Getting started in the Knife World

Dylankeith

Dylankeith

Joined
Mar 16, 2016
Messages
167
Hi everyone. My name is Dylan I'm 19 years old and i just sprouted an interest into knives in the past 2 weeks.

I am joining the Coast Guard (ship to boot in May) and I thought I'd like a nice knife to have after I'm done with training. After doing some research I settled on a custom benchmade griptillian, which I made on the benchmade website. A little more research and soon after I ordered Alan Putnam g-10 scales for it. By the way it hasn't even come in yet.

So then I'm totally hooked. I have been non stop looking at knives, and going to cabelas to at least get some facetime with some different models. Then I think, how will I sharpen the knives id like to get? A few hours on blade forums later and bam I've ordered and Edge pro 4 apex sharpener.

I figured I can't just have a single $200 knife and worry about messing it up or losing it. So I order a Kershaw leek and a Spyderco delica 4. And my Dad then tells me he ordered me a Kershaw Blur I told him about.

So tonight I'm looking at flipper knives online and I fell for the Zero tolerance 0350, so I pulled the trigger on that as well.

All in all its been 2 weeks. Not one of my knives is here, not even the original Benchmade I purchased.

And already I've purchased or been gifted

Kershaw leek
Kershaw Blur
Spyderco delica 4
Benchmade griptillian with G-10 Alan Putnam scales
Zero Tolerance 0350
Edge pro 4 apex sharpening system.

So as you can see I've maybe gone a little overboard right off the bat. But nonetheless I'm beyond excited to get these knives and continue learning and delving into the knife community.

Thanks for listening to my story!
,Dylan
 
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Btw. This is my first post on blade forums. So I thought I'd introduce myself.

Also I'll post pictures of my stuff as it comes in.
 
Thank you for your service. Great start and it won't be the end. Always seems to be a vicious cycle!
 
Welcome to BladeForums, Dylan. Your collection is off to a good start. The Spyderco Salt series are intended for use near saltwater and are fully rustproof, unlike most stainless-bladed knives. Other than that I'd suggest using what you now have to discover your personal preferences regarding: blade shape, blade thickness, lock type, opening method, handle shape and material, and overall knife weight. There aren't any right answers, just what one prefers.
 
Welcome to BF and thank you for your service. Every one needs a knife, all the time. Dogs are cool, but you can't cut stuff with 'em.
 
I'm also 19, but don't have the courage or the know how to go into the force. Thank you for your service.
 
Good God, Man! Run!! Never think about a blade again, or you'll be like the rest of us freaks!!!

Ok, assignment: get yourself a Mora with the rubbery grips: companion, etc. Now, what I say next may result in my demise and placement is a shallow grave, but.... Get a STAINLESS steel model. Strap that baby to you on the ship. You won't be able to stop finding things to use it for, and sharpening is so easy. Fishing supply places by Fisherman's wharf in Seattle sell these beyond dirt cheap to the guys on boats, and can't keep them in stock. You shouldn't need to spend over $20, usually nearer to $12. I have at least 5 different models, and always have one on me or near by. Warning: addictive.
 
Welcome to the madness! And good luck in this next important journey in your life. Part of the shield that protects the greatest nation in history.
 
Wow, first welcome, second, stop buying knives! :D
Seriously, at our age we have a lot of money to look forward to owing in the future, and knives are not the best way to dump savings. I get by on 10 dollar knives at the flea market, and the world's best value knives: Mora and Opinel. Seriously, I use my Mora so much and absolutely love it, I'll never buy a fixed blade again unless it needs replacing or I want a small skinning blade. I honestly cannot say enough about the Mora, yesterday it cleaned caulk and grout from a tub, trimmed copper pipe edges, and split some wood for shims. I spent 2 minutes sharpening it from beat up to hair popping. I am not at all afraid to use it ever.
To paraphrase Charlie Mike,
No drug user collects drugs. Use your shit. :D

Welcome again,
Connor
 
The Edge pro 4 apex is a great sharpening system. However, you won't need it much if you don't put those blades to use. The best part of having knives is using them! There is no better way to appreciate what you already have and find out what you will want. Enjoy and happy cutting.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! I love the hospitality here at Bladeforums.

And thanks for the spelling correction Rat. I dislike bad spelling so I went back and revised it haha.

I am fully aware that I went a little over the top right away but I'm done buying anything new and what I just ordered will be thoroughly used. With all the options and varieties available nowadays you could buy things endlessly but I'm content for now.

Thanks again for the advice everyone.
 
Welcome Dylan and congrats on the CG gig!!
I would echo the Spydie Pac Salt for a great work knife! Pretty affordable and rust proof!! H1 doesn't hold an edge too long, but it sharpens easily!
Good luck and let us know how you like the new stuff......the Benchmade will turn you into a knife knut in no time!!
Joe
 
Wow. Welcome. And if you are going to go overboard, you certainly did it in a classy way. I have and like everything you ordered, with the exception of the Grip.

My gateway to slightly nicer knives was a Kershaw Blur. That made me want a ZT, and a 350 was my first of them. Now I can't stop. Purchased over a dozen ZT's, and still want more with the new models coming out. So far, my favorite ZT is the 0562CF, but only by a narrow margin. I really like all of them for one reason or another.

Spyderco's are also addictive. The Delica is great, but it seems with your beginning taste, you NEED to try out a Paramilitary 2, and maybe the Gayle Bradley 2, Domino, and since you are Coast Guard bound, some of the H1 Salt series, and, well, a dozen or so others. :D

Strangely my addiction of more expensive knives also led me to try out a bunch of inexpensive brands to try out. And a renewed interest in the "Old Timey" traditional slip joints. Some I really like, and others not so much. But then, if they're cheap, no harm done. My "problem" has led me to probably over 200 at this point. Some of them just because I like to try out a different style, and others just hang around until I give them out as a gift for some odd occasion.

Good luck...you will like everything coming in.

Oh, and about the Edge Pro.... Don't start off learning on the knives you listed. Read a bunch of the sharpening threads here, and buy a bunch a really cheap knives with different blade shapes to practice/learn on. Sharpening is part skill, part science (geometry, metallurgy, etc.), and part art.

Enjoy the ride.
 
Get yourself accustomed to foxed blades if you plan on being in and around sea water. Spyderco makes the Salt line of knives that are impervious to rust.
 
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You're starting out the same way I did. It's expensive to keep that pace up, but it's hard to stop buying them. There's just so many great knives out there. I bought my first descent knife 1 year ago and now I have over 200.
 
bflying said:
Oh, and about the Edge Pro.... Don't start off learning on the knives you listed. Read a bunch of the sharpening threads here, and buy a bunch a really cheap knives with different blade shapes to practice/learn on. Sharpening is part skill, part science (geometry, metallurgy, etc.), and part art.

Enjoy the ride.
Click to expand...

As a fellow n00b to sharpening, I also highly recommend practicing on cheepos. I did about a dozen before I tried one of my spydercos. I use the sharp maker, but the same principle applies.
 
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