It is a beautiful day on my island today. Low humidity and a pleasant 73 F.

Now that church is over (Speaking of Faith on NPR), I think I'll walk out back and check out my new Fallkniven F1.

I will compare it to the Scrap Yard Street Scapper 4.
The SS4 has been my favorite fixed blade for hiking lately. It is light, compact, and fits my big hand well. It has a big enough blade to do some work, and a useful finger choil. The F1 has about the same cutting edge length, and no choil, making it more compact for carry.

I have sheathed both knives in Rainwalker olive kydex for easy carry.

First, I need to walk out back to find some wood and check out my yard.


I can hear the Boy Scouts over there on Camp Tolochee Island. They do their Order of the Arrow stuff there.

This part of my yard looks promising.

I found some dead palmetto fronds and oak for cutting here. I'll walk back toward the test area nearer the house.

The SS4 fits my big hand very well.


The F1 also fits, but it isn't as comfortable for me as the SS4.

It does have this useful tang extension, though.

I used it to hammer the F1 point first into this hard oak. I did not try this with the the SS4. I'm sure the point can take it, but I don't want to beat up the handle.

Both knives will slice well, easily making curls of dry palmetto wood for fire starting.

[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/F1012.jpg[/img]
I think the F1 is just a little better slicer. It came with a very sharp convex edge. So, if you can't find a SS4, the F1 is an option. Whether its laminated VG-10 blade is a tough as INFI, I can't tell, but it sure seems thick and rugged. I prefer the feel of the SS4, but the little Fallkniven is definitely a first class survival knife.

Nice shots bro! I have both blades and agree with you totally. The SS4 is special and my all time favorite. The mudder handles work well in all paws.

But if you wanted a well made, well balanced, easy to carry, 3-4 incher "NOW"
that'll probably last beyond us, I'd get the F1.

Both companies put out some terrific blades! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good objective review Vic.

While I find the SS4 to be one of my favorite of MANY 4" (ish) sized blades, the F1 is VERY hard to fault in my book.

Both knives are pretty solidly in my top 4 or so 4" sized bladed knives.

I agree - that I also find the extended tang a great idea concept for these smaller sythetic knives. I honestly have never beat on mine. But, I know that it is a good idea that "could" be useful someday. So, a "small" advantage to F1 for this.

But, I also find the SS4 to be Extremely comfortable in my hand and also have to give the nod to the SS4 for comfort. But, I also find the F1 to be pretty comfortable and nothing to complain about.

I prefer the full convex edge and would have to "easily" give the F1 the nod for factory edge and sharpness.... But, edges can be fixed and both of mine have that now! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Of course I also HIGHLY prefer "SATIN" blades "Especially" on smaller knives. So, again, advantage to F1 in my book.

But, BOTH knives have Excellent steel. VG-10 is awesome for slicing and cutting type tasks. It is very reasonably tough for a 4" blade, but no doubt INFI is tougher.

With the coated blade and factory edge on the SS4, I feel the SS4 has a couple of compromises that make the comparison a close call and a toss up.


But, n the end, the two main advantages the F1 has over the SS4 is a factory sharp and convexed edge and a satin finish. These are two things that can be fixed on the SS4 and I have already remedied on my SS4.


Comfort and feel of the knife (ergonomics) are pretty big in my book and I feel the SS4 wins that catagory. So, as my knife is, after modifying the blade, I have to give my vote to my SS4.

I don't expect Busse and kin to start putting convex edges on knives. But, I do wish Busse would at least offer every knife with satin and offer it at a reasonable up-charge on price. Thank you Dan for offering "most" of the knives here with a satin option and offering "most" of them at a reasonable up-charge. I would LOVE to see a continuation trend of keeping satin at a reasonable price and available on most knives.


For the record, I have high respect for Fallkniven and I would probably rank Fallkniven as about my 3rd favorite knife company behind Busse and kin and Bark River.




...... I also have a limited Full tang micarta F1 (57 of 200) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. BUT, go figure, it is solid VG-10 (not laminated) and it is "flat" ground with a secondary edge grind (NOT Full Convexed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> ). I honestly don't mind a flat ground blade. I can put a very good convex edge on a flat blade. I can even make a flat ground blade into full convex. But, a flat ground blade with a secondary convex edge can still be made to cut very well. Fallkniven usually uses full convex grinds with excellent factory edges and sharpness. So, I was surprised to receive this LE micarta F1 with a "typical" secondary grind that is of typical factory sharpness. Oh well, I can fix it...

It does have a semi-mirror polish which is "pretty". But, for a user, I still prefer satin. Also, VG-10 doesn't mirror polish that well anyway. However, the ergos comfort and feel of the micarta handle are Spectacular. It probably has one of the best feeling factory handles I can think of and does actually "just" barely might edge out the SS4 for feel and comfort. But, feel and comfort is a subjective thing.


But, the darn LE micarta F1 is just a little "too" pretty and because it is 57 of 200, it has made it hard for me to use. Also, with my SS4 being ground into a user and my other favorite Bark River Canadian Special 2007, I just haven't had a need to use my LE F1. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
But, the LE micarta F1 would honestly be an outstanding - Top-Shelf user.

SS4, F1 (and my CS2007) all are VERY good and VERY worthy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />



Here is my SS4 (modified <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) and my factory LE 057/200 micarta Fallkniven F1 (with uncharacteristic of Fallkniven - Typical factory type edge - NOT full convex <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> ):




Great Stuff!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

.

Thanks for the additional tech info, KG. This was just a little EDC type comparo. I just wanted to get the "feel" of the F1. I didn't opt for the pretty one since I have the similar sized Bear Grylls Bayley. This is my only Fallkniven. At < $100 delivered, I figured it was not too bad for today's prices. I doubt that it will replace my SS4 as favorite Fixed Blade EDC, but it is a very practical and useful knife. This blade has the same wicked full convex edge that the BRKT Bravo-1 has. These knives come really sharp right out of the box, and that impresses me. I wouldn't say the Fallkniven is better than a Scrapper or Swamp Rat, but it is available and seems to be very well made. It is almost as easy to carry as a large folder, and much stronger.

Thanks for the comparison, Vic. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

The SS4 would certainly be my first choice as well, but the F1 does seam like a nice alternative.

I really hope that Dan releases something else with those Mudder handles eventually. They just feel so good in the hand!

TO BAD THE SS4 IS SO MUCH. THAT IS A GREAT PRICE FOR INFI BUT MY F1 COST ABOUT HALF THAT. I WRAPPED A PARACORD HANDLE FOR IT. NO WHERE NEAR AS NICE AS THE MUSSERS ON THE SS4 I IMAGINE. THANKS VIC

Nice comparison. I don't have any Falknivens yet, but I will give them a try at some point.

I am a big fan of Fallknivens knives and usually end up agreeing with knifeguy and Horndog on most things. Similar tastes I guess. I even have my SS4 with a satin finish and very thin convex edge. INFI is such a strong stable steel it can and should be run with a thinner edge. When people ask me about which knife they should get I usually say a Fallkniven fixed blade and a spyderco folder. Most people don't want to deal with the hassle involved in buying a Busse Kin knife and
I am really tired of explaining the whole "why you can't buy one from the site" or
the "why people selling used Busse kin knives for more than a new one are not trying to pull a fast one".

I am seriously considering one of the Fallkniven Tre Kroner knives. I just missed out on a great trade for one with a European guy on BB who would have been positively thrilled with a Mutt in trade had he not just sold it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The SS4 is not the only option for reasonably priced INFI. User Game Wardens ,Assault Shakers and Culties are common. I passed on a great deal on an INFIcoot before I knew better and Bramel(clearly a smarter Man than me)jumped on it.
I love RES C and the mudder handle but in a small knife it is not that important. I have tried pounding mine into wood like HD did with the F1 and it works but the handle makes your hammer or log bounce and a lot of the power is lost.

Also be very careful throwing the SS4 because if the handle hits it will come flying back at you like a sharp superball.

Great pics again Vic, funny you mention the Bayley knife because I thought that you would have compared the F1 to that, but maybe that's because we are the Yard forum eh ?
Maybe you could take a pic of the SS4, F1 and the Bayley knife all together !