First Knife

I started with a tac force and was on tight budget. If I could do it over again I woulda bought a decent sharpening stone instead of my cheap Kershaw and a dollar stone. Plus I didn't use the tac force a ton so it took the Kershaw I used more for me to learn I didn't care for assisted. If budget allows I in all honesty suggest a tac force and a smiths brand stone. Watch sharpening videos get good at sharpening then go for say a 50-150 dollar knife that way you don't waste money on spring assisted that you may change mind on and you don't royally f*ck up a more expensive blade sharpening that's harder to reverse the horrible angle that I did. Loctite the tac force and don't throw it or abuse it but use it, and it'll last until you're confident in your sharpening skills. Because unless you have someone next to you teaching you to sharpen, it's easy to mess up the first few times.
 
Get what you think looks cool, and can afford. You have plenty of time to get caught up in all the minutia. Be safe and enjoy.
 
RAT 1 assisted is like $40, non assisted is like $25. Great knives.
Cheaper and assisted I would go Kershaw Zing SS. Good lil knife.
 
When I first posted here and started getting into knives (not that long ago, relatively) I was looking for similar knife characteristics as you. I had my heart set on an assisted-opening (A/O) knife and boy-howdy have I bought a bunch trying to find The One For Me. I tried the aforementioned Kershaws based on similar advice to what you are getting, and they are certainly fine knives. While I still have/carry some of them on occasion, I think the one lesson that can be expensive to learn for people like us is that there are knives out there that deploy faster and smoother than almost all A/O knives without actually being assisted. I understand it may sound counter intuitive to someone just getting into the hobby, but man, let my pricey learning adventure be a lesson for you. Try a knife with a quality bearing system (such as IKBS) and of high-quality construction and you'll begin to think outside that narrow A/O mindset just like I did.

Therefore, my suggestion would be something like the CRKT Ripple. It has the IKBS bearing system, flipper design, finger choil you are looking for and IMHO is an aesthetically pleasing knife for a very affordable price. On the higher priced end of the spectrum, look at the Benchmade Emissary. Assisted, beautiful (I love the look of my 477-1), high-quality, and built like a tank. It's my definite go-to A/O EDC blade. Love it.

Keep an open mind and handle as many blades as you can. Your tastes and needs will evolve over time, just like all of ours have. Welcome to the forum.
 
I agree with everyone on Kershaw being your first - and let me say you'd be off to a good start with a Kershaw Knockout!
[video=youtube;-swkJoRFBbY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-swkJoRFBbY[/video]

IR97 said:
Hello everyone,

I am new to the community, but it seems like a great place and I look forward to being a part of it.
First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my lack of knowledge regarding knife experience.
I'd like to buy my first knife. I'd like it to be a folding knife and to be spring assisted, not a switchblade (because they are illegal here, although the difference is sightly skewed for me. It seems that switchblades operate using a button, whereas spring-assisted blades are just that: a spring assists you to open the blade. Correct me if I'm wrong). I'd like it to feel good in my hands (you know how you look at some knives and they just look like they'd feel clunky) and to have visible finger marking areas, if that makes any sense. I do not have access to a knife store, so Amazon will be my primary field of purchase. About the price, I'm open to most things, but if you could suggest a knife at both ends of the price spectrum that are durable/reliable, then that would be greatly appreciated. For the low end of the pricing spectrum, I've been eyeing the Tac Force 705 model, and it looks okay (although it is 'skeletized', for lack of a better word, and I think that it will leave the knife open to injury. Again, correct me if I'm wrong and skeletal knives are just as reliable). However, regarding the 705, I've heard that it is junk, that the blade does not stay sharp very long, that it has weak joints. Basically, that it is what you pay for (around $10).
I would appreciate any insight. Thanks
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Kershaw is a great place to start! Try not to go with price alone for your first blade.....spend $8 and it might sour the hobby for you.


Therefore, my suggestion would be something like the CRKT Ripple. It has the IKBS bearing system, flipper design, finger choil you are looking for and IMHO is an aesthetically pleasing knife for a very affordable price. On the higher priced end of the spectrum, look at the Benchmade Emissary. Assisted, beautiful (I love the look of my 477-1), high-quality, and built like a tank. It's my definite go-to A/O EDC blade. Love it.


Bill!!! You are the first knife Knut to mention one of my favorite Benchmades bro!! 477-1 doesn't seem to get any love, but it is a fantastic knife that is sexy as hell!! Love the color, the blade profile....slicer extraordinaire.....awesome action!!! Love the thwack!!!
Great knife!!
Joe
 
Welcome, I have 2 pieces of advice for you

1-Buy the Ontario Rat 2. If opens like an assisted and has pretty good steel
2-By the knife and don't come back, otherwise you will be buying $1000 custom in no time. Seriously though, you will get a lot of great info on knives in all price ranges.
 
I bought a Kershaw Leek several months ago and I really like it for the price. I've recently bought several other knives and no longer see the need to have an assisted opener but I'll still carry the Leek from time to time. If I was going to buy another assisted opener I would go with a Benchmade Mini Barrage. It might be a little more than the OP wants to spend but it's a nice one IMO.
 
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