Fallkniven A1 - Survival Lilly (sorry, not sorry!).

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Dav1

Joined
Mar 2, 2022
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OK so I've just recieved a Fallkniven A1 after watching many positive reviews. Wanted to try the brand and a knife of this size from this maker. I expect a knife of this type to be used "hard", although I don't abuse my knives I like to use them as intended.

Seeing the "damning" video from the YTer above I wanted to test out a knife I will use for light chopping, batoning and general "camp" duties.

If I damage the knife that's OK as its a mid priced knife and I can then agree Fallknivens laminated Vg10 isn't up to the task (it is described on the box as a strong survival knife after all).

Firstly I re sharpened and stropped the convex secondary bevel as some have said the factory edge can be brittle and once this is done users have seen no issues/chipping.

I chopped (lightly with the knife), batoned some cold frozen wood (we've got some cold weather currently here in the UK) and did some notching and a little carving.

For a knife of this size it performed as I expected and is a very good splitter when it comes to batoning. Cuts surprisingly well for such a chunky blade as others have said due to the grind/geometry. Extensive batoning was done and as mentioned with hard frozen wood.

No chipping or deformation of the edge what so ever and it strops extremely well to a fine edge again.

Perhaps she got a bad one, perhaps she doesn't like Fallkniven and wanted to promote her new Knife I don't know, but I would love to see what she really did with her S1 to achieve that edge damage.

Pleased with the purchase and it will go into my camping rotation.

Apologies if this has been discussed as the video is an older one, but I'd not come upon it until my purchase.
 
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You should check that video for contrast. 😁

I’m not big on batoning personally. I had the F1 in the past and had it chipping with just cutting things. I wasn’t so experienced then to try adjusting the grind but I had simiar knives that had no problems chipping. Fällknives response to my email was in the lines of you are poo poo head and wrong!
 
A.L. said:

You should check that video for contrast. 😁

I’m not big on batoning personally. I had the F1 in the past and had it chipping with just cutting things. I wasn’t so experienced then to try adjusting the grind but I had simiar knives that had no problems chipping. Fällknives response to my email was in the lines of you are poo poo head and wrong!
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Yes I watched that shortly afterwards, I do enjoy watching them more for the entertainment aspect!

I know batoning isn't liked by many but I guess they are my knives and I obviously take responsibility for any "misuse".
But not a response I'd expect from such a prominent company! Yes perhaps prepping/sharpening the factory edge is key although I'm aware Vg10 isn't a great choice re toughness the HT and convex edge should help to deal with this.

I reread the box description and it said "the A1 is a very strong survival knife" originally developed for the military so I'll continue to use as appropriate. It had a good test today and passed with flying colours though.
 
Sounds like it put in some good work, good to hear. I didn't watch any of the videos referenced because that's not really my thing too often, but I have always wanted to try a Fallkniven fixed blade.
 
irsh said:
Good to know I'd need to rework the factory edge before use. The add hype would have you thinking otherwise.
Maybe I'll just stick with ESEE and save myself the headache.
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I'm sure the Esse will do you just fine and you can't beat their warranty!

It's easy enough, I use a gentle circular motion with the DC4 stone like you would sharpening an axe, its easy and quick enough to do.

Just fancied trying one out, they are nice knives. I'd like to buy a US custom but am very impatient🤓
 
A.L. said:
I’m not big on batoning personally. I had the F1 in the past and had it chipping with just cutting things. I wasn’t so experienced then to try adjusting the grind but I had simiar knives that had no problems chipping. Fällknives response to my email was in the lines of you are poo poo head and wrong!
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My exact experience with Fällknives customer support (I.E the owner) over an issue with one of their folders. I ended up with my money returned.
 
Fallknivens warranty sucks! And if they finally agree to exchange your knife they will say it was your fault it broke and not an issue with the knife.

Years ago on their website they used to say chopping with their knives voided the warranty. LoL.

I think people complained about that so they removed it.
 
From some of the comments it seems so, which isn't great practice. It's a nice knife and functions very well in the short time I've had it, I've read some poor reviews but the general consensus is positive so I purchased knowing that.

It's not a particularly expensive knife (to me anyway) and I wanted to try it. I won't be "babying" it but will use as intended and shall see, as above I wanted to try one of their knives out of curiosity.

The video Im referring to still shows excessive damage imo caused by improper use. I've watched her baton and she can't even hit the knife straight which will cause lateral stress on a blade. I've used tools for over 30 years (work) so maybe I'm just being too critical.
 
To each his own regarding brands and how they use them. I have been very happy with my A2, and it has been my winter go-to knife for the comfortable and grippy handle not being as cold, and it is a stout knife I trust. If I was bashing the handle on rocks trying to get chiton’s to eat as Lily did, I sure would not complain about tearing up the grip. I used to eat those often living in the Caribbean, and I always used the tip of a knife to lift them from the rocks. I am not bashing her at all, just pointing it out. Most youtubers have biases and agendas.
 
I have two F1 models. I gifted one to my father who field dressed a single white tail with it, and it chipped like crazy. I had to clean it up and remove a pretty good amount of material.

The other I have only used on light cutting, but have not really pressed it into any hard materials. It's a pretty knife but I think your gonna see the need to remove the factory edge more often than not.
 
Yes looked at the COS A1's (Pro and X series?) didn't want the metal guard and felt the X series was just too thick for the length of the blade.

I guess we shall see, I'll certainly use the knife!
 
Dav1 said:
Yes looked at the COS A1's (Pro and X series?) didn't want the metal guard and felt the X series was just too thick for the length of the blade.

I guess we shall see, I'll certainly use the knife!
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The A1 has been around since the 90s. The entire FK F1/S1/A1/A2 series were designed specifically as military use survival knives.
It is pricey but it is a very good solid knife.
I still use my basic A1. The Pro and X series seem to me to be an effort to meet the "needs a steel bolster" and "needs a full width tang" requests
more than an actual significant performance upgrade. Of course those additions add a little more weight to the plain thermorun only handle.
And marketing the already expensive Pro in a pelican box with a DC3/DC4 stone (which I already have) at a high price didn't make much sense to me.
Furthermore, the X series, while having removable scales, leaves too much of the tang out along the edges resulting in discomfort for quite a few owners.
As for the steel, the A1 originally was solid VG10 monosteel, but FK went to the laminated VG10 citing improvements. I have had maybe 10 FKs (I still have 3)
and my VG10 F1 was the only one that produced small chipping on the edge. Once sharpened never again. But immediate sharpening out of the box does not appear to be "needed"all the time.I also have my doubts about the COS steel being a significant upgrade over VG10. Maybe it is, I don't know. But I do know that it is not as much of an upgrade as the powder steel SG2 core in my 3G F1s.
Anyway, I believe you have a good knife and it should serve you well. At least unless you go out of your way to make a "I broke this knife" video or something.
BTW, I saw the A1s being made at the factory in Seki 7 years ago. The maker himself, arguably the best fixed blade maker in Japan, brought out an all black one saying this is what is going to be coming out soon.

 
A1 is a beautiful knife for sure.

Just having AK47 fixed blade in CPM-3V, and now Recon Tanto too - it is clear as day I don't need another fixed blade of similar size :D
I almost forgot SP-53 too...

But yeah, it is a good knife, altough very pricey in my opinion, a lot more than what I paid for my AK47 knife, and that knife is in 3V.

But it is nice to know what you like. A lot of people find lamination special, both by aesthetics and by their purpose.
 
Lilly bought and destroyed fallkniven in videos
She would take one of their models
And stick the tip or edge into a rock to pry off some questionable ocean eatery
And show the the knife later on ( after some other "light" work and the tip and edge is completely destroyed)
She goes on to trash their craftsmanship
After blatantly abusing the knife
Completely user error,
Now she has her own knife and model line?
If this gets me in trouble so be it. But I don't buy it
If she has hidden and secret extensive knowledge of CNC and metallurgy--- sure
But the rest of her act.
Uhh-- no..

Please respond it's fine, likely won't respond to most of them 😉🙃
 
I acquired an A1x right here off the exchange. I gotta' say, I'm not in love with it.

Do I hate it? No. Is there anything inherently "wrong" with it? No, absolutely not. It's a robust and aesthetically appealing knife that appears to be well made. They are, no doubt, pretty pround of 'em. (*$$$)

In my limited usage, I've had zero issues with the factory edge...and I lean on all my robust fixies pretty hard. I don't know if I could narrow my criticism(s) down to just one thing. I guess if I had to try to articulate, I would say that I have several knives in or around the same size, and quite a few that I just (*generally) prefer to the A1x. As with anything, not every knife is going to appeal to everyone. I'm sure I love several knives that many don't.

Before acquiring the A1x, I wanted a Modern Bowie. However, after a little time with the "x", I think my money will be going toward a Trailmaster in 3V...if I go down that path. (*I need another large fixie like I need another hole in my head)
 
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