first "real" knife purchase

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dalton3699

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Oct 6, 2014
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Longtime lurker here.This is my 1st post so hopefully i am in the right place so here goes I know there is a lot of posts about....whats better or best and so forth. I have my first purchase down to 2 options. I am looking at the spyderco chaparral and the bladehq kershaw skyline in s30v blade steel and carbon fiber handles. The 2 knives are very similar in handle materials, blade material and price point. The main differences I see being the lock style and blade shape. Id like to get a few opinions on which one you would pick and why. Thanks gor your time.
 
I have a regular Skyline, and I really like it. At > $100 though, I don't think I'd go that route. I think I'd rather have the damascus blade they offer simply because it looks cool. The Skyline is a great knife at $40-50, but more than that and I'd certainly pass. I don't have any experience with the Chaparral, so I can't help you there. But IMO, the Skyline is a good start - and was my first 'real' knife, so to speak.
 
What do you plan on using this for? Hunting, Every day carry, tactical, camping etc. From those two I have heard good things about the skyline but have not owned either knife. For a first knife it might be better to get a spydero delica or endura. Both are great and in the $60 price range. If your wanting to drop some more money, the para military 2 $120 and manix 2 $85 are great options. Welcome to the knife world
 
You can also look on the exchange here for a good price. Look for benchmade too.
 
This will be for light duty edc use. Mostly opening boxes or clamshell packages. Mainly just wanting something light and aesthetically pleasing with a nice blade steel.
 
For light use I would go with the Chaparral. It has a thinner blade and nice, lean grind that will outslice the Skyline. The Skyline, however, will offer a bit more fun factor with the flipper action.
 
Oh, it's also worth mentioning to take a look at the Enzo Birk. Similar price point, size and materials. Very nice office carry folder.
 
Benchmade 940/943 would be my primary suggestions, then Spyderco sage 3 s30v steel (exchange), manix 2 g10/s30v, dragonfly
 
Never handled a Skyline, but they look nice.

I have over a dozen Spyderco folders and the Chaparral is my most used/carried. Lightweight, deep carry clip, ambi-lock, thin 2mm stock, nice look and texture on the twill cf... I work in an office and it has never raised any eyebrows. Seems like a really good value to me at under $100.
 
Chap FTW

I love mine. It's probably the best slicer I own. However, if you want something that can handle a bit of abuse, maybe look elsewhere.....

Oh and the xhp on the chap is a great steel. It's basically a stainless D2. Gets SUPER sharp and holds its edge for a long time (I think a little better than s30v).
 
100% Skyline...but I'm prejudiced. I have 20+ Kershaw and no Spydercos (don't like the hole), but I would recommend checking Dave @ kershawguy.com. Last time I looked, a blemish Skyline was $29.00 shipped. They'll get to me in 2 days, west coast to NC.
 
Why not the regular Skyline? Sandvik steel is perfectly good steel, and the Skyline is a great knife in the standard version.
 
Well, based on what you say you are planning on using the knife for... why make things easy on you? :D

First of all, I will offer I think a somewhat unique perspective on your choices. Your two choices are a Kershaw and a Spyderco. As can be seen from my signature line, I can be considered 'somewhat' of a Kershaw FAN and own a large number of Kershaw knives, including the BladeHQ carbonfiber S30V Skyline of which you speak. On the other hand, I'm generally am not a huge fan of Spydercos, as I generally find them over my comfort level price point and I tend to find that the Spyder hole on their knives interferes with putting my hand in my pocket.

THAT BEING SAID... based solely on those two knives... I personally consider the BladeHQ Skyline more of a collector's knife (at least within the Kershaw lineup, though others may disagree) than a user. Also, while the Skyline itself is a popular knife in its basic version, my personal appreciation for its design has decreased as my knife collection has increased. It is thin, but I just don't really like the feel of it. So, while I know very little about the Spyderco Chaparral, if you HAVE TO purchase one or the other, I would actually recommend the Spyderco!

BUT! Why should this be so easy? MUST you have carbonfiber and S30V for light duty EDC use and an aesthetically pleasing look?

DESPITE my stated general avoidance of Spyderco, my personal FAVORITE knife (I own three!) is the Spyderco Paramilitary 2. Due to it's popularity, this is not easy to obtain, but if you are patient, you can get one from a reputable BladeForum Member Dealer for a price not far from the that of the knives you mention (at least for the satin blade version). I just love this knife in every way, so I suggest you at least consider it.

A RADICALLY different suggestion, but I'm just going to throw this out there, would be an Ontario Rat 1. This is a radically different suggestion because it is a FAR less expensive knife and a far 'plainer' knife, but it is an AWESOME knife and it pretty much defines how a GOOD non-assisted knife should open (and starts to make you wonder why you thought assisted opening knives were so great...).

If by chance you happen to like ALL-BLACK knives, I also would highly recommend the SOG Visionary I and II and SOG Vulcan Mini and Vulcan... I personally love them, but that may be more a personal preference, less shared by others I will admit (so no need for them to chime in on this please! ;) ).
 
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As a matter of fact, at the moment I post this, one of the four standard versions of the PM2 is IN STOCK from a BladeForums Member Dealer for LESS than the price of either of those two knives... all I can/will say (well, I will add that it is ALSO in stock at ANOTHER BladeForums Member Dealer as well, last I checked), and these things ('things'? What am I thinking? AWESOME KNIVES!) go fast... :cool:
 
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I would probably get the Spyderco, just because I don't own one yet.;)
But, as others have mentioned you should really think about how your going to be using the knife in making the decision. If it is your first good user knife, you might want to just get the standard Skyline and save some $$. I'm sure you would be happy with the quality of it, unless you are just set on the carbon fiber and nicer steel.

Let us know what you get.
 
I own a pretty equal number of Kershaw/Zero Tolerance and Spyderco. Honestly, the Kershaws are "fun" but the Spydercos see more carry/use. I will also have to agree that there are knives better suited at your price point. Spyderco Para military 2, Native, Manix 2 LW. Kershaw has the Knockout and Zero Tolerance 0770.

The above are all under 4 ounces, right around or under the $100 mark. Two have S30V, one BD-1, one 14c28n and one Elmax. Keep an eye on the exchange here and you could pick up 2 of these for less than your budget.

Good luck and heaven help you if you start down the Spyder path.
 
vanslem6 said:
Here's a 'blem' Skyline for $29.
http://kershawguy.com/products-page/kershaw-blems/skyline-1760-blem/

From there you'll figure out what you do/don't like, and have money towards the next one.
Click to expand...
I agree with that. Pick up a $30 skyline, $50 Sypderco Sharpmaker, and a $10 leather strop. You'll come in less than either of your options and will be able to sharpen all your knives to a razor edge in no time. The Sanvic 14C28N on the $30 skyline is no slouch. Commonly referred to as the poor mans S30V, as it's very close in edge retention.
 
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