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Which Fallkniven

Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
160
I really want to try a Fallkniven, but I am not sure which one is the best suited for my purposes without being able to see on in person. I am looking for recommendations and reasoning behind your recommendation.
 
For a camp knife or doing a bunch of meat and fish I'd be looking at the F3z and F4z. They are both very close to proven butcher's patterns. I'd probably pick the F4z which is very close if not exactly a boning knife. That would give me enough length for good slicing but also strength and dexterity. VG10 @ 59 on a classic Fällkniven handle. It would afford all the advantages of an old school pattern but in materials and construction that mean you aren't going to have a corroded worn away blade poking out from a slippery handle in a few years. Bargain to me at just shy of £100. That's about triple what I paid for my Victorinox boner [wooden handle job], but I'd expect many more returns from it. Yup, if I were a car camper or did a lot of camp knife stuff / butchery I'd get one.

The F1 sells itself. There's not really any competition for that just preference for something else. It's a small knife legend.

As a field knife with a bit of poke the S1 would take some beating. So if you are thinking of something more rounded than the F1 for perhaps service use consider that. That said, if I wanted something in this category I'd probably buy the PHK. 5” of 3G in a very useful looking pattern whether that be hunting or utility. Given that it's a measly £50 more than a 1095 RC-5 and one is akin to a musket and the other a Glock I'd have no doubts about that.
 
G'day Merost

I really want to try a Fallkniven, but I am not sure which one is the best suited for my purposes without being able to see on in person. I am looking for recommendations and reasoning behind your recommendation.
The different models in the Fallkniven line excell in different tasks. What use did you have in mind?



Kind regards
Mick
 
G'day Merost.

To help get & idea of size of blade you prefer, a couple of more questions if I may.

How important is chopping ability as a criteria for your bushcraft blade?

If you batton, what size logs are you likely to be splitting?

Thanks in advance.



Kind regards
Mick
 
Bushcraft of course.
Is that " Tactical" Bushcraft with night vision and camo :confused:or wearing animal skins and building a cabin with a knife ? :p
I carry an Odin but it's useless for filleting fish or skinning a Wabbit.:jerkit:
 
The F1 is hard to beat, jack of all trades type of blade. The H1 is a nice design also, but more with a specific purpose in mind. Both of these come with a somewhat smallish handle, keep that in mind if you have large hands. Also, they are pretty thick little beasts, although they cut well for their dimensions, and the VG10 steel is one of my favorites. You can also go with 3G, another very good steel. The F1 is one of the few "if you only had one knife" knives, IMO, and a very good choice.

For more delicate cutting, I like my TK3, although I did thin the grind out a little, it helped tremendously, and it's a very well made knife.
 
I have quite a few Fallkniven knives. A TK4, H1, U2 and two WM1. If you want something light weight, that could easily be a EDC knife, that can also stand up to some lighter bushcrafting, i'd suggest a TK3-4, or the WM1. If you want something that can chop, you need length and weight, so then one of the bigger would be of use.
It all depends on use really, but even the small WM1 can be batoned. (A small note on the handle of the WM1 though, it IS small, so might not be too comfortable in long use for larger mitts.)
 
I have both an F1 and and S1. I would say that the F1 is better as a hunting knife but i personally like the S1 for about everything else. It has a little more heft to it, very good ergos and a great blade design.
 
I EDC my WM1 every otherday and I love it ( straight VG10)
I also think the S1 is a better all rounder than the F1 and most people at work ( a Camping shop) say the same if they get the F1 and S1 in either hand ( S1's out sell F1's three to one here)
For a butchers knife I'd go for any of the standard Trade knives Victorinox Swibo or whomever. A mate at work got his son the two Fallkniven Chefs knives ( K1 & K2) for is 18th ( he is a second year apprentice chef ) They didn't blow my hair back certainly not for the price.
I love my Fallkies but I would not spend the sheckles for their chefs/butchers knives.
My most used Kitchen knife is a 6inch Damastalh Scanpan kitchen knife in the classic pattern.I have a 9inch Santouku in the same series but has actually been put back in the box.
Just my opinion.
Carl
Ps one day I'll trip over a U2 at the right price.
 
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A good question is what for. Too many good choices

I have the WM1,F1and S1 - all are excellent but have slightly different strengths. WM1 light weight and can put on your belt and forget about it until needed - but strong enough to do most things you would want to do.

F1 - the classic bushcrafter

s1 - a bit bigger, but still only just marginally longer that a steak knife you have dinner with. Can start to do light chopping with it.

I suppose it also depends on what else you carry

As examples I was surprised to see Les Stround on his Australian u tube videos carrying a big knife as well as an axe and leatherman wave. Bearr Ghrylls seems to carry knives ranging between F1 and S1 length - but they are his only tool. I suspect he also uses different knives to show there is not one dominant knife (and maybe product placement). Apparently he likes short strong knives that dont get in his way as he moves

If going light weight, long distance hiking the WM1 clearly (in Oz battening is not an issue)
I naturally go to the S1 for other tasks - but it is a bit bigger than the S1 for carrying and choking up to get to the point for fine work. The F1 might also be the better hunter. Both the F1 and S1 are approved survival knives by arms of the US and other military. The F1 is swedish airforce issue.
 
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Don't overlook the IDUN. A little bigger than the F1 and smaller then the S1.
It is a great bushcraft knife. Basically a F1 with a taller, slightly thicker blade and slightly longer handle. The F1 and S1 handles are a bit cramped (common complaint) for large hands.


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The F1 is a classic. The handle is great. The blade shape is very versatile. The steel is excellent (VG10 is one of the only stainless steels I actually like. It is extremely durable. Everyone should have an F1.
 
Porcupine

A great collection - missing one though if being pedandtic. The standard satin thermoreum handled F1.... which ironically is possibly the front candidate here
 
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Porcupine

A great collection - missing one though if being pedandtic. The standard saitn thermoreum handled F1.... which ironically is possibly the front candidate here

I could only dream of having that fine collection.
It's not mine :(
 
I have the F1, S1, and A1. I like the F1 for light day hikes. The A1 would be my choice for a serious survival in the north woods, but the S1 splits the difference between the F1 and A1, and is a nice size for easy carry/all-around use.

Might get an A2 some day, but it looks to be a monster that is more of a machete than a knife....
 
The Idun was also a knife that I have considered. Bit turned off by the price and not so sure about the leather handle. My only reservations concerning the leather handle come from my experience with Estwing products and their leather handles, which crack and don't hold up well to time.

I do have big hands and a knife with a smallish handle are a consideration, but looking at this picture, the handle on the F1 looks about the same length as the S1 and A1??



Borrowed pictures from ??? :
FallknivenFamily-1-1.jpg


FallknivenFamily-2.jpg


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About Fallkniven: while steel and craftmanship are very good, in the end you'll love them for the ergonomics. Probably the best ergonomics I've seen even, customs included. All that at affordable prices. The worst part is once you get used to those most other knives get unattractive.

If you want a short "rough" survival knife I'd say F1.
If you want something more refined but a bit less rugged get the H1 (main differences being lack of guard and a slightly thinner profile).
If you want a bigger knife get the A1.

About the S1, although well made knife its size lies somewhere between F1 and A1: too big for a small knife and too small to chop efficiently.

Also tried A2 but stopped using it because A1 was lighter and enough for me.

Thermorun is debatable. It is reasonably tough, confortable and allow good grip. Apparently some people have problem with it degrading (getting torn...).

I for myself prefer the H1. It has serious competition with the Skookum but I still carry it pretty often.

By the way: their sharpening stones are also excellent (DC3 and DC4)
 
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