Help! I'm new to this....

W

woodway50

Joined
Jan 30, 2009
Messages
28
Hey guys,

I really know nothing about knives, so I'd love some help. I'm currently looking around the market for a sturdy all-purpose knife. I want one that folds and is small enough to keep in my pocket, both for protecting and just general use. I have an old one my friend gave me, but it's too dull too even cut paper and the blade doesn't open and close smoothly at all. It'd be a plus to get one with decent lines and aesthetics, but that's second to functionality.

Thanks for all your help! I feel like one knife purchase might spark and obsession....:)
 
A good choice would be a SOG ageis. I don't own one, but it from what I've heard its an excellent choice for both EDC and tactical.

Edit: Welcome to the bladeforums!
 
Get a Kershaw with a flipper.
Zing, OD-1, Ener-G, JYD II, Groove....there is somehting there in every size and price range and for many different sensibilities. They are nice, well built knives and some I would consider great starter models. Kershaw also has some good old stand-bys in their Speedsafe (assisted opening) line. A few that jump out at me are the random Leek and the base Leek... it also comes in a nice Damascus if your tastes run that direction (there are 20-30 variations of this one knife model).

Check out this link to check out the lineup.
http://www.kershawknives.com/products.php?search_by=productname&brand=kershaw

Kershaw also has a manufacturers subforum here at BFC you can check out. This is the link if you can't find it through normal navigation:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=809

Hope you find what you are looking for.:thumbup:
 
Check out the Kershaw RAM.
1910blog.jpg
 
Benchmade Griptilians are a good value and a great EveryDay Carry (EDC) knife. They operate VERY smoothly, and it has one of the (if not THE) best locking mechanisms on the market.

And being new, if you're too intimidated by sharpening, Benchmade offers its Lifesharp service.
 
Woodway,

What is your price range? I would seriously advise you to start off with a very affordable purchase while you get used to a good functioning knife. Also, as you learn by reading, networking and your own experience with a decent knife, that knowledge will fuel you to make a better decision in the near future for your next knife. And, yes, after that it never really stops. It's an addiction - I've had mine since about 8 or 9.

My advice is to stay under a $50 dollar purchase while you get used to things and learn. And, thanks to modern technology, there are lots of good brands for something like this.

Kershaw, SOG, CRKT, Byrd by Spyderco, Buck, Gerber, Cold Steel. These aren't all of course but for a knife to give good performance for cheap while you learn more to make a more educated decision for yourself and your needs, any of these will fit the bill nicely.
Folders that that lock up good, perform utility tasks and can give ample defense. All of these brands can fill that for under $50. (Depending on where you buy, for some of them)

Hope this helps. Don't shy from further questions for the forum. Someone will always help, if they can. Good luck.

Gibby
 
Thanks for all the help!

Gibby - I want to stay around $50 seeing as I'm a poor college student.

What should I be reading up on to make better decisions? I'm a complete novice. I've used knives my whole life but really know nothing about them technically.

- Woodway
 
woodway50 said:
What should I be reading up on to make better decisions? I'm a complete novice. I've used knives my whole life but really know nothing about them technically.

- Woodway
Click to expand...
Go to all the WEBSITES===>
Buck
Spyderco
Kershaw
Case XX
etc
etc.................
See if you see a model you like within your budget


Welcome to BF!!!
 
Also, all the forums. There's a good bit, just start googling. Also, there are 3 or 4 good knife magazines. Check out your bookstores/newstand. They're usually stocked around the Gun mags. (If not, subscribe to them via web) Also, look in the sporting section of bookstores as well as collectibles section for knife books. Don't forget your library! Just immerse yourself for a while (you won't have to try hard) and let learning take it's course. On Campus, see if you can strike up a conversation with someone who visible has a knive clipped in their pocket. Anything to network - just don't come off creepy. Ha!!

As Trent rock said, factory websites also. Spyderco has a good section I think they call EDGE-U-CATION. Sort of a "blade" guide if you will. I can tell the bug is biting ya so the learning should be fun. However, it will NEVER be over. It's a lot of fun and it's a world full of good people. Also, almost all manufacturers sites will send you a free catalog, take advantage of that. And remember Google is your friend big time, use it much.

On all the forums you visit, make sure you go through all the subjects/topics and sub-forums. Even the ones that sound extremely unappealing to you will usually hold some knowledge for ya.

Oh yea, get used to your tastes changing too as you learn, it's natural.

Okay, I hope this is some to help. I spat it out quick so if I confused you anywhere, lemme know.

Keep us posted with your search/decision.

Gibby
 
i would say that unless you've had training a knife is strictly a weapon of last resort, that being said. Any of the above listed i'm sure offer something in your range. I carry a Buck Alpha Dorado and love it, perfect size and nice ergonomics, keeps a good edge, they have 2 grades i picked up the nicer of the two for around 60 bucks, i believe the base model is under 50
good luck
ivan
 
Welcome to bladeforums.

Inexpensive doesn't mean you have to skip on quality nowadays.

A few of my favorites....

Kabar Dozier series in AUS8 steel. $18 +/-
Boker Trance in AUS8. $25 +/-
Spyderco Byrd series in 8Cr13MoV. $15-25 +/-
Spyderco Tenacious $30ish
Kershaw Junkyard Dog $35ish
Kershaw Skyline $30ish

For fun, I'd get two knives for $50.
 
gazz98 said:
Welcome to bladeforums.

Inexpensive doesn't mean you have to skip on quality nowadays.

A few of my favorites....

Kabar Dozier series in AUS8 steel. $18 +/-
Boker Trance in AUS8. $25 +/-
Spyderco Byrd series in 8Cr13MoV. $15-25 +/-
Spyderco Tenacious $30ish
Kershaw Junkyard Dog $35ish
Kershaw Skyline $30ish

For fun, I'd get two knives for $50.
Click to expand...

I only own the Boker Trance of this list, but the rest of this list all seem good knives as well.

I highly recommend the Boker Trance, it is light, inexpensive, good steel for the price, excellent fit and finish, very good lock, low riding pocketclip and a nice small size.
On top of that it has a flipper for fast cool opening, and thumb studs for regular opening.

Boker warranty is top notch as well. :thumbup:

BK-BO590.jpg
 
Trent Rock said:
Go to all the WEBSITES===>
Buck
Spyderco
Kershaw
Case XX
etc
etc.................
See if you see a model you like within your budget


Welcome to BF!!!
Click to expand...

I wanted to add this to my post but I felt it belonged better with this one. Don't freak out at the prices on the web sites. MSRP is higher than you will pay at a knife store. The percent discount between MSRP and street price varies from company to company but it is almost always significant.
 
forushani said:
Where should a beginner start looking for best prices on the net?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forums. You will be assimilated...

:D

What I do, if I'm buying online: type in a google search for the knife you want info on. The first few hits will usually be sellers of the knife you're looking for. You can check in the Good Bad & Ugly & see if there are good reviews of the seller. (To search, you'll need a paid membership, which is well worth it, IMO.)

thx - cpr
 
One way is to Google the item you want, (ex. Spyderco Military) and after search results come up, click on shopping at the top of the Google tool bar.

But in a lot of ways, it's just fishing. PATIENCE. Ha!

Gibby
 
My first "real" folding knife was a Ka-Bar Mule I got for $40 at a gun and knife show. Buying it online and with shipping costs added, you could probably get it for around $47 or so. It's not an amazing, top-end steel, but it's a great working steel.

It's a little big, but it'll fit in your jean's coin pocket... might stick out a bit depending on your brand/style of jeans. :) Here's a pic:

3051_large.jpg
 
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