What would I choose? Falkniven F1 lam cos vs Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner S90V

[@adamellington4562]

Not sure I understand the point of this video. It seems similar to "Which would I chose... a revolver or a shotgun?" They may both be firearms, and you can shoot stuff with both, but they are generally different in purpose. These two knives have very different purposes. The Falkniven is designed as a survival / bushcraft knife and the Benchmade is a skinning / butchering knife. (And the scales on the Benchmade are Richlite, not G10). I'm very sceptical of your edge retention results. I own Benchmade S90V and it has phenomenal edge retention. I also own S30V, D2, 154CM, and 20CV. S90V easily outperforms them in edge retention. All the objective edge retention tests I have seen, such as CATRA tests, show that CoS has edge retention well below S90V at every HRC level. A reputable knife maker would have a hard time screwing up the heat treat on S90V (CPM steel with 9% Vanadium Carbide) enough to underperform CoS in edge retention. If you want a compact survival / bushcraft knife, get the Falkniven. If you want an excellent deer scalpel, get the Benchmade.

[@stonefallknives5518]

I like this comment so I'll go through it point by point. First I'll correct you on the handle material they call it "g10" specifically "ricklite/orange g10" on a knife center distributor website, here's a link. www.knifecenter.com/item/BM150021/benchmade-hunt-saddle-mountain-skinner-fixed-blade-knife-42-s90v-drop-point-richliteorange-g10-handles-orangeblack-kydex-sheath You have to read things very carefully because I'm going to get pretty technical here.

[@stonefallknives5518]

I am skeptical of your interpretation of data, and understanding of how science applies to circumstances outside of a study. The knife nerds website, I haven't seen where they have claimed s90v at every hardness will beat "lam cos". If you read cos that might be another metal, might seem trivial since the core is cos but weed need exactness here. I don't see anywhere they tested s90v below 60 Rockwell. So share a link please. Benchmade states the saddle mountain skinner in s90v is anywhere from 59-61 rc. And factory knives can be even softer then they clame. Benchmade knives were not part of they tests your referring to. And honestly that is one form of test on specifically limiting factors that are useful but perhaps flawed, so to used it for a completely different set of circumstances and limiting factors is not prudent for the claims you propose. In short the performance of s90v can vary greatly by maker and the steel needs while useful and they definitely seem honest, Doesn't apply here.

[@stonefallknives5518]

Extra tidbit here. You wrote only steel names, that basically is meaningless for this discussion because I don't know who made them or how hard they are. If you went and bought the cheapest of all those steel to compare with the Benchmade then of course the Benchmade would do better. Are you more careful with the Benchmade because it was more expensive? I would hope it does better.

[@stonefallknives5518]

I don't know how you don't understand the point, I cover which of these knives I would choose and why by multiple factors with very exact parameters and caviots. I am confused on how you missed all the details. Edge retention is only one factor.

[@stonefallknives5518]

These are two specific knives for a specific application. Your revolver shotgun metaphor neglects specificity. It should be "would I rather have a mossberg 935 or ruger sp101 for packaging through Wyoming "

[@Dracomies]

The interesting thing is that I actually found the thinner handle of the Saddle Mountain super comfortable, I liked that it was thinner (as compared to knives like the Esee which felt like a knife that would kill someone just by dropping it on someone). I held it in hand in the knife store and it fits perfectly for me. That said, I find that my hands are more medium sized. But to me it fits perfectly. I think larger hands the F1 might be more comfortable for sure. For context, I gravitate towards paring-knife sized types of folding knives as well.

[@seanlowkey9388]

I used the Benchmade to convert my matress from a king to queen. I took the matress down to just the foam before trimming it. The mattress is twelve inches thick. The knife cut through the foam like butter (very satisfying.) the task took less than 60 passes. At certain point i could tell the edge wasn’t gliding through the material and more of push cutting.

[@schlooonginator1227]

the handle material is called thermorun and its made in Japan for Fallkniven.

[@Josue-xd5ru]

Personally for me, the Saddle Mountain looks better. I just wish they had multiple color options for the Falkniven

[@Lazzoboy]

Benchmade all day long

[@coreymaruca1652]

I wonder how well the Benchmade would do if you put a custom edge on it?

[@stonefallknives5518]

I did it on another video here on my channel but the result was very close to the same number. I tested the Benchmade 3 times and the falkniven 2.

[@sebastienjonas4984]

Why would you choose between any of the two, when they're made for entirely different purposes? F1 is a thick tough blade with convex grind meant to chew through wood and withstand impacts, Skinner is a hunting knife with a thinner harder blade with steep angle meant to slice through skin and soft tissue.

[@stonefallknives5518]

Did you watch the video?

[@sebastienjonas4984]

I did, and it is really clear that at any point the idea that a knife is a tool for an intended purpose reaches your mind. Try to cut vegetables with your F1 and tell me again this is the knife you would definitively pick over something else. Now if you talk bushcraft, the F1 makes perfect sense as best choice.

[@stonefallknives5518]

@@sebastienjonas4984 I guess you missed where I talked about processing game. The Benchmade is intended for processing game, the falkniven is still better at processing game. I have used both of these blades on elk, falkniven is better. And both of these blades have been used on tomatoes and karrots. If they were both dull the benchmade has some advantage. So I suppose it can take a slight win in the kitchen. Not my personal priority. My priority is hunting, bushcraft, and some redneckery.

[@stonefallknives5518]

@@sebastienjonas4984 I completely accept not everyone has my priorities, and I'm OK with that.

[@clemoniii]

I never understood "skinners" with such thick blades. Maybe if it's your only knife on a hunt, and you intend to split pelvis, maybe. However, it's damned hard to beat a Havalon's disposable blades or a couple cheap meat cutter's knives with thin swept back blades FOR SKINNING and PROCESSING. They make great gifts to guides because they sharpen easily, and can be left in spike camps. I used to volunteer at the cleaning station for a number of charity hunts... Sharp beats pretty, and NOTHING stays sharp indefinitely. Stropping is a pain when you have blood up to your elbows! 😂😂 Those are my humble opinions.

[@brandonnelson4164]

S90v should have kept the edge longer than the F1. I assume that was the factory edge on the S90v and you had not resharpened it.

[@stonefallknives5518]

Actually I did the test twice on my channel. Once with the factory edge and once with my resharping both times it's scored within the same area of retention. Sometimes knife companies make choices due to mass production that makes mass production more feasible but can also wind up having a product that doesn't perform to it's maximum potential, in my opinion. It's still scored higher than multiple production knives by multiple times. It could have also been from a bad batch, my tests only involve this 1 s90v saddle mountain skinner. S90v with my heat treatment did blow the f1 completely away. F1/120 cuts vs mys90v/800+ cuts

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

I love how analytical you are bro! Your slowly converting me 🙌🏻🤣👊🏻

[@arrosiu1188]

The benchmande has a 14 degree edge. You should give it a 20 degrees and try it again.

[@stonefallknives5518]

Already have a video on my channel where I do that.

[@hectorrivera6624]

That Saddle mountain Skinner is beautiful.

[@shannonjackson8680]

Maybe you should’ve sharpened both knives to give them the equal comparison they deserve.Why just sharpen one?Theyre both out of the box and the benchmade performed better until you sharpened the other knife.Hmmmm

[@stonefallknives5518]

@shannonjackson8680 no genius, I tested both factory edges and both with my edges. Hmmmmm must not listen very well. Benchmade fan boys need thicker skin and bigger ears.

[@GoodBoy-rf7tp]

Do you ever use ferro rods on your knives? Because I remember hearing someone say that Fallkniven will actually take some damage from scraping a ferro rod against its spine probably because it is laminated with a softer steel on the outside. Although I've only heard one guy say that so don't know how true it is, maybe he mistook the residue as actual knife damage.

[@stonefallknives5518]

I would have my doubts it was the steel delaminating, I would bet your right about it just being residue from the rod and not damage to the falkniveven.

[@jimyocum9556]

That's because they messed up the steel name instead of cos it should've been named POS get the Benchmade

[@stonefallknives5518]

@@jimyocum9556 Your claim is they mislabeled the steel? Interesting

[@gregoryDO2000]

I personally don't even try to re sharpen that s90v, and I usually can put a better edge on all my knives but I just mail my mountain saddle back to benchmade for the free lifesharp service. There factory edge is the best in the industry and I'm not ashamed to admit they can out do me on that s90v steel.

[@stonefallknives5518]

It would be nice if they didn't cut corners on the heat treatment. They are cutting down their own product by 90% hoping to roll a few more dollars. Cause even fresh from factory sharpening it is disappointing how quick it goes considering it's s90v.

[@jaymclane2073]

Why remove the convex edge? Seems like the edge retention would be greatly improved with it?

[@stonefallknives5518]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYTJl3uuoLB6e7M. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6rCo4GPeqeNm5o Here are two edge retention tests I did, one with the factory convex and the other with mine.

[@daveyboy6985]

@@stonefallknives5518 you say you improved the falkeniven edge, did you just put a normal flat secondary edge on it? Because just looking at it in the video it still looks like it's got a convex edge.

[@stonefallknives5518]

@@daveyboy6985 see the videos in my other comment.

[@GoodDaySir]

Well laid out reasons, I was looking at both of these (the Fallkniven in F1x form however) and I think for what I use my knives for I'd pick the F1 too. Good demo of how steel composition on paper doesn't always translate to the real world, and mass production.

[@kevinmwynn]

Why didn’t you resharpen the Benchmade?

[@stonefallknives5518]

I did, in multiple videos I tested the Benchmade. I resharpened it , resharpened again with a different angle same 50-60 passes. It still beat other blades the score just us what it is. I believe there are several explanations but in the end it just is what it is.

[@krickit]

The Bm is awesome using a ‘loose’ pinch and finger cradle for use on dead things one might want to basically dissect.. I have average ‘LG’ size hands and this blade works like a scalpel.. I don’t shave or anything else with this ‘skinner’.. just saying..

[@SidecarHero1]

🍎 and 🍊's. Should of done the benchmade bushcrafter s30v

[@stonefallknives5518]

Nope, the falkniven fulfills the purpose of the saddle mountain better than it does.

[@brysduffy]

Late… and pompous. But I feel like the BM Puuko would be a more comparable in testing.

[@stonefallknives5518]

I am going to do a video soon where I compare the Falkniven f1 to the Benchmade Bushcrafter. And give my opinion between those two.

[@hectorrivera6624]

or the BM Bushcrafter

[@holynuman]

that benchmade is made for skinning game, you never hold the knife like that when youre skinning game

[@stonefallknives5518]

Oh my goodness, if only I could have had this comment before I started skinning animals 22 years ago. I'll remember this comment forever, I like a good laugh.

[@freqeist]

@@stonefallknives5518 yes you have to laugh...imagine, doing it wrong for so long...how did you / we survive?

[@christianflores7583]

U gotta get the f1 in cos tho, vg10 is underwhelming, the f1x is a good indestructible option

[@stonefallknives5518]

If I wasn't a knife maker I would probably get a falkniven Modern bowie in lam cos.

[@wathaet1386]

@@stonefallknives5518 what about the new elmax F1? I am looking for a pure moose skinning field knife and looking at master hunter, f1x and Benchmade skinner. Here in sweden, f1 elmax is cheapest and BM is most expnsive by about 60-60usd

[@marvinb897]

it's like comparing apple to orange. the comparison is totally invalid. Falkniven F1 should be compared to Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Blade.

[@stonefallknives5518]

I wish I could agree with you, but after putting both blades on elk and deer flesh the F1 was the better performer between these two. The Benchmade bush crafter is a better blade than the saddle mountain much closer to the f1 in laminated cos.

[@fireside9503]

One knifes purpose is skinning, the other is survival. You’re comparing a leaf blower to a weed wacker.

[@stonefallknives5518]

Only problem with that metaphor is the falkniven works better as a skinner than the Benchmade. After using both to process elk, falkniven is better in the saddle mountain's specialty. Holds a longer edge with the same sharpening and betting in the bare hand. So no not really like comparing a leaf blower to a weed wacker.

[@PlainClothesTacBros]

That’s quite a claim

[@royleerobinson5]

🙄 good effort. 🍎🍊

[@MrAquamarine]

What a joke. COS better than the S90V.

[@stonefallknives5518]

No rookie , cos from Falkniven better than s90v from Benchmade. Context.

[@cabochris100]

Like duh, the Saddle Mt Skinner is a HUNTING Knife and a much better hunting blade! Just my silly opinion.

[@PapaBearCustomKydex2021]

Thermeron

[@wesleyhobbs9]

Without question, the Fallkniven is hands down the better knife! In my opinion, they are the best in the world

[@mr.b111]

It's sure the best between those two, since S90V is too brittle for a medium-large size multi purpose outdoor knife. Also the Fällkniven is the better value of the two. The F1 is not the best on the world though.