Got the blade fever bad...

[Jetnc]

I just read this post, and it reminded me of myself. And the fact that I haven't even posted yet! Off to start my own....lol

 

[Daniel Dorn]

Every knife you buy is a lesson to be learned. I've rarely ever regretted buying a knife, ANY knife. Even the crap knives have something to teach you.

There is a learning curve, as with any sort of thing to be collected. You are definitely on the right track. If you haven't practiced this yet, though, having collected guns, I'm sure you have, you need to have a budget. Whether it's a monthly, weekly, or even yearly budget, keep to it. As long as you are within your budget, buy whatever the heck you feel like.

See a new lock type you want to try? Get it. Either you will like it, or you won't. New blade steel? Sure! Why not? Buy something just because it looks cool! Who cares if it is "bladeforums approved" It is only through experience that you'll develop your understanding of what you like and/or want.

Yes, your tastes will change. No help for that. So, if you no longer like something, Get something else!

In a few years, you will know yourself, and what pleases you. You may have a huge collection of knives that each give you a warm fuzzy feeling, or get your adrenaline going. Or you may have just 2 perfect knives that do all that you need, or want. Just enjoy yourself!

And feel free to take advice from us other knife knuts. If enough people like it, there's probably a reason. Take a risk and see what all the fuss is about. Just one more step in your education.

 

[Cutlover]

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.

LOL!

Glad to see you are enjoying your selection. I am interested in seeing your impressions of higher end knives once you get them :thumbup: Keep it up man

 

[mjpgolf1]

Like anything there is a point of diminishing returns. With knives this is where the quality and usability of a knife is about as good as it gets and anything above that is more or less paying for a name or for the rarity of the knife. I would much rather have 3 $200 knives or even 6 $100 knives than just 1 $600 knife. The nice thing about a hobby is that there are no guidelines for how it's supposed to be done. Different strokes for different folks. Also we need to keep in mind that not everyone can afford to have a collection based on $600 knives, and isn't it more fun have options instead of just having 1 knife in your collection. OP stated that he got his tax return and went on a spending spree, so I would take it that the rest of the year he probably is not in a situation to just spend like that and probably has responsibilities to uphold where buying $600 worth of knives or a $600 knife just isn't practical. So in that case it's great that he was able to build a nice little collection and have some diversity to use throughout the year and maybe along the way he can pick up more as he plays with his current pieces and figures out what he likes.

I am lucky enough to have enough disposable "hobby funds" income where I could buy $600 knives, however I still chose not to because as I said before there is a point of diminishing returns for me. I'm going to get just as much enjoyment out of flipping a $130 Spyderco PM2 or a Benchmade 940 as I would a Sabenza. Different strokes for different folks. That doesn't mean that down the road I won't ever pick up a more pricey knife, but for someone starting out its much more fun to have choices when you leave the house everyday. Also op isn't exactly buying junk knives. He bought some really nice quality pieces that if properly maintained will last him a lifetime.

 

[bigpatvoodoodad]

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.

Yeah, their knives =/= their guns. The S&W Extreme Ops I got is a Chinese Taylor brand special. Taylor brands also made the Schrade that I thought was decent. Lesson learned about the S&W knife though.

BTW - S&W makes great guns, but occasionally a turd is released such as the Sigma.

 

[bigpatvoodoodad]

LOL!

Glad to see you are enjoying your selection. I am interested in seeing your impressions of higher end knives once you get them :thumbup: Keep it up man

Of the new ones I have recently acquired, I think my favorite is the Griptilian followed in a close tie by the 2 Spydercos I have. In fact, I switched the Endura4's clip so it can ride tip-up in the left pocket at all times. In other words, it will likely be my most carried knife and then I'll rotate all the others for the right pocket.

The Griptilian is just so light, has excellent jimping, a wicked sharp edge and just feels right. Same can be said for the 2 Spydercos I have.

I like the new Kershaw Launch I got. Excellent edge and I love the stone-washed CPM154 steel. I kind of want a safety device for a pocket ride, but it's no big deal. I'm a bit leery of an auto in the pocket without a safety. Though, it should be ok if the blade sits snug against a pocket's edge.

 

[bigpatvoodoodad]

Oh and I figured out that I really don't care for frame locks at all, even on the $200 dollar ZT I got to fondle at the local sporting goods store today. Also flippers don't really do it for me either

I got the the Kershaw Scrambler the other day and it has both a frame lock and a flipper. Wanted to try both. It also has 8CrMov13 steel which I wanted to try out. I got it a pretty good discount (40% off) so I figured what the hell and bought. With that knife I learned I don't prefer frame locks or flippers. It will still be a knife I'll carry though and I won't hesitate to use it or even loan it for that matter.

 

[Leftytwogunz]

This has been a good thread man. There are definitely some that you can skip with out ending up with a drawer full of junk that could = one really great knife. S&W is a prime example. They slapped their name on some really hideous junk and I wouldn't pay a nickle for one.