Could use some advice from the experts

[Aerose91]

Hey everyone, ive been spectating here for a while so i figured i'd pop my cherry and make my first post.

This is probably a typical question you get from a noob but im going to ask anyway. I want to upgrade my collection, basically just to 2 knives but i want them to be kick-ass. I want a good fixed blade and a good folder- i already have a machete and hatchet that i like.

Heres basically what my use for them will be:

Fixed- all around outdoor use. Im looking for a blade probably 4.5"-6" to be used for widdling a spear to skinning & dressing an animal to filleting a fish to using it with a baton to chop down a tree if necessary. I may use it for some tactical stuff, too since i train with my spec. ops buddies a lot. Its really important to me that it's very corrosion and rust resistent since i live near the ocean and when camping/SERE my knives will get damp and sometimes fully submerged. I want something that holds an edge real well but also can be sharpened. I use my stuff but don't abuse it. Ive been really looking at the Winkler II collection cuz its sexy as hell and hey, if its good enough for DEVGRU its good enough for me, lol. Pretty pricey though but im willing to pay a bit more if it will last me, i would love a blade that will last my lifetime. Is the 51600 steel really far superior to the 1090?

For the folder: really just a good all around use knife, plus i will have this at work just in case; i do private security work and have had knives pulled on me on more than 1 occasion (yes i have my Sig on me but just in case as a good backup...) Probably a blade no bigger than 4.5" as i will never have a use for much bigger. Again, rust and corrosion resistence is important for me here because this knife will see the elements. I actually currently have a S&W tactical blade and i really like it, especially the locker, im just looking to upgrade a bit. I would rather not spend more than $60-$80 on this one.

I take good care of my stuff but i do USE it, as well. Also, are there any retailers that i can go to where i can hold one of these higher end bad boys? Like the Winkler? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, guys

 

[Bob6794]

Define "tactical" for the fixed blade. When someone says tactical I think of mall ninjas who watch cold steel videos who love to shove a knife into boards, throw it, etc. So having a more accurate description on that will help as it doesn't sound like that's what your doing. So far I see widdling, skinning/dressing animals, filleting fish, batoning, chopping down a tree, "tactical", rust resistance, as requirements edge retention. I am going to take a shot into the dark and say with such a broad range of what you want whatever knife you get will do a pretty poor job in a lot of categories if you want something that can do all this.

To start you off both steels your looking at the 5160 and 1090 are both carbon steel if I am not mistaken and will rust more easily than stainless steel. If rust is a major concern you want stainless steel. Than it help if you list what you plan on doing with your knife from most to least importance, blade shape and geometry plays a big role in how well a knife works. And one type of knife may work great in one type of task but poorly in another, and anything heavy duty enough to do everything you want to do will probably do pretty poorly when it comes to some things you want to do with it. It may actually be better to carry that hatchet/machete and pair it up with a knife for the lighter duties instead of trying to use 1 universal tool. Beyond that I let someone else take over on this subject.

Folder you want stainless steel for that rust resistance. Ditch the S&W I wouldn't trust my life to any S&W if I had other options, it's not a knife snob thing either, their just plain junk even if it does lock up correctly the steel is probably crappy steel with a crappy heat treat which is a very bad combo.

 

[Aerose91]

Bob,

Thanks for the help. First, to clear up "tactical" use- i need something that has a decent ergonomic handle so i can hold it forward or reverse grip and is capable of prying if i need it to. I dont want/need a 9 inch Rambo blade, but something with enough integrity to hold up against some jarring. Lol, i like your description of a mall ninja.
In order of usefulness probably things like making wooden tools, cutting 550 cord, batoning, skinning/dressing an animal would be most common and the tactical stuff least common- i just need to know it can hold up to that if i need it to.
So is stainless steel measured the same way as carbon/steel blends? Or are there certain types of stainless? Stainless as a folder sounds good to me but is there a certain type i should be looking for? And if a folder is stainless does that mean just the blade is stainless or all the metal parts are? I dont want a good blade then a locker that rusts out on me. Also, is an anti-corrosion coating suitable for a carbon/steel fixed blade to prevent rust and salt damage? Im not going swimming with these, i have my dive knife for that, but they need to be able to handle the elements.
And for what its worth my S&W i didnt buy, at work one day a guy i was removing tried to shank me with it so i took it from him. Had it ever since!

 

[Coyote3855]

For the fixed blade, take a look at the Becker BK 2 or BK 16/17. Folder, I've carried a Spyderco Endura for 20 years and would get another in a heart beat.

 

[daveb068]

I'll echo the BK2 for a fixed blade in your price range. I honestly don't think a better knife can be had for the money. The folder is a bit more complicated to recommend. Stick with major brands and find something that feels good in hand.

 

[RatPatrol01]

Bob6794 is talking about folders with stainless steel handles I believe, as most folding knives have stainless/rust resistant steel blades anyways.

I don't know enough about fixxies to comment there but I have a folder suggestions.

If you really really genuinely think that it'll be getting wet that often and are worried about rust, get a Spyderco Pacific Salt. They are designed to be carried by like sailors and fishermen so they are mega rust resistant. That being said, I doubt you are gonna get a folder you carry at work wet that often so just get an Endura instead, or, if you can swing the extra money, get a Spyderco Police. The Spyderco Police is pretty much designed with stuff like Private Security in mind so it should be just about perfect.

 

[jobasha11]

5160 is superior to 1095 in toughness but the 1095 will outdo the 5160 in edge retention.

 

[Aerose91]

Thanks gor tue recommendations- those look great. Id say $60-$80 is my max on a folder but im willing to pay a few hundred for a fixed blade since i would really like this thing to last forever.

 

[Aerose91]

5160 is superior to 1095 in toughness but the 1095 will outdo the 5160 in edge retention.

Is either one extra difficult to sharpen?

 

[benchwarmer380]

If you go Becker for fixed I would say one of the tweeners. BK15,16, or 17. The BK 2 isn't a bad knife per say, but it can be unwieldy. Just doesn't make a great all around knife in my opinion.

If you have a few hundred to spend on a fixed blade maybe check out some Busse/Swamp Rat knives.

 

[K.O.D.]

For the folder I would look at the Kershaw Blur, Spyderco Delica/Endura in ZDP-189.

 

[Saint Loke]

For a fixed blade, the Becker BK2 is one of the toughest blade out there, at least in the medium to low price range. A Fällkniven A1 is one of the ultimate survival knives IMO. But it's pricy (somewhere between 200 and 230 USD)

Here's a review of the A1 by a pretty controversial, but in my opinion, knowledgeable knife tester: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWR_u7fHhD8 And here's a written review by someone else http://bladereviews.com/fallkniven-a1-review/

 

[jobasha11]

Is either one extra difficult to sharpen?

I have no experience with 5160 but it is almost exclusively used in larger knives and swords so if your going small/medium then out of those two get 1095. 1095 will vary from company to company and you may hear horror stories from different peoples experiences because of that. I find kabar's, esse's, and case's 1095 to sharpen up just fine. I wouldn't worry about it if i were you.
Also, corrosion resistance is not bad in 1095 as long as you just take care of it. If you pick an esse or Becker, the coating will make the worry almost nonexistent anyways.

 

[K.O.D.]

Esee's are excellent knives.

 

[bodog]

I would agree with dave b for folders. Pick any knife from Kershaw or Spyderco that fits your hand and budget the best. A lot of people, including me, are complaining about Benchmade's current lack of quality for their prices.

I would also like to suggest Esee for a fixed blade if you just want a big name on a good knife. If you want a true looker made with good steel for a good price and a good sheath, check out a custom maker. I'm getting one made right now and the price is way better than a production knife company for equivalent quality and craftsmanship. Actually the prices are about the same, but the quality and craftsmanship are better with the right custom makers.

Don't underestimate having a good sheath. You won't carry a good knife if you have a bad sheath.

 

[hookahhabib]

If you want carbon steel beefiness with stainless steel peace of mind you might want to consider saving up and springing for a Busse (bussecombat.com) - INFI is easy to sharpen, takes a killer edge, and is nearly indestructible. Many models could fit your requirements, the BOSS Jack and BOSS Street being a couple options. On the larger end the Team Gemini (although processing game could be a little tricky with it...). You'll have to resort to second hand market or shows to find models that aren't currently being produced, but it's a pretty fun process finding your perfect blade. They also hold their value remarkably well so if you decide to change to a different model, you can do so without taking a loss on your initial investment.


Whatever you decide on, enjoy the hunt!

:thumbup:

 

[Saint Loke]

The best part of buying a knife, is choosing which knife to buy. I agree hookahhabib, enjoy the hunt.

 

[TBL]

Is either one extra difficult to sharpen?

I find both 5160 and 1095 a dream to sharpen. They take a wicked edge in a short amount of time.

As far as your option for folders. I would look to increase your budget slightly. I used to work in private security and had to use my knifes for everything under the sun. For under $150 you can find any number of amazing folders (new or used from the exchange). For a hard use folder you can't go wrong with anything from any of the top manufactures (Spyderco, Benchmade, ZT). My first knife I bought for use on the job was a S&W swat folder which was replaced by a ZT 0700.

Good luck finding what works for you!

 

[Firestrike]

Stainless Fixed blades have been phased out of my collection, with the exception of a few cheapies (Buck 119 and Outdoor edge SwingBlaze), I find that no matter how good a stainless blade is, they are generally less durable than 1095 or better carbon steels, as in prone to chipping, less flexible, harder to sharpen.

Folders I would say Stainless is the best way to go, as they will generally be exposed longer and more often to the elements, not to mention sweat.

I agree with the suggestions of Busse, and would include thier kinfolk Swamp Rat and Scrapyard, if you worry about rust then I suggest putting a small rag covered in oil (olive oil being my favorite as it is food safe) into a zip-lock baggie, after usage dry off the blade and wipe down with the oiled rag.

For folders in your price range, you could pick up 2 Ontario Rat 1's and have your folder needs taken care of for many years to come. I am not a Spyderco or Kershaw fan so I can not recommend them to you based purely on my distaste for thier designs (many people love them and swear by them so I do not believe they are bad knives, just not for me). One last thought on the folder idea, if you don't need to immediately deploy the blade for stabbing someone the Swiss Army knives and Leatherman's are way more useful in the real world than any other folder's out there, but again this is just my opinion.

Good luck on your quest, as I have been on mine for many years and have yet to narrow it down to just 10 let alone 2.

If at this point in my life I could only have two blades, you can bet your arse one would be a Busse and the other a Leatherman.

Cheers.

 

[jkwithawave]

Fixed blade- Zero Tolerance 0100
folder- zero tolerance 0200, slightly over your price range but you can find blems or used ones for around $100.