The almighty F1 ...why? What's so great about it?

I am an F-1 true believer.

I purchased many of the knives that make the short list around here. The F-1 is definitely the best of them.

Good price

Solidly built (more so than Cold Steel's construction)

I have had the SRK (CV) for many years and Still own the Master Hunter. The F-1 is better made.

The grind is awesome. The tip is not tapered like many knives makes it very strong. The F-1 carves better fuzzsticks than the Master Hunter, because of the grind.

Great blade steel. I have been blown away by VG10 lately. Edge retention is excellent as well as resharpening which is just a few passes on a steel or ceramic.

I also thought the handle was too small but after working with it for a few weeks my hand has conformed to it very well.

I will be buy the S-1 soon for longer stays in the wilderness. But for EDC and short hikes the F-1 is easy to carry.
 
Ah, the F1, it's made of fine Swedish knife steel - not! It's a product of Japan. And, what if you aren't crazy about rubber-like grips? The Micarta will set you back two and a half times as much as that base F1. I am sorry, but a Bark River 'Gameskeeper', made in MI's UP, is a far better buy - and could save you nearly a C-note in Micarta. Yeah, it's thicker - .215", longer - 4.25" blade, heavier - 7 oz, and no one will ever complain about the grip being too small. In basic Micarta, it's a deal - and there are others, too. I have no doubt that Rc 58 laminated VG-10 is excellent - but BRK&T has Rc 59-60 A-2 - hard to beat, even if it is carbon steel - and still, a great convex edge.

I have some real Swedish steel here - and no place/need for an F1 - you may have it. I just don't like rubber-like handles!

Stainz
 
I will agree with most of what Stainz says about the BRKT. My Fox River cost the same amount and is an amazing knife. But I also love my F1. It carries very well on the belt and fits well in the hand. I've used both equally and can't usually decide on which one to take until the morning I leave the house :). The A2 is a great steel and the price was about the same.
 
In the process of industrial design, when a product is created that tries to be perfect, tens of thousands of possibilities will be offered, but only a few hit the target. The F1 is one and in my opinion the S1 is the other. But these are production knives. The ideal F1 or S1 has a grip that is custom designed for its user.
 
Steven Andrews said:
The new Benchmade 10502 Rant's handle feels great. Much nicer than the Fallky's in my opinion.

Click to expand...

I've never seen that blade, I really like it though. If it was in something other than 440 I'd be all over it. (Though I still might break down eventually). Price is pretty fair for it too, considering it's a Benchmade.

I happened upon an F1 for sale, lightly used, and decided to take the plunge. So I'll let you know if I think it's the bee's knees, or just not up to snuff. I have a feeling it will be the former, if the grip fits me right.
 
I've been watching all the F-1 threads lately and developing a severe case of F-1 envy...held off 'cause like most here, I have plenty of similar knives and I had a feeling that some of the Falkniven products were made in Japan...good to have that confirmed.....it does effect my purchase plans.....

any way to tell which, if any, of the Falkniven products are actually Swedish made......I like the designs and they have a great reputation but...I was looking for a Swedish knife...
Steve
 
IMG_1221_resize.jpg
[/IMG]
IMG_1208_resize.jpg

IMG_1207_resize.jpg

IMG_1206_resize.jpg

IMG_1205_resize.jpg

IMG_1194_resize.jpg

IMG_1193_resize.jpg

IMG_1192_resize.jpg

IMG_1188_resize.jpg

IMG_1186_resize.jpg
 
I'd like to own an F-1 someday, but NOT because it's better than some other knife - it isn't.
IF it's better than any other quality knife, it's because it feels better in the buyer's hand;
IF it's better than any other quality knife, it's because it has a blade thickness and profile that the buyer likes;
IF it's better than any other quality knife, it's because it is aesthetically pleasing to the buyer;
IF it's better than any other quality knife, it's because it weighs what the buyer wants his knife to weigh;
IF it's better than any other quality knife, it's because it has a nice sheath or rides on the belt the way the buyer wants it to;
IF it's better than any other quality knife, it's because it has one or more or all of the above qualities - as judged by the buyer.

I haven't bought one yet because it's qualities are, in my opinion, lesser than those of the knives that I have already bought.
 
I think the newer F1's have a thinner edge but I'm not positive. I had one a couple years ago and the S1 was a better cutter. I sold both. They are good knives but I'm not a fan of any rubber handle knife. IMO, any knife that has a rubber type handle should be under $50. For me, they are overpriced.

If you like this size knife but ome that has a nice handle I would suggest getting an older Marbles Woodcraft off ebay. I seen them sell for close to or less thsn what the F1 is new.
 
steve49 said:
I've been watching all the F-1 threads lately and developing a severe case of F-1 envy...held off 'cause like most here, I have plenty of similar knives and I had a feeling that some of the Falkniven products were made in Japan...good to have that confirmed.....it does effect my purchase plans.....

any way to tell which, if any, of the Falkniven products are actually Swedish made......I like the designs and they have a great reputation but...I was looking for a Swedish knife...
Steve
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that the steel being Japanese manufactured was a good thing. It was advertised as Japanese laminate steel, which I was under the impression was a Japanese proccess, so that's why they had the steel done there. Just because a knife wasn't made in it's country of origin doesn't mean it's a bad knife. If a knife is advertised as being a Haitian knife, but the steel was produced by a highly reputable German steel company, would that make it a bad knife?
 
Squeezymo said:
I was under the impression that the steel being Japanese manufactured was a good thing. It was advertised as Japanese laminate steel, which I was under the impression was a Japanese proccess, so that's why they had the steel done there. Just because a knife wasn't made in it's country of origin doesn't mean it's a bad knife. If a knife is advertised as being a Haitian knife, but the steel was produced by a highly reputable German steel company, would that make it a bad knife?
Click to expand...
Depends on if the Haitians were the ones doing the heat treat and if they're up to snuff at doing so. ;)
 
I am new to the F1. I played with mine for the first time today. I am impressed. It is very sharp right out of the box, like Bark Rivers. It has a wicked convex edge. It will make curly wood shavings for fire starting easily.
F1012.jpg

I like the tang extension, too.
F1016.jpg

I was able to drive the FI deep into hard oak by beating on the tang extension with a stick (English for Baton).
F1017.jpg

There was no damage to the handle or point. I think it would be a useful survival knife in any terrian.
F1024.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top