Been 3+ years since I bought my last knife, what should I get?

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
32,359
Ok, so I’ve been outta the knife game for a few years now. Let me rephrase that, I’ve been outta the knife buying game lately.

With a knice size collection I always have plenty to choose from. My collection ranges from 150+ year old factory folders to relatively modern factory, (CRK, ZT, Bench Made) and modern customs, ( JD Ellis, Nathan Carothers and a handful of others) so I don’t really need a new knife.

That being said, I haven’t read much about the latest and greatest steels and knives on the market.

So in the $100-$250 range what are my options and why should I go for your choices.
 
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I have a few Esse’s, Pre-Esse, Swamp Rat Howlin’ Rat, even got a Livesay from Newt himself, back in the day when you’d see him at the local knife shows.

I have the indestructible knife type covered. Most times my end of the world knife and really my favorite outdoor knife is my sterile EK model 5 Combat Commando. This blade is super sexy and tough as nails,(actually tougher than nails).

Now that the prodigal son has returned I’ll start posting more knife pics. I’ll be back home this Wednesday so I’ll have access to my knife stash.

What’s new on the powdered metallurgy scene, what’s the current working man’s knife?
stabman said:
One last ESEE 5 plug... ;)

mPa1si9.jpeg


How’s the 5 compare to a Swamp Rat Howlin’ Rat?
Click to expand...
I don’t believe in the concept of a beater knife but I like having a knife I can depend on even at times when my judgement on how I use and apply force to it are a little off.
6912p0x.jpeg
 
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T. Erdelyi said:
What’s new on the powdered metallurgy scene, what’s the current working man’s knife?
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Magnacut is the new thing on the powdered metallurgy scene.
I don't have any yet so I cannot comment on how great it is, but Larrin scienced the hell out of it. Should be good. :cool:
So much to read on it, and plenty of charts to gaze at while you wait for the knife to show up.

As for the current working man's knife, based on what I have seen out in the real world it remains multitools, gas station knives and whatever is on sale at the hardware store. 🤷‍♂️
 
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I have a few Esse’s, Pre-Esse, Swamp Rat Howlin’ Rat, even got a Livesay from Newt himself, back in the day when you’d see him at the local knife shows.

I have the indestructible knife type covered. Most times my end of the world knife and really my favorite outdoor knife is my sterile EK model 5 Combat Commando. This blade is super sexy and tough as nails,(actually tougher than nails).

Now that the prodigal son has returned I’ll start posting more knife pics. I’ll be back home this Wednesday so I’ll have access to my knife stash.

What’s new on the powdered metallurgy scene, what’s the current working man’s knife?
stabman said:
One last ESEE 5 plug... ;)

mPa1si9.jpeg


How’s the 5 compare to a Swamp Rat Howlin’ Rat?
Click to expand...
I don’t believe in the concept of a beater knife but I like having a knife I can depend on even at times when my judgement on how I use and apply force to it are a little off.
eisman said:
Ted, glad to see you back. Did you get a forum knife for 2024? If not I can help you with that, and easily inside your price range. PM me.
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i can’t message you because I haven’t upgraded my membership yet. So without getting in trouble with any of the mods let’s just say I believe my last forum knife was the 2021 and I’ve got em all except after that. I’ll fill in the blanks as I can, I have to finish my great Traditional Forum's annual knife documentary. Lol.

Keep me in mind and we’ll talk either off line or when I get upgraded.

Thanks for thinking of me, we’ll talk later my friend.
 
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T. Erdelyi said:
K390 and Maxamet, Magnacut ? They’re comparable to what steels from the last 2 decades?
I’ve had BG42, David Boye’s dendritic steels including H1 that Spyderco used in their rust proof blades.

I’m looking for edge retention over ease of sharpening.
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Magnacut's claim to fame is being particularly well-balanced between wear resistance and toughness while also being quite stainless. Roughly S30V/S35VN wear resistance but tougher and less likely to chip under impact, also more stainless. Probably not what you want for max edge retention.

K390 is a high wear resistance, non-stainless tool steel similar to A11/10V. Over 2% carbon, ballpark 10% vanadium. Not enough chromium to be stainless so tougher than S90V which is stainless with similar vanadium.

15V takes the carbon and vanadium up even further. Maxamet is another high wear-reaistance tool steel but it goes for tungsten rather than vanadium. Spyderco runs it pretty hard and it's not that tough as a trade-off.

K390 is available as regular production in Spyderco's Japanese lineup (Delica, Endura, etc). Maxamet is in a couple models from their Golden, CO factory. 15V has been limited production on some Golden models but more is expected.

Personally I've been using and enjoying the K390. 👍

T7rG39A.jpg
 
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Hello, what about upgrading one of your current knives like sending in one of your CRK knives in to get fitted with a Magnacut blade.
 
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T. Erdelyi said:
I’d that a current option for an older 21?
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Insingo
$150
CPM S45VN or CPM MagnaCut (depending on availability) | Stonewashed | 9-12 Month part order lead time
Available for Sebenza 31 or Inkosi models.
Discontinued models: Please call for availability.

chrisreeve.com

Service Prices

Reference the list below of available services and parts. When you're ready to send your knife in, please fill out a Service Form.
chrisreeve.com chrisreeve.com
 
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T. Erdelyi said:
K390 and Maxamet, Magnacut ? They’re comparable to what steels from the last 2 decades?
I’ve had BG42, David Boye’s dendritic steels including H1 that Spyderco used in their rust proof blades.

I’m looking for edge retention over ease of sharpening.
Click to expand...

People seem to love their K390 on current Spyderco models but as a non-stainless, I don't have much interest in it.

MagnaCut is interesting in that it was made with the aim of only forming vanadium carbides, making the steel tougher and leaving all of the chromium free for corrosion resistance. It worked better than expected on the latter, leading to Spyderco using it in some of their recent Salt series knives. While not totally rust-proof like H1 or LC200N, it's right near the top on corrosion resistance. Of course, it also seems to be a success on offering good edge retention with relatively high toughness. While the individual heat treatment will matter, MagnaCut really does seem like the best all-rounder.

Aside from the EDC fixed blade mentioned previously, the North Arm Skaha 2 is my favorite folder using MagnaCut. Here is a picture of mine in the rain. I went with G10 but other handle materials are available.

60BdBLX.jpg
 
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Check out Buck Sprints - Classic, Select, Pros, all kinds of steel and handle options with several right in your budget range. Or if your preference is fixies, I second David Mary.
 
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Word on the street is Glock is making no more of their field knives. The 78's are long gone, and the 81's are drying up. Buy a couple different color model 81's then you can swap sheaths for contrasting color. Good affordable fun!
 
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T. Erdelyi said:
Ok, so I’ve been outta the knife game for a few years now. Let me rephrase that, I’ve been outta the knife buying game lately.

With a knice size collection I always have plenty to choose from. My collection ranges from 150+ year old factory folders to relatively modern factory, (CRK, ZT, Bench Made) and modern customs, ( JD Ellis, Nathan Carothers and a handful of others) so I don’t really need a new knife.

That being said, I haven’t read much about the latest and greatest steels and knives on the market.

So in the $100-$250 range what are my options and why should I go for your choices.
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Ted!
Glad to see you posting again.A true BFC OG.
Respect from USDL 🙃
 
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In the $100-$250 range, I’d buy a Microtech Ultratech off the exchange. Why? Super coolness, much cuttyness, one handedness, and believe it or not amazing durability.

 
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Thousands of subscribers to BladeForums, you'll end up with Thousands of suggestions ;)
well, here's mine, recently got this one and opens quickly, locks up solid, closes drop shutty and has a Rex45 blade which is reputed to be some of the toughest stuff around and so far it's held up to that reputation for me.

Kizer Mystic folder
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr


See more detail here at Knife Center

Good luck with your hunt !
G2
 
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