I am so confused. I don't know what to get for my first knife

Don't tell the guy you are making your first knife purchase, he will see an easy sale and might try to pawn off a very expensive blade on you (note to all dealers on here, I'm not saying all dealers are shady, but he could come across a bad apple". Tell him you are looking to buy something new, and want to handle a lot of stuff, only if he asks you after giving the fifth knife to you over the counter, "Why are you looking at all these knives?" If you are looking for a good user, and only have 75 to spend, I would go with a Spyderdco Native III or a Delica. Both are very well made, are street legal in todays "blade lenght awareness" LEO society, and the Native III has a great handle feel, and after hours of work, still feels great in the hand. Then, get a small SAK, or a small stockman. Buck and Cold Steel make a durable inexpensive small stockman, and it is comfortable for carry. Both above knives can be gotten cheap with enough leg work, and the Native III and Delica have either serrated or plain edge options. You might even have enough left over to stop for a soda after buying both knives!
 
Either Grip is a nice choice. 440C will be a little bit easier for a novice to sharpen, if you plan to do it yourself. Which I highly, highly recommend BTW. Also, welcome to Bladeforums! :)
 
To me the knifesteel is always worth it. Not that the knife really needs it, but I confess to be a steel addict.
 
Welcome zimmerDN! I think the D2 mini-grip is an excellent first choice, go for it.
 
kenk said:
Also consider the Rittergrip, or as I call it ... the Supergrip. Made by Benchmade - a Griptilian with a custom-shaped S30V blade.

It is my favorite knife!!

http://www.equipped.com/rsk_mk1.htm
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I second this suggestion. I have yet to pick one up, but I feel like it would probably become my main EDC, replacing my BM710. If you like the handle on the Griptilian, be sure to give the Rittergrip some serious consideration. The only reason I haven't purchsed one of these yet is because I'm not sure if I'd like the thickness of the handle. I want to handle a Griptilian and try it out in my pocket before I make up my mind.
 
The Ritter mini is my EDC and I LOVE it! It is just small enough to fit right in with all the other crap in or hanging on my pocket and it’s just large enough to fit my hand well. The blade shape is great and the steel is awesome. However, it is a bit expensive running double what a regular mini grip would be. :rolleyes:

-Duffin
 
Thank you for all the responds so far.

Again I only want to spend $75 or less. So the mini-grip with S30V from ritter is out of the question. I have looked at the Native III and Eudura they are nice but they both lack the ability to open AND close single-handedly.

Right now I am just can't decide between the mini-grip with D2, Kabar Dozier and the BUCK 110.

The latter two would make a good inexpensive starter knife but perhaps I should just take the dive right into the above average ones with the mini-grip. I still have to read up on for a sharpener, maybe the price of a good sharpener will be the deciding factor.
 
Does the mini only come with a coated (black) straight edge blade? Should I be concern about the coating? Will it scratch easily and degrades the overall look of the knife very shortly after I own it?
 
More questions.

Do these blades chip and get damaged easily? Because I've seen other knifes that don't belong to me are always chipped (or otherwise damaged) on the cutting edge.
 
The D2 blades are always coated because D2, while a very good steel, is only borderline stainless. The coating helps prevent rust and pitting. Yes, the coating does tend to scratch and wear rather poorly. If you are looking for a knife that looks good and performs well, get the regular grip. If, however, you are looking for a knife that looks don't matter so much (or will be light use) and performs really well, get the D2 grip.

-Duffin

P.S. Look at the sharpmaker 204 for a sharpening system. It's around 50 dollars, but it is a good system and comes with an instructional video.
 
zimmerDN said:
I have looked at the Native III and Eudura they are nice but they both lack the ability to open AND close single-handedly.
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Actually, mid-frame lockbacks CAN be closed with 1 hand with a little practice. I've had no problems closing a Gerber EZ-Out (first knife) and my Spyderco Manix. If closing is the only issue you have with the Native or Endura, you really should try to find them in person and cycle the blades open and closed a few times to get a better idea how they can work.
 
Welcome to the forums. The Grip is a good choice, but look at the Spyderco Endura and Delica as well. I started out on an Endura about 14 years ago and i still have that knife. Like Trout said, they can be closed quite easily one-handed.
 
Welcome,

If you don't own any knives and your budget is $75 I'd say don't get one knife, get three knives, I suggest:

1.- A Swiss army knife.
2.- A traditional stockman, preferably a Schrade Old Timer, 34OT or 8OT.
3.- A Buck 112 (like the 110 but smaller since you said around 4 inches closed).

I think you can get all three for $75.

Luis
 
Get the mini Grip in 440C. It's a fine knife and seems to fit your list of wants/needs. I think you'll be bummed the first scratch you put in a D2 Grip and that probably won't take long if you actually use the knife.

If you can, handle one first because you may not like the composite handles. I have a Ritter Grip and it's a great knife but I don't like the handles. I can live with it though since it's a great knife overall.
 
zimmerDN said:
My first knife. After spending 15+ hours reading posts on this forum in the last 4 days. I am more confused then ever.

The very first knife I wanted was the CRKT M16 because they looked cool but that was before the discovery of this website.

After that I've considered getting the BM 806D2, 705 and the Kabar Dozier.

Today I think I've finally made up my mind about getting the BM Griptillian with the D2 blade from Cabela.

Should I get it? Or maybe I should just get the regular Griptillian (instead of D2) or stick with the cheapy Kabar? Is D2 really worth the extra money over 440C used on the griptillian?

So many choices and I know so little.
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I think that you are going in the correct direction with the KA-BAR/Dozier Folders. The are supposed to be good quality and CHEAP(NO...make that inexpensive...) I am planning on ordering one of each after payday!
I have never heard anything BAD about the M16s either. I have a BUNCH of CRKT knives and except for the scales comming ungluded on one of them, they are all great...I keep planning on getting a M16 but there are SO many models that I can never decide and always spend my money somewhere else:confused:
For the Benchmade's The ones that I like are the Doug Ritter RSK models, bot regular and mini. They are just about perfect. Unfortunatly, they are above your price range(Just eat at home a few times this month.:D
Maybe you should get an Old Timer while you still can! It is a classic and will not usually scare the sheeple.;)
For a LITTLE pocket knife, you will not find anything better than the Fallkniven U2. GREAT steel! Pick up a Fallkniven sharpening stone too, if you want a great carry along stone.

Good luck and i hope you enjoy your new hobby!
 
nelsonmc said:
<snip>
Stay away from anything in the Winchester, Gerber (ok some people will disagree here but they have gone down hill), Frost, United, China, Paki, etc...

<snip>
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Just to clarify... Frost Cutlery is BAD.... Frosts is GOOD ... Notice the 's' at the end of Frosts...When you see the 's' it is a good knife!
 
ZimmerDM, I'm going to throw in another vote for Benchmade's Mini-Griptillian. This was my first REAL knife and I still love it! You can't go wrong with one of these. Mine is 440C and is great! I think it's a good first purchase and you get one of the best locks ever designed (IMHO).
 
The Native II with S30V can be had for $60, and that is a darn sweet knife. The Grip in D2 looks good too. Adding the Calypso Jr. which can still be had for $40 would sum up my 3 first choices and personally I would actually go with the cheapest (Caly) one.
 
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