Introduction to Knives

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billoo13

Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
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Hi, I am really new collecting knives and was hoping someone might know of a place to go or could type up and introduction to Knives.

Here are some examples of info i am looking for,
Types of knives, types of locks on knives, what are scales?, recommended companies, types of steel, common rookie mistakes, recommendations for starting a collection, knife Maintenance and storage, reliable and popular websites to purchase from, and pretty much anything you can think of that would belong in an intro to collecting knives.

I will update if I think of anything else. It is really late and I am half asleep while typing this.

Thank you guys for taking the time and helping in any way possible.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums. In the upper right corner of this page, you will see a search box - please feel free to use it. Tks.
 
Well...If I was to type up an introduction, including all the things you asked, it would take me a couple days just to type it all.

You asked for a good place to go for an introduction? You're already at the right place. Hang around here and you'll learn all that you can about knives. Visit all the different subforums and just check stuff out. Mingle. You'll learn a lot. If you have any specific questions though, you can send me a PM or email anytime.
 
Hey I am new to this knife obsession also, picked up a couple of old knives at a flea market and cleaned them up and really enjoyed it . Went to the local library found the only book on knives and read it, then found this site which is EXCELLENT!!!

Rule # one---have a plan for that day when you stick a rusty knife blade into your hand, I picked up this little knife blade that would not close, so I started looking at it and noticed it had something stuck in it--looked like a small piece of metal-- so like dope I grabbed another knife and attempted to pry it out (this was stupid) well I put pressure on it and the two knives slipped and one went into my trigger finger at the 2nd knuckle---no stitches but it was close. The insult to this injury as I found out later was that this was trick knife and it was supposed to have that little piece of metal in there to help it open and close through a series of secret hand moves bought it for 3.00. KNOWLEDGE IS KING AND THESE DUDES IN HERE ARE LOADED WITH IT, SO GOOD LUCK,--KCKevin
 
If I could start over:

Start by going to Wal-Mart and buying a Buck 110 Folding Hunter. You'll have an American-made classic for $34. It's the first true "tactical" folder in my opinion, the knife from where all modern tactical folders evolved.

Don't waste time and money buying junk, but at the same time, buy what you like.

Study terminology used here. Study metallurgy posts here. Buy a copy of Blade magazine and read from cover to cover.

As Obi-Wan said to Luke, "you've taken your first steps in a larger world."

Above all, have fun. :)

Prof.
 
Welcome to the Bladeforums.

Introduction:

Knives are sharp slivers of metal, ceramics, or other solid materials which are often attached to a grip. They are among man's earliest tools and have been with us in every culture for as long as we have been men. They come in two basic types, fixed and folding, and in an endless variety of shapes and sizes. You select a knife by determining which size and type works best for the specific use you intend it for, and by taking into consideration your physical requirements; such as how much weight and bulk you want to carry, your grip size, your environmental constraints (local laws, employer rules,etc.), and the size of the dent you want to make in your wallet. For fixed blades it is very important to have a safe and sturdy sheath. The type of steel used, and the "tatical", "survival", "fighter" or label affixed to the knife is largely meaningless marketing hype. In use you will not be able to discern a difference between various good quality cultery steel that has been property heat treated; the onlly real exception being the level of corrossion resistance perferred. Also, remember that generally the harder the blade, the longer the edge will wear, but also the harder it will be to restore the edge.

These forums contain a vast archive of information. Explore away and have fun with it.

n2s
 
billoo13 said:
...types of locks on knives....
Click to expand...

Google, or DuckDuckGo, is your friend. When I run into terms commonly used here that I want to learn about, I search them-- either broadly (web search via a search engine) or specifically, the term(s) followed by site:bladeforums.com.

For example, simply search for "types of knife locking mechanisms" or "folding knife locks" or anything like that, and you'll find some very good resources. Some of the more helpful, with pictures and/or videos, are in the informational or instructional area of a store site and so cannot be linked to from here.

Good luck out there.

~ P.
 
i'm new to this and what i've learned so far is;

kabar is a tried and true knife, esee has the best warranty on the market, himalayan imports makes the best kukris, spyderco makes great folders... these are all a matter of opinion, but its a good place to start.
 
Here are some examples of info i am looking for,
Types of knives, types of locks on knives, what are scales?, recommended companies, types of steel, common rookie mistakes, recommendations for starting a collection, knife Maintenance and storage, reliable and popular websites to purchase from, and pretty much anything you can think of that would belong in an intro to collecting knives.

Well.. You Want A Lot Of Info But I'll Do My Best On This.
Types Of Knives: Folders, Fixed Blades, Tactical, Slicers, Flippers, Assisted, Traditional, Slip Joints, Balisongs, Automatic, Swords, Daggers, Hunting, Fighting, Etc.

Types Of Locks: Back Lock, Frame Lock, Liner Lock, Compression Lock, Axis Lock, Arc Lock, Ball Bearing Lock, Stud Lock, Bolt Action Lock, And Many More.

Scales Are The Handles On Your Knife.

Recommended Companies: Kershaw, Spyderco, Benchmade, Zero Tolerance, Bradley, Chris Reeve, Strider, Ka-Bar, Esee, HI, Etc. Etc.

Recommended Sites: Knife Works, Howes Knife Shop, Cutlery Shoppe, Knife Center, Amazon, Ebay, And The For Sale Forum Here.

Types Of Steel - Just Read And Learn, There's Way Too Much To Say About It Lol.

I Keep My Knives In Their Boxes... For Now.
 
Just hang around here and soak up stuff through osmosis. Then maybe get your feet wet with some inexpensive but reputable blades, figure out what you like and don't like in use with 'em, then go from there.

pertinux said:
DuckDuckGo, is your friend.
Click to expand...

Fixed. Been using DuckDuckGo for my searches since Clusty got bought out by jerks and Scroogle got shut down.

Google is that creepy guy on the ladder peering in your bedroom window. :D
 
There are MANY types of knives. Before you rush into collecting, take a few weeks to peruse the Exchange portion of the forum and familiarize yourself with the various styles, brands, and custom makers.

I have bounced around a bit over the years as to what I collected, depending upon my interests at that time. I tend to see a knife I really like and specialize in collecting knives of that specific style. Some guys here who can afford high end customs tend to collect knives made by well known makers. Here are a few examples of phases I went through while collecting:

1980s vintage Japanese import balisongs
Push daggers
Hollow handled sawback "survival" knives
Gerber MKI and MKIIs
Sharpfingers and knockoffs
LaGriffes and knockoffs
Himalayan Imports khukris
Custom sgian dubhs

Those are all VERY different styles of knife, and as my mood changes I tend to sell off my entire collection to start an entirely new collection. It is an illness, really.

My advice is to decide what you like best and start collecting that, whether it be a particular maker, brand, blade style, handle material, or specific type of knife.
 
Thank you all for the help so far.

Right now I am pretty much interested in almost any knives and I keep my collection forever. I am currently in a phase of trying to find some knives for every day carry and I only want to collect knives that are or good quality. My collection is mostly some Cold Steels I snagged when they were Closeouts, A SOG Topo Meridian, A Tramontina Mountain Man Knife, and around 40 knives I got when I was little from Flea Markets. So the 40 Knives are mostly junky but neat looking knives.
Actually I did pick up a handmade switchblade from a flea market around 1-2 years ago for around $125 and the only reason I bought it is because of it's snake like blade, Sadly I have no clue who made it.
 
Right now I am pretty much interested in almost any knives and I keep my collection forever. I am currently in a phase of trying to find some knives for every day carry and I only want to collect knives that are or good quality.
Click to expand...

I think at this point your best bet is to obtain the widest variety of decent knives while spending the least. Visit knife shops if any are near you, browse the recommended online dealers, browse the manufacturers' websites, and maybe pick up a book or two from the library to learn the names of parts and some history.

After you decide there's one brand, one material, one style, one country, or some interesting feature that you're really interested in, then it's time to hunker down and begin to seriously collect. Maybe it'll take you a few weeks to get to that point, or maybe you've already got your mind on something (it took me over twenty years).

Until then, here's a quick list of inexpensive knives ($50 or less) with an emphasis on minimum budget and maximum variety. Maybe there's some of these that you have no interest in whatsoever, so skip them. I still think it's a good starting list:

- Mora or other Scandinavian brand. Mora #137, $28.
- Victorinox or Wenger Swiss Army Knife. So many styles and models to choose from. Recruit is excellent for $13.
- Buck 119 fixed blade or 110 folder. $40 for folder, $50 for fixed blade.
- Opinel. One of the best slicers on the planet. The Garden Knife is excellent for $13.
- An original USA-made pre-2004 Schrade Old Timer. Under $50 for an unused 34OT or 8OT, the most popular models.
- Bayonet. Any country, any size. Plenty to choose from for $10-$40.
- Boker traditional pocketknife. Best traditional for the money right now. Washboard bone stockman, $45.
- Any common "EDC" knife by Benchmade or Spyderco. Wish I could recommend something for under $50. Maybe you've got the category covered already with your Cold Steel.
- Condor Bushcraft or Bushlore. $27 for Bushlore. Something a grade up, a Becker or ESEE for $75-$100.
- Something from AG Russell. Hunters Scalpel, Woodswalker, Featherlite. $20-$50.

Hope you find something useful in this list. Good luck collecting, and Welcome to Bladeforums!
 
Wow... you want everything about knives, from A to Z, explained in this thread... I don't think you're going to get any takers. I, for one, am not in the mood to write a book tonight. :cool:

Umm, try searching this website independently for starters, and research your topics of interest in order... from A to Z.
 
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