I'm a fledgling knife collector and I'm really looking to add a nice Spyderco (I hear its a slippery slope!)to my collection, as I'll be visiting SMKW within the week, I also want my first "everything" Swiss Army Knife, the one in my collection is the GolfTool, but I'm also looking to add my first true fixed blade(converted one of the Bear Grylls monstrosities to a fixed blade) in a condor or mora and an Opinel, which way should I go? I'm at an impasse!
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First Spyderco and Utility SAK vs Fixed Blade(Condor/Mora) and an Opinel
- Thread starter Agent18
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I can only judge on what I own/have owned. I love my Moras and I love the Spyderco I just got. Highly recommend those brands but I will say the most difficult thing with both of them, is deciding which model(s) to get.
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the spyderco tenacious line (resilience, ambitious persistence) is great for the money. solid g10 feel without being too bulky. if you want a more prestigious spyderco you can look at the Delica/endura, native/Manix, etc...
An opinel is always a winner, it might not have much of an edge out of the box, but it's so thin and sharpenable it's no issue.
Mora makes great fixed blades. the clipper is a crowd favorite, I like the 711 with the thicker, more rubbery handles.
sak just depends what tools you might need. will you need a Phillips more than a corkscrew? saw? head on their website and you can see the huge amount of options based on tools and size.
An opinel is always a winner, it might not have much of an edge out of the box, but it's so thin and sharpenable it's no issue.
Mora makes great fixed blades. the clipper is a crowd favorite, I like the 711 with the thicker, more rubbery handles.
sak just depends what tools you might need. will you need a Phillips more than a corkscrew? saw? head on their website and you can see the huge amount of options based on tools and size.
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Then you'll wanna check out Spyderco's Byrd line. The Robin goes for around $17, the Meadowlark is around $20 and the Cara Cara is about $23.
Another thing to note are the steel types when you decide. Carbon Opinels require more care than the Stainless ones and the 8cr13mov in the Byrd line. Both carbon and 8cr13 will rust on you easily, though, either in humid/wet conditions or without proper care. If you keep em oiled (I use Mineral Oil since it's cheap, easy to find and food safe), you should be good in most situations.
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Get the Opinel and save up for better Spydercos.
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I'd agree with that. Not to mention, Opinels are tons of fun to dink around with. I've been messing with a patina with mine. They're also pretty simple to sharpen, which could be good if you are just getting into things.
+1 Affirmative on that
You won't be able to get a Spyderco for $20, other than their "Byrd" line. Better to wait until you can at least afford a Tenacious(should run $35 or so).
Some of the Byrd line actually have been catching my eye, but I really want an Opinel, they seem like a good dress knife as well!
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The Opinel will be something you can trust and since it's not intimidating, you can use it basically anywhere without scaring those unfortunate people who don't understand knives. You'll definitely not regret your purchase.
Planning on grabbing a #8 or #12 myself (to replace the #7 I gave away in hopes of spreading the addiction) next time I place an order from that big South American river of death.
Byrds are good, nothing wrong with them at their price point.
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A Victorinox SAK will be the most fun to posess and probably end up in your pocket the most. If budget is a tight, a Pioneer, Spartan, or Tinker model would be a great first choice. Pair one of those with an inexpensive machete and you've got a good set of tools there while you save up to expand your selection.
Best of luck in your decision :thumbup:
Best of luck in your decision :thumbup:
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In my pocket at the moment is a Victorinox Compact and a Cold Steel Kudu. I also own some Spyderco, Resilience Persistance and Endura, also the Byrd Cara Cara 2 and a Meadowlark 2 on the way.
The Kudu is a fantastic knife for the price, although it did need a sharpen. The Byrd Cara Cara 2 is also a fantastic knife for a slightly higher price. The Persistance has been described as the perfect EDC knife and I imagine the Meadowlark will be much like a smaller Cara Cara.
The Kudu is a fantastic knife for the price, although it did need a sharpen. The Byrd Cara Cara 2 is also a fantastic knife for a slightly higher price. The Persistance has been described as the perfect EDC knife and I imagine the Meadowlark will be much like a smaller Cara Cara.
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If this is your first visit to SMKW, you need to bring more money. I generally stock up on Vic kitchen knives when I visit and I spend a lot more than $20 for those alone.
Plan on spending a couple hours looking at everything. If they are real busy, you may get a little frustrated trying to look at a lot of different knives. It is a casual first come first serve policy for them. I have found that it is best to go by yourself if possible unless the "family" is willing to allow you to take all the time you want. I enjoy visiting their store and do so a couple times a year when I am passing by the Sevierville-Gatlingburg exit on I-40. Bass Pro is at the exit and always fun to look around.
Get what appeals to you the most. I'd probably get a Spyderco Byrd line knife and just accept it for what it is. Most really like them and they are a good value for the under $30 price point.
Plan on spending a couple hours looking at everything. If they are real busy, you may get a little frustrated trying to look at a lot of different knives. It is a casual first come first serve policy for them. I have found that it is best to go by yourself if possible unless the "family" is willing to allow you to take all the time you want. I enjoy visiting their store and do so a couple times a year when I am passing by the Sevierville-Gatlingburg exit on I-40. Bass Pro is at the exit and always fun to look around.
Get what appeals to you the most. I'd probably get a Spyderco Byrd line knife and just accept it for what it is. Most really like them and they are a good value for the under $30 price point.
I have been there two times and my family always groans when I say "Can we go to the knife shop?" I'm also looking at Kershaw, I've had an eye for them recently as I want something that's a good EDC, folds, wouldn't be out of place in a suit pocket, and if(God forbid) it comes down to it, self Defense
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Yep. Been my experience also. Maybe they can hang at the hotel/motel or Bass Pro (BP) if you can drive yourself there. It is a couple miles from BP as you probably know.
Even the Vic SAK line up is pretty sparse for under $20. I have probably bought 5 or 6 SAKs there. Yeah. You might get them for a little less elsewhere, but I enjoy that store a lot.
Les Stroud was there this past Saturday. I didn't go.
Even the Vic SAK line up is pretty sparse for under $20. I have probably bought 5 or 6 SAKs there. Yeah. You might get them for a little less elsewhere, but I enjoy that store a lot.
Les Stroud was there this past Saturday. I didn't go.