am i getting started out right? guide me.

B

BlindedByTheLite

Joined
May 6, 2004
Messages
347
hello folks..

i've recently gotten into knives.. *sigh*.. blame the Blade Forums members who frequent the Candle Power Forums.

as i'm a very poor college student, i basically look for great knives for under $60..

so far i've started my collection with a Spyderco Cricket SE, a Camillus Mini Cuda, a CRKT M16-03 PE (pre-Carson Flipper), and i have a Spyderco Calypso Jr. PE on the way..

i've been VERY impressed with all of these knives.. b4 *getting into knives*, i was limited to low-end 440 steels and Swiss Army knives..

so my questions:

1). do you think i've got a good start with these 4 knives
and
2). what knives (under $60) should i be adding to my list?

thanks for any and all help i can get!

-Ryan
 
Welcome to the forums. Looks like you started out great, especially with the Calypso Jr, my favorite "cheap" knife. You may also want to check out Camillus's EDC with 154CM steel, or Benchmade's Monochrome.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums, Ryan. You're off to a good start, but ... there's a lot of knives out there! :) You don't have to start by buying all of the basics right away. Besides, once you have one, or two, or ... however many, you've really only got one EDC (everyday carry) that does what you need. The rest are superfluous -- but fun.

Better to learn first, not what knives you could buy at your present level, but what knives you will be buying soon when you discover the next level up. After all, once you have a few good users, why buy two more cheapies when you could buy your first $100 knife and see a real difference in quality and performance?

Why buy two $150 knives when you could buy a Sebenza?

What do you really NEED? First, a couple of of good folding knives for daily cutting tasks. You've got that already. Next, utility knives: SAK and multitools. We have a new forum here where you can learn which are best for your needs. These are toolkits. Very good to have around, especially for emergencies.

By the time you get past these, you'll be an expert yourself! Enjoy the ride!
 
Hi and welcome to BFC. The Camillus EDC is a good suggestion. I'm a big fan of the frame lock which is what the EDC uses. As stated earlier be sure to get one in 154-CM.
 
The Calypso and the Cricket will cover most your needs. As you will soon find out why, that Calypso has earned the reputation of a pocket scapel
 
There's nothing wrong with collecting SAKs, there's enough diversity in blade styles and price range, you could collect for 10 years on your budget and still never get 'em all, hey and they're great knives too.
 
BlindedByTheLite,
I think you have things covered for EDC, Calypso Jr. is a great knife. I can't think of a better knife for the money. I agree that some kind on multi tool would be useful. I used my Greber for all kinds of work while in college.

I would suggest not buying knife for a while and learn the differances in the knives you already have and find what holes you have in terms of useages. Maybe a small fixed blade?... Simonich Bitteroot, it's got a bottle opener :D Do alot of reasearch (USE SEARCH FUNCTION!) befor you do any buying, it will save you money in the long run. Keep an eye on the sales forums you can find lots of deals of cool stuff.

IMHO, the first rule of knife collecting is buy what you like, not what others like.
Best of luck, and see you around
 
Saberman said:
the first rule of knife collecting is buy what you like, not what others like.
Click to expand...

Very funny and very true, we see it all the time -- someone asks about a particular knife and its capabilities and all of us (me, too!) jump in with our favorite knives, even if they aren't what the thread is about.

The same guy who tells you don't buy THAT, buy one of THESE, doesn't tell you he spent ten years buying knives like THAT himself. :D
 
Do yourself a FAVOR and DON'T buy a Benchmade knife with the Axis-lock, because if you do, you will be spoiled, and want to trade/sell all your other knives to get more Benchmades!...(That's what I did, so I DO speak from experience!).:).
 
Esav:
thanks for the welcome. :( damn, you brought up Sebenzas. those custom Sebenzas i've seen are like dream knives. with the beautiful inlays and funky designs, and on a knife i've heard nothing but constant praise for! *drooling*
.. but you're right. i do have what i need. my Cricket has handled just about everything i throw @ it, and it's taken a real beating.. for very heavy work my MiniCuda has performed as well as i could ask for.. but hmmm, multitools and SAK's, i never really put much thought into them.. i remember owning a couple SAK's when i was very young, but they're long gone.. altho i do have a cheap multi-tool that has bailed me out of a few jams, and i can definitely see how i could come to luv something of higher quality..
as for enjoying the ride, wellll, considered me buckled up! ha :footinmou

Trane Fan:
thanks for the welcome. my MiniCuda also uses a very aggressive frame-lock and has 154CM.. i luv how strong this blade is, and it's made in the USA, which i always like to see.

Larry:
if i go broke b4 i graduate, you and Esav instigated it! haha ;)

Garage Boy:
that's pretty much what i've heard about the Calypso Jr.. i really like the blade style and Spyder-Hole.. when i saw one go up for sale i definitely had to snatch it up. :D

T:
i really like the looks of the simpler SAK's with just a few tools on them.. and where i live, the beefy SAK's seem to be almost default on everyone's belt.. it must be a sign.

Saberman:
would i be weird if i EDC the Cricket AND the Calypso Jr? heh heh.

i'll definitely be using the search function to look into a multi-tool and any fixed blade knives i look @.. i'd really like a fixed blade for white water rafting this summer.. a blade with a bottle opener, jeez, what a combination. haha.

.. and you've got a great first rule there.. that's the philosophy i used with my MiniCuda and Cricket and they're my favorite knives.. i don't think i'll ever part with them.
i figured asking for some reccomendations would hip me to the most dependable and best performing knives, that's all.. i promise i'll only buy blades that i feel a romance with, haha. :p

Glockman:
no promises! i hear so many good things about the Griptilian and Mini-Griptilian series, i might have to take a closer peak into them.. and the Benchmite is just sooo sooo unique.. and the Activator's so beautiful! haha. i'm gonna give in and make the transition to Axis locks.. i'll try to be strong tho!

thanks for being here with me on this guys. i guess it's all downhill from here!
 
BlindedByTheLite said:
i'd really like a fixed blade for white water rafting this summer.. a blade with a bottle opener, jeez, what a combination. haha.
Click to expand...

Check out the very solid and reliable BK-11, the "Becker Necker", a neck knife with a bottle opener & wire breaker built into the butt.
 
BlindedByTheLite said:
Glockman:
no promises! i hear so many good things about the Griptilian and Mini-Griptilian series, i might have to take a closer peak into them.. and the Benchmite is just sooo sooo unique.. and the Activator's so beautiful! haha. i'm gonna give in and make the transition to Axis locks.. i'll try to be strong tho!

thanks for being here with me on this guys. i guess it's all downhill from here!
Click to expand...
DANG!...The Griptilian/Mini-Griptilian is EXACTLY the knife that I DIDN"T want to mention!...That IS one excellent knife, and is a perfect introduction to the QUALITY of Benchmade!
 
mmmmmmmm...... another one........
Resistance is futile. Find a second job. Relax & enjoy.
 
"would i be weird if i EDC the Cricket AND the Calypso Jr? heh heh."

You would wierd if don't carry at least 2 knives! One for show and one for go!
 
Welcome to the eternal abyss. To get started in the knife world...

1--Go ahead and throw about $150 out the window of your car just to get used to money "magically" disapearing.

2-- Get a part time job so you can eat every now and then

3--Divorce\Break up with your wife\significant other(They wont understand no matter how many pairs of shoes they have! :grumpy:

4--Buy about 4 or 5 boxes of band aids , super glue, and duct-tape(youll find out why :rolleyes: )

5-- Get a decent hone and KNOW how to use it!!! (see no. 4)

6--Enter yourself in an anger management detection\prevention group for when you loan your freshly sharpend razor sharp calypso to some DONK and they cut across about 60 brass staples in the box they are trying to open, hand it back to you and say "who you gonna kill with that thing" :barf:

7--buy a cheap piece of crap knife (see #6) so hopefully above said DONK will close it on his fingers after ruining the edge for you(Calypso saved! ;)

8-- Get an appropriate answer ready for why there are little bald spots on your arms\legs\face.......etc (see #3)

9--Learn where the BIG veins are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

10-DO NOT START BUYING FIREARMS WHILE IN KNIFE PHASE :D

A few serious ones-- Cheak out the knife laws in your area as pertaining to blade length, concealment etc...so your not in any trouble for nothing. And finally enjoy!!!!! Im a little new to this also and it is turning into an awsome hobby.


Be safe and dont forget the band-aids(double boxes for balis!!!!!)
 
Oh by the way.... go on over to the home shopping network and you can get 122 piece set for ONLY $199... :eek: :eek:




:barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: ......................... ;)
 
You were off to a good start with your SAKs. :)
I'll throw another vote in here for CRK's folders. The Sebenza and Mnandi are simply amazing.

Paul
 
< $60 : definately a kershaw leek, followed by whichever spydercos you think you'd like. happy hunting

Kenny :)
 
Ruminate heartily over the fine list Brother Runsalone has put forth. Just don't buy the knife set.

A Kershaw Leek/Chive would be a good choice
 
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