- Joined
- Oct 29, 2012
- Messages
- 102
The Fallkniven F2 is the best general purpose field fishing knife there is, but it is also an excellent hunting, camping, backpack, utility, kitchen and survival knife.
I choose my knifes from reputable knifes craftsmen with a prestigious history in knife making, the Swedish company Fallkniven being one of these. There is allot of controvery as to what makes the best survival knife, or if you will survival tool. I discovered that to make this easier I relied on the following two principles I once learnt from someone that holds true;
1.) When choosing the ultimate belt/ sheath knife think of 'purpose' and 'practicality' as being priorities.
2.) Even more so conceptualise you're thinking with this critical statement, 'the best knife to have is the one you have with you.'
The term 'survival knife' was initially derived by the Americans from 1942 on with the introduction and success of the USMC KA-BAR? This was/ and is (its still available new) a knife that was primarily designed for military utility use, however was also adaptable for infantry use as a trench knife, as it was called back then, combat knife in the 1980's and fighting knife now. With respect the reported success of the US KA-BAR by past and pesent US Marines and Navy personel aside, I am not a fan of drop point blades for survival use, KA-BAR and F1 included. Did you know that the standard issue full tang wooden handled German trench knife of WWII was considered far superior to the KA-BAR? This was because it served the role of protection first, but did'nt skip on survival second. It has a double edged, straight sharp tip blade. The double edged blade ran half the length of the blade on the spine side of the knife. The remainder of the spine was flat and could be used for hammering purposes. US Navy personel were taught in training to use their KA-BAR in a slashing fashion initially and to penetrate later, while the Germans' had the upper hand being able to deliver a serious penetrating blows from the outset using a stabbing and penetrating concept. There knifes were also longer than the KA-BAR, German 9" vs the KA-BAR's 7" for the full sized version. This obviously meant a reach advantage for the Germans as well. This is not to say that penetration is the priority of the survival knife, however it could be argued that in the wild and perhaps other places it should be considered, if you're 'survival' is important to you.
Fallkniven notes that the F1 is representing a new philosophy in survival knfes with regards to weight and size compromise. I say that the F2 has done the same and gone one step better, especially where blade thickness is concerned. Some forum posts support that the best compromise as far as weight and compactness is concerned for the ultimate survival knife is one with a blade length on or between 3.8" to 5.1" and a blade thickness, until recently, between 2.5mm to 3.5mm.
So why not choose the F1 as you're ultimate survival knife/tool ...most everyone else does right? Consider the following.
- F2's blade is sufficiently strong at 2.5mm, offers Fallknivens 20% extra strength throught laminated VG10 steel technology;
- Fact: F2 is at least a mind numbing one third the weight of the F1 pilot survival knife (150g), and the F1 is a knife that is accalaimed as being the best compact and light weight survival knife in the world and a knife that is setting new world standards for survival knifes! While I don't know the exact weight of F2 it is estimated to be less than 50g! ...Backpackers and serious adventurers would marvel at the superior weight advantages to be had by purchasing a Fallkniven F2.
- Fact: F2 has a perfect blade length of 4.3 inches for a field belt/ sheath knife and as such its blade is longer than F1. E.g. Note an F2 will just cut a loaf of bread without turning the loaf, whereas F1 will not;
- F2 has excellent penetration ability, that puts F1 to shame, more than satisfying feelings of personal security and field dressing needs
- Added to this, the F2 is also unique and rare in that it is the only LEGAL knife I know that can be a serious trench knife camoflaged as a fishing knife!
- F2 was my second cheapest Fallkniven, falling in just above my U4 Folder and just under my U2 Folder!
- Fact: The F2's cutting ability is uncanny and puts F1 to shame. The unique geometry and thiness of the blade sees it cut with the efficiency and precision of a scalpel.
- F2 will not chop, nor pry and it is not 'recommended' for battoning. However F1 due to its short blade length it makes its tip vulnerable in battoning. F1's weight limits its chopping ability. Consider that while F1's drop point blade design enables it to pry, it severly limits its penetration arguably and essential requirement of any knife and and essential one for survival and security purposes.
While I cannot citicise the F2, if I could somehow suggest to Fallkniven improvements with it they would be.
- Retain the blade length, yet increase blade thickness to 3mm for true survival tasks like prying
- Add a pommel
- Subetly increase and proportion the handles bottom guard lip by 2mm
- Shine the blade like the A1, S1 and NL series
I could and would have brought any Fallkniven I wanted, save the NL special steel Tq hunter. I chose and have recently received a new Fallkniven model F2z. I believe this is a highly under-rated knife because it is so often greatly overlooked as an immensely capable and adaptable for most outdoor and utility tasks, let alone fishing and hunting. Unlike A1, S1, or even the NL Series the F2's blade is not clumsy and neither do you dont feel as though you are carrying around a sharpened crow bar and attracting unwanted attention. With F2 I keep coming back to to the concept of how 'effortless' it is to use. 'It cuts anything easily and precisely' (Fallkniven), and quickly. I love the Fallkniven F2z!
I choose my knifes from reputable knifes craftsmen with a prestigious history in knife making, the Swedish company Fallkniven being one of these. There is allot of controvery as to what makes the best survival knife, or if you will survival tool. I discovered that to make this easier I relied on the following two principles I once learnt from someone that holds true;
1.) When choosing the ultimate belt/ sheath knife think of 'purpose' and 'practicality' as being priorities.
2.) Even more so conceptualise you're thinking with this critical statement, 'the best knife to have is the one you have with you.'
The term 'survival knife' was initially derived by the Americans from 1942 on with the introduction and success of the USMC KA-BAR? This was/ and is (its still available new) a knife that was primarily designed for military utility use, however was also adaptable for infantry use as a trench knife, as it was called back then, combat knife in the 1980's and fighting knife now. With respect the reported success of the US KA-BAR by past and pesent US Marines and Navy personel aside, I am not a fan of drop point blades for survival use, KA-BAR and F1 included. Did you know that the standard issue full tang wooden handled German trench knife of WWII was considered far superior to the KA-BAR? This was because it served the role of protection first, but did'nt skip on survival second. It has a double edged, straight sharp tip blade. The double edged blade ran half the length of the blade on the spine side of the knife. The remainder of the spine was flat and could be used for hammering purposes. US Navy personel were taught in training to use their KA-BAR in a slashing fashion initially and to penetrate later, while the Germans' had the upper hand being able to deliver a serious penetrating blows from the outset using a stabbing and penetrating concept. There knifes were also longer than the KA-BAR, German 9" vs the KA-BAR's 7" for the full sized version. This obviously meant a reach advantage for the Germans as well. This is not to say that penetration is the priority of the survival knife, however it could be argued that in the wild and perhaps other places it should be considered, if you're 'survival' is important to you.
Fallkniven notes that the F1 is representing a new philosophy in survival knfes with regards to weight and size compromise. I say that the F2 has done the same and gone one step better, especially where blade thickness is concerned. Some forum posts support that the best compromise as far as weight and compactness is concerned for the ultimate survival knife is one with a blade length on or between 3.8" to 5.1" and a blade thickness, until recently, between 2.5mm to 3.5mm.
So why not choose the F1 as you're ultimate survival knife/tool ...most everyone else does right? Consider the following.
- F2's blade is sufficiently strong at 2.5mm, offers Fallknivens 20% extra strength throught laminated VG10 steel technology;
- Fact: F2 is at least a mind numbing one third the weight of the F1 pilot survival knife (150g), and the F1 is a knife that is accalaimed as being the best compact and light weight survival knife in the world and a knife that is setting new world standards for survival knifes! While I don't know the exact weight of F2 it is estimated to be less than 50g! ...Backpackers and serious adventurers would marvel at the superior weight advantages to be had by purchasing a Fallkniven F2.
- Fact: F2 has a perfect blade length of 4.3 inches for a field belt/ sheath knife and as such its blade is longer than F1. E.g. Note an F2 will just cut a loaf of bread without turning the loaf, whereas F1 will not;
- F2 has excellent penetration ability, that puts F1 to shame, more than satisfying feelings of personal security and field dressing needs
- Added to this, the F2 is also unique and rare in that it is the only LEGAL knife I know that can be a serious trench knife camoflaged as a fishing knife!
- F2 was my second cheapest Fallkniven, falling in just above my U4 Folder and just under my U2 Folder!
- Fact: The F2's cutting ability is uncanny and puts F1 to shame. The unique geometry and thiness of the blade sees it cut with the efficiency and precision of a scalpel.
- F2 will not chop, nor pry and it is not 'recommended' for battoning. However F1 due to its short blade length it makes its tip vulnerable in battoning. F1's weight limits its chopping ability. Consider that while F1's drop point blade design enables it to pry, it severly limits its penetration arguably and essential requirement of any knife and and essential one for survival and security purposes.
While I cannot citicise the F2, if I could somehow suggest to Fallkniven improvements with it they would be.
- Retain the blade length, yet increase blade thickness to 3mm for true survival tasks like prying
- Add a pommel
- Subetly increase and proportion the handles bottom guard lip by 2mm
- Shine the blade like the A1, S1 and NL series
I could and would have brought any Fallkniven I wanted, save the NL special steel Tq hunter. I chose and have recently received a new Fallkniven model F2z. I believe this is a highly under-rated knife because it is so often greatly overlooked as an immensely capable and adaptable for most outdoor and utility tasks, let alone fishing and hunting. Unlike A1, S1, or even the NL Series the F2's blade is not clumsy and neither do you dont feel as though you are carrying around a sharpened crow bar and attracting unwanted attention. With F2 I keep coming back to to the concept of how 'effortless' it is to use. 'It cuts anything easily and precisely' (Fallkniven), and quickly. I love the Fallkniven F2z!
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