First Real Knife

G

GroovyGnome

Joined
Oct 30, 2004
Messages
30
I'm a knife noob and I've been buying cheap hardware store knives, about 5-10$ each. The other day the lock broke on both my knives.

I want to buy a reliable and easy-to-maintain knife, while not spending more than 25$. I like folding knives and tactical folders. I've been admiring the Buck Access 3.0, model 465BKFX, but I havn't found much user input regarding this knife. I like it because it's cheap, not too big or small, and looks comfortable enough. I also like the shape. I dont want to carry a fixed knife and the NJ Laws state that it cant be bigger than 10" when closed, and the blade must be under 5".

Anybody have any experiences with this knife? Would you recommend it?
 
Welcome to the forums! :) I have never heard of that law. Try a Buck 110 or 112. Or perhaps a ka-bar dozier. Good Luck!
 
I thought the law for NJ was 3.5 inch blade... but picture a knife thats 15 inches when opened 5 inch blade and 10 inch handle... thats just crazy.

I have 2 that look just like the Buck 110 and thats the ones that broke... So i'd rather get somethin more like the Access 3.0. Thanks though I'll consider the 110.

That Dozier's lookin pretty good.....
 
the 3'' buck access is a really nice knife for the money, it holds a nice edge, the dual thumbstud come in handy. i'v been useing mine as my left pocket knife for over a year now. the only problem you may have is the lock back might get gritty after a few months of pocket carry, i just used a tiny dab of wd-40 to get her smooth as silk again. and the dagger shape really lends itself to penitration type tasks. hope this helps
 
I know nothing about the knife you're talking about, but I would recommend a Kershaw Vapor for a first "real" knife. Trust me, you can't go wrong with this one. BTW, the law is that you can't sell a knife 10 inches or greater overall or 5 inch or greater blade to someone under 18. There is no legal limit on length for carrying, but better safe than sorry.
 
GroovyGnome said:
I'm a knife noob and I've been buying cheap hardware store knives, about 5-10$ each. The other day the lock broke on both my knives.

I want to buy a reliable and easy-to-maintain knife, while not spending more than 25$. I like folding knives and tactical folders.
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OUCH! broke the locks on two knives in one day,either you are jinxed or live under a bridge.I'm betting on the first option,giving you the benefit of the doubt on your first post.Get off your wallet and buy a Spyderco Delica.That knife won't break and will be legal almost anywhere you are likely to travel to.Buy quality and only cry once.tom.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

Good suggestions -- the Ka-Bar Doziers are great little working knives, amazing value even if they cost twice as much as they do. The Craftsman also looks good, but I haven't handled one of those.

James is right. The law restricts 5" blade or 10" overall length, not closed length, for under-18s.

Depending on what you want a knife for, you might look at a Swiss Army Knife. Even some of the busier models fall within your budget. And if what you're after is cutting efficiency, there are the ever-popular Opinels!
 
I actually think that i used too much WD-40 on the locks.... :rolleyes: At least now I know...

I'm under 18 so that law applies to me... Thanks for tellin me that i didnt know. I doubt i'll walk around with a 10 inch knife in my pocket though.

I have at least 7 Swiss knives... So far I'm looking at the Ka-Bar Dozier and the Buck Access 3.0. I'm definitely getting the Buck Accesss... but the K-Bar Dozier will be mine in a few months... :D

I agree that if you buy something and spend the extra $$$ you'll never have to replace it... thats why i'm done with cheap hardware store knives. I can't spend more than 30$ on a knife for 2 reasons. My parents won't let me... and I don't have much extra money.

I just looked at the Kershaw Vapor... I now have 3 knifes I want. I'm getting a Buck Access 3.0 first. Then a Kershaw Vapor. Then a Ka-Bar Dozier. It'll take a while to get all three but it'll be worth it.

Now I'm gonna take a vote... Which one is a better first knife? Kershaw Vapor or Buck Access?
 
Welcome! I like the Kershaw Vapor too, it's a nice knife for the money. Check out the for sale forums here too, you might find a nice used Benchmade or Spyderco for around $30. A Spyderco Delica was my first 'real' knife and I still like it. The Benchmade Griptilian is great too.
 
The buck 110 can be had for pretty close to your price range it shouldn't break like those harware store copies. Its much higher quality. You'd have to be pretty dang hard on it to break it.
The Kershaw vapor is a steel handled frame lock that is also supposed to be pretty nice and pretty solid.
Might also find a Schrade LB7 in your price range. Its a very similar knife to the buck 110, but has delrin handles and a different blade steel.

You might also look into the Gerber line up. I don't know if they make the LST knives anymore but they were cheap and made fairly well. The EZ out jr. was pretty cool too and went for $30 or below most of the time.
 
I like the Kershaw more than the Buck. I would get it first. There are good things said about it in the testing section.
 
I just looked at the spyderco delica knife and it looks nice. fun to just look at. A little out of my price range though.

Are there any tests for the Buck Access 3 on any sites? Any reviews or other resources i could read?

What kind of lock does the Kershaw have?
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

Good suggestions -- the Ka-Bar Doziers are great little working knives, amazing value even if they cost twice as much as they do.
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Amen, Esav. The Ka-Bar Doziers are the biggest and best bargain in all of knifedom. I carry one daily--along with another rotating EDC (two knives are better than one). A tip of the hat to Bob Dozier for giving the world the most affordable and reliable cutting instrument you can buy. I feel as well-equipped with a Ka-Bar Dozier as I do with many other brands costing three of four times as much. :)
 
My buddy carries a Vapor, and it's a really nice knife for the money. I happened upon a Spyderco Delica for about 25 bucks, too, and that's a nice knife as well.
 
I've been looking around Blade Forums for a few weeks now, just readin stuff.

I have 4 knives I want now. The Buck Access 3, Ka-Bar Dozier, Kershaw Vapor, Spyderco Delica.

I agree 2 knifes are better than one ;)
 
I will go ahead and sugesst you pick up a Camillus EDC. Yeah, I know it is double what you wanted to spend. It is worth it though. I doubt you could find such a good frame lock knife with a 154-CM blade anywhere else for that kind of money. Oh, and it was designed by Darell Ralph, so thats cool to.

I can attest that it is a very solidly made knife and works out great for daily use. I carried, used and abused, one for about a year and it didn't fail me once. The only problem I had with it was by my own doing, and other than that it was a flawless beater knife. In fact I liked it so much I have on order a custom version that costs $450. :D
 
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