F1 or S1?

[Dougster]

I'm finally able to afford a Fallkniven thanks to a tax rebate.

I was looking at the F1, but am strangely drawn to the S1.

What do you lot think?

I want a nice all round knife, but one that I can carve with.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[PC2K]

I had have a S1 and still have a F1. The S1 is a little weird. It's to big for precision jobs and yet to small to chop with. It's kinda a weird size of knife that can't do anything very well. The F1 has the right size. Both are a bit thick.

 

[Bjorn Victor]

I have an S1. Great knife. I love it. Solid, sharp, full tang, kydex sheath.
It is a 5" knife, so many think it is too big and thick for bushcrafting. I never had trouble. Don't plan on carrying it around on your neck though. Too heavy for that.
Throws a mean sparkshower with a fire steel.
I have not used it to carve a spoon or do (very) delicate wood carvings. It's possible it is a bit big for that kind of work, but not impossible!!! It works very well for making traps, fire sticks, batonning firewood...

Many believe that the ideal knife is 3-4" long. That's fine, but I do not have an axe, so the extra weight/length comes in handy for me when battoning firewood. I do the very fine cutting stuff with a swiss army knife.

I must admit I just bought an F1 also. It should arrive in a few days.
I am just too curious about that knife...
I plan to give it to my son when he is old enough...

IMHO you cannot go wrong with either.

If you want to know more, just ask.

Bjorn

 

[sxmolloy]

I've had an F1 for about 6 months now. Great knife, excellent for using with a fire steel and easy to use with a baton. Easy to sharpen (convex edge so slightly different) and although I haven't done any real carving with it, feather sticks are no problem.

I also have a Gransfors Wildlife Hatchet, although that has not seen the light of day since my F1 arrived as it replaces the axe for all my wood splitting. I find it a joy to use and is great value for money.

The reason I went with the F1 rather than the S1 was size and the spine of the blade. The S1 doesn't look as square to me as the F1 so that influenced my decision some what.

Which ever knife you go with I would also recommend the DC3 or DC4 sharpening stone if you dont have one already. I use the DC3 with my F1 and its superb.

Hope this helps, best wishes....Stu
PM me if you need any more info.

 

[Andy]

I'd go for the F1 over the S1

the F1 though small and compact does have a rather thick edge which isn't the best for wood carving. For that a scandi knife is my knife of choice. Mine is a rathe posh one made by Dan Ko (ZDP-189 on Britishblades) but there are cheaper ones

 

[C_Claycomb]

Another vote for the F1. A friend has one of each and I was very keen to compare since I liked the look (from pictures) of the S1. Boy was I disappointed on handling it. The blade length doesn't bother me, I like longer, but the handle was significantly narrower than on the F1, not as comfortable. Also, while I like the shape of the A1, clip point/swedge and all, I don't think they have quite got it right on the S1. It just seems a wierd shape. I like the extra length to give more spine to batton on when splitting wood, but the swedge on the S1 chews up battons, so you don't come out ahead on that feature.

I would like to like the S1. I like the length. I just didn't get on with it, and even though the F1 is a little shorter and thicker than I would like, I think it the better package.

 

[Dougster]

So neither is perfect! Any suggestions of a bushcraft knife at a similar price - I can't go near a Woodlore.

Thanks for the help so far all.

 

[Andy]

do you want to use the knife with a baton?

There are often scandi knives going on BB which are hand made, the second hand ones can often be got for a little at £40. If you get one and don't like it chances are you can sell it on for the same amount you paid for it.
Having said that you wont loose much if you get the F1 and don't like it.
What's worth considering is that if you want a F1 you'll always be wondering if you'd have been better with that if you buy something else.

 

[Dougster]

I probably won't use a baton as I have a small forest axe which I am rather fond of. Saying all this - I really need a good look at them before I buy them. I'll have to find somewhere that will sale or return without use. Anyone know of anywhere?

 

[C_Claycomb]

I don't use a batton often, I have a SFA and a Mini, but it is something to think about even so. Mind you, you can batton using a much thinner knife too. Plenty do so with 3mm thick puukkos.

Heinnie offer a 16 day return period, a bit short I reckon, but if you make an effort to look the knife over it should be enough. In this day and age I would be surprised if anyone would sell something costing as much as a good knife, and not offer a refund on return if it was unused.

If you haven't had a good look at the Classifieds, and Makers Sales on British Blades, you should. There are some great handmade knives appearing on there all the while. Some F1s too

 

[Andy]

all internet sales have to have to offer a refund within a set time period. They are alllowed to charge a re stocking fee and can deduct the postage costs from thsi though

 

[Biddlesby]

Also, while I like the shape of the A1, clip point/swedge and all, I don't think they have quite got it right on the S1. I....the swedge on the S1 chews up battons, so you don't come out ahead on that feature.

Quick question, what's a swedge?

 

[Andy]

Quick question, what's a swedge?

it's a bit where the blade has a grind which makes the spine of the blade thinner then a bit lower down. It means that you can get a sharper tip which may be handy if the blade is quite thick but depending on just how thin it makes the spine it can mean it's thin enough to damage a baton.