If you had $500

F

flying hippo

Joined
Aug 26, 2009
Messages
113
New poster here.

I've seen the damage that you all inflict. First the young and naive are hustled gateway drugs like victronix and Kershaw, byrd. "It's just a little a little Red line benchmade kid, you're not hurting anybody." But eventually they all come back. And they all come back for more. And when they do you throw the harder stuff at them. I've seen the Chris Reeve, Strider, and Busse junkies. I've seen the legions of quivvering lost souls have rocking back and forth in their padded cells, "Just one more custom, Just one more custom..."

You are all bastards. :grumpy:

I'm single, I have no children (that I know of) and I have a steady job (for now). This means I have dispoable income that could easily be thrown away into the deep dark pit of "knife collecting." A prime target to be a new user.

Once you stare into the abyss that is this website the abyss stares back into you.

Well, I say No sir! I say NO to your tactical folders, survival fixed blades and cool sprint run collectibles. I refuse to waste my life chasing that fleeting high of having a new shiny s30v steeled blade in hand only to crash a few hours later at the computer ebaying for my next hit. No. As god is my witness, I pledge to live my life in service of the community. In service to repair all of the mayhem and despair your little band of pushers have caused....

I will do all of this...



Right after I spend my $500.

So here is my question:

Pretend that you are, like myself, starting out and have absolutely no knives whatsoever. Pretend that you have exactly $500USD to spend on any number of blades. You must buy online or at a brick and mortar store. You cannot buy used knives or anything on the secondary market. To make things simple shipping is not included in your $500 budget. Finally and most importantly, after you are done shopping you will never...ever...ever...be able to get another knife again...This is going to be your last and ONLY knife purchase.

What would you buy?
 
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I already have a multitool,so...
Spyderco ZDP CF Stretch, 193.95
Mora triflex-craftsman, 16 dollars
Scrap Yard Scrapper INFI 5 LE, 190 dollars. (don't know if it's still in stock)
RAT IZULA, 50 bucks.
Kukri.
40 tops, local store, no brand. Highly recommended by a friend in army.
A pocket toolbox, a slicing-machine EDC, a good small FB, a nice big one and a chopper and necker.
I still want a bali. Can we count that as a toy, not a knife?
 
lol lol on your intro:D
well if i had 500$ in my disposal i would really give it some thought as to what do i need it this knife for?? a user for outdoors, a self defense(do i know how to handle a knife in case i need to use it),cooking, edc etc...once i figure that out and i am honest with myself i would look around and do research in materials, size, laws of carry in my state , them i would look in the forums wanted add to see what is there and prices.just to begin with:).
 
Welcome Hippo!
Simple: A Busse and a Titanium knife; my choice is Warren Thomas.
 
Well, I would ask if you want one really nice knife or several really good knives? I would probably take that latter route due to your comment about not having any knives at all right now. If it were just one, I would go either a nice Chris Reeve or equivalent custom/semi-custom knife. BUT, in your case I think I would recommend really GOOD knives in several categories. Namely..

Gentlemen's folder - Bradley Alias I or II, Spyderco Sage, or such
Medium Tactical - Benchmade (Blue Box 94x, Griptillian's) Spyderco, Delica/Endura/Manix/Native, SOG Vulcan, AlMar Sere's, Emersons,
Fixed blade hunting/Camping -RAT Cutlery, Fallkniven,
User folding knife - Benchmade (red-box), Buck Vantage, Kershaw Leek/Shallot/Skyline, Kabar Folders, etc.

I think that it would be more fun for you to investigate alternatives and spread the $500 out over these categories.

Good luck.
 
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Welcome and nice introductory post!

My recommendation will vary based on your occupation and use for the knife. Do you want fixed blades, need a gentleman's knife, a hard use folder, or something else?
 
Take the $500, start a new life in Denmark, and never look back.
A Cautionary Tale: 2 weeks ago I was split between purchasing my first Sebenza, or a Manix 2. After much soul searching, I decided that the Manix was far more affordable, and robust for the cost of the two. I purchased the Manix.
Today, I am constantly checking the UPS package tracker for the Sebenza I bought earlier this week...
The Riddle of Steel is incurable...
 
I'd get a Strider. Don't have one, and only recently got to handle one in person. Waaaaay nicer than I expected, and with a high flat grind, a nice slicer (despite what everyone says).
If there were any left over, a slipjoint from Queen or S&M (both made by Queen anyway) would be next.
 
flying hippo said:
New poster here.

I've seen the damage that you all inflict. First the young and naive are hustled gateway drugs like victronix and Kershaw, byrd. "It's just a little a little Red line benchmade kid, you're not hurting anybody." But eventually they all come back. And they all come back for more. And when they do you throw the harder stuff at them. I've seen the Chris Reeve, Strider, and Busse junkies. I've seen the legions of quivvering lost souls have rocking back and forth in their padded cells, "Just one more custom, Just one more custom..."

You are all bastards. :grumpy:

I'm single, I have no children (that I know of) and I have a steady job (for now). This means I have dispoable income that could easily be thrown away into the deep dark pit of "knife collecting." A prime target to be a new user.

Once you stare into the abyss that is this website the abyss stares back into you.

Well, I say No sir! I say NO to your tactical folders, survival fixed blades and cool sprint run collectibles. I refuse to waste my life chasing that fleeting high of having a new shiny s30v steeled blade in hand only to crash a few hours later at the computer ebaying for my next hit. No. As god is my witness, I pledge to live my life in service of the community. In service to repair all of the mayhem despair your little band of pushers have caused....

I will do all of this...



Right after I spend my $500.

So here is my question:

Pretend that you are, like myself, starting out and have absolutely no knives whatsoever. Pretend that you have exactly $500USD to spend on any number of blades. You must buy online or at a brick and mortar store. You cannot buy used knives or anything on the secondary market. To make things simple shipping is not included in your $500 budget. Finally and most importantly, after you are done shopping you will never...ever...ever...be able to get another knife again...This is going to be your last and ONLY knife purchase.

What would you buy?
Click to expand...



:thumbup:Welcome flying hippo

That's a funny intro!:D:D

Regarding your question-If it were me,I'd get a unique graphic Sebenza or an inlaid one.That's just me.I like folders & Chris Reeve's quality is the best IMO.
Then again,I haven't handled many customs.

Good luck
 
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How about this? I will *save* you $500. In fact, probably more than that. Go ahead and buy a Sebenza now.
 
"How about this? I will *save* you $500. In fact, probably more than that. Go ahead and buy a Sebenza now. "

You should know it's not that easy.
You buy a Sebenza, and it's set up for right handed opening...but what if your right arm was taken out by sniper fire, you need a backup in an emergency like that.
So you buy a Tacticool knife. But what if you're stuck in the woods and night is setting in...you need to build some shelter.
So you buy a Serrated Beatup Camping knife. But what if you need to backup some work you're doing in the office...there isn't a knife for that in your setup.
So you buy a Swiss Army Knife with USB Thumb Drive...

And so on...
 
jfn said:
.....2 weeks ago I was split between purchasing my first Sebenza, or a Manix 2. After much soul searching, I decided that the Manix was far more affordable, and robust for the cost of the two. I purchased the Manix.
Today, I am constantly checking the UPS package tracker for the Sebenza I bought earlier this week...
The Riddle of Steel is incurable...
Click to expand...


I love you like a brother man. I'm here for you.
Just promise me you will get help
 
First of all, I would highly recommend not spending it all in one sitting. Though there is plenty of helpful info on these forums, nothing beats getting your hands on a design and finding out what truly works (perhaps more often, what doesn't work) for you.

You might also consider buying a cheapo knife in addition to your first quality knife. Use both. Plenty of lessons to be learned in doing that as well.

As others have mentioned, it would be helpful to know a bit more about your needs before the recommendations start flowing.
Would you prefer folders, fixed blades or don't know yet?
How are knife laws in your area?
What are the common tasks you will need to preform?
etc...
 
I would take a different approach. I'd get a heap of bang-for-your-buck knives and here's why. Bug Out Bags. Instead of putting all my eggs in one basket I'd have all my bases covered (mixed metaphors, I know). In one car maybe a SAK, a Mora, a small Wetterling & a Tram bolo. In the other car (oh, you're signle, I was thinking the wife's) maybe a SAK, a Bushman, a Fiskars camp axe & an Ontario machete. At work maybe a Leatherman & a SAK locked in the file cabinet or my desk. At home a SAK, a BK2, an SP8 & an Estwing. And for EDC a SAK & a yellow CV Case. Not sexy, not glamorous but I'd never be without.

Frank
 
I would get a plain Sebenza and with the money left over get a fixed blade from one of the many fine knifers in the Makers section here.
 
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