[emilianoksa]

Specifically a Fallkviven A1 with 6" blade and an F1 with 4" blade, for survival purposes.

Or just an S1 with 5" blade to cover both bases?

The second option would leave me with enough money to buy a decent folder.

What do you think?

Logic, or just go for the first option, because I like them?:D

Ideally I could get two Fallknivens and a folder.

But the little woman would never allow it.

[Pilot]

I find I am gravitating towards smaller blades as I get older and use them more. I prefer the F1 for general bushcraft/survival. I certainly would NOT go beyond the 5 inch A1 for general use, but that's just me.

In fact, my next knife will be a Bark River Bravo-1 which has a 4.25 inch blade, which is in between the F1's 3.8 inch and A1's 5 inch in length.

[Brian Williams]

Get 1 and use it.

[bikerdoc]

I prefer 4" maybe 5 certainly not 6
get one make it yours, then get a decent folder.
just my .02 ymmv

[Voodoochile]

I have 2 knives that I swear by.

My Kershaw 1650 Vapor II for when I'm at work & other general chores where the possibility of loosing it isn't that upsetting.

Benchmade 630 Skirmish for when I'm hunting & in a nicer outing where I still want a knife for when I need it but is nicer than my Kershaw.

[22-rimfire]

I go for a fixed blade you can afford and a folder. A hatchet/axe is always a handy thing to have along as well.

[woodfiend]

My Helle Eggen has a 4" fixed blade. It is the sharpest knife I have ever seen. I would probably go with the 5" because I wouldn't want to carry two fixed blades. I carry my CRKT M16 Desert Big Dog everday, but when I go out in the woods I put on my Helle.

[hso]

Get the F1 and forget the others.

Look into a good machete or cruiser ax to go with it, depending upon the environment.

[emilianoksa]

Many thanks.

Looks like you may have helped me to save some money.:)

[emilianoksa]

I've finally decided to go for one fixed blade: the Fallkniven S1.

As for the folder, I'm torn between the Benchmade 710 Axis 4" and the Spyderco Manix.

Like most Limeys, I love American products, but I'm wondering whether ATS-34 or CPM-S30V might be too much of a problem for a novice.

What's the best method for sharpening these folders?

I'd appreciate your input.

[woodfiend]

I think you might find that diamond stones will cut the newer super steels such as CPM S30V and 154CM better than traditional stones.

[wulfbyte]

the 710 has a slight recurve so if you only have access to flat stones you will want to choose a different knife. For field sharpening a diamond rod will do ok, but remember that the current run of 710's are made from D2 steel. If you have the time and skills to do it, it will take and keep a great edge, but you'll need the right tools to get it that way.

I have both a 710 in D2 and a 730 in 154CM. For me, there is no better EDC folder than the 730.