First post, new to knives

A

AlexSchira

Joined
May 12, 2007
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355
For a few years now I've slowly been evolving into a more prepared individual. Started out on Candlepowerforums, recently moved to edcforums, and all the talk about knives usually went right over my head.

I've carried multi-tools exclusively, never a real folder, for as long as I can remember. Currently outside of work I'll carry a Leatherman Wave, a LM Squirt P4 on my keychain, and during work I'll keep around a Swisstech Utilikey as a just-in-case. The Wave acts as a folder with the outside blades, and until now I've never had a problem. doesn't hold an edge from my cheap diamond sharpener (Just one square plate...Plan on getting a sharpmaker soon, forgive me) very long and the blade shape is too much like a spear-head to generate much cutting force.

Besides a Leatherman folder with some extra screwdrivers I got on sale at Target (Ten bucks, usually sells for forty) that's too bulk to carry with the extra tools, I've never owned a real dedicated folder. I switch off with different Leathermans and sometimes carry an SAK around nervous types, but I've never bought a good knife just by itself.

I started hanging out on EDCforums, to kill time while my better half is off on a trip, just hoping I could at least improve my EDC during all this boredom. I was browsing around, noticed the lower prices on a few of the Spyderco and Byrd models, that got me thinking. I mean bouncing around different online retailers and reading reviews thinking.
Then, all was lost as I fell back into that dark state of mind I was in months back, poking around the Hideaway Knife site with a drool bucket under my chin.

Because of the three-inch law in Illinois, I have to keep everything smaller but functional. The Byrd Meadow Lark certainly looks to be a good buy, and for the same price the Spyderco Jester looks like the perfect gentleman's knife for those times where I have to look formal and/or dignified about my eccentricities. My other half called it 'Very pretty' over IM, might have to get two.
As for the HAK itch...Right now the only thing in my size is their new 'Utility Claw', ten bucks more than the Utility model but with that claw profile. I'm aware of the small business limitations, opting for the easier to sharpen model would have me waiting months, but the claw is right there, right now. Hoping I'll be able to handle it with little sharpening experience with the help of the Sharpmaker DVD, but that straight edge may be the much better option for an easily carried emergency knife. Checked out some old threads, some guys are in the same boat as me right now, hoping some one can talk me into one model or talk me out of it entirely before I wake up with ten of these things on my doorstep.

My Leathermans have served me well, but the time has come to refine my EDC options from 'Which Do-It-All Pliers-Tool' to 'Which blade'.
Somewhere...in a bank account far, far away...my checking account is sensing a great disturbance in my spending habits.
 
Welcome. I just got back into knives a few weeks ago, and have been AMAZED at the bargain prices on discontinued models. Two sub-3" knives that I recently bought at a fraction of their original MSRP are the Camillus Sizzle and the CRKT Contrail. (Camillus went out of business) Both fine quality knives for a pittance.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

First off if your not ready to spend much money on sharpening supplies,just pick up a fine ceramic rod since you already hace a diamond plate.Not the best set up,but still capable of getting things sharp.

Im not sure what to say as for choice of folder,at least your looking a quality brands,the rest pretty much comes down to your individual needs and taste.Good luck and enjoy the forums!
LOTTO
 
Welcome to the fold. The Spyderco Delica comes in at just under 3" blade and is available in VG-10 or ZDP-189 steel. Either one will put the Wave to shame as far as edge-holding ability goes (voice of experience). If your budget is really tight, the Byrd line is hard to beat as far as bang for your buck goes.
 
My votes go to:
Spyderco
Yojimbo
Delica/ D Wave
Native
Kopa
Caly 3
Paramilitary

Benchmade
707
14210
Mini Griptilians

Kershaw
Leek (any variation)
Mini JYD
Mini Cyclone
 
Thanks for the warm welcome, getting to like this place the more I browse around.

Glad my Spyderco guess was accurate, now it's just narrowing down my options to avoid breaking the bank. That's one reason I needed talking out of the HAK, for the same price I could get a couple starter knives to use instead of going straight for the ultimate EDC claw.

Folder wise, ruling out anything serrated or combo-edge from the start. In all the years of using my Wave, I have never used the serrated blade. Reading some older threads on the debate, I'm not a lone case. Keep it under the three inch law, fine with a thumb stud or hole instead of assisted openers. I hike a bit, but most of the time lately I've been in urban-suburban areas where a larger blade just isn't necessary. Later on I may inquire about getting a decent sheath knife for hiking, but for now I'm working on casual EDC.
 
G'day Alex,
You'll find this place has many of the same suggestions as CandlePower Forums, so if your bank account is quivering, all I can suggest is RUN, RIGHT NOW, DON'T LOOK BACK.
Of course you could feed the addiction with a knife or three.
It's all fun.
Greg
 
I also live in Illinois. I hate the stupid 3" rule! I usually obey that law but, I also don't break a sweat about carrying a 3 3/4" blade except to work which is very strict with the 3" law.

Just remember when dealing with Leo's don't ask for trouble and usually you won't get any trouble.
 
I should have capitalizied the word USUALLY. I'm sure that there are thief Leo's in every state. Then again if they were going to steal a knife it probably wouldn't matter the blade size since they aren't reporting the knife anyways.
 
mm3 said:
I should have capitalizied the word USUALLY. I'm sure that there are thief Leo's in every state. Then again if they were going to steal a knife it probably wouldn't matter the blade size since they aren't reporting the knife anyways.
Click to expand...

Oh, it's worse than that. At least that I could understand.

Long story short, a couple of dumb-ass teens. (I believe 18 and 19 years of age) apparently assaulted a handful of folks with tactical folders. When the cops caught them, for some incredibly stupid reason; they went after the legit business owner who sold them the knives. :confused:

Knives that are perfectly legal, and can still be bought at Brick & Mortar stores in NYC. But after that business owner was arrested on the B.S. charge of selling illegal gravity knives, (the legal tactical folders were labeled as gravity knives) the city formed a task force which targeted legit, small business owners who sold folding knives. What sickens me is the fact that it was all about selective enforcement. Large shops like Paragon on 18th Street were left alone, probably because Paragon has 14 lawyers on their staff, and the task force knows that it can fight them in court. Small business owners who can't even afford 1 attorney on retainer, well; that's something else.

An aquaintence of mine was targeted. He'll likely end up spending all his Life Savings to fight the obvious B.S. charges that he openly sold gravity knives. Meanwhile some of his best customers used to be the cops at a precint house literally 2 blocks away from his business. Now he sells fantasy Art and high-quality flashlights.

A mildly corrupt cop who takes your tactical folder because he wants it for himself, then lets you off with a warning; that's one thing. But a group of LEOs padding their arrest records, ruining peoples' lives; that's another. I used to respect the cops in my city. Not anymore!:thumbdn:
 
I too mostly carry and use a multi tool (Victorinox Spirit), and like you I wanted to supplement it with a dedicated knife. I got a Spyderco Native, which is a good folder at a reasonable price, but not long ago I discovered pocket-sized fixed blades.

Now my companion to my multi tool is a Bark River Mini Canadian. It is of top notch quality, has a 2 1/4 inch blade (about 6 inches overall), and is friendly looking. I carry it in a flat hip pocket sheath.

There are many good, pocketable fixed blades; this may be a route to consider.
 
Hi Alex. Congratulations of being prepared! :thumbup: Spyderco or Victorinox should suit you well until your insanity develops further. :D
 
Week on the forum later, rethinking my need for a good small knife when I have a couple Victorinox Classics lying around that are supposedly real workhorses despite their innocent appearance. The Jester would be nice, but I already have the Classics if I need an innocent smaller knife.

Tossing around the Meadow Lark because I'm not sure yet about getting a full blown Spyderco. What if I never get to use the knife and I'm down fifty bucks for it? Preparedness matters, but I draw a line with things I might never use.

Any main advantages of folders over multi-tools to talk me back to the light side quicker?
 
AlexSchira said:
Tossing around the Meadow Lark because I'm not sure yet about getting a full blown Spyderco. What if I never get to use the knife and I'm down fifty bucks for it?
Click to expand...

Well, if you buy a Delica and don't use it, you can always sell it. If you're still unsure, the Meadowlark is a very nice knife for the money. There are many advantages to a folder, but you're right to not underestimate the humble Vic. Classic. If possible, go to a knife store and handle some folders to get an idea of what feels good to you. Hope this helps.
 
I'm not a big knife collector, but I did buy a Delica last year. I think I wanted something small because I was travelling to NYC.

It's not the thickest bladed knife, but it's sturdy and sharp. After my girlfried talked me into cooking a whole turkey last Thanksgiving I found out her knives were dull as tripe and she had no sharpener. I carved the turkey, including cutting through bones to remove the legs and wings with a Delica. I had a bigger knife in my pack but I was curious as to whether the thin blade would stand up to cutting through bones.

I can't imagine only carring a multi-tool, it's a pain accessing the blade once you get used to the new fast opening pocket folders that clip onto your pants pocket. They do tend to be rough on pockets if you get into the habit of playing with them-er I mean practicing drawing and opening them.
 
+1 on the Delica. Great all around small knife, plus it was my first quality "modern" folder- waaaay back when Spyderco first came out. Finally broke down and bought the Delica4 when I realized just how long that knife had been serving me. It is now enjoying an honorable retirement.
 
I like my SAK's a lot. I use screwdrivers more in my job, so the smaller cybertool is a great carry sometimes, though I find it a little bulky for the pocket. The Vic Soldier is a nice knife, it carries easily and sharpens up well. My favorite folding knife though is a Benchmade 556 mini-griptillian. It's small enough to fit in the pocket, which I personally prefer to clip carry. The blade is just under 3". It sharpens up well on my Sharpmaker and I like the drop point blade. Lot's of good choices out there and this is a great place to get info.
 
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