I have 2 questions...

L

lawnica1

Joined
Nov 26, 2012
Messages
52
Hey guys,

I'm new to this forum and knifes in general. I want to get a good all around fixed blade I can use for anything as my EDC. I spend most weekends during the summer at my uncles cabin fishing, farming, and just goofing around in the great outdoors, but I go to school in the city and want an EDC that if it came down to it I could use for self defense. I also intend to use this knife when I volunteer to build houses with my youth group. (seriously everything!)

My main knife ever since I was little is a XPG folding knife from cabelas, that my grandma won at bingo. Last year I wanted to upgrade and bought a gerber covert f.a.s.t from cabelas bargain cave, which dissapointed me with it factory sharpness (my old XPG is way sharper) I would sharpen it, but I don't own a sharpener.

So here's my questions:

1: For a fixed EDC I am looking at the Gerber LMF II ($68 on Amazon). I really like the leg holster idea for use in the woods and possibly under my pants in the city. However, I hear everybody complain about the steel (420HC). IS IT REALLY THAT BAD?? I also like the idea of the insulated handle. I do electrical stuff sometimes and I could see that coming in handy if I was ever in a pinch. If it is as bad as some reviews say, what is similar but better?

2:Sharpening tristone whetstone or lansky system for christmas? and what kind? So many options I'm not sure about best grits brands, etc. I'm pretty good with my hands, so I am not intimidated by learning how to use a tristone if it is significantly better than lansky.

Thank you in advance for advice!

P.S. Price range for knife is below $100 and sharpener I would like to be around $50
 
For 100 bucks I would take a hard long look at an ESEE 4 or a Becker BK-16. The first will cost more but imo is a better built knife and comes with a much better sheath.
 
lawnica1 said:
2:Sharpening tristone whetstone or lansky system for christmas? and what kind? So many options I'm not sure about best grits brands, etc. I'm pretty good with my hands, so I am not intimidated by learning how to use a tristone if it is significantly better than lansky.

Thank you in advance for advice!

P.S. Price range for knife is below $100 and sharpener I would like to be around $50
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It really depends on what kind of knives you have and your future will give you. I have a lansky system (Gatco actualy), is great for learning and very easy to use. But, I recently picked up a scandi grind blade, Lansky not going to help there. Best all around, probably a tristone, me personaly, I have both and use them on different edges.
 
I recommend looking at zero tolerance blades. Large enough for your activities in the woods, but not too big to completely scare someone in the city. I would also recommend staying away from fixed blades in the city, but that's just from my experience. Nothing says regret like taking out your fixed blade to open a pack of batteries and someone screaming, "HOLY SH$T HE'S GOT A HUGE DAGGER!!!!!" I also would say getting a tristone would be a good decision.
 
Thanks for the fast replies!

Ok I figured tristone would be better if i practice! I've used the v kind before and I swear it made my blade duller(that's why that kind wasn't on my list). is 25 degrees a good all around angle? Btw, I know its seems to be heressy on this forum but I like combo edges, serrations have proved useful many times for me.

Any insight on grits i saw one with i think 250,600, and 1200 that seemed be to me. Some called 600 grit fine, but that sounded too coarse to me but what do I know?

Also can anyone explain why the LMF II is so bad? I just don't get what can fail on a thick fixed blade. Honestly I feel like if the LMF was made of what people say isbetter steel it would be the only knife I would ever want.
 
Gassyerik911 said:
I would also recommend staying away from fixed blades in the city, but that's just from my experience. Nothing says regret like taking out your fixed blade to open a pack of batteries and someone screaming, "HOLY SH$T HE'S GOT A HUGE DAGGER!!!!!"
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Haha I agree with you on that, if I can get the covert to something sharper than the current butter knife edge it has now I will probably carry that in the city. For the record though, I would never think of pulling a knife out in around the city, unless I'm in the machine shop or in the confines of my dorm room. Oh or obviously if someone felt like trying to jump me.
 
I would second the ESEE 4. The ESEE is a great knife and the warranty is basically: if you manage to somehow break it, they will fix it no questions asked.

I can't really speak to sharpeners but I'm looking into getting the spyderco sharpmaker.
 
I am not sure if I am allowed to list dealers (I apologize to mods if I am breaking rules) but other online ESEE dealers have better deals on ESEE's from what I've seen. You just gotta be careful that you get what you want because there are a lot of options in terms of color, clip point, pommel type, sheath type, etc.
 
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I've bought a few off Amazon, never had a problem.

benm11, you're fine as long as its a paid dealer and (Knifeworks is one I believe.) Correction, I just checked the list and they are not.
 
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I would probably never buy gerber
Or any sharpener that is not diamonds

Maybe a Scrapyard knife? They have awesome materials at good prices
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Don't know what size blade you'd be willing to carry in the city, but also consider Ontario's Spec Plus and Ranger lines. They have blades from about 3 1/2" and up.

For a sharpening system, it's hard to go wrong with a Spyderco Sharpmaker.
 
I had the LMF II for a while. Didn't like it and wound up selling it. Heavy, uncomfortable handle, and I don't like partial serrations. Got an ESEE-4 and love it. Definitely check one out.
 
Ok, I looked at the ESEE's and I might give them a chance but the more I think about it, I might lean to a ESEE3MIL.

This might be silly, but have you guys ever thrown an esee? I know its not a throwing knife, but at home I can never really resit the urge to throw any knife in the backyard, its just too much fun lol. Ive seen videos of the LMF thrown and it seemed decent. If the weight on the ESEE is pretty balanced, I might have to go with it.
 
Don't throw an ESEE. Buy throwing knives if you want to do that.

From the ESEE warranty page....
No Questions Asked Warranty. If you break it, we will replace it. Warranty is lifetime and transferable. In other words, we warranty the knife no matter how many times it's been traded, sold or given away. Please note: ESEE Knives are not made to be thrown. They are hardened to a higher Rockwell than throwing knives and will most likely break if thrown, possibly harming the user. So, do yourself and your ESEE knife a favor and DO NOT throw it. Using any knife not meant to be thrown as a throwing knife is idiotic! We would rather idiots not buy our knives.
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Jeez that warranty page is surprisingly straight forward lol. That answers my question.
Dang I still cant decide and after digging through this forum I'm not sure if i even know what kind of fixed blade I want anymore.
 
Update: You fellas talked me into the ESEE! Can't wait for it to come in! My first knife made of a good steel!
 
Good choice on Esee for a nice fixed blade.
As for your Gerber, I would pick up a different folder to carry around.
The Spyderco Tenacious line is great for the price.
Or a Kershaw Skyline.

And for stones, I use a Smiths Tri-Stone and it works great for me.
 
Thanks BladeChick I'm pretty pumped about it!
Any particular reason you don't like the gerber? Or do you just say that because of the steel?

I think im gonna go with a spyderco, because I'm afraid if I just have a stone at first and I keep messing up I'll get too frustrated. I figure I'll start with spyderco and work my way up to learning a regular stone
 
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