(Pros: Materials, Handle Material, Blade Material, Finish, Weight, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard, None
The Last Knife You’ll Ever Buy
I have resisted buying the A1 for many years. It is a big investment. I have reasoned that many cheaper knives could perform just as well. Perhaps, I was wrong. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Missing from Description Above: VG 10 is a laminated sandwich of VG 10 @ 59 HRC, sandwiched between two slices of tougher, softer, more stain resistant 420J2 (probably common knowledge). I have seen complaints of an uneven transition lines in the lamination on the A1; and, have seen a reply by Fallkniven’s president, Eric Hjortberger, that these are ground by hand, so, they will be slightly uneven. The consensus by all is that it won’t affect the performance. Mine came with beautifully symmetrical lamination transition lines. Obviously ground by a true master. This is a convex saber grind/convex edge (preferred by professional guides, hunters, bushcrafters, survivalist, and outdoorsmen, the world over, for cutting/slicing performance, and strength of edge). >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I’m not going to fully review this knife. You can scroll down and read 25 other reviews that pretty well explain it. I’ll just say excellent fit/finish/grind/steel sandwich/handle/design. Kraton is my favorite knife handle material (e.g. OKC, Spec Plus Line). Read problem with sheath, next paragraph. Check it out: KnifeCenter.com has such great customer service, that two folks came all the way from Sweden to KnifeCenter.com to get their Fallkniven, A1 Knives. That’s saying something. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This is an, “A1” knife, but it comes with a, “C3” sheath. The A1 ARMY Survival Knife rattles in the sheath. No one wants a rattlin’ sheath in a survival knife when they’re stalking game, escaping/evading, or, trying to sneak out of the house pass the ole lady to go hunting/fishing. When a $50 Ontario, Spec Plus knife rattles in the sheath, some folks are deducting half a galaxy of stars. But, no one even mentions it here? Probably, can’t use Kydex/Boltron, as Kydex retention abrades against Kraton (see where Kraton is abraiding against the retention point at bottom of guard in this Zytel sheath, as an example). You may want to shell out extra bucks for the leather sheathed version. I wrote to Fallkniven about the problem, and received a reply back from Fallkniven’s Founder, Peter Hjortberger (Impressive! w/Purveyor to the King of Sweden Seal, that’s how you do customer service, much like KnifeCenter.com). Peter told me (we’re on a first name basis, now : ) to try carrying it first. If I wasn’t satisfied, the boiling water technique would have no effect on sheath, as the Zytel has a plastic (pliable) temp around 200-220C, (392-428 F). He said I could use the heat gun method, but it would void the 10 yr. warranty. I may make my own leather sheath (theirs is double stitched, no rivets) but if, I retired tomorrow, and work 40 hrs/wk on my back-log of sheath making, I would not finish in this lifetime. Still undecided. Fallkniven should look to, Cold Steel for a practical solution to the problem. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Just kidding about the, “Last Knife You’ll Ever Buy.” Now, you’ll want the Fallkniven, A2 Wilderness; S1 Forest Knife; F1 Pilot Knife; V1 Volcano; and of course, the ultimate: NL2 Northern Lights Odin Bowie. So, many knives, so, little funds.
