Good, long lasting knives?

L

lord bueron

Joined
Feb 3, 2017
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Hey fellow knife addicts, recently I've kicked off my collection a bit with a bk9 bowie from kabar, ant is symbolizes everything I look for in a knife. Durability, good steel, and above all, it's guaranteed to last if cared for. However, I want to expand my collection a bit, and am looking for other knives that I know are time tested, and that I'll be able to hand to my children one day. Blades I'm looking at include:

*Buck 119 special (How thick is it's tang by the way? how does it fare compared to the USMC kabar?)
*Kabar USMC (Possible alternative to the buck).
*For a higher priced knife to save up for, the Boker German expedition ii.
*And the CRKT Obake for a smaller fixed blade carry knife.

This list if just for starters, how good do you think these hold on throughout the years? I am also looking for a good Folding knife (Preferably with thumb studs and a pocket clip?) that will be equally durable. Also, How long should a good knife last (Like my bk9)? I take good care of my knives (I would like to think so at-least) and try not to abuse them (I.E. By using them as pry-bars and the like). Any advice would be great!
 
For the fixed blades, I can't help ya there.
Never liked fixed blades and never owned any because of that.

For folders that hold up,
The list is very large. But here's my favorites.
Anything from Chris Reeve
Most Benchmade offerings
Striders
Hinderers
Most Spyderco offerings
Etc etc etc

Any folder from a respectable company with good handle material will last you a long time.
 
A well made knife should easily outlive you. There are many Kabars out there that made it through WWII and are still fully functional.

Your fixed blade choices should be fine, except for the CRKT. Skip that. That said, I wouldn't really "pass on" a mass market manufactured fixed blade knife...I'd get something from one of the makers here, it will last a lifetime and will be "you." Something to remember you by.

Similar with folding knives. Even a good Case, for example, will outlive you.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! That sounds like an awesome list of folding knife brands, and I love Benchmades axis lock system. Thanks marcinek, I'll steer clear of CRKT, I was just thinking the have some nice looking neck knives though, which I may get just for light utility use... As for passing them down to my children, your logic is clear, and in the future I might look into getting a custom knife made (A very dear friend of mine has promised to make me a custom dagger, so I am getting started!). However, I think it goes beyond who made the knife, or which brand it is, but rather the legacy left behind. I would be very happy to have gotten any knife handed down from my parents or grandparents, simply because it was theirs. Thanks for the answers! How would I maintain a blade to make sure it will have a long life? What would be the best way to maintain the edge?
 
Time-tested is an interesting phrase, considering it usually is used for decades-old designs that are still popular but can be equally used for newer designs that are already lumped together with those older designs. Your BK9 is a time-tested design while not being terribly old, while the Ka-Bar USMC is much less sturdy overall even though it's an ancient design that's still being made.

Knives that have proved their worth for as long as they've been around IMO include:

ESEE Izula
TOPS BOB
Benchmade Griptilian (the 20cv one with the G10 is probably the sturdiest option)
Spyderco PM2/3
Zero Tolerance ZT0560
Ontario RAT1
 
Many KA-BAR's lasted through ww2 and are still getting used by grandson's to day.
In the same right, many Buck 119 specials made it through the Vietnam War and are still used by sons and or grandsons today ( likely in the original sheath which is way better made )

IMHO both should likely hold up fine if you don't baton with them, especially since the edge on the current buck 119's are thinly hollow ground.
 
Any well made knife will last years or an entire lifetime if used properly and cared for.

As far as the CRKT neckers is concerned, you can bet they'll be serviceable for long.
I've had my Wharnie Minimalist for years and it's all worn and beaten up, but still takes a screaming sharp edge and is a pleasure to use and cut with.

CAM02151_zpsigzk2plz.jpg


SAKs and Multi Tools will last decades if not abused, but will show evident signs of wear soon (that gives'em character in my opinion)

Folders from reputable brands (BM, Spyderco, Cold Steel) might develop blade play, wiggle and evident damage or wear to the edge, blade and handles but will be still usable, trusty and efficient cutting tools.

Many forumites here own and carry folders that are 10+ years old

CAM03004_zpsk6xx0y2l.jpg


FInally, classic fixed blades and slipjoints can also be expected to last several decades and passion to next generations. Abuse and rust might be their biggest enemy, but if minimal care is taken they'll become a tool with many tales on its back
 
I also have a fairly large collection but the Knives I'm passing to my boys are a Randall #1, a U S issue K Bar each of which we have had in the family since VietNam. Two son's two of each. For folder each gets a DPX HEST and then each gets a Daniel Elishewitz numbered folder.
 
Hey everyone, thanks! I can see that there are a lot of blades that will be being passed down, something that makes me quite happy! Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions, I'm going to be looking everyone you all list up, though I wish I could buy every single one.
 
lord bueron said:
...How long should a good knife last...I take good care of my knives...and try not to abuse them...
Click to expand...
So long as you take precautions to avoid corrosion, any knife should be able to outlast you through many generations forward.
 
If I was going to pass a knife down to my son it would definitely be a fixed blade and not a folding knife....119 or Ontario SP-1 would probably be the type of knives I would pass along because they are proven to last long.
 
lord bueron said:
Thanks for the replies everyone! That sounds like an awesome list of folding knife brands, and I love Benchmades axis lock system. Thanks marcinek, I'll steer clear of CRKT, I was just thinking the have some nice looking neck knives though, which I may get just for light utility use... As for passing them down to my children, your logic is clear, and in the future I might look into getting a custom knife made (A very dear friend of mine has promised to make me a custom dagger, so I am getting started!). However, I think it goes beyond who made the knife, or which brand it is, but rather the legacy left behind. I would be very happy to have gotten any knife handed down from my parents or grandparents, simply because it was theirs. Thanks for the answers! How would I maintain a blade to make sure it will have a long life? What would be the best way to maintain the edge?
Click to expand...

I was going to say just what you said. It's the fact that the knife was owned and used by the giver (especially a parent) that would make it special to me. I'll still second what Marcinek said about having one made for you that's just "you". Or, as an alternative, you might want to look for something you like from Fiddleback Forge or L T Wright or another of the makers who aren't exactly "custom" but who produce excellent handmade knives.
 
Rip Gut 916 said:
If I was going to pass a knife down to my son it would definitely be a fixed blade and not a folding knife....119 or Ontario SP-1 would probably be the type of knives I would pass along because they are proven to last long.
Click to expand...
Hey, I never gave much thought towards the SP-1, I know that epitomizes factory production, but I love combat knives!

dalefuller said:
I was going to say just what you said. It's the fact that the knife was owned and used by the giver (especially a parent) that would make it special to me. I'll still second what Marcinek said about having one made for you that's just "you". Or, as an alternative, you might want to look for something you like from Fiddleback Forge or L T Wright or another of the makers who aren't exactly "custom" but who produce excellent handmade knives.
Click to expand...

Alright, sounds great! Do you have any favorites from those makers?
 
This is an interesting thread. I carry a Kizer Vanguard Gemi with a VG 10 blade. I don't use my knives hard, but it should hold up well for a long time. The Buck 110 is another decent hard use knife,
 
lord bueron said:
Alright, sounds great! Do you have any favorites from those makers?
Click to expand...

As a matter of fact, I do. FbF's Hiking Buddy and Handyman really hit my sweet spot for an everyday general purpose user that has a lot of character. Andy Roy does some phenomenal handle designs with the different materials he uses. And the blades are both spear point designs that have proven to be very utilitarian. There are a variety of sheaths available (they don't come with the knives). My favorite FbF sheaths are from Rick Lowe. I have several of his for different knives.
 
A knife to pass on as far as fixed blades without hesitation I would recommend a Randall. They cost more but in my opinion nothing else compares when you are talking about an heirloom quality piece.
Specifically I would choose a Model 1,14,15,17 or 18 as these knives have seen more history than just about any others but that said any Randall will do. For a folding knife, I would go with a Buck 110 from the custom shop. They can be had with nickel silver bolsters and custom scales for around $120-$150. Again the Buck has the history and the heirloom quality.
 
If you want a fixed blade that'll last you a lifetime, one that I own pops into my head. An Ontario Ranger series Falcon. Quarter inch thick slab of 5160 packed into a neat little 4 inch blade(roughly 8 inches overall** might be an inch or two off). A blade with that small of stature, that thick, made with good ol' fashioned 5160 spring steel should hold up to pretty much everything, haha.

It's a little small for some work, too heavy for EDC, but I like it. It's my woods knife for when I know I'll be truly abusing my knife. I have smallish hands, and they just fit on the handle so it's not for everyone. I guarantee that thing will stand up to just about anything I throw at it, though.

Almost all knives can and will last you a lifetime(fixed blades especially), if you take care of them. The knives I've broke were the cheapest of the cheap and I abused the everliving crap out of em'.

Folders will break when you use them like fixed blades, but if you use them the way they're meant to be used, they should last a long, long time.
 
I will definitely be leaving a bunch of great folders to my sons!
What I enjoy more though, is seeing them enjoy those knives while I'm still around!! All 3 of them are old enough that they can carry and use them, and that brings me lots of joy!!
Nothing better than seeing clips on their pockets!! They carry knives every day!
Oldest is in Bank of America Corporate, he carries a custom shop mini grip while at work. At home he carries a 940.
Middle guy is in the elevator union in Manhattan and carries a BM 530.
They will also mix it up by checking my collection and 'borrowing' what catches their eye!!
Don't mind one bit that I had to buy doubles and triples of some models! Nothing makes a hobby much more enjoyable than your kids enjoying it with you!!
Joe
 
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