Fallkniven F1 alternatives

A

AttilaTheHun

Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Messages
124
It seems most everyone is putting out their copy of the Fallkniven F1 knife pattern intended for survival/hunting/camping:
- fixed blade
- black textured composite handle with finger guard an lanyard hole
- 4-5mm hollow-ground stainless blade, about 4 inch long.

Of these F1-patterned knives, which one do you think is best for the money?

Fallkniven F1:
- Blade length: 3 4/5"
- Overall length: 8 1/3"
- Steel: Laminated VG10
- Handle material: Thermorum
$100
f1z.jpg



Benchmade Rant:
- Blade Length: 4.48"
- Blade Thickness: 0.175"
- Blade Material: D2 Tool Steel
- Blade Hardness: 60-62HRC
- Blade Style: Drop-Point
- Weight: 6.16oz.
- Overall Length: 9.11"
$65
product_thumb.php


Cold Steel Master Hunter
- Blade: 4 1/2"
- Overall: 9 1/4"
- Weight: 6.4oz
- Steel: VG-1 San Mai III
- blade thickness 3/16"
$85
41Wnz%2B4iSBL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
You can also find the F1's Japaneese VG10 convexed blade handled in Micarta, etc, and with a leather sheath made here in the USA by Bark River, etc, for less than the Falkniven upgraded handle version.

Stainz
 
It seems the consensus so far leans towards the F1. What makes it so much better than say the Benchmade Rant that costs half as much?
 
I've owned both and now only have the F1. It fits my hand better, seems lighter, is shorter in overall and blade length (perfect size for me), I like the grind and it seems to hold an edge just about forever. I can't really see why I'd need anything else in a fixed blade knife.
 
I never had the Fallkniven but i did have a Master Hunter. From what i understand the MH came out in 1984 and the F1 in 1985, but who's keepin track. I sold the Master Hunter, just don't like rubber/plastic grips. The VG1 steel is awesome and stays wicked sharp. Now that i think about prob just shoulda tried a new grip job.

Jeff
 
Fallkniven's are great knives. You won't be disappointed with the F1, its the best option of the three. But if you are looking for some similar alternatives look at the ESEE 4, Swamp Rat Howling Little Mischief (HRLM), or Swamp Rat Rodent Solution. They are all fantastic knives and you couldn't go wrong with any of them
 
I'd consider the BM Rant, but I'm a Benchmade fanboy. I do like the D2 steel and clip point blade also, though. I'd also consider the Bark River that's similar, but I can't remember the exact model name.
 
I don't understand the philosophy of convex blade on a small fixed blade knife. Now, a convexed edge, absolutely. Is it all about batoning? If so, then I guess I don't understand the philosophy behind batoning. I know it is a survival technique but I personally have never needed to waste the energy that batoning requires in my backcountry outings. I guess I wish they made an F1 with a full flat grind. I'll never need one even if they did make one because I'm very happy with my Linder SuperEdge I which is FFG.
 
I would consider the Bark River Gunny, especially in stainless steal equivialent to the F1, and also the Fiddleback Forge Production Recluse which is in A2, but not stainless yet. I have all three of these knives and they will all do the job very well and are all convex blades. Its hard to pick from the three, but if you require stainless, the F1 VG-10 is hard to beat at its price point.
 
Another vote for the Fallkniven F1. One of my favourite knives and it defintely sees the most use.
 
look at the reviews for the F1, you'll rarely find a disparaging word (the one detractor I have seen stated more than a few times is from folks w/ large hands, so if you have large hands might want to handle one first)

both VG10 and 3G are very good steel and while some might not like a convex edge, I find it to be the most suitable edge for my uses- a good convex edge and good steel equate to a knife that stays sharp for a very long time

I've owned a fair number of quality fixed blades (read customs), but I seem to always gravitate back to the F1

knifepron.jpg
 
Another recommendation for the Fallkniven F1. Thats only because i have no experience with the Rant and Master Hunter.

Just some bonus info...The founder of Fallkniven used to be a Cold Steel distributor for Europe. He then parts ways with Cold Steel, and the rest is history. No wonder the 2 knives look so alike.

By the way, i think the new Rants are made with 440C steel. BM has also launched a few extra blade shapes and replaced the old sheath with a nylon one.

BM_517SBK.jpg


Heres a comparison of the Rant with the F1. As you cans ee its much bigger than the F1. ts closer in size to the Master Hunter. The pic i borrowed from: http://www.knives.lt/sites/default/files/images/F1-vs-BM%20Rant.jpg

F1-vs-BM%20Rant.jpg
 
i like the rampless bravo1 from BRKT...same blade shape as the F1 (i have both knives), but the handle just fits my hand so much better on the bravo1
 
mtwarden said:
look at the reviews for the F1, you'll rarely find a disparaging word (the one detractor I have seen stated more than a few times is from folks w/ large hands, so if you have large hands might want to handle one first)

both VG10 and 3G are very good steel and while some might not like a convex edge, I find it to be the most suitable edge for my uses- a good convex edge and good steel equate to a knife that stays sharp for a very long time

I've owned a fair number of quality fixed blades (read customs), but I seem to always gravitate back to the F1

knifepron.jpg
Click to expand...

Pretty much sums up my experience with the F1. For the price you can't beat the F1. I've come to like the Thermorun scales over the years and the convex grind is easy to maintain once you get the hang of it.

I had the Micarta-scale version for a while but found that I liked the standard version better. The Micarta scales make the F1 seem almost like a different knife - they add a lot of weight and I believe the tang is also beefier on this version adding still more weight. It fits a bigger hand better though that's for sure.
 
^ your correct- the tang is larger (wider) on the diy version, so in addition to whatever scales you choose- you're adding even more weight

you do however get the exact scale material and size/shape of your choice :)
 
Of the three knives listed by the OP, my choice was (and still is) for the F1. Even though the price is higher now than it was in the past, it is still a bargain for what you get. The combination of the full convex geometry and excellent steel is hard to beat imo.

On the DIY F1's, the added weight can be negated if you drill out (skeletonize) the tang. I recently did one myself and although I went through 2 carbide bits I was able to achieve a really good balance. The fact that Bark River doesn't do this with their custom F1's was really the only reason I didn't purchase one from them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top