Help selecting new/1st knife

J

JSand

Joined
Aug 1, 2007
Messages
3
Been reading a lot here and want to thank everyone for great input. I am looking for my first knife in many years primarily for everyday utility but sturdy enough to be used in a pinch for "basic" emergencies when camping (i.e. no heavy wood chopping, etc.) I am looking to spend around $50 give or take a few $$.

Based on what I have read here I have narrowed it down to the following (all in a plain blade):

Spyderco Endura or Delica
Spyderco Native
Benchmade Griptilian
Benchmade Vex
Cold Steel Voyager
Ka-Bar Dozier

Unfortunately I do not have anywhere to go to try them out in hand. I probably can't go wrong with any of the above but appreciate everyone's solid advice who has experience with the above.

Recommendations on quality on-line retailers would also be much appreciated. Thanks much.

Jeff
 
My vote goes to the Endura if you prefer larger blades, Delica if you do not. Both are classics at this point IMO. High quality knives you will have for years to come. Welcome aboard.
 
You really can't go wrong with Benchmades, Kabars, and Spydercos IMHO.

In that list though, the Griptilian and Endura or Delica would be my choice. If you pick the Endura or Delica, go for the waved version :thumbup:
 
The Griptillian is an excellent knife and my favorite among those on your list. The Mini-Griptillian would be better suited for hiking and everyday pocket carry, IMO of course.

I also think you should check out the AG Russell FeatherLite. Available in a variety of configurations, similar in function to most of the knives listed above, but more thin and lightweight. More affordable than many on your list too.

Happy Shopping,
-Bob
 
Out of the list of contenders I would purchase the Native (great little knife, underrated imo) or the Endura in VG-10 and not ZDP-189. If you have solid sharpening skills then ZDP-189 may be for you. I really like VG-10. My experience has shown ZDP-189 to hold a sharp edge longer than VG-10. I own an Endura SE in ZDP-189 and will purchase a plain edge in VG-10.

Personally I have yet to encounter a Benchmade folder I like. However, I do like the Outbounder by Benchmade. This is a fixed blade knife made with 3 1/2" D2 steel. You can have this for about $72. If you like D2 steel then Queen offers an inexpensive full tang alternative for under fifty dollars. The sheath is sub par though.

Another folder consideration would be Kershaw's Junk Yard Dog II. I like everything about this knife. Solid lock up mechanism (liner lock). G10 scales and good steel (Sandvik 13C26). Another Kershaw worth examining is the Avalanche. This is a little more expensive but solid offering from this company. It has S60V steel. It is the "only" assisted open knife I like so far.
 
I would only go with the Cold Steel Voyager if you want to go with a longer blade. I'm very fond of my 5-inch Voyager and my 5-inch Vaquero. In a smaller knife, I'd probably go with a Spyderco. I don't know why longer bladelengths aren't available in other companies, but they just aren't.

Any of them would be a good choice.
 
JSand said:
Been reading a lot here and want to thank everyone for great input. I am looking for my first knife in many years primarily for everyday utility but sturdy enough to be used in a pinch for "basic" emergencies when camping (i.e. no heavy wood chopping, etc.) I am looking to spend around $50 give or take a few $$.

Based on what I have read here I have narrowed it down to the following (all in a plain blade):

Spyderco Endura or Delica
Spyderco Native
Benchmade Griptilian
Benchmade Vex
Cold Steel Voyager
Ka-Bar Dozier

Unfortunately I do not have anywhere to go to try them out in hand. I probably can't go wrong with any of the above but appreciate everyone's solid advice who has experience with the above.

Recommendations on quality on-line retailers would also be much appreciated. Thanks much.

Jeff
Click to expand...

Spyderco Native -
Benchmade Griptilian
Benchmade Vex
Cold Steel Voyager
Ka-Bar Dozier

I don't think you have a loser in the group.
Griptilian. most expensive, probably the best fit and finish, Very popular knife. ~$70

Native. Comes in a close second for fit and finish IMO. A lot of folks (including me) love these things. ~$50

Vex. Maybe a bit thicker in the body. Heard good reports on it too. ~$35

Voyager. A step down in Fit and Finish maybe. Good working knife. Built strong. Works good. (just don't read their ads.) ~$40

Dozier. great quality for the price. Very acceptable fit and finish. Pretty fair steel that gets a good heat treat. ~$20

The owner of this forum also owns
http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/

New Graham and AG Russel are also well thought of.
 
You've selected some very good knives. I needed a knife that would get me through anything the woods could dish out for a ten year photographic project I had been working on. I brought many knives with me including the Spyderco Military, which is one of the best knives I've ever owned. However, the knife I finally selected was a Cold Steel 29GXTH Gunsite. The knife is big, yet fits in your pocket very nicely. It handled everything the outdoors could throw at it and then some. If you're looking for great outdoor knife that's big, serrated, lightweight, tanto point, compact, quick opening, etc. you can't do much better than this knife. It never left my side for ten years. I've seen it selling on Ebay for $45.00. Good luck!
 
kcblade said:
Out of the list of contenders I would purchase the Native (great little knife, underrated imo) or the Endura in VG-10 and not ZDP-189. If you have solid sharpening skills then ZDP-189 may be for you. I really like VG-10. My experience has shown ZDP-189 to hold a sharp edge longer than VG-10. I own an Endura SE in ZDP-189 and will purchase a plain edge in VG-10.

Personally I have yet to encounter a Benchmade folder I like. However, I do like the Outbounder by Benchmade. This is a fixed blade knife made with 3 1/2" D2 steel. You can have this for about $72. If you like D2 steel then Queen offers an inexpensive full tang alternative for under fifty dollars. The sheath is sub par though.

Another folder consideration would be Kershaw's Junk Yard Dog II. I like everything about this knife. Solid lock up mechanism (liner lock). G10 scales and good steel (Sandvik 13C26). Another Kershaw worth examining is the Avalanche. This is a little more expensive but solid offering from this company. It has S60V steel. It is the "only" assisted open knife I like so far.
Click to expand...

Hey i live in KCMO too. nice too see another knife guy from the area.
 
oh sorry i forgot to add my advice on the knife. I have been carrying the mini grip in D2 for about 9 months and its a really solid knife. After camping all summer in CO though i came to dislike the axis lock because it would fill up with grit and sand and was hard to clean out and get the action smooth. It works great in KC where its not so dry and dusty. I've been eyeing the vex i think it looks great, and i just ordered a spyderco Caly3 which i'm excited to try out.

All your choices seem good, except i've had a problem with every Kabar i've owned.
 
When I'm choosing a knife on a day that I expect to be doing a lot of cutting . . . at the office, so nothing demanding . . . my Native goes with me. The Griptilian is arguable a little better, but a little more expensive. If money's an issue you won't regret having a Native. For camping, though, I really like my CRKT First Strike, basically a pry bar that takes a decent edge.
 
You can not go wrong with either a delica or Endura. I think that the Delica is the perfect size for EDC.
 
I would have to agree with you, BigAl1955 & Knarfeng, that my CPMS30V Spyderco Native is an incredible knife. It's also amazing looking in all black, very compact and light, and the serrated version has a vicious cutting ability. It's my summer EDC. The Cold Steel Gunsite is literally a prybar with teeth.
 
Well since I own many, many endura's and delica's and love them...I am gonna go out on a limb and say endura! The new ones are fantastic, VG-10 steel with hex screws and bronze washers, filed thumb ramps and finger gaurds. Smooth opening and closing, yeah I think I know why I own em:D

Oh the waved ones are nice

I do like the griptilian, just not my handle style.
 
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