- Joined
- Jan 5, 2011
- Messages
- 6,194
By the numbers:
Length Closed: 3.85" (86mm)
Blade Length: 2.52" (64 mm)
Blade Thickness: .098" (2.5 mm)
Weight: 42 g (1.5 oz)
Steel: Laminated Super Gold Powder Steel
Hardness: 62 HRC
Handle Material: Zytel
Locking Mechanism: Lockback
Features: Ambidextrous Nail-Nick(s), Lanyard Hole
If you do your homework and research the Fällkniven U2, you will find quite a bit of controversy over this little guy. Why? Mostly because it ain’t cheap; especially for a small-sized folder. I took a quick tour online and found the average price to be around $100 for a “New In Box” U2. With so many great options available in the sub $100 range these days, it’s easy to understand why many folks might feel a little ‘underwhelmed’ upon first inspection of a Fällkniven U2: all you get out of the box is a 2.5” FFG stainless steel blade with a common lockback mechanism and plain-looking plastic scales.
So why is the U2 so expensive? I have no definitive answer, but I can surmise that the cost is attributed to two factors: country of origin and blade steel. The Fällkniven U2 is a Swedish design manufactured in Japan. We often hear about our European counterparts paying a premium for their knives and the U2 is no exception. Whenever the manufacturer’s cost goes up, the price for the end-user will also increase--it’s just that simple. We North Americans can then expect to pay an additional cost for an imported product. Again, this is just my best guess as I am not privy to the inner mechanics of the Fällkniven business model.
Well, I’m not much of a steel guru, but let’s discuss this Super Gold Powder Steel. What is it? I did my best to research this steel and found little scraps of information here and there (*disclaimer: I felt like Carlyle's editor in Sartor Resartus-- http://www.allreaders.com/topics/info_25502.asp.) From what I read, SGPS is simply the proprietary name given to Fällkniven’s laminated steel. Laminated, San Mai, damascus, or even composite steel blades are more expensive to produce. When considering these factors, the price of the U2 does not seem quite so outrageous—perhaps one might even view the U2 as a ‘budget’ folder to the laminated steel class.
The biggest criticism I have of the U2 is the limp warranty. Right off the snap, the box states: “Limited two year warranty.” Really? Come on, Fällkniven! I’ve spent far less on knives that have a “Forever Warranty” (I’m looking at you, Buck Knives :thumbup
This was a great disappointment to me, as I had expected a far better warranty from Fällkniven (especially at this price-point.) Whenever I see a lifetime warranty, whether I have occasion to use it or not, I’m lead to believe the manufacturer has full confidence in their product. This, in turn, makes me feel a little better about my purchasing decision.
I think a lot of folks won’t care for the liner-less Zytel handle on the U2, but I don’t mind it. It has a very slight texture to it; similar to the Spyderco Centofante 3 but perhaps just a shade rougher. I would have liked to see some sort of shield or inlay on the handle to dress it up a little, but there is still something very classy and demure about the unadorned clean approach—elegance in simplicity, I suppose. I think a polished G-10 handle would have been the cat’s pyjamas, but since I regard the U2 (and smaller U4) as an entry level Fällkniven folder, I can overlook this. Fällkniven does make higher-end folders that use premium scale/handle material (wood, bone, pearl, micarta)… at added expense, of course (for reference: their TK3 and FH9 models fall within the $200-$300+ price range.)
The pivot has no bushings or washers as far as I can tell (I’ve no plans to take the knife apart to tell for certain,) but the blade has a nice smooth deployment. I like the lanyard hole (no problem getting 550 paracord through it) and I think if one wanted to dress up the knife a little for a more ‘gentlemanly’ appearance, a nice leather lanyard with some kind of polished beads could do the trick. It isn’t a hard-use workhorse type knife; think of it more as a high-quality and understated EDC: people-friendly, light, and sharp as hell. The closest competitor to the Fällkniven U2, in my opinion, is the FRN Spyderco Dragonfly 2. Other affordable alternatives include: the Buck 55, Buck Vantage Small, and perhaps the CRKT Drifter.
Overall, I am pleased with my Fällkniven U2. I feel the cost was justified, although the jury is still out on the capabilities of the steel—time will tell.
Anyway,thanks for reading!
-Timber
ETA: I have sent Eric of Fällkniven knives a message regarding SGPS and will make any corrections regarding the U2's steel based on his feedback...
Length Closed: 3.85" (86mm)
Blade Length: 2.52" (64 mm)
Blade Thickness: .098" (2.5 mm)
Weight: 42 g (1.5 oz)
Steel: Laminated Super Gold Powder Steel
Hardness: 62 HRC
Handle Material: Zytel
Locking Mechanism: Lockback
Features: Ambidextrous Nail-Nick(s), Lanyard Hole
If you do your homework and research the Fällkniven U2, you will find quite a bit of controversy over this little guy. Why? Mostly because it ain’t cheap; especially for a small-sized folder. I took a quick tour online and found the average price to be around $100 for a “New In Box” U2. With so many great options available in the sub $100 range these days, it’s easy to understand why many folks might feel a little ‘underwhelmed’ upon first inspection of a Fällkniven U2: all you get out of the box is a 2.5” FFG stainless steel blade with a common lockback mechanism and plain-looking plastic scales.
So why is the U2 so expensive? I have no definitive answer, but I can surmise that the cost is attributed to two factors: country of origin and blade steel. The Fällkniven U2 is a Swedish design manufactured in Japan. We often hear about our European counterparts paying a premium for their knives and the U2 is no exception. Whenever the manufacturer’s cost goes up, the price for the end-user will also increase--it’s just that simple. We North Americans can then expect to pay an additional cost for an imported product. Again, this is just my best guess as I am not privy to the inner mechanics of the Fällkniven business model.
Well, I’m not much of a steel guru, but let’s discuss this Super Gold Powder Steel. What is it? I did my best to research this steel and found little scraps of information here and there (*disclaimer: I felt like Carlyle's editor in Sartor Resartus-- http://www.allreaders.com/topics/info_25502.asp.) From what I read, SGPS is simply the proprietary name given to Fällkniven’s laminated steel. Laminated, San Mai, damascus, or even composite steel blades are more expensive to produce. When considering these factors, the price of the U2 does not seem quite so outrageous—perhaps one might even view the U2 as a ‘budget’ folder to the laminated steel class.
The biggest criticism I have of the U2 is the limp warranty. Right off the snap, the box states: “Limited two year warranty.” Really? Come on, Fällkniven! I’ve spent far less on knives that have a “Forever Warranty” (I’m looking at you, Buck Knives :thumbup
This was a great disappointment to me, as I had expected a far better warranty from Fällkniven (especially at this price-point.) Whenever I see a lifetime warranty, whether I have occasion to use it or not, I’m lead to believe the manufacturer has full confidence in their product. This, in turn, makes me feel a little better about my purchasing decision.I think a lot of folks won’t care for the liner-less Zytel handle on the U2, but I don’t mind it. It has a very slight texture to it; similar to the Spyderco Centofante 3 but perhaps just a shade rougher. I would have liked to see some sort of shield or inlay on the handle to dress it up a little, but there is still something very classy and demure about the unadorned clean approach—elegance in simplicity, I suppose. I think a polished G-10 handle would have been the cat’s pyjamas, but since I regard the U2 (and smaller U4) as an entry level Fällkniven folder, I can overlook this. Fällkniven does make higher-end folders that use premium scale/handle material (wood, bone, pearl, micarta)… at added expense, of course (for reference: their TK3 and FH9 models fall within the $200-$300+ price range.)
The pivot has no bushings or washers as far as I can tell (I’ve no plans to take the knife apart to tell for certain,) but the blade has a nice smooth deployment. I like the lanyard hole (no problem getting 550 paracord through it) and I think if one wanted to dress up the knife a little for a more ‘gentlemanly’ appearance, a nice leather lanyard with some kind of polished beads could do the trick. It isn’t a hard-use workhorse type knife; think of it more as a high-quality and understated EDC: people-friendly, light, and sharp as hell. The closest competitor to the Fällkniven U2, in my opinion, is the FRN Spyderco Dragonfly 2. Other affordable alternatives include: the Buck 55, Buck Vantage Small, and perhaps the CRKT Drifter.
Overall, I am pleased with my Fällkniven U2. I feel the cost was justified, although the jury is still out on the capabilities of the steel—time will tell.
Anyway,thanks for reading!
-Timber
ETA: I have sent Eric of Fällkniven knives a message regarding SGPS and will make any corrections regarding the U2's steel based on his feedback...
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