Which of these fixed blades do I want? Please help!!

D

dathor

Joined
Jan 9, 2011
Messages
6
Hey all,
I am a big fan of folders and have decided to buy my first fixed blade. This will be primarily used for a two week backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail. I am looking for an all around good camping/survival knife with the possibility of being used in an emergency for tactical purposes. I am not looking to do a ton of batoning and splitting but this would be nice in a pinch. I would also like to use this for some light cooking such as chopping and cutting, but nothing major. This will not be used for any kind of hunting application.

First off the two knives I am torn between are
The Esee 4 and
The Fallkeniven F1

I am looking for something that requires relatively low maintenance. I don't mind doing some sharpening but I am by no means an expert. The sharpening system I use is a DMT Fine/Extra Fine sharpener with the Magna guide attachment. This has been good for me with my folders.
I also have no problem oiling the blade but I don't want to constantly upkeep it, as it will be in storage when I am not in the woods.

I am also not completely convinced that the size of these knives are big enough for what I want so I would take any advice on the ideal size for the type of things I have described. I am willing to spend about 150 to 200 dollars so if there are any other knives you may think are better please let me know. As you can tell I like drop points. I am also not ready to get into custom knives so...

The things I really like and dislike about these knives are
ESEE = Love the knife, LOVE the sheath, Might be a bit heavy??, Might rust
Fallkniven = Love the knife, HATE the sheath, No rust, might like the handles of the ESEE more

Anyway I know this is long, but I really hate vague posts. Any help you could provide would be awesome!
Thank,
Dathor
 
I couldn't recommend the ESEE-4 enough. If you use it, there shouldn't be any worry of rust. I'd much rather worry about the chance of rust then have a knife with a crappy sheath.
 
When I read your first paragraph, before scrolling down, I was thinking of the Esee 4. My preference in an outdoors knife is carbon steel, you can get a good spark off it and I find it easier to sharpen. You might get a little surface rust if you don't use it regularly during the trip, but it doesn't noticeably effect performance. Giving it a clean and oil before storage is pretty much the only maintenance you'll have to do once you get home.
 
God dang, always the lone gunman. I love that Fallkniven, the stainless laminate holds a great edge, the sheath is really user friendly and not tactical which is a plus in my experience, that knife is a great one.

The ESEE would get the nod if it weren't in the humid environment your talking about, the edge will rust, the warranty is unbeatable and the ergos are very good.

Something about the steel on a Fallkniven kills me, I love the San Mai....go NORDIC Naked!
 
I would go for Fallkniven first. I like the steel and the size and find the handle very elegant.
And then I would by ESEE 4. I have ESEE 3 already and that slows me down a bit... But I will get there! ;)
 
I have an ESEE 6 and an IZULA 2 that always go with me into the great outdoors. I've never had a rust issue on any of them. I would for sure recomend the IZULA 2 for a smaller tag-along to the 4.
 
I wouldn't let rust be a concern. I just rub some oil on the edge, or like said, use it. Stropping can also remove any corrosion that might be on the edge. Thing is, a blackish patina will form between sharpenings, that's normal, and helps prevent the orange rust that is so feared.
I lived in Florida, and Kentucky, gone backpacking to lots of places, and rust has never been a concern. Keep the knife dry when you put it away. Oil it before storage, and don't worry.
Both knives would be excellent knives, it's just a matter of preferences.
 
I have never used the ESEE 4, but I have brought the ESEE 3 and Fallkniven F1 to the AT before. Either will serve you well. You should not fear rust with any carbon steel if you use it and oil it as appropriate.

The only "edge" I would give would be to the Fallkniven F1 in the food prep category (assuming you're going for satin). Get the zytel sheath if you do get the F1.

(Edit: I meant zytel sheath.)
 
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I used to want a Fallkeniven, but on the reviews I noticed that the blades were chipping out due to striking the ground while batoning, so + 1 for the ESEE if those are the choices.
 
You also might look into some of the Bark River offerings as well, not that you're gonna go wrong with the F1 or the ESEE 4. Both are great knives. Barkies are the best cutters I've found to date though, and they generally are a lot prettier than the alternatives.
 
ESEE, dont worry about the rust, just oil it before you leave. You will be using it on the trail so rust shouldnt be a problem. I think the 4 is a perfect size.
 
Trail Edge said:
I used to want a Fallkeniven, but on the reviews I noticed that the blades were chipping out due to striking the ground while batoning, so + 1 for the ESEE if those are the choices.
Click to expand...

That is user error, not the knife. Using poor technique while chopping or batoning can result in a chip or a rolled edge from striking any hard surface you didn't wish to hit, with any knife. Baton on a platform such as a stump, not the ground.



I have used my F1 for a couple of years now, sold off every other fixed I owned. The only chips I had on my knife were from my own stupidity, a carpet staple and dropping it on a brick. Neither chip hurt my F1's real world performance. Slicing tissue paper, ya that would bind. But real tasks, no noticeable effect.
 
I'm not as fond of the Japaneese steel that the F1 is made of - my ESEE-4/RC-4 is all I need - and US-made all the way. If you like VG-10, look into the 'custom' F1's made by Bark River for knivesshipfree.com. They make the handle and match a leather sheath, too - of course, for what a couple of ESEE-4/RC-4 would cost. If you need something bigger... look at the Becker BK-2 - or ESEE-5/RC-5.

Stainz
 
Side by side, the ESEE 4 and the Bark River Bravo 1 are almost the same size, different thickness and geometry of course. The handle is fatter on the Bravo-1, spine is thicker, but the edge is finer, and no finger choil. The A2 Bravo 1 is tough, and easy to keep sharp by stropping, sandpaper and mousepad technique. Like mentioned, the convex edges of Bark River's are better cutters, so unless you are gorilla fisted, and use some sense, the Bark River's just cut better than most "V" edges.
Again, nothing wrong with the ESEE 4, but I did add the G-10 scales from The Knife Center to mine to beef it up a bit. I just took my 4 Backpacking with me this past weekend, it did great.

A side note, there are some Falkniven's that have been re-handled by Bark River, maybe Knives Ship Free sell those, more money, but pretty!
 
CHECK OUT THE BK2......Awesome knife then upgrade to micarta and strip the blade with paint stripper....It will become your favorite knife.
 
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