How do you buy a new knife?

I got really fussy about what I like and require with my knives, after buying too many.....
Wanting Certain knives that either don't exist, or/and finding a few makers that i like who either don't make enough knives for me to buy, or who are too expensive for me to buy,
caused me to start MAKING knives..... That in itself has opened a whole new world to me..... only limited to my needs, and imagination.

Eventually, I will have Too Many knives!
 
Buffalohump said:
Serious question -- how do you buy a new knife these days? There is a such a blizzard of new models and companies I feel overwhelmed.

Beyond budget, my method is to narrow it down in the following way:

Country of origin -- I won't buy Chinese-made knives so that cuts out a lot!
Lock type -- I prefer the Axis/crossbar lock above all so that gets preference. After that, back lock and liner lock/frame lock.
Scale materials -- I avoid metal handled knives these days, preferring G-10 and micarta above all although I do like Carbon Fibre if it's not too pricey.
Blade steel -- I try to look for new blade steels if I don't have it already. Want to try Magnacut next.
Weight -- I tend not to carry heavier knives so now I examine weight quite closely

I like some sites (like Knifecenter for example), which allow you to search according to a lot of criteria.

I'm thinking a spread sheet might be in order! 😆
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I see something that looks ok, i go to a supplier, i produce money, or a card with money on it, and i have a new knife. As simple as that.
 
Peregrin said:
Typically I'll see something I like. I'll think about it on and off for a week or two, and if it's still available, and I still want it, I'll buy it. No other criteria involved. I've become a lot more selective over the last decade or so.
I will admit that BladeForums, and the internet in general, has caused me to spend a lot of money.
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I also do the wait. 🙄 Sometimes I wait so long that it disappears and I feel like I make the right decision!! 😂 I have watched a knife for over a year and still didn’t buy it!!
Impulse buys don’t work for me either. Usually they end up in my storage vault. AKA shoebox!! 🙄 I hate returning stuff!!
John 🥾🥾🏔️
 
There are a few steels I like. M4, 3V, Magnacut. That used to be 154cm, vg10, s30v, etc but my tastes have changed.

Has to be made in the US or a country I consider friendly.

There is a point of diminishing returns that I believe is somewhere right around the CRK price point. I don’t buy knives as art. They have to be functional too.

My last few have been a Magnacut insingo Sebenza, a 2nd Gayle Bradley 2, a large Spartan Harsey folder and a Hogue Deka.
 
I have a soft spot for titanium framelocks with hollow grinds in PM steels. And outdoors.. um, dare I say bushcraft knives with convex grinds in tough steels with natural handle materials...
I also look at the company, I ended up mostly with CRK, Spyderco, Vic SAKs and Bark Rivers - all family owned. My decision is also influenced if I can customize the scales down the road.
 
Buffalohump said:
Serious question -- how do you buy a new knife these days? There is a such a blizzard of new models and companies I feel overwhelmed.

Beyond budget, my method is to narrow it down in the following way:

Country of origin -- I won't buy Chinese-made knives so that cuts out a lot!
Lock type -- I prefer the Axis/crossbar lock above all so that gets preference. After that, back lock and liner lock/frame lock.
Scale materials -- I avoid metal handled knives these days, preferring G-10 and micarta above all although I do like Carbon Fibre if it's not too pricey.
Blade steel -- I try to look for new blade steels if I don't have it already. Want to try Magnacut next.
Weight -- I tend not to carry heavier knives so now I examine weight quite closely

I like some sites (like Knifecenter for example), which allow you to search according to a lot of criteria.

I'm thinking a spread sheet might be in order! 😆
Click to expand...
There are just so many knives out there. I keep track of what is coming out, bookmark what I want to take a closer look at, check out some reviews, poke around Bladeforums, and then spend like a drunken sailor from my regional suppliers or from parts beyond if they don't carry what I'm after.

There is certainly a lot to do with getting different steels, blade types, and chasing different designers. Most of the knives I buy these days are come from Europe, the Americas, Japan, or Taiwan. I don't have a spreadsheet, but I do have a file on all the knives I have, with details about each, as well as a list of the knives I want most (so they get focused on more for purchases). Having the knives on my list priced out from my main suppliers also helps me keep track of sales and price hikes better. The individual knife entries are by brand and country the brand is based in and look like this:

GiantMouse ACE Biblio GMBIBGRN (Maniago, Italy) Green Canvas Micarta - Bead Blasted/ Bohler M390 (HRC 58-60) Folder 2.875"/1.13"/0.118" Stonewash Finish, Flat Grind, Plain Edge, Sheepsfoot 3.77oz. Ball Bearing Pivot, Flipper & Thumb Hole Opener/Stainless Steel Liner Lock Tip-Up Reversible Pocket Clip Jens Anso & Jesper Voxnaes (284.99)

Grohmann No.3 Boat Knife M3S (Canada) Micarta/German Stainless High Carbon 4110 Krupp steel (58HRC) Fixed 4”/0.11” Satin Finish, Sabre Grind, 20º Drop Point/Spear Point Blade 3.5oz Leather sheath DH Russell (135.99)
 
A need for big tough fixed blades and good prices on the exchange keep me falling further down the rabbit hole. Bought a Hinderer project X in MagnaCut and I absolutely love it, don’t ever need another folder. I do, However, still keep hoarding fixed blades.
 
jmh33 said:
I also do the wait. 🙄 Sometimes I wait so long that it disappears and I feel like I make the right decision!! 😂 I have watched a knife for over a year and still didn’t buy it!!
Impulse buys don’t work for me either. Usually they end up in my storage vault. AKA shoebox!! 🙄 I hate returning stuff!!
John 🥾🥾🏔️
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I’ve wanted a Kingdom Armory BtB for over a decade. Spyderco finally releases the Stovepipe- and I still won’t pull the trigger on it. Hell, there are even some customs on some dealers site for a decent price and I won’t spring for it.
I don’t get it.
 
If I’m buying a Microtech, I’ll only do it in person.

If I were to buy a Benchmade, I’d only do it in person.

I buy Spyderco (mostly) from SFO online, as I’m fortunate to be an OpsFocus member. (Sincere and humble thanks to Sal and crew.) I’ll grab a dealer exclusive on rare occasion too.

Other knives come from one of the reputable online dealers (not Amazon) when I find something I’m in love with…or on sale.

I’ve bought one custom fixed blade from the Makers’ Exchange and lurk that forum frequently.

I’ve mostly given up on the rest of the Exchange because F&F seems to have taken over AND I don’t have time or energy for potential complications.

I don’t buy as many knives as I used to, and I value the service and support of reputable dealers.

I won’t buy a (PRC) Chinese knife (regardless of the fancy-pants designer) unless I’m traveling and need a disposable Kirshaw or CRKT.

A “vogue” steel (eg Magnacut, K390, etc) might give me an extra nudge to buy, but I wont turn down an otherwise cool knife because it’s not the hottest swanky alloy.
 
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It usually takes me weeks, if not months to decide on a knife. This makes getting something that doesn't meet expectations so much worse, one of many reasons I'm into custom and higher end stuff.

I value fidget factor, uniqueness, cutting ability most. Last summer saw my first impulse buy in years, and it was 3 knives. Yeah I love all 3, and being able to see and handle them in person sealed the deal.

Last month I jumped on an Alan Davis on the exchange for a great price. Otherwise, I have a hard time deciding. I have a custom I ordered which will be ready in November, but otherwise my list of wants is very small
 
How analytical I am depends on
>How much money I got in the toy fund
>How long it's been since I bought the last knife.
 
If I can't get the knife out of my head for weeks or months, I might eventually buy it if it's not too expensive and is in stock. I don't impulse buy anymore. I watch/read reviews and do any necessary research first.

As far as deal breakers, I don't like flippers or bearings in the pivot. I can deal with bearings if the knife is desirable enough, but I don't see myself ever buying another flipper. I prefer to buy USA made, but I will buy made in other countries including China if there is no US alternative available and the company is reputable.
 
BD_01 said:
If I’m buying a Microtech, I’ll only do it in person.

If I were to buy a Benchmade, I’d only do it in person.

I buy Spyderco (mostly) from SFO online, as I’m fortunate to be an OpsFocus member. (Sincere and humble thanks to Sal and crew.) I’ll grab a dealer exclusive on rare occasion too.

Other knives come from one of the reputable online dealers (not Amazon) when I find something I’m in love with…or on sale.

I’ve bought one custom fixed blade from the Makers’ Exchange and lurk that forum frequently.

I’ve mostly given up on the rest of the Exchange because F&F seems to have taken over AND I don’t have time or energy for potential complications.

I don’t buy as many knives as I used to, and I value the service and support of reputable dealers.

I won’t buy a (PRC) Chinese knife (regardless of the fancy-pants designer) unless I’m traveling and need a disposable Kirshaw or CRKT.

A “vogue” steel (eg Magnacut, K390, etc) might give me an extra nudge to buy, but I wont turn down an otherwise cool knife because it’s not the hottest swanky alloy.
Click to expand...
Speaking of vogue steels, this is a frequent driver of my interest... for example I got a Spyderco Endura not long ago because of the new K390 option and it has been VERY impressive. Both the knife and the steel... even though I've owned a great many Spydercos over the years I've never had a yen for an Endura and now I have two. After seeing how easy it is to carry and how much blade you get, I bought a ZDP-189 version too. Both seriously good value! I'm hoping they do a Magnacut one some day. So even after 30 years of knife nuttery I'm still learning new things...
 
It is easy. Look at some pictures online. Click on the picture, it shows up a few days later. It is easier than ever.
 
How do I buy a knife?

Well, it usually starts with seeing something either here, or while scrolling knife-porn, that catches my eye, or a sudden craving or itch develops, then I search rigorously for a week or two through the exchange here and at least a dozen different dealer sites for a great price (unless it's a dealer exclusive, or custom), and then I wait another week or two trying to see if the desire wanes (rarely), or I can talk myself out of it, (also rarely), while continuously checking around for new sales and such. And then more often then not I wind up pulling the trigger.
 
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