If you could do it all over again...

scottfish

scottfish

Joined
Dec 4, 2011
Messages
54
Hey look... It's another guy w/ less than 5 posts asking what he should buy! :rolleyes:

But seriously, let me leech off your wisdom and learn from your mistakes please. Anytime I've dived headfirst itno something, I have immediately wished I didn't cheap out and went for something different or better.

I've never had a "good" knife before. As a matter of fact the best (and possibly only) knives I've owned were on Leatherman Tools.

The EDC website got my interest perked. Searching around brought me here, and I am ready to snag my first knife after seeing a tan CRKT M21-14DSFG on Dvor today and thinking "Hey, I never did buy a knife!"

So, if you could go back and re-buy your first knife, what would you buy? Criteria below:

- Folder
- Combo Blade
- Three Inches or better
- $150 or less price range
- Uses would be to cut stuff and look cool (I kid, but I have very little idea of WHY I need a knife until I end up using the one on my Leatherman a few times a week). Nothing job related.
- A step or two above entry level (so I can feel cool when I come back and post "Look what I got!")

Any input you could offer would be great.
 
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I would get the Benchmade 940, Nice size but carries easy. I also would get the Benchmade 730 if there was no 940 around. You can still get the 940 new but the 730 is no longer made. Both have a cool look and will get the job done. GOOD LUCK! Kevin :D
 
There are lots of good knives that meet your criteria. I don't have a specific knife to suggest but I will ask a question regarding your criteria.

Are you sure you want a combo edge?

If so, then go for it. I only ask because I found out through trial and error that either a full straight edge or a full serrated edge is much better for my uses than a little of both.

Don't get me wrong, combo edges are useful and have their place. Just make sure it's want you really want and need before taking the plunge. If you want a combo edge for the "cool factor" alone, you might be disappointed.
 
Within your specs, the Spyderco Military (was my main EDC for many years).

If I were actually starting all over I would get a ZT0560, but that's just me. Really, it's hard to tell what you really want until you've handled a good variety of folders. Do a bit of trading on upper tier folders to see what you like but don't get too attached to anything until you've really nailed down what you do and don't like about blade and handle design. What appeals to you now may be the opposite of what you like in a year or two.
 
Ok... I guess I am not married to the combo edge. If I had to choose one or the other, it'd be straight edge.
 
Hey, you could always get a Victorinox (Swiss Army Knife) Spartan or Pioneer. Maybe not as cool as other knives if you want something hightech or tactical, but definitely classy and VERY usefull, durable, and fun to use.

Other than that, I would take the advice about Spyderco knives or maybe even a Benchmade Griptillian.

Edit: Also, about the Victorinox... If your friends don't carry knives, you may scare them less is you pull out a shinny red Swiss Army Knife. Everyone recognizes those.

Edit Again: Also, a Victorinox is cheaper but still very good quality. Since this is gonna be your first real EDC knife, you may want to consider how you will maintain it. A Swiss Army Knife is very easy to maintain and forgiving if you are learning how to sharpen. I've been on a Victorinox kick recently.
 
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If you are going for the 100+ Spyderco PM2 or sage 1 or 2 if your spending 100 to 50 Benchmade Griptilian 50- kershaw skyline
 
I agree with Railsplitter. Combo edges really aren"t that special. If you're cutting rope all day, get a fully serratedd knife. If not, a sharp plane edge will do just about everything.
If I were to get a first knife again and I had that muc money to spend, a manix 2 in m4 would be my choice.
 
There's a WHOLE lot of chit I would do differently! My best suggestion, look for a local knife shop or a gun and knife show in your area, you will have the opportunity to oogle and fondle many folders, and other knives as well. Find something both that appeals to your hand and eye. You will find the knife that you never knew you couldn't live without!

DD
 
Spyderco Gayle Bradley would do the trick, but might be a little large for EDC. Get something that fits your hand well and comfortably, and which has the highest quality steel you can get.

DJK
 
Spyderco Para 2 hands down.

Some might not consider this as a "mistake", it's just their preference, but for me the biggest mistake I made when I first got into knives was "hoarding". I bought a bunch of $100-150 knives that I thought looked cool. What I ended up with was a bunch of knives that didn't really mean anything to me.

I ended up thinning out my collection to only 6 grails, and I sold them off. Recently started all over again and now every knife I buy, is a "grail" that I absolutely love. It's really tempting to buy this n buy that especially if you have the funds for it, but just remember quality over quantity.

Some guys like to have 100+ knives but I don't really see the point.
 
My first good knife was a CRKT M21-12g and I carried it for over a year until I realized it's not uncommon to own more than one knife.

If I were to pick a new first knife I would go with a ZT 0560 or a Kershaw Tilt.

-orangish ducktape
 
If I could do it over I would've stopped with the Delica or Para 1. I got caught up in the hard use Strider and ZT and Ti framelock stuff I later found myself with a bunch of several hundred dollar knives that all pretty much cut the same. Slowly selling them off, keeping my favorite Military, Para 1's, Delica, and a Mini grip just to switch things up once in a while. As knives, they cut better than any of the ones I've previously owned. On the fence with letting go the Sage2 (in my pocket now) and my large lefty 21, only because it was made for me. Lately it's been a Para 1. Like before I got crazy with this hobby, it works fine and has never given me any s@#t. Since they're no longer available I'll suggest the Para 2.
 
The first knife I got that I am willing to talk about was a Crawford Folding Falcon, with a combo edge. Gave it to my father in law years ago. Decent knife, but no longer in production.

I'm skeptical about combo blades in general, because I owned several. The serrations seem to snag in the cutting media.

For the "cool factor", Cold Steel should be a place you look. Very black, very tacticool, but well constructed in spite of that. And in your price range.
 
I wouldn't buy comboedge. Used to have one. No need for me. PE only.
3" Blade - Native5
3.5" blade Caly3.5 or Para-Military2
All three few bucks over $100
 
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