I'm new to this... First Serious Blade

S

sl.124

Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
15
So I found this site through another forum a few days ago and now I want a good knife (it seems any forum i get into makes me purchase something!), the only knives I've had before are cheapy slipjoints and a SAK or two so I really have no idea what I want. I'm thinking something in the 75-150 price range just for EDC, everyday things etc. so not too large but heavy is fine and actually preferable. I would also like to be able to open with one hand, automatics are illegal here unfortunately (Canada). Oh, and I'm thinking a plain edge is best, though I'm also open to combo/serrated blades.

Summery:
-$75-150
-EDC for everyday tasks
-Pocket Clip
-Preferably Plain Blade
-Preferably Heavy
-Able to be opened quickly and easily with one hand
-Not high maintenance

To get a knife razor sharp would a sharpmaker be good? what's the general opinion on the superfine stone (or something like that.... ultra fine?).
 
There are literally hundreds of great knives in this price range.

Some things to narrow it a bit might be to state:

Do you have a preferred blade shape? (Clip point, drop point, w/wo recurve, etc)

Do you like/dislike certain locking mechanisms?

Do you prefer thumb studs, thumb holes, etc?

Do you want a knife that is ambidextrous (open and closing with either hand)

If forced to pick something off the top of my head, I'd look into either a Benchmade axis folder or something from Spyderco, but that's really only a starting point.


Lastly, the sharpmaker is a great sharpening tool to start on, I still use my 204 from time to time.
 
Welcome to BladeForums!

There are lots of brands and knives in that price range. I would greatly recommend that you look at the websites of, in alphabetical order, Benchmade, Kershaw, and Spyderco as knife companies that make good knives of the style you are looking to buy in the price range you mentioned.

My favorites:
Benchmade mini-griptilian
Kershaw S30V Blur
Spyderco Native III.

All are available online in the price range you are looking for. Most online retailers sell at prices considerably less than the MSRP listed on the manufacturer's web sites.
 
I just got my Delica today, and I HIGHLY recommend it :D

I couldn't be happier! It's a fantastic knife for $50/$65 regular/wave.
 
Wally-worlds here in the states carry the Spyderco Native in S30V for <$40 US - hard to beat for a quality one-handed lockback. They also have the infamous Buck 110 for $25 - a bargain for a great, albeit large, pocketable lockback knife. You can get an 'enhanced' bladed version - in S30V from Cabela's. Not exactly a one hander, however. Neither is the Queen Cutlery Mountain Man - but around $75 in D2 steel, it's a great knife, too.

Of course, the assisted opening Kershaws, which may be too automated for Canada, are also keepers. A Spyderco Sharpmaker will keep their basic steel shaving sharp. I like the Blur as a sturdy and hand-filling example, but some like the Leek better - I have both - the Blur fits my hand better. The Scallion nearly fits a watch pocket perfectly - and is a handy size for many applications. My wife carries a Chive.

Stainz
 
Al-Mar, Benchmade, Buck, Kershaw, Spyderco... all have quality products in your size and price range. I'm most familiar with Spyderco and Benchmade, so models like the BM Grips or mini-Grips, or the BM 530s and 707s are good if you want an AXIS lock.

If you want a liner lock, Spyderco's Sage is a great choice. Other Spydercos in your range would be the Caly 3, Delica, Endura, and Natives 1 & 3. Also the D'Allara if you can find one. If you want a larger pocket knife that is capable of just about anything, the Para-Military is the one I carry.

Kershaw's Blur has always looked interesting to me and I think their Lahar is available in your price and size range. The Lahar looks like it would be a great intro to Kershaw products.

Al-Mar has one or two of their ultralights in your price range if you like their more traditional styling. They are fine knives but they don't have pocket clips.
 
Tony_A said:
There are literally hundreds of great knives in this price range.

Some things to narrow it a bit might be to state:

Do you have a preferred blade shape? (Clip point, drop point, w/wo recurve, etc)

Do you like/dislike certain locking mechanisms?

Do you prefer thumb studs, thumb holes, etc?

Do you want a knife that is ambidextrous (open and closing with either hand)

If forced to pick something off the top of my head, I'd look into either a Benchmade axis folder or something from Spyderco, but that's really only a starting point.


Lastly, the sharpmaker is a great sharpening tool to start on, I still use my 204 from time to time.
Click to expand...

Crap I knew this wasn't going to be easy, to be honest I haven't used many of the different types of knives you suggested so I really don't know what I'd prefer, I'm open to blade shapes, as long as it's good for EDC, no pref. on locking mechanisms, no pref. studs/holes, and i'm fine with both ambidextrous and non ambidextrous knive. I haven't made it easier have I? thanks for all the replies so far, great community here.
 
Welcome to BF sl.124 ;)

the suggestions given are really good. some favorites here (because they do the job)
that I have and recommend are the Benchmade Griptilian(bottom) and also the BM 710.
smooth(Axis Locks), tough, very good EDC and fun!
6o1p42.jpg
 
Tony_A said:
There are literally hundreds of great knives in this price range.

Some things to narrow it a bit might be to state:

Do you have a preferred blade shape? (Clip point, drop point, w/wo recurve, etc)

Do you like/dislike certain locking mechanisms?

Do you prefer thumb studs, thumb holes, etc?

Do you want a knife that is ambidextrous (open and closing with either hand)

If forced to pick something off the top of my head, I'd look into either a Benchmade axis folder or something from Spyderco, but that's really only a starting point.


Lastly, the sharpmaker is a great sharpening tool to start on, I still use my 204 from time to time.
Click to expand...



Tony A may be new, but he gave some solid advice!:thumbup:
 
Welcome! Look at everything---from Sodbuster slip-joints on up. Spyderco is a great place to start, is correct!
 
Welcome to BF!!

I agree about start looking at Spyderco to start off your addiction right. :thumbup::thumbup: They make great knives, at reasonable prices.
 
Okay, before I go off to school, here's some more info., I've looked at all the models suggested and so far I like:

1. Kershaw S30V Blur
2. BM 707
3. BM 530
4. Native I
5. BM 551 Griptilian

(listed in no particular order though I think i like the Kershaw a bit more.)

Of course I'm still open to suggestions, I hope the knives listed might give a better feel of what I like.

As always thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!
 
Since you're Canadian, I suggest that whatever you get you should buy from NewGraham :)

I would get a BM or a Spyderco in the choices above. But I think the 551 would be a better "beginner" knife.
 
Welcome to the Forum.

sl.124 said:
I'm thinking something in the 75-150 price range just for EDC, everyday things etc. so not too large but heavy is fine and actually preferable. I would also like to be able to open with one hand, automatics are illegal here unfortunately (Canada). Oh, and I'm thinking a plain edge is best, though I'm also open to combo/serrated blades.

Summery:
-$75-150
-EDC for everyday tasks
-Pocket Clip
-Preferably Plain Blade
-Preferably Heavy
-Able to be opened quickly and easily with one hand
-Not high maintenance
Click to expand...

Let me introduce some of my favorites (Spyderco of cause). All these knives have 3" blade. All of them great for EDC. Pictures by WhyNot

75 mm Persian. VG10 blade steel. Black Micarta Hollow grind About $95

LilP.jpg


LilP2.jpg



Caly3. CF/ZDP189 variant shown, around $150. Also Available in G10/VG10 for About $95 Full Flat Grind

CalyMir001.jpg


UKPK. No lock. S30V blade steel. G10. Screw construction. No liners.
Available in orange and foliage green colors. Full Flat Grind

Orange.jpg



Orange2.jpg



I hope it will help
 
sl.124 said:
Okay, before I go off to school, here's some more info., I've looked at all the models suggested and so far I like:

1. Kershaw S30V Blur
2. BM 707
3. BM 530
4. Native I
5. BM 551 Griptilian

(listed in no particular order though I think i like the Kershaw a bit more.)

Of course I'm still open to suggestions, I hope the knives listed might give a better feel of what I like.

As always thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!
Click to expand...

Of the group shown I would definately prefer the Kershaw Blur.:thumbup: But remember it does have the Speed-Safe assisted opening.
 
Check out Spyderco's Wave.

Delica's 3 inches
Endura's 3.75 inches

Both will run about 60 bucks. Solid knife with good steel and nothing really opens faster. Unless of course it opened in your pocket.;)

Good Luck
 
sl.124 said:
So I found this site through another forum a few days ago and now I want a good knife (it seems any forum i get into makes me purchase something!), the only knives I've had before are cheapy slipjoints and a SAK or two so I really have no idea what I want. I'm thinking something in the 75-150 price range just for EDC, everyday things etc. so not too large but heavy is fine and actually preferable. I would also like to be able to open with one hand, automatics are illegal here unfortunately (Canada). Oh, and I'm thinking a plain edge is best, though I'm also open to combo/serrated blades.

Summery:
-$75-150
-EDC for everyday tasks
-Pocket Clip
-Preferably Plain Blade
-Preferably Heavy
-Able to be opened quickly and easily with one hand
-Not high maintenance

To get a knife razor sharp would a sharpmaker be good? what's the general opinion on the superfine stone (or something like that.... ultra fine?).
Click to expand...
It's on your high side but you described the Al Mar SERE 2000 perfectly.I have one and love it.One of my favorites to carry because it clips very low in the pocket.
 
There are so many knives out there in the price range you are looking at it would be hard to know where to start and when tho stop- and that is good and bad news :)
Any of the Benchmade axis lock knives are good. The 94x series carries great, the 710 is a classic. The 73x Ares are a bit harder to find now, but with patience can be had. Watch the "For Sale" section, lots of good stuff there.

Whatever you choose it will have to be sharpened, and the Sharpmaker is one of the best all-round sharpeners out there. I use it on all my blades, keeps them razor sharp. Let us know what you get.
 
For a first knife I recommend either a Spyderco Endura or Delica. I like the smaller Delica best. Both are available with a stainless steel handle (looks great but is rather heavy) or a lighter FRN handle with more grip.

I haven’t been disappointed by a Spyderco yet and these two models (slightly modified in their latest incarnation) are the classics in the Spyderco line.

You could also spend less and get a (Spyderco) Byrd knife. The steel is a little less high end than the VG-10 used in the Delica or Endura but still very good. The Flight (there is als a version with a G-10 handle, very grippy), Cara Cara and Meadowlark are worth checking out. Not just fantastic value for money but great knives.

If you don’t like the Spyderco designs, check out the Griptilian line from Benchmade. They cost more and I like Spyderco a little better, but both the Mini Griptilian and the normal sized Griptilian are solid choices.

I have owned two Kershaw knives and liked them. Style wise they are not really my cup of tea, so I gave them away, but both are fine knives and still get regular use without any problems as I understand it.

My personal choice: if I could only own one folding knife, regardless of price, it would be a choice between the Delica (FRN) and the Caly3.

Rafael
 
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