Fallkniven S1 Fixed Blade Review: Mid Size Camp Taskmaster

[@IlmarBeekman]

Wrap a ranger band around the top portion of the sheath making sure to completely cover the retention tab. Completely solves the rattle and the retention issues.

[@mrc2205]

I do love me a Fallkniven. They are beautiful and tough.

[@bushcrafttasmaniaisnowsnow374]

As always, great review. I must admit..I do prefer the blade profile of the F1 over the S1. I'm a sucker for FFG drop points over clip points. For piercing tasks it's fine but I'm rarely piercing anything...except my missus. FFG drop points are good slicers and better at batoning due to not chewing up your wooden baton (if that's your thang)!

[@mountaingoattaichi]

I know it is an old video. I have had the F1 for 17 years and beat the hell out of it. I just recently bought the S1 pro. I love the video, but I would add that I feel like the money does make it worth more than the competitors mentioned. I have owned ESEE Laser Strike and Cold Steel SRK. I feel like Fallkniven, although more money definitely earns its keep. I chose the S1 pro because if I were going on an extended stay in the wilderness, it is the one knife I would bring along with an ax.

[@cycloneoutdoors7781]

Like you said, this would be a really great knife for a small knife-medium knife-axe combo. Pair with with a folder in your pocket or a small fixed blade like a candiru or the white river backpacker and you've got a pretty functional camping/hiking lineup.

[@sweetcostarica]

When I was a boy scout we used mainly a Swiss Army knife, a hatchet, and a bow or buck saw. We went to Daniel Boone State Park in Kentucky and survived with no problems. Some scouts used a bigger knife. That was usually a Ka-bar or a machete but through different techniques a folder & a hatchet worked well for most. Also, there was a large axe for longer outings. Today, many survival "experts" recommend full-tangs and big heavy knives for survival. I guess things have changed. I had several Fallkniven S1 and F1. I always used the F1 and never used or needed the S1 so they where sold on eBay. The moral of the story is (IMO): it is not so much about the tool for survival/camping, it is more about *the man & what he knows* that is the point.

[@tavosotto471]

you can't really argue for using less tools when taking a bowsaw and hatchet, a survival knife is meant to be a one tool option.

[@sweetcostarica]

You are 100% correct a *"survival"* knife is meant to be a one tool option. There in lay the problem. What do I mean? The problem is people will almost never need a survival knife in normal everyday hiking and camping. Point 1 - If you are in a rare survival situation and only have a survival knife for your tool you didn't plan very well for the trip. Point 2 - In most survival situations *any knife* is a survival knife and will work (ex: the fellow who cut his arm off to get out from under a rock & experts who only carry neck knives). Point 3 - Putting the over used term survival before a knife is a popular marketing technique designed to relieve you of your hard earned money. Point 4 - a 15 dollar hidden tang Mora can and has been used as a "survival" knife. I find it can do anything a Fallkniven F1 or S1 can do easily. Point 5 - A boy scout with a normal pocket knife can cut down a 6 inch tree (I can show you how). So why does any normal civilian need a special "survival" knife? Note: I have a F1 & F1 Pro but to me they are just another knife bought not for a survival situation but for wood work.

[@charlescollier7217]

Very thoughtful, fair review, as ever. I personally fall in the camp of "not seeing the value", not because I don't think it's a great knife, but because there are so many options in that range that are at least comparable, and are available for a fraction of the cost. The Strongarm is one, though I think it a clumsier grunt work kind of blade, and the lesser steel requires more edge care. However, Cold Steel has the Master Hunter in a laminated steel version, VG-1 San Mai, with a superior sheath to the Falkniven, for just $78 USD on Amazon. The S1 is literally twice the price at $168 USD. What is worse, Cold Steel has the Master Hunter in 3V, which is arguably a superior steel, and with a convex grind, all for about $95 USD on Amazon. If you include carbon steels, the competition is even more fierce, because there are such winners as the Schrade SCHF42 and SCHF42D, both of which are almost identical in size to the S1, have very well heat treated 1095 blades with an outstanding low-friction coating, excellent durability and edge retention, full flat grinds, extremely ergonomic handles, full tangs with usable exposed pommels, and high quality leather sheaths. They are about $47 USD on Amazon. The Falkniven is an excellent knife, but as you say, I just don't see the value there.

[@gregwalker4236]

companion, camp, or survival, i think is a very good way to characterize knives. although somewhat expensive, this package is quite appealing. great review--leaning toward an s1 with the leather sheath....

[@supertrickyrickyandtheslip1473]

I got my K2 and Chubby yesterday. I've got to say it's taken a couple of hours to warm up to the the K2 but I'm a happy Chappy. Looking forward to your review. Peace.

[@CedricAda]

yeah Im not expecting love at first sight. I reckon the uncontoured slab handles might be a little odd at first. Mine should be here tomorrow, it arrived in sydney on the 25th

[@samthai818]

The S1 is a perfect sized knife for home, camp, and moderate survival uses. The A1 is for the one knife extreme applications. I don't have the S1, but I have a Bark River Aurora and a VG10 SRK. I think i need the S1X based on your recommendation.

[@samthai818]

Awww man, I just got the S1X last week. Elmax is a great tough supersteel, but I wonder how difficult it would be to sharpen in the field. I would only want a folder in Elmax, cru-wear, Or CPM-15V....etc. But we'll see once they come out with the steel upgrade.

[@samthai818]

Sounds good Joel. I have a Bark River Aurora 3V, it is a nice knife. In the US the Fallknivens are cheaper than the Bark Rivers. I just got into knives this past 12 months. I intend to use my A1X and S1X and will see if i need to upgrade if the Elmax X line comes around. I was previously a collector of HKs and Sig Sauers and have never intended to spend more than a hundred on a knife. Now that i feel content with my gun collection and my safes are full i have turned to knives. I love knives, but I don't intend to go crazy as i did with firearms.

[@stryx4384]

The prices in Europe are ok i would pay around 180 Euros with zytel sheath and 200 Euros for the leather :). Great Video keep up the good work Greetings Simon ;)

[@ryhtz]

A cheaper equivalent to the S1 is the Coldsteel SRK the handle on the SRK is contoured and much gripier. I have both the S1 and the SRK The plain SRK is $114.40 free postage on ebay now and the san mai a laminated version like the S1 is $153.00 Free postage both from America. I'm from Australia and don't sell knives although I do collect Knives.

[@RSLtreecare]

Hi, looks very good. I have an interest in S1 Pro. there new Lam.Cos steel knife.

[@nathanbailey9944]

Mint review! Keep up the good work

[@wolfsoldier5105]

Spyderco has got to be the ugliest knife out there! Like woody woodpecker shaped! WHY?...If they would make a decent looking knife, I'd buy one...