranty follows European regulations.
It is assumed that within two years of use, any fabrication faults are discovered.

If You need to return the product under warranty, talk with Your dealer and return the knife to them.

Regarding sharpening, You will get started with very fine grit wet/dry sandpaper and a piece of leather.
Use the leather together with honing compound, for maintenance and the sandpaper for sharpening..


Regards
Mikael
 
I can attest that resharpening the convex edge is easy even for a novice. I was worried about not being able to maintain the edge before I bought the NL4. So I took one old good scandi knife with a v-edge and reprofiled the edge to a convex. It was surprisingly easy and I got extremely sharp nice convex edge on it. Considering such success with first go, it can hardly be described as hard. Obviously maintaining the edge is even easier.

You can find good instructions for creating and maintaining convex edges from BRKCA http://brkca.com/convex.htm.

One alternative for a leather strop + honing compound is a strop made out of 1 layer denim strop + honing compound. For some reason I seem to get better results with it and it is easier to get the compound on the strop.

As for you original questions regarding F1. I would surprised if you did not like it and get your moneys worth. There are many good knives out there at similar prices, but I doubt that anyone of them offer superior value compared to F1. If it is not the best knife in that price range, it is at least among the best. The rest if a matter of opinnion. I do not have F1 as such, but I am going to buy one based on my experience with other Fällkniven knives.
 
Thanks guys, I really think I was over thinking it all which is a fault of mine. I will go ahead and place me an order. I really appreciate all the help.
 
texasrimfirenut said:
Still having a hard time getting past what I consider a fairly expensive knife and it micro chipping on me. I don't abuse my knives all too often and if I were to baton for any reason I am sure it would be with one of my much longer knife blades. Although I've heard these are exceptional knives I am still concerned that the knife only has a two year warranty instead of a life time like ESEE or Bark River. Furthermore, I spent some time on Fallkniven's web site. If I did have a problem with the knife would I have to send it overseas for warranty work or replacement?
Click to expand...

This is why I never went with Fallkniven and I did look real hard at them. A two year warranty on a blade of that cost seems unreasonable when there is an American made counterpart with the best warranty in the industry (ESEE). I did read on here about one guy's experience where he broke the tip of a Fällkniven, sent it in under 2 years and they didn't replace it just reground it smaller. It was determined that nothing was wrong with the blade and it was user error. The guy got killed on the forum by people who really like their Fällknivens (as might I).

Now I have a Bunch of ESEEs and don't worry at all about ESEE accusing me of miss treating my knives, I just keep em sharp and use em hard. YMMV.
 
Yup I too am very impressed with the two ESEEs I have gotten so far and with that warranty they have I am sure those will be the knives I use when doing anything that might put a blade in jeopardy, which will probably be rare for me unless SHTF occurs in which no warranty will apply, lol.
 
I remember the F1 with the broken tip and I did ask Eric at Fällkniven about it.
They had the knife examined to see if there was anything wrong with the heat-treatment.
Eric said that they couldn't find anything.
In that case Swedish warranty regulations doesn't cover damage caused by the enduser.
However Fällkniven made a regrind of the tip and sent it back.


Regards
Mikael
 
Mikael W said:
I remember the F1 with the broken tip and I did ask Eric at Fällkniven about it.
They had the knife examined to see if there was anything wrong with the heat-treatment.
Eric said that they couldn't find anything.
In that case Swedish warranty regulations doesn't cover damage caused by the enduser.
However Fällkniven made a regrind of the tip and sent it back.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with the F1, it looks like a fantastic blade, but the warranty and the above mentioned story specifically was the reason I didn't get one. If I remember the story correctly they guy snapped the tip in the dark and didn't even realize it for some time. To me it didn't seem like abuse but that is irrelevant to my point. Don't know how warranties work over there but here in the US, a company sets their own warranty, which is a reason here to pick some companies over others. And ESEE's is the best, no questions asked and forever. If I am a dummy and drop my Izula, 4, 6, or Junglas on some concrete in the dark by accident (accidents do happen sometimes) and the tip snaps off, I am covered. No evaluation of the steel, no gov regulations, no regrinds, just send it in and get a new one.
 
Ok Craytab! :thumbup:

I'm aware of this difference between European and US warranty policy's and I do like the American way!
I was pleasantly surprised when my Leatherman Charge Ti broke the frame and I got a factory renewed replacement with S30V blade, instead of CM 154!

About ESEE knives, I don't own one and don't plan to get one.
I resharpened an Izula for a fellow Swedish forumite, but it was way too soft for what I'm used to.
The cutting performance was way behind any Mora, Bark River, Northwoods or Fällkniven.

I did get it sharp and returned it, but the edgeholding wasn't to my standards at all.
A GEC folder in 1095 has lightyears of performance ahead of the Izula I tested.


Regards
Mikael
 
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