Reiff Knives F4 Field Test: A Comparison of the Three F4 Variants

Reiff Knives hit the scene with a purpose and just raised the bar with two new additions to their ever-popular F4 series featuring a Scandi grind and MagnaCut steel. It looks like good just got a whole lot better. It’s safe to say that Reiff Knives has once again outdone themselves.

Reiff Brothers

Born from a family inclined to the great outdoors and a respect for blade cultures, these knives aren’t just tools—they’re a slice of Americana. Crafted with the quality that would make your grandpappy nod in approval, each knife is a testament to American ingenuity and elbow grease. With steel that laughs in the face of wear and tear and handles that fit like a glove.

Ben and Stu Shank have taken a significant risk by starting Reiff Knives. They’re driven by their love for knives and are familiar with American manufacturing startup ventures. They were raised in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.

They learned essential skills such as shooting, hunting, fishing, and processing game, as well as riding four-wheelers and respecting the land. From a young age, they were taught to use and value knives, helping with tasks such as dressing and butchering game, building forts, starting fires, carving wood, and anything else that required a sharp edge. These robust, rugged knives are easily recognizable by the wolf emblem.

“Knives are part of our family’s heritage and are one of humankind’s oldest, most essential tools.”-Reiff Knives

The toughness of CPM 3V became evident to the author when he pounded the OG saber ground into an ammo canister and pounded it deep with a piece of hardwood. Zero damage was done!

Original F4 Saber

Two Steels? That’s right, Reiff now offers MagnaCut. Reiff Knives are known for their high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. They use CPM 3V steel, known for its edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. The handle scales are made of G10, an excellent option.

Reiff Knives usually come with a saber grind and convex edge, which offers the best of both worlds. The F4 is a full-sized, solid survival/bushcraft wilderness knife with a blade length of 4 inches and a stonewash finish on its 5/32-inch thick spine. It is made from 5/32 inch thick CPM 3V and now MagnaCut stainless super steel.

It’s exceptionally durable and has best-in-class corrosion resistance. The blade has an attractive polished stonewash finish, and the spine is sharp enough to rain sparks from a ferro rod or scrape tinder.

The ergonomic 5-inch handle provides a seamless interface between your hand and the tool. It features textured natural canvas micarta scales that give a soft, natural feel in hand and a sure grip in wet conditions. The F4 is the perfect companion for any bushcraft or survival situation.

Above: The F4 scandi grind effectively split perfectly cut rounds for a small wood stove with just a light baton. The stout scandi grind’s extreme thickness increase effortlessly splits wood.

The New Scandi In Town

A scandi bushcraft knife is a highly sought-after tool among bushcraft enthusiasts worldwide. This design features the classic F4 Bushcraft Survival Knife shape with 5/32 inches-thick CPM 3V blade steel.

The knife has a unique 12.5° per side (25° inclusive) proper scandi grind, originating in Scandinavia, and is renowned for its ability to effortlessly glide through animal hides, food, and wood. This grind has a steep, angled primary bevel that extends to the edge, allowing for better control while whittling or carving.

The F4 Scandi Bushcraft Knife has canvas micarta handle scales in four different color options: black, natural, green, and black layered. The black canvas micarta scales provide a ruggedly natural grip and a firm hold in wet conditions. The blade flats are acid-stonewashed, strikingly contrasting the raw satin scandi bevel.

First Impressions

The fit and finish are stellar out of the box. As for the box, few knife companies have nailed the packaging quite like Reiff. The handles are all comfortable, and nobody will complain about the size being dainty. Every edge was hair shaving sharp and evenly ground to perfection. Whether Kydex or leather, the sheaths were perfectly matched to each knife.

Above: During a snowstorm, two Reiff F4s were left in a dead tree to withstand the weather. The MagnaCut (top) version was compared to CPM 3V steel.

Real-World

Right about the time of this review, the Northeast was bracing for 8 inches of snow—a perfect time for the ol neglect test. I stuck the OG 3V and the MagnaCut F4s in a dead maple tree and waited for snow—and snow we got!

A few days later, I removed the blades, put them into their sheaths, and hid them in a hollowed tree to let them stew in the moisture. After a few days, the tale of the tape didn’t lie and showed that the 3V had surface rust on both sides, while the MagnaCut remained unaffected. Fortunately, this did not affect their edge or cutting efficiency, which was good, as there was still much work to be done.

Wood needs to be split in a winter camp. I had several rounds perfectly cut with a bowsaw to fit an Uberleben Stoker stove, and they were all under several inches of snow. As a lightweight hiker, I carried the F4 scandi as my primary tool.

I used a baton to split the oak and maple rounds in half, and some were quartered for smaller kindling. I used the scandi to make several feather sticks and filled the stove with them and dead-standing twigs hung up in trees. I noticed the scandi edge would pop the wood apart easily, and there was no need to beat the blade into the oak stump.

I tested the MagnaCut F4 splitting wood during another outing, just like I did with the Scandi. The saber grind was able to baton through similar hardwood rounds with ease. However, unlike the Scandi’s thicker grind, which widens after the edge and has an explosive popping-apart effect, the saber grind did not have the same effect.

Above: The author made a quick, short try stick with two different grinds and steels. The scandi version handled woodwork better but required more control.

Wood Crafting

I practiced making a few try stick variations using the F4s. The first task for the 3V saber was to create a try stick using a green broomstick-thick stick as long as my elbow to my fingertips. I practiced making as many valuable notches as possible using proper knife skills.

Although try sticks can be made at various levels and get super-advanced, I aimed for 10 to 12 notches. The F4 knife was perfect for this task because it had a comfortable handle, sharp blade, and tip, making it easy to craft the try stick.

I alternated between the newbies using the scandi and MagnaCut saber on the next mini-try stick made with hardwood. I made a flathead screwdriver, dovetail, saddle, pot hook, 7-notches, a round reduction, and a point. These are what I use most, and the stick was short.

The MagnaCut saber grind needed more muscle to get through the semi-dry wood. This was when a full fist grip was used for power cuts and a chest-lever grip, which showcased the 5-inch handle and how comfortable it was. Meanwhile, the Scandi aggressively removed material. Therefore, control must be used.

Above: The author wielded the scandi F4 CPM 3V variant comfortably and efficiently. The zero scandi grind made notching for camp craft swift and effortless in a fist grip.

Stake It, Dig It

I have a semi-permanent camp with a trusty old digging stick made from stout maple that started as three feet long and shrunk over the years. After fire prodding and digging, the chisel (shovel-end) must be sharpened every few months.

I enlisted the newer F4s for this simple yet essential task. On seasoned hardwood, the MagnaCut saber sliced away the chisel end in stages, deliberately changing angles.

On the flip side, the scandi made quick work of the chisel end using a fist grip in fewer strokes. Again, the large handle aided in power cuts, even when using winter work gloves. Rounding the top portion of the digging stick that nestles in the palm, the saber grind was more detailed and purposeful in performance.

Making stakes for shelters was another joint effort between the dynamic duo. While they weren’t vampire stakes, I don’t doubt their ability to become so. I prefer to make stakes from dead hardwood. Naturally, green wood is easier to work with. I mostly use deadwood and carve a chisel end instead of a point since they are going in hard, rocky ground.

I add a simple 7-notch, slightly beveling the top striking portion. Often, a baton helps make an excellent cross-grain stop cut when making the 7-notch with any knife in deadwood. Both F4 blades pulled it off like champs, as their 58-62 HRC didn’t chip or roll—period.

Above: The two new F4 variants are excellent for making feather sticks. However, this was due to their grinds rather than steel.

Finesse

Feather sticks are an essential part of wilderness survival skills. They should be fine enough to easily catch a spark from a Ferro rod, an open flame like a match or lighter, or quick-flash tinders like cattail fluff and pampas grass.

Wood is damp and starting to rot during late winter and early fall. I prefer to split wood with a sturdy knife like a Reiff to observe the inside of the wood. However, larger-diameter wood is better left as fuel. Typically,

I split anything up to wrist-thick wood with a knife and break it down into finger, pencil, and matchstick-thick pieces if everything is damp. I used thumb-to-broomstick-thick pieces to make feather sticks using the scandi and saber MagnaCut.

Both worked well. The MagnaCut saber grind on narrow sticks makes fine curls when rotating the stick slightly with every stroke. When the wood is too broad, it was harder to bite into. The scandi always bit deeply, but it requires more control to avoid making the feathers long and wide slivers. However, this has more to do with grind and technique than with 3V and MagnaCut variants.

Above: Leather pants for the Reiff F4 Scandi Knife from JRE Industries and a tough black Kydex sheath for the MagnaCut sibling. Both sheaths have a Ferro rod loop included. 

Sheaths

The F4 Scandi knife is currently shipped with a brown leather sheath from JRE Industries. This sheath features a dangler and Firesteel loop, and the blade fits perfectly snugly in the robust leather, making it a durable option for any knife. On the other hand, both saber-ground F4 knives come with a black Kydex sheath with a swivel belt attachment.

This attachment allows the sheath to be easily attached without fussing with the belt. The Kydex sheaths didn’t crack or deform when left outdoors in the blustery winter conditions. While testing the F4 Saber grounds, I mixed up the sheaths and realized that it didn’t matter as each version fit fine. However, avoiding trying to fit the Scandi version into the Kydex sheath is advised.

Above: Hone instead of sharpen. Use a leather strop, ceramic, or a Wazoo Gear Viking Whetstone.

Staying Keen

Hone—don’t sharpen. If you stick to this rule, you will never feel the hindrance of sharpening 3V or MagnaCut with stones or any other material—never let them get dull.

A leather strop, ceramic, or Arkansas novaculite found in a Wazoo Gear Viking Whetstone will be your friend and keep you from the grind associated with harsh stones and much-needed elbow grease. However, if you nick your Reiff, you may need to take a trip back to the Stone Age—but this is doubtful with a Reiff!

Closing

These heirloom-quality knives are designed to be your lifetime companions in any adventure, from dense backwoods to challenging front lines. Whether you need to carve feather sticks, build a fire, craft camp implements, or field-dress your game—the F4s are up to the task.

Rest assured that these tools come with a lifetime warranty, so you can enjoy using a top-quality, American-made tool without any worries. Get your hands on a Reiff Knife and experience the unparalleled joy of a dependable tool!

A Pocketable Alternative: Reiff Knives F3XC

F3XC
The Reiff Knives F3XC stands out from the F4’s unique design and compact size. It is perfect for everyday carry and is also a reliable tool for outdoor activities. It has a total length of 6.875 inches, with 3.875 inches in the handle, and a blade length of 2.9 inches with a 2.65-inch cutting edge. The blade features a black Cerakote finish with a spine thickness of about .125 inches. The specially sharpened pommel allows for easy use with a Ferro rod.

The F3XC is Reiff Knives’ first knife in the 3-inch range and is designed to withstand extreme conditions. Its overall weight is 5 ounces, with 3.9 ounces for the knife. The F3XC comes with a black Kydex sheath designed for neck carry, making it easy to take with you wherever you go.

The F3XC is practical for everyday use and perfect for outdoor activities. It is a versatile tool that can handle various tasks, making it an essential tool for any adventurer. MSRP is $245.00

Sources

About the Author

Adventurer, writer, photographer, and survival instructor for Randall’s Adventure & Training, Reuben has spent most of his life hiking and backpacking through the wildernesses of the world. He has traveled abroad in extreme environments and seeks out primitive survival techniques, construction, and uses of knives and edged tools. Reuben has published many articles on survival, knife and tool use, and woodcraft. He remains a lifetime student of survival!

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Written by Reuben Bolieu