Hi Everyone!

J

john37

Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
59
Hey Guys,
been getting into knives recently and just wanted to get some opinions.
i recently ordered a CRKT hisshou and 5" ultima for a bedside knife but reading through the forum seems like most dont like CRKT very much :(

i'd like to get some opinions for a edc knife. probably not going to use it for heavy duty stuff since i have an office job.

currently i have a 0040 ZT but it's a little big.

i was thinking benchmade or spyderco(never heard of them till i joined this forum) but looks like everyone likes em.
i like the benchmade 710 but havnt done a lot of research.
any suggestions would be appreciated. i'd like to keep it under $200. blade length under 4".

thank you,
john
 
Welcome to the forums John:)

You're right that CRKT doesn't have the the best reputation here, but you're getting into knives at an interesting time for CRKT in my opinion. CRKT has recently stepped up a level in design and quality for at least some models from what I've read (I have Ken Onion designs in mind like the Ripple or Eros). I'm not sure about the Ultima as I haven't read much about it. The Hisshou has gotten a lot of very good reviews from I can tell. My guess is that it's not that popular because it's difficult to justify purchasing a ~$200 blade that likely won't see any use since it's primarily designed as a weapon rather than a utility/camping tool. How often would a bladed weapon be used if you're not a soldier in some dangerous area, right? Well, outside of playing imaginary ninjas vs zombies. Regardless, I know I really like mine:

IMAG0005.jpg


As far as your question for EDC, that's a very, very large question. There are quite a lot of choices for you with the $200 limit and the 4" blade length limit. My suggestion is to try and find a local shop if possible to handle them yourself before spending you money. Many of us don't have that option (Well, I do :p), so we're left to buy everything that interests us on paper and sell what doesn't translate in the hand. The good thing is knives aren't hard to sell on these forums if you buy intelligently and aren't afraid to take a small loss.

BTW, that's a Spyderco Military just under the CRKT Hisshou. It's a very popular knife on these forums and it might meet your criteria: ~$100-$115 with a blade length of 4". I didn't get why Spyderco was so popular until I held one. They tend to be ugly until you realize how comfortable they are in the hand and how well thought out the designs are from a utilitarian perspective.

Hope this helps
 
Random suggestions:

* Spyderco Sage 2

* Spyderco Sage 1

* Spyderco Paramilitary 2 - either S30V or if you can find one, S90V CF. These knives are the bomb for EDC. The S90V is a Sprint Run and the S30V is too popular for production to keep up with. Useful FFG blade profile with needle point tip.

* Spyderco Military. Long blade but very light and carries smaller than it is. Useful FFG blade profile with needle point tip

* Spyderco Gayle Bradley if you can find one - they are more popular than production can keep up
Spyderco Endura 4 FFG or sqame in Delica

* Hogue EX01 3.5" in G-Mascus or Aluminum - Since you said the o400 was too big otherwise I prefer the 4". The Hogue is lighter than the 0400 but not much smaller but it approaches custom quality

* HEST Folder - due out within weeks - this won't be significantly smaller or lighter than the 0400 either

* ZT 0551/0550 but this wont be much smaller or lighter than the 0400
 
IMO, people new to knives probably shouldn't focus too much on sprint runs or the more expensive versions of models that have the more exotic steels and materials. I don't think a least the majority of new people will appreciate or even recognize the subtle differences between the cheaper/expensive versions. For example, for something like the Spyderco Military or Paramilitary 2, I personally wouldn't suggest getting too caught up in the sprint runs. Then again, something like the Paramilitary 2 in S90V/Carbon fiber or the Framelock Military in M4 steel may be very difficult to get at a future point in time where you may at that point be able to appreciate those differences. So that's your call. But again, I wouldn't recommend something like that to me when I first got to these forums. We're talking about double the cost for differences you may not even care about. One of the biggest benefits of getting into the knives with more exotic steels is simply that they tend to be rarer. In terms of functionality, most people won't notice any difference. There are a few who actually use their knives that much and know enough about the different steels to notice and appreciate the difference in their everyday use.

I think a lot of the time also, the sprint runs are so hyped (sometimes justifiably so) that people tend to forget that the "regular" versions are already extremely well made and can easily keep up with the tasks that most if not everyone reasonably demands from them. It was only a few years ago (3-4) when S30V steel was the most hyped steel out there for folders. Now it's one of the most common steels used in quality folders. It comes in the "regular" Military and Paramilitary. It's effectiveness as a premium steel hasn't changed one bit. Carbon fiber as a handle material in my understanding isn't as tough or strong as G-10 and yet it's generally more sought after. My guess is that if it wasn't for its use in cars and the rarer use of it compared to G-10 in knives, it wouldn't be so sought after. If G-10 were rarer in knives, I'd bet money that G-10 would switch roles with carbon fiber in terms of demand.
 
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For office use, keeping it under 4 inches is a really good idea - perhaps even closer to 3 inches. I also have an office job and EDC a Kershaw Skyline - pulling out the BM 710 tends to raise some eyebrows.
 
The Spyderco Sage 2 was mentioned and it is indeed a really good one. Also do consider the lovely Caly 3 if you prefer backlocks.
 
For $200 spending limit, and being new to knives, i suggest getting a few different knives, rather than 1 really expensive model.

Suggestions?

1. An Alox model Swiss Army Knife (SAK) from Victorinox - about $25 +/-
2. Small locking blade - Spyderco Ladybug or Dragonfly sized - $25 - $40
3. Medium locking blade - Spyderco Delica (@ $50) or Benchmade Mini Griptilian (@ $80)
4. Large locking blade - Spyderco Endura (@ $50) or Benchmade Standard Griptillian (@ $100)
5. mini multitool - @ $30 - Leatherman Squirt with pliers - more useful than you'd think it would be, especially in an office setting
6. sharpening supplies (Spyderco Sharpmaker, Lansky, bench stone, etc.) - $5 - $50

Anything in category 1, 2, or 5 will probably not raise any eyebrows if used in an office setting. And yes, there are millions of good alternatives on the market. But if you follow those general guidelines, $200 can go a long ways. Using different brands with different locks, steels, sizes, shapes, etc. will help you determine what works best for your needs and preferences.

Or, you could just get a Sebenza, and call it a day. *

* standard Bladeforums response to this question. :)
 
I work in an office environment as well. I feel more comfortable carrying a 3" or less knife for office EDC. Among those I rotate right now are the Kershaw Skyline, Kershaw OD-1, Kershaw Leek (on me right now), Buck Vantage Pro and Syyderco Tenacious.

I also carry a 91mm or smaller Victorinox SAK (like the Classic). Reason beeing is that I whipped out my Benchmade 710 once to open a package and the reaction from multiple co-workers made for an awkward moment. My manager (who is a knife person too) also advised that I carry something "smaller" at work. The above situation is why I carry a Vic Classic or other smallish SAK. So I know that even a 3" blade may still cause alarm with some so if I do need a knife to use in front of many people, I'll use the SAK. I did so at a "birthday cake meeting". Another manager asked if anyone had something to cut the plastic wrap off the cake box and a few people "volunteered" me since they knew I was "into Knives". So the SAK Classic came out and the ~20 people gathered around didn't even blink and eye.

I am eyeing the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 to add to the rotation when stock replenishes with hopes of eventually adding a Buck Mayo TNT.

So now my Spyderco Endura 4 G-10, BM 710, ZT0300, Kershaw Junkyard Dog 2 CB and CRKT Hissatsu are all relagated to after-work or weekend carry.
 
Wow thanks for the suggestions everyone. You guys are very informative. As for people being weird in the office I'm not too worried. I work with my family. :) I'd also like to carry it when I go out for safety.
I also noticed people on this forum don't have too many knives with serrated edges. Is there a reason? I do appreciate the look of a classic, clean looking blade.
Anyone live in cali? I'd like to know the laws on knife lengths that are legal to carry concealed. Also laws on fixed blades. Thanks everyone for the info. Ill definitely look into spyderco.
 
To muddy the water for you a bit I'll throw Mcusta in the mix. Also, Kershaw's Speedform II, Shallot, TG-1, Rake, and Blur might interest you and you'll come will under the $200 mark.
 
Spyderco Sharpmaker is what I started with. It's relatively cheap for a sharpening set up and it's pretty easy to learn. Or you can learn to sharpen freehand:

http://www.knifeart.com/sharfaqbyjoe.html

But that will take a lot more time to become proficient at it.

Some people on these forums do like serrations, but I personally find them to get in the way more than anything else. A sharp plain edge knife can cut anything you can cut with a serrated knife and I find the plain edge knives to slice more cleanly and easily.
 
john37 said:
oh, one more thing. any suggestions on sharpeners? thanks
Click to expand...

For a sharpener, I'd suggest the Lansky Rod Sharpening System, the Edgepro Apex 1, 2, or 3, or the Spyderco Sharpmaker. All 3 are excellent for your purposes, and relatively easy to use. Good luck with finding a good knife :D
 
Oh yeah, here in CA the laws can vary depending on the county you live in. State law allows open carry of fixed blades of any size. You can't carry fixed blades of any size concealed. You can carry any folder of any size openly or concealed, as long at the folder doesn't constitute as a "gravity knife" or "switchblade." Different counties and cities can have stricter codes depending on where you are.
 
Ok just ordered two benchmades 710d2 and 555hg. I can already tell this website is going to be bad for me. Lol already looking at sharpeners and small fixed blades.
 
Next month ill get the 940 if I like benchmades. I was thinking of esee for fixed blades. Any opinions?
 
never under estimate the power of micro blades;
as they are just the thing for a hyper conservative office environment
comes to mind is....the spyderco grasshopper
C138_L.jpg
 
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