Reiff F4 Review
I’m sure you have noticed from my other knife reviews and my social media posts that I make a habit of using a variety of different knives that range from 2″ blades up to 6″ Blades, like the Reiff F6. I thoroughly enjoy using all of these different knife sizes. But, a 4″ blade length is something that I have years of experience with and I’ve spent countless hours using just about every 4″ Bushcraft Knife out there.
Why a four-inch blade? A 4″ blade is very familiar to me. It’s one of my favorites to grab as an all-around belt knife that I’ll use for survival and campcraft tasks. To me, a four-inch, Scandinavian-ground, survival knife is one of the most versatile tools that you can bring along in the woods to aid in crafting wooden items, busting up kindling for fires, processing fish & game, and so much more. It’s not too small and it’s not too large…It’s just right if you need to do a wide variety of tasks.
Reiff F4 Scandi Bushcraft Knife
Now, this brings me to the Reiff F4 in a Scandi Grind and my official Reiff F4 Review.
In short: I have been so happy with my field time and testing for this knife. I do not say this lightly…But, I would trust my life with this knife. And, it’s one that I will carry for years to come.
- Blade Length: 4″ (cutting edge: 3.8″)
Again, I use a variety of different blade lengths…And each has its unique purpose. But a 4″ blade is so versatile and I could do anything imaginable in the woods with this knife. - Overall Length: 9″
This knife, with its leather sheath, has been very comfortable to carry in the woods. It never gets in the way and it doesn’t feel too large on my hip. - Blade Thickness: 5/32″ (.156″)
This is where I questioned the Reiff F4 when I first saw that it would be released in a Scandinavian Grind. I wasn’t sure that this thick of a blade stock would carve well. But man, was I wrong. This knife chews wood up like a Beaver. Reiff Knives thinned the cutting edge down so that it is capable of trimming off the finest of curls, or it can take off large chunks with more powerful cuts. We’ll discuss carving with the Reiff F4 later in the review. - Blade Specs:
– CPM 3V, Scandinavian Grind, Acid Stonewash/Satin Finish.
– I have been happy with this configuration. As I always say, I’m pretty simple when it comes to steel, so I haven’t had a lot of experience with CPM 3V, but it has impressed me. It holds a great edge and is simple enough to hone on a leather strop. Win/win for me.
– One thing to note is the Reiff F4 does not come with a sharp 90º spine for striking a Ferro Rod. A few passes with a Mill Cut File will get you squared away though.
Reiff F4 Specs Continued
- Sharpening Choil:
It is worth noting that there is a sharpening choil at the base of the F4 blade. I am typically not a fan of sharpening choils, even though I understand their purpose (i.e. a sharpening choil ensures that there are no hard-to-reach areas on the blade while honing or sharpening). But I can say that with the Reiff F4, the choil works and it doesn’t get in the way while carving. - Handle Material: Canvas Micarta
As I mentioned in my previous Reiff F6 Review, I love Micarta. It is one of my favorite handle materials out there and it just gets better with age. - Weight: 7.5oz
- Leather Sheath With Dangler
- USA Made with a rock-solid “Carry No Cares” Warranty
- Average Price: $334
– As I say with every piece of premium gear, the decision is in your hands whether or not you can justify the cost. If you’re building your first outdoor kit and you’re on a very restricted budget, this might not be feasible for you and that’s totally okay.
– However, if you have the rest of your kit lined out or you’re looking for a premium knife that will last you multiple generations, then I think you’d be very happy with this purchase.
– Every person who has seen this knife on my hip has wanted to see it and they have all loved the feel & performance of it. The most common statement I hear is “Wow, this handle feels incredible”. And I would agree!
From My Field Journal:
“Day 1 with the Reiff F4 Scandi Bushcraft Knife”
I’m out with the newly released Micarta Reiff Knives F4 in a Scandi grind. And to say that I am impressed would be a big understatement…
- As the light began to fade last night, I carved this “Try Stick”, inspired by Mors Kochanski. This is something I try to do with every knife that comes through the door here at Awaken Outdoors. I always learn a great deal about any knife by doing this exercise and it gives me an opportunity to practice some fun & useful notches that I regularly use in the field.
- The Reiff F4 is a thick blade. However, Reiff managed to thin this Scandi grind down perfectly so that it cuts & slices like a proper carving knife. I have been impressed by this.
- Speaking of the thick blade stock…I am eager to carve a bow drill set with this one as soon as I find the right fallen tree later on in my trek. I am positive that it will have no issues being batoned and splitting into whatever wood I choose.
- The F4 has been a lot of fun to use already and I’m eager to keep doing some more bushcraft tasks with it from here!
/ End Day 1
From My Field Journal:
“Day 2 and 2 Reasons why I’m so happy right now…”
- As it pertains to this post, I am always happy when a new piece of gear impresses me. And, the Reiff F4 Scandi Bushcraft Knife has REALLY impressed me. In fact, it’s one of the most refined knives that I’ve tested all year long. It has been a fantastic companion for me in the woods and it has made short work of every woodcraft project that I’ve set my eyes on (like this compact bow drill set that you see here).
- Another reason that I’m so excited is I feel like I’m finding my rhythm all over again in the outdoors. I have not been this eager to get into the woods & learn new skills since I began my journey in the outdoor industry many years ago. It is nice to have such a fresh perspective on the outdoors and to share it with you all.
Reiff F4 Scandi Bushcraft Knife
Reiff Knives at RiversEdgeCutlery.com
If you cannot find the Reiff Knives F4 in stock at one of the links above, be sure to check them all.
Continue reading the review…
Reiff F4 during a stropping session with my JRE/REC Strop Bat…And boy, does this knife get sharp!
Reiff F4 Review Conclusion
I have continued my testing and evaluation of the Reiff F4 with all sorts of other fun Campcraft, Bushcraft, and Survival tasks. However, going back to the field notes that I included above, I knew from my first couple of days with this knife that it would never go to the bottom of my knife storage bin. Rather, it was going to hang on a peg next to my most used kits and load-outs and see many years of ongoing use. I absolutely love the Reiff F4 and would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a solid bushcraft knife!
If you have any questions about this knife, bushcraft, survival, or anything else, please drop me a comment down below or get in touch with me. I am always happy to help in any way that I can.
Buy the Reiff F4 at ReiffKnives.com
BladeHQ.com
SMKW.com
RiversEdgeCutlery.com
*Please consider buying from my trusted affiliate links above and throughout this article. Doing so immensely helps to support other great companies and I receive a small percentage-based commission from each sale as well. This commission helps me when funding future articles, field testing trips, and gear purchases at no additional cost to you.
Read my Reiff Knives F6 Review Next…
