How to go from 0 to 3 knives in 4 days?

B

BeerGuy

Joined
Jan 22, 2011
Messages
49
I hadn't bought a knife in 4+ years, until yesterday. I have knives, plenty, but none that I would consider new EDC types (I do have an old school Balisong butterfly with tanto blade I bought back in the mid-eighties, a Microtech Mini UDT auto and a nice Forge de Laguiole I picked up about 10 years ago).

I was carrying the Microtech, but it's illegal and I've come to a point in my life where taking a chance by having it in my pocket isn't worth the potential cost.

That brought me here late last week.

Now I have a ZT-350-KW on its way to me, in a USPS truck somehere between NJ & MA.

Now I am on the verge of another purchase, if not two, in the next few days. That's where I'm looking for some guidance. I'd like other knives that are also tough, but lighter. Here's what I'm considering(each is an option, and I only intend to get one of these options @ < $200 total):

1.

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2.

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3.

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4.

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5.

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I kind of like the idea of 2 more knives for less that $200, but the Emerson A would be pretty cool to have.

How do you rank these knives among each other? What am I missing?
 
I don't know too much about most of the knives here, being a relatively new knife user/collector myself, but the BM Barrage is ridiculously fun.

I have the fullsize 580 Barrage with the uncoated plain edge, and its addictive to flick open because of its assisted opening and awesome sound it makes.

I've also handled the BM Griptilians and personally I think they are great knives. The Axis lock is easy to use, feels really secure, and is pretty fun to flick open and shut. Plus, if you get the Mini-Griptilian, it will pretty much disappear into your pocket.

Hope you have fun with whatever knives you go with.
 
Personally, I'd go for 4. The manix 2 is nice knife and a dejavoo would be a cool knife to own. I don't know about rank. I guess that would depend on the use of the knife. They are all good knives that's for sure.
 
Oh, I love the Gayle Bradley. Twilled CF scales and CPM-M4(very much one of the top steels in edge retention and toughness). Blade shape and grind is extremely versatile. Where else can you get the premium materials for the price of this knife? And it's not a bad looker too.

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You have your eye on a lot of the same knives as me. I just love that Gayle Bradley. I've never held one, but it seems like it's just such a sweet knife. That's my vote, and my next purchase.
 
I vote for option 1, the Emerson, as that's a photo I took of my CQC-7A. :)

It really is a great knife.

ETA: The one pictured is not for sale... :p
 
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I don't have a Gayle Bradley yet, but I have the M4 military (forcing the patina as we speak) and the steel is worth the price of admission alone for the GB on top of all the accolades it has received.


p.s. I'm forcing the patina for looks, not necessity. Don't want to give the OP the wrong impression about M4. I haven't had a problem with rust yet and I use it every day. I work outside 10 hours a night.
 
Beerguy, do you anything for sharpening your knives? If not I would suggest you also purchase a Spyderco Sharpmaker. It is one of the best systems out there to keep your sharp knives sharp, which is the key to not have to spend a lot of time to sharpen your knives once they get dull. I usually hit my blades 10 to 20 licks, with the white stones, once or twice a week. As far as your pick up top goes, the Spyderco Gayle Bradley would be mine. I don't have one, but there has been nothing but good said about this knife!:thumbup::)
 
4, 3, 2, 5, 1.

The Emerson isn't any better than any of your two knife combos, nor is the Al Mar, though I would pick it above the Emerson.

The Gayle Bradley is the best single knife in your list, with the Manix 2 being second best. Axis locks are fun and mixing in a Benchmade isn't a bad idea.
 
cutter17 said:
Beerguy, do you anything for sharpening your knives? If not I would suggest you also purchase a Spyderco Sharpmaker. It is one of the best systems out there to keep your sharp knives sharp, which is the key to not have to spend a lot of time to sharpen your knives once they get dull. I usually hit my blades 10 to 20 licks, with the white stones, once or twice a week. As far as your pick up top goes, the Spyderco Gayle Bradley would be mine. I don't have one, but there has been nothing but good said about this knife!:thumbup::)
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I don't have any means of sharpening my knives at this point. I'm sure I'll pick up the Sharpaker, though, based on all the discussion around it on this forum.

My only reservation about the Gayle Bradley is the Taiwan issue. I have nothing against Taiwan, it isn't a USA pride/jobs thing, I just don't associate high quality with Taiwan. I know that's myopic, but it's the truth. Maybe that will be the item that changes my mind.
 
Buckeye67 said:
I vote for option 1, the Emerson, as that's a photo I took of my CQC-7A. :)

It really is a great knife.

ETA: The one pictured is not for sale... :p
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Sorry I swiped your picture.:o

It was one of the few good pictures I could find of the 7A.
 
Taiwan can make some outstanding knives. The Spyderco Sage 2 being a prime example. If you do decide on the mini grip the numbered M390 version for a bit extra $ is the one to get. I have one with another on the way.
 
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The only thing that bugs me about the Manix 2 is the clear plastic locking mechanism(at least it looks like clear plastic in the photos). I wish it were black metal.

I've looked at some youtube reviews on the Sage and that is REALLY growing on me.
 
I'd say try and squeez a little more money out and get both the Gayle Bradley and the Sage 1. You'd have a nice little carbon fiber set, and two of spyderco's most highly revered knives. The quality of the spyderco's from Taiwan is outstanding by the way, it is just as good or better than the US or Japan made spydies.
 
BeerGuy said:
Sorry I swiped your picture.:o

It was one of the few good pictures I could find of the 7A.
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No worries! I think it's cool. :cool:

It's funny where stuff turns up - I think I originally posted that on militaryphotos.net several years ago. :thumbup:

ETA: Yep, In April 2006

It's been in my pocket for a long time. It'll probably get retired when my HEST/F comes in. It's a great knife. :)
 
Franz_N said:
I'd say try and squeez a little more money out and get both the Gayle Bradley and the Sage 1. You'd have a nice little carbon fiber set, and two of spyderco's most highly revered knives. The quality of the spyderco's from Taiwan is outstanding by the way, it is just as good or better than the US or Japan made spydies.
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Funny, I'm really loving the size of the Sage 1, so that is now a definite. I like the concept of a carbon fiber set, but I can't seem to warm up to the blade on the GB. What I really want to complete the set.........is a carbon fiber Manix with the FFG blade.

So...now the plan is to deviate from the choices above and partner up the Sage 1 with an all black BM Sequel.

What's the general consensus on the Sequel? I like the aluminum handle and the roughly 3" blade.
 
taeku4 said:
I don't know too much about most of the knives here, being a relatively new knife user/collector myself, but the BM Barrage is ridiculously fun.

I have the fullsize 580 Barrage with the uncoated plain edge, and its addictive to flick open because of its assisted opening and awesome sound it makes.
.
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Second this. Got mine two days ago and can't stop playing around with it.
 
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