Advice buying a knife........yep another advice thread

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defenzman

Joined
Oct 29, 2001
Messages
3
Greetings All;
New to the forum though I've heard about it before. I study practical self-defense and stick and knife fighting. I've been working with blades for a few years now. I have to admit that I don't study the makings of a knife, who made it, or all the other complexities of knives. I just like to learn to fight with them. I carry a cold steel "gunsite" knife most of the time but have found that it is too large for everyday carry use and can cause a problem here or there if I pull it out for whatever reason because it looks a bit intimidating.
I guess what I'm after here is to find out if anyone on this board has come across a good tactical folder that, while having the same physical and mechanical qualities of a good tactical folder, doesn't have the same look. I'm thinking along the lines of something that when it's just sitting on my dresser or I have to show it to someone they may say "hey....that's a pretty knife" but it's functionally the same as a good tactical knife. This may seem silly but it has been a hard item to find. Most tacticals look relatively the same. Wicked. I'm looking for something that would maybe have a happy face on it but I could still cut through bone without the thing coming to pieces in my hand. Anyway......thanks for your time.
 
Welcome defenzman, I see by your post that it is your first. If you wish to learn about
knives you came to the right place.

A knife is a knife is a knife. All will cut if sharp enough. If it's a pretty face you want then
the choices are vast. I don't know how far you training has advanced but before you buy
spend time reading here and doing lots of searches. Then find a knife that FITS YOUR
NEEDS AND YOUR HAND. Just remember most people are watchful of a knife
other than the common pocket knife ( the old fashioned slipjoint). Good luck.
 
Yep, I am looking for a knife with a pretty face. However, The mechanics, blade, structural design must be that of a true tactical folder. Don't get me wrong here, I know the difference between my dads kabar hand-me-down pocket knife and a CRKT stiff kiss blade.
Thanks for the input.
 
defenzman,

My 2 cents would be to head down to the local cutlery store, sporting goods store, or Wal-Mart and feel some of the knives there. Whichever ones you like, get some info on them (size, weight, materials, etc), then come here and post a new thread asking people to compare their comprable favorites with the ones you looked at.

Again, just my $0.02.

-Al-
 
I don't know if this will help, but the folders that immediately spring to mind are:
Darrel Ralph Apogee with anodized handles.
View

Benchmade 735
bm735.jpg

Emerson Commander and CQC-7 with green G-10 and satin blades (Commander looks pretty wicked regardless of finish, though:)).
EM-COMMANDER-SF-GH.jpg

EM-CQC-7BW-SF-GH.jpg

I'll add some pics in a minute...

Pics added. Credits: The BM 735 pic is from www.knifeworks.com the Emersons from www.osograndeknives.com and the Apogee is mine.
 
Defenzman, how about the Benchmade 690?

bm-690_sm.jpg


bm690sbc.jpg


I's not as large as the Gunsite, but it's a solid knife that does not look all that tactical.
 
Since you already own a Cold Steel Gunsite, why not invest in another Cold Steel knife...Perhaps a medium clip-point Voyager?
 
Defenz...

You should go to spyderco.com and read the MBC forum. I think they might help steer you. A Spydie is a great option; looks like a beauty, works like a tool, and made of real quality.

Good luck,
Stogie
 
vielecomp2.jpg


How about the Spyderco Viele. Excellent knife, tactical, yet classy.
 
How about the Spyderco Wegner? You have to heft one of these beauties! If not, then the Spyderco Civilian and the Szabo UUK are great choices.:D :D :D
MAtt
 
Ok, so you do want a pretty face? Sometimes a pretty face is a plain face so that it is not
noticeable. In that case then a pure functional knife is the one you want. Of all the knives
out there then the one I'd chose is the Sebanza. Pure non threating cutting power. That
is a hallmark of all Chris Reeve knives. This knife functions exactly as promised. Buy
the Sebenza knowing it WILL do all that you need done. You'll spend as much money
looking for one better.
 
Ahhhhhh......
I knew if I posted here I'd get some great suggestions. I really like the look of a few of those blades and will definitely check them out. Thanks so much also for posting the pics, that's a big help.
Thanks all.
stay safe.


Defenzman
 
Hello and welcome :)

I must throw in my vote for the Emerson Commander, it's the fastest opening knife available, period. This feature is called "the wave" and is totally maunal, no springs or other things to break.
This is to me, a good quality for a knife that will be used for self-defense.

There's also the SOCFK available, a smaller knife without the rcurve but still is has the wave opening device.

Only problem is that they might look menacing, there's also a smaller version of the Commander that has just been released.

Look here for more information: www.emersonknives.com or/and hop over to the Emerson forum here at Bladeforums.

Good luck :)
 
My two favorite classy tacticals are already posted with a picture. the benchmade 690 and the Spydie Viele. the Viele will be my next big purchase and i'll have to wait and see about the BM. great suggestions guys and thanks for the awesome pics
 
Another one that I can't believe I missed is the Bob Lum Chinese folder.
http://www.spyderco.com/online_prod...1020&mscssid=GE4L6JPTJB3K9JWHB12CQVDUJLBJFFME almost everyone that has one loves it for utility as it was ment to be but I asked a question about its use as a Martial Blade Craft knife on the MBC spyderco forum and the response that I got was that it would make a decent MBC knife that thread is here
http://www.spyderco.com/forum/Topic..._Title=Lum+Chinese+for+MBC%3F&forum_title=MBC

this is definately not a tactical looking knife. actually i think that after reading about it again i will get this one next and the viele after that
 
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