Got the blade fever bad...

Wavester said:
Yes- you have it BAD lol. but I love hearing the excitement in your post...nothing like it. You have a lot of nice knives coming and you have come to the right place to enhance your blade *sickness* hahah. I see we are both BLUR fans. And since you are a Kershaw fan as well, make sure you check out the Knockout - excellent knife!
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Cool vid. I do like those. Add another to the wishlist :)
 
bigpatvoodoodad said:
That is a kick-ass collection. I too have recently quit drinking. My health just won't allow it anymore. Hey, more money for knives :)
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Yup, same here bigpatvoodoodad, fewer empty carbs, increased energy level and more money in my pocket for more toys. It's a win win!
 
Cutlover said:
With knives, you really only need one to get a feel for most of the terms used. You could pick up a cheap frame lock, and you would already understand how smoothness, thumbstud, flipper, frame lock, blade centering, weight, jimping, blade thickness, grind, and lock stick would affect operation. Once you understand these, every other knife is for the most part very similar. You can get an even deeper understanding of knife operation just by watching video reviews of regular knives all the way up to customs, where people like Skelton give a really detailed comparison and overview of each knife. You can find paper slicing tests, lock strength tests, and other tests. You just have to filter out the tests that don't apply to your lifestyle. If you get into customs, you can research makers as well.
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Its rare that I disagree with everything someone says in a paragraph...but it happens.

One knife is going to give you a feel for that one knife, and that's it. It is not going to tell you how smooth another knife feels, how a different blade geometry cuts, how the weight of another knife feels, etc etc etc.

All knives are not similar at all. One knife does not tell you about all knives.

And you cant get an idea about knife operation by watching YouTube videos, you can only get that through using knives yourself.

And paper slicing tests only tell you about slicing paper. Lock strength tests only tell you about how a lock fares when used in a way it is not intended to be used.

Owning one mid tech knife hardly makes one an expert on knives. It gives you some knowledge on that knife, but that's only if you actually use it for things other than paper slicing tests.
 
Blues Bender said:
A Matt Diskin Fire, a nice flashlight, or a custom from Mike Alsdorf
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Nice. What flashlight is that?
 
Dr Heelhook said:
Nice. What flashlight is that?
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Thanks! It's a custom light (in brass) made by TnC/Ogaz. Runs on an 18350 imr, has triple Nichia 219 led's, and has 3 modes with one of them throwing about 1,000 lumen. Best flashlight out there, in my opinion anyways:D
 
marcinek said:
Its rare that I disagree with everything someone says in a paragraph...but it happens.

One knife is going to give you a feel for that one knife, and that's it. It is not going to tell you how smooth another knife feels, how a different blade geometry cuts, how the weight of another knife feels, etc etc etc.

All knives are not similar at all. One knife does not tell you about all knives.

And you cant get an idea about knife operation by watching YouTube videos, you can only get that through using knives yourself.

And paper slicing tests only tell you about slicing paper. Lock strength tests only tell you about how a lock fares when used in a way it is not intended to be used.

Owning one mid tech knife hardly makes one an expert on knives. It gives you some knowledge on that knife, but that's only if you actually use it for things other than paper slicing tests.
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Yep, spot on.

Obviously, I have a bunch of knives and they range from a $30 SAK to a $1,200 Rockstead. Each and every knife has been an entirely different experience.

I have quite a few customs, some that I contacted the maker directly to commission a build. I have 2 knives from Jim Dunlap that are the exact same knife but with different handles, not only are the aesthetics different, but so is the action, weight, ergos, etc.

The same goes for a couple knives I own from André Thorburn: 2 of what is essentially the same knife, but both having completely different "personalities".

I've come to know that I prefer linerlocks over anything else, but right now as I type this I have a framelock in my pocket. Why? Because I like this framelock knife, but not all framelock knives.
 
I think dude is doing all right. When coming from $20 knives a $200 probably sounds steep, much less $600. He has covered some good bases and I am confident that he will know where to go from there, or if he is satisfied and needs to restock the practice ammo shelf.
Best of luck.
 
Blues Bender said:
Yep, spot on.

Obviously, I have a bunch of knives and they range from a $30 SAK to a $1,200 Rockstead. Each and every knife has been an entirely different experience.
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Also using just one knife to judge or get a feel for all others is particularly uninformative if that one knife is sort of a one-off, quirky piece with an unusual lock and build, like, say a CRKT Buy Tighe.

You gotta try a wide variety of stuff. And, while you are trying, you don't have to sink a ton on any one knife. But its going to take more than a knife or two to get to the point where I would be comfortable sinking a chunk of cash on what I thought I liked.

And sinking a chuck of cash on one knife tells you nothing about what you like.

It works the other way around.
 
marcinek said:
Its rare that I disagree with everything someone says in a paragraph...but it happens.

One knife is going to give you a feel for that one knife, and that's it. It is not going to tell you how smooth another knife feels, how a different blade geometry cuts, how the weight of another knife feels, etc etc etc.

All knives are not similar at all. One knife does not tell you about all knives.

And you cant get an idea about knife operation by watching YouTube videos, you can only get that through using knives yourself.

And paper slicing tests only tell you about slicing paper. Lock strength tests only tell you about how a lock fares when used in a way it is not intended to be used.

Owning one mid tech knife hardly makes one an expert on knives. It gives you some knowledge on that knife, but that's only if you actually use it for things other than paper slicing tests.
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I see both sides of this argument... While I get what you're saying, absolutely no one knife will give you a feel for any other one particular knife, as no two knives will feel the same in hand, and you know a particular knife until you actually experience said knife in person:

If one were to own say 20 different assorted knives, all ranginging between $50 - $150, at an average of say just over $100, for a grand total of just a bit over $2000 total, but broken up over time, a payment here, a payment there, (as is much easier to manage for most average working people, a few bucks here a hundred bucks there, in between paychecks, same as saving a bit here and there,) one who accumulated said assortment of knives, some 4", some 2", some frame locks, some back locks, plunge and axis, liner locks, some with g10 and some raw metal, all textured different ways, some heavy like 6 oz or so, some light as 2, some coated others not, diffentvsteels and grinds, recurves and wharneys, flippers, thumb holes, and studs, deep carry clips and not; if said individual spent thatsame ttime ammassing their assorted collection of various combinations, also rotating their daily carry for say 2 or 3 years, ($100/mo. - $60 /mo.), narrowing down which are their favorites over that course of time as they went, that same said individual would have a much better understanding if they then decided to pursue a $1200 knife, or a pair of $600's, of which features they would prefer and aim towards in such an investment, which features were deal breakers, and which were neutral to him; say, "a larger drop point with a recurve and a backlock, no flipper no serrations." Or a "no more then 3"/3oz. combo edge tanto with a framelock, but thumstuds are a no go, flipper preferred."

If someone has the opportunity to experience multiple different blade options, in different combinations, while it won't tell you anything difinitive about any other specific knife, one will still have a much better idea of what features they were looking for in their next high end purchase, without blindly saying "that one", and finding out you actually don't like the handle, lock type, or size of the knife, (with at least a couple decent knives to hold them over while they saved up enough money to comfortably make that leap into a 3 or 4 inch Rockstead or Shirogorov or Gedraitis or etc).
 
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That's a great start and also a great ending too! Don't get too caught up on pricing I hope that you go get to buy and enjoy a whole lot of different knives! I've personally gone up to midtech knives in prices and that's my comfort level. And after trying a great many knives in terms of users I've actually fallen back on the Blur and FRN handled Spydercos as some of my favorite knives at any price range. I often use and like these sub $150 knives more than any knife in any price range. It's hella fun trying out different stuff though, sometimes you don't go full circle and return a lot of folks end up in custom territory only. Lol. Different strokes for everyone though!
 
Welcome to Blade Forums bigpatvoodoodad. :thumbup: Sounds like your on your way to owning an incredible collection. I don't buy many folders anymore got bitten by the traditional knife bug but of the few I have left my Elmax Blur is one of my favorite they are great EDC knives. Be careful though one of the symptoms of "Blade Fever" is a severe thinning of the wallet.
 
r redden said:
Welcome to Blade Forums bigpatvoodoodad. :thumbup: Sounds like your on your way to owning an incredible collection. I don't buy many folders anymore got bitten by the traditional knife bug but of the few I have left my Elmax Blur is one of my favorite they are great EDC knives. Be careful though one of the symptoms of "Blade Fever" is a severe thinning of the wallet.
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Thanks!
 
My thoughts on the 3 new knives I got today - The Griptilian and Endura4 both have wickedly sharp edges. The Griptilian opening/closing action is smooth as butter. I can deploy it almost as quickly as an assisted opening. I'm still getting used to the Spyderco hole. The Manix 2 XL feels great in hand and is pretty easy to open, but the edge is nowhere near as sharp as the other 2. That's a minor let down, but I can sharpen it with no problem. The Endura4 feels great in hand, but is still pretty stiff to open. There is no blade play on any of them and I am impressed with the locks on all of them. Right now I'd say my fave is the Griptilian. I hope to get in my cheapy autos to futz around with tomorrow. All will ride in my pocket at some point though.

The Sharpmaker is going to take some getting used to. I've been using a double sided DMT folder sharpener (red/blue) with decent results. I did manage to make an old Gerber folder from the 70's/80's razor hair-shaving sharp. I could never get it that way with the DMT. I don't know if my dad ever got this knife this sharp. I also sharpened an old Victorinox fillet knife. It still needs a bit of work, but it's much better than it was. All in all a good knife day.
 
bigpatvoodoodad said:
My thoughts on the 3 new knives I got today - The Griptilian and Endura4 both have wickedly sharp edges. The Griptilian opening/closing action is smooth as butter. I can deploy it almost as quickly as an assisted opening. I'm still getting used to the Spyderco hole. The Manix 2 XL feels great in hand and is pretty easy to open, but the edge is nowhere near as sharp as the other 2. That's a minor let down, but I can sharpen it with no problem. The Endura4 feels great in hand, but is still pretty stiff to open. There is no blade play on any of them and I am impressed with the locks on all of them. Right now I'd say my fave is the Griptilian. I hope to get in my cheapy autos to futz around with tomorrow. All will ride in my pocket at some point though.

The Sharpmaker is going to take some getting used to. I've been using a double sided DMT folder sharpener (red/blue) with decent results. I did manage to make an old Gerber folder from the 70's/80's razor hair-shaving sharp. I could never get it that way with the DMT. I don't know if my dad ever got this knife this sharp. I also sharpened an old Victorinox fillet knife. It still needs a bit of work, but it's much better than it was. All in all a good knife day.
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Have you searched around for stuff like Wilkins grips? That's still on my bucket list to pick up a set in G10 to put on a mini grip.
 
I received my knives from Blade HQ sometime yesterday, but didn't realize it until late last night. My thoughts on these:

The Boker Kalashnikov Auto is a fun knife to play with. Good ergos and a snappy spring. I like it. The blade edge is decent out of the box.

The Schrade auto is more knife than I thought I'd get for the low price. Feels solid, has great jimping and a great spring and lock. The blade edge is pretty good out of the box. Will be a great workhorse.

The S&W Extreme Ops auto was a major disappointment. The pocket clip is way too loose. It would not cinch up either. The worst thing is that the front mounted lock is inoperable. It's as loose as a 2 dollar prostitute. Blade HQ is making it right and so far I've been impressed with their customer service. I will hopefully be getting a working replacement. It will be a beater knife for sure.

The S&W Karambit is ok. Not much expectation for the low price. Decent blade edge out of the box. I cut up some cardboard and the edge is already going dull. I expected that though. The frame lock is a real pain to use to the point of being annoying. It has no bearing on performance, but the knife has a weird almost cosmoline-esque smell. Reminded me of the commie mil-surp stuff I sometimes come across from time to time in the gun world. Weird. This knife will be a beater supreme.
 
Words of wisdom.. skip the junk and save up and get some of the "standards" or better knives. Nothing worse than a drawer full of cheapies that add up to a Sebenza (or whatever you grail knife would be). I'm not saying there aren't value knives that are quality.. but don't get sucked in by price if you have your eye set on a higher end item. Keep an open mind to all kinds of knives too.. traditionals are fantastic options for EDC.
 
It's fun reading your first impressions of your "new" discoveries. ^^^ Brings back memories. For instance, what you noted above is why I don't buy S&W knives anymore. The quality of their guns is in no way necessarily indicative of the quality of S&W knives. I had the same thoughts about the Schrade autos too.
 
I was under the impression that S&W Firearms and S&W Knives were two separate entities.
- I am at work and will see if I can locate my source when I am off.
 
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