Get what U really want

Lycosa

Lycosa

Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
43,271
Hey all. In my search for that perfect folder,I spent a lot of money, too much, and would end up with different folders going in and out of my pocket. Maybe this is supposed to happen, like a learning experience, so here's what I've learned. Get what you really want in a knife or as close to it as you can. Here are somethings to consider. What blade style do you really like. I carried a V grind for a while knowing that I really liked a true zero ground chisel grind. I carried a Titanium handled knife around but really liked the half TI, half G-10 handle better. Those to aspects of a knife are very important. The locking mechanism, hole or thumb stud issues were not a biggie with me but with other folks, they may be. So , research Everything, long and hard and then get what you Really want. Happy Holidays!
Lycosa
 
Lycosa said:
Hey all. In my search for that perfect folder,I spent a lot of money, too much, and would end up with different folders going in and out of my pocket. Maybe this is supposed to happen, like a learning experience, so here's what I've learned. Get what you really want in a knife or as close to it as you can. Here are somethings to consider. What blade style do you really like. I carried a V grind for a while knowing that I really liked a true zero ground chisel grind. I carried a Titanium handled knife around but really liked the half TI, half G-10 handle better. Those to aspects of a knife are very important. The locking mechanism, hole or thumb stud issues were not a biggie with me but with other folks, they may be. So , research Everything, long and hard and then get what you Really want. Happy Holidays!
Lycosa
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Good advice.

Brett
 
If I got what I really want, I wouldn't buy anymore knives!:eek: Seriously, that is really good advice. Another thing is to not let other peoples opinions steer you away from something that really works for you. In your research for the perfect knife, you gotta filter through the subjective OPINIONS, and find the objective OBSERVATIONS. Otherwise you might miss one you really like, just because it is not cool enough or something.
 
I just don't think that there is the ONE. You get it & then they come out w/ another model thats just a little different & then here you go again :D Buying different makes & models is all part of the fun of knives, You can't buy just one ;)
Happy Holidays !
 
Lycosa said:
Hey all. In my search for that perfect folder,I spent a lot of money, too much, and would end up with different folders going in and out of my pocket. Maybe this is supposed to happen, like a learning experience, so here's what I've learned. Get what you really want in a knife or as close to it as you can. Here are somethings to consider. What blade style do you really like. I carried a V grind for a while knowing that I really liked a true zero ground chisel grind. I carried a Titanium handled knife around but really liked the half TI, half G-10 handle better. Those to aspects of a knife are very important. The locking mechanism, hole or thumb stud issues were not a biggie with me but with other folks, they may be. So , research Everything, long and hard and then get what you Really want. Happy Holidays!
Lycosa
Click to expand...

Yes. Here is my story: i wanted a long blade folding knife, with one hand opening, lockback, steel liners and g10 handle. I had one Klaas messer - clasic lockback. it was fine till i accidentally dropped it at 1 inch on the right of my foot, trying to open it with one hand - the tip bended.

My second try was one knife of the Magnum (the subdivision of Boker) series. G10, linerlock, steel liners, short yet veru comfortable blade and two side thumb studs. I had it for a whole year and it was always there when i needed it. It is nothing expensive but i really like it. The thumb studs were a problem, when preparing food.

Next try was the one handed model of Victorinox. I was impressed by this knife. Very sharp (serrated blade), number of tools, a saw, bottle opener and other nice things. Very comfortable for use, but the blade was too delicate for some of my jobs and no g10 handles. Still...impressive knife. i love it.

In the logical order of thoughts, can you guess what i own now?

Cara Cara, g10 handles, comet hole one hand opening and one of the biggest blades of the folders i own. Very comfortable to use, sharp and with a lock back. Yes i think i've found my perfect knife. Thanx Spyderco.

for those who haven't...keep searching:-)
 
Seems to me most of us like owning several knives no matter what the jobs we plan for them. I do! If it weren't for that, any good "custom maker" could build you the knife of your dreams and the search would be over. For the price of my collection of goodies, I could have had one made to my specs and had money left over. Then I wouldn't be able to interact with you guys "boot jawing" about the "latest"....I'd have all I ever needed. I agree with "buy what you want", but "want" never seems to get satisfied..... The wife keeps things in check most of the time..... Your point is well taken!
 
My idea of the perfect knife is a Buck 110 , but I get distracted by all the others I see and buy. :)

Seriously though, I like to carry different knives at different times , plus I have a bunch that I just admire, so there's no single knife for me ( I've learned to accept this).

Lately I've been carrying a small slippie during the week and alternating between a Buck 110 or Buck Strider on weekends.
 
I was happly carrying around my Kershaw Blackout for a couple of years until I broke the tip and had to send it in. So, I went to my local knife store to find a replacement until I got my knife back. Then I found a Benchmade Griptilian knife that I just loved.

Oh boy. That started it, I now have about five knives, a Spiderco Native and 2 more Keshaws with flippers. And I'm still looking for the perfect knife.

Reading Blade Forums isn't helping either. I keep reading about all kinds of cool knives.

Now I have a small list of knives (I'm always adding to it):(:) that I want to; "try out"

So I,m getting what I really want. :)

I just don't know which one it will be yet ! :eek:
 
Hi,

I still believe that one can come very close to the "perfect" folder...assuming that it is still in production, it's a play between good research, money availability, and a wee bit of compromise from the buyer's end. I have two models in mind, which I wouldn't mind adding to the only one folder that I currently have (benchmade 943).

These two folders, while quite different in style and materials, are my favorites; the second is out of stock anywhere I have looked for it:

(1) MICROTECH CMTX5 DA OD (picture here...http://www.tadgear.com/edged tools/cmtx5_od.htm)
(2) XM-18 Framelock (picture here...http://www.arizonacustomknives.com/products/?id=3936)

Maybe one day I will own one or the either, or better both. I would have no problem saying "here are my two perfect folders".

Best wishes,
Edalb
 
My rule is to hold off on buying anything major for at least a few weeks. If I'm still gung-ho about getting it, I will. If I'm at all wishy-washy, I don't.

Naturally, this doesn't apply to HI's DOTD offers. Then it's "Buy first, cry later...until the knife arrives."
 
I was carrying an Emerson Super CQC-7 half serrated. Loved it ,lock up was solid, real heavy duty . I gave it to a young Marine that was home on leave from BootCamp. I have many other knives but wanted to find one to equal or better my Emerson. I was looking at the new Zero Tolerance ZT-302, this thing was rock solid!! I traded with a fellow forumite here and have LOVED it ever since. I an now wanting a Busse fixed blade, but I will be keeping an eye out for a "better" folder, because nothing lasts forever.;)
 
Just one flaw in the concept of getting what you really want from the git-go. How do you know what you really want if you haven't tried a bunch? You certainly can't tell from the pictures or reviews and fully stocked knife stores are few and far between. Best bet IMHO is to buy whatever catches your eye from the sales forum, discover what you do or don't like about that one, then flip it for something else. Eventually you'll realize what works and what doesn't work for you. Then you can begin the search for the one that has all the qualities you like.
 
Nice in-put everyone. I guess it's an on going process and that's all right. Never a dull moment in Knifeland.
Lycosa
 
My perfect knife is one that has features that none of my other knives do- but I collect for diversity- each knife must have a new feature before I buy it. Good thing I am inventive!
 
I carry my perfect knife---yet I still buy others---I just like trying out something new to see how it works out----current new fetish are Case knives---recently bought a CV large Trapper and a mini Copperlock.
 
Just got my perfect folder... a Chris Reeve Small 2.94" S30V Sebenza Classic w/Micarta Inlay Handle I also have the large Sebenza Classic w/Micarta Inlay Handle and a small regular Sebenza with p/s blade but for just city life EDC the Chris Reeve Small 2.94" S30V Sebenza Classic w/Micarta Inlay Handle has me for now. I still have sme others for specific days that fit the bill too.

It took me a while to pull the triger on the small Sebenza but, I'm glade i did...
 
I think that many of us find ourselves in the never ending hunt for the perfect folder. About 6 months ago I decided to get all my knives out, lay them on the table, and then choose the ones I really liked to carry, and the ones I would consider my "perfect" knife. I did this and ended up with two folders out of a group of 32!! :eek::eek: To say the least I was shocked. It was at this point that I made the decision to begin keeping ONLY those folders I considered my edc's, and I would sale the rest to buy more "perfect" knives.:) Pretty good thinking if I do say so myself. Since that time I have increased my collection to 7. The original 2 are; a Strider AR and a Benchmade 610 Rukus. The 5 I've added are; a ZT0200, a Blade Tech Rijbak, a Jeff Hall large Bounty Hunter, a BM 610BK Rukus, and a Protech TR3 Stainless Edition. The Protech is the exception to my rule as I rarely carry it, and really wanted it only because it is a top notch automatic knife. I also have a large Classic Sebenza w/snakewood, and a Les Adams LE/AF custom auto coming for Christmas and those 2 will increase the number to 9. At this point I will stop and "rest" a while, or at least let my bank account rest a while!

So, that gives me 9 perfect folders, or 9 ALMOST perfect folders as everyone of them have at least one thing I would change about them, but I guess they are as perfect as I can get. I do have three (3) Case slipjoints that I also carry.....just one at a time of course.....but for some reason I don't count them as perfect although 99% of my knife work is done with one of them! Go figure that one out...:D:D
 
Hey all. In my search for that perfect folder,I spent a lot of money, too much, and would end up with different folders going in and out of my pocket. Maybe this is supposed to happen, like a learning experience, so here's what I've learned.
Click to expand...
I guess it's an on going process and that's all right.
Click to expand...

That's the way it's supposed to be. Without a fair amount of knife buying and using experience, there's no way to know what the 'perfect' knife is. Secondly, the 'perfect' knife ideal is constantly changing due to both the knives and the individual person.

After 35 years of knife buying and using, I've learned that the perfect knife is an Opinel. Doesn't stop me from buying, using, and collecting other knives too. :D
 
"Get what you really want in a knife or as close to it as you can"
Write a book about it, and be a bestseller.
It's not really advice that we don't know ourselves;
so it's pleasantly useless.
 
I guess there's always the "hunt vs. the kill" argument. I'd guess that while some are on the quest for the perfect knife and will rest happy once they find it, others are just in it for the quest alone, with many small successes or victories along the way.
 
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