How Quickly did the price get out of hand

Today's search is a keychain knife. Thinking of a spyderco Ladybug or Manbug with some kind of quick release to remove it from the keys. Reason being was out to dinner with wife and she had a thread so I handed her my Para 3 and the waiter said wow that's intimidating so might be good to have a smaller options for certain places.
 
Velitrius said:
Took the words right outta my mouth... or off my fingertips or what have you.

How long did it take me? Overnight. I dropped into BFC 20 years ago and discovered customs, Balisongs, brands I'd never seen before.

There was no limit. I found things I wanted and I worked on getting them. Bought, sold, traded, commissioned customs...

It was fun as hell.

Now I have one kid in college and another getting ready for same. So the game is to find the best knife I can for as little money as possible.

That's a really fun game too. I still have no limit though.
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It is a fun challenge. Anybody can spend $1000 US on a knife.

Find a great knife for $30! That, not anybody can do.
 
EMN said:
Today's search is a keychain knife. Thinking of a spyderco Ladybug or Manbug with some kind of quick release to remove it from the keys. Reason being was out to dinner with wife and she had a thread so I handed her my Para 3 and the waiter said wow that's intimidating so might be good to have a smaller options for certain places.
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A small SAK with a blade and scissors is the answer. The Leatherman Ps4 works nicely too. The Para 3 is a modest size and I guess the waiter would have been intimidated with any knife other than their steak knives if he/she saw it.
 
22-rimfire said:
A small SAK with a blade and scissors is the answer. The Leatherman Ps4 works nicely too. The Para 3 is a modest size and I guess the waiter would have been intimidated with any knife other than their steak knives if he/she saw it.
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I was thinking the same about the waiter may have wet himself if I was carrying one of my bigger knives. But his reaction made the wife uncomfortable so that’s the main reason.
 
EMN said:
Today's search is a keychain knife. Thinking of a spyderco Ladybug or Manbug with some kind of quick release to remove it from the keys. Reason being was out to dinner with wife and she had a thread so I handed her my Para 3 and the waiter said wow that's intimidating so might be good to have a smaller options for certain places.
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Waiter sounds like a wuss. ;) haha.
 
That is a long, convoluted road!

I started out with the buck knives, and got my first custom knife at 12 years old. A stag handled hunter made by my uncle Glen Hornby. I bought cold steel, cheap and higher priced. Had recon 1 folders, push knives tantos and a Trailmaster in SanMai.

Started down the Busse path. Had about 13 different models all users. Started selling those off. Grabbed a few pocket full of GEC, and Queen slipjoints, S&M, Bought a custom J. Oeser XL gunstock two blade model (one off) and carried/used that knife for years. I sold the J. Oeser in a moment of financial concern (purchased a home right at Christmas time, years ago). Last I looked, it would cost me $2200 to get that Oeser back.

Purchased a pair of Ben Tendick cusroms. A Phillip Patton hunter, HI khukri, and a few other odds and ends.

Usually I have a mix of Opinel, GEC, cheap spyderco/Byrd, and a custom or two on me.

I recently got a 2x72 grinder to fiddle with, so I'm not buying more fixed blades for a while. Making my own, trying to learn.
 
Pfff.... let's say two years from getting in to knives again to when I went from Kershaw/CRKT to Benchmade, and then a couple of years more to where I'm now, with a $425 Hinderer that actually cost me closer to $600 with shipping and import.

But on the other hand I just bought my first Buck 110, so ups and downs.
 
The first knife that got me into knives was the Spyderco Caly 3 ZDP189 CF. I bought it 2nd hand nib from a local. I thought it was really expensive at the time, but within 1 or 2 years I had picked up the "Trinity" Sebenza 21/ SMF DGG/ XM 18.

I fluctuate back and forth. I've narrowed my purchases and don't have an itchy trigger finger when it comes decisions like I did in the past.

Just bought a cold steel tuff lite for 30 bucks I really like, and I also have a Case Bose and Umnumzaan on the way.

I don't really have a price bracket that I follow. If it looks like something I will carry and use, that's usually the determining factor.
 
E EMN agreed that a small SAK classic is the way to go. Small blade, file/flathead, scissors (perfect for those pesky threads), tweezers, and a toothpick for after dinner.
Plus they come in a gazillion different colors and patterns, so with a little google search through different vendors, you're sure to find one that speaks specifically to you. Shoot, get one for your wife too!
Coupled with a cheap .50 cent carabiner from your local hardware store and you're good to go. I don't leave home without it.

My 2nd choice, which I keep one on my spare key is a Leatherman Style;
The PS comes with tiny pliers and scissors folded into the handle, (no knife); but as I see little value in pliers that small, I prefer the CS model which has scissors instead of pliers, and a small knife folded into the handle. File/flathead and tweezers the same, just missing the toothpick, but.... the small carabiner built right into the handle doubles as a bottle opener, which is a nice touch.

Both are awesome little keychain options, small enough and light enough to not really impede with anything, you barely know they're there, but in times you need a quick cut, and don't want to frighten the locals or cause a scene, (or have someone else cause a scene because they think you're about to stab your wife or kid with a 3.5"+ blade), they really do come in handy.

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