Best Ultra Premium Safari Knife – Fallkniven F1 Pro

The Fallkniven F1 Pro is really perfect for the Saab car enthusiast. If the beloved Saab carrries the banner “Designed from Jets” this Swedish maestro has a shared claim. The Fallkniven F1 Pro was designed for the pilots of Sweden’s Viggen warplanes as a true emergency survival knife. With no gimmicks and superfluous features it is a truly marvelous creation. Laminated steel ensures a razor cutting edge and soft, shock absorbent spine and case to the blade. The rubber handle secures the knife whether wet or dry while the pommel allows you to break ice, the cockpit glass on your fighter jet or any other pounding task. The blade profile has a secondary bevel and an appearance very similar to what Americans have chosen for fine hunting knives for nearly a century. Tactical, reliable, flawlessly manufactured and contemporary in its aesthetic, the Fallkniven F1 Pro is not a knife for the traditionalist but is nonetheless an exquisite piece of modern Swedish engineering. With a MSRP of over $350.00 and a US street price hovering around $250.00 the knife is not for the economy minded but it quite possibly could be the last knife you ever buy for safaris, hunting and camp life.

What we loved: The Laminated CoS steel with a 60 Rockwell hardness makes for a razor sharp edge, easy touch ups and the soft laminations provide shock absorption and protection. The leather sheath (purchased separately as it comes with a Zytel sheath standard) is of a hanger configuration that was quite comfortable. The included waterproof storage box is a sure-win for reuse by the safari hunter and the included diamond/ceramic sharpening stone is a valuable accessory. The quality of the micro welds that affixed the guard to the blade were exactly what you’d expect of a world class Swedish manufacturer and while the grip is quite thin and overall lightweight, it never seemed to effect our ability to use the knife.

What we didn’t like: The standard Kydex sheath is not appropriate for the safari hunter even though it is a very expensive and high quality product beloved by the bushcraft community. The clip point blade may appeal more to traditional hunters but it also means there is not a Scandinavian grind present and thus, sharpening chores require actual competence and technique instead of the “idiot proof” sharpening of a Scandi bevel grind.