Just Back From the Knife Shop........and I'm More Undecided Than Before!!!

J

JMB

Joined
May 28, 1999
Messages
72
So I go to the local "The Cutlery" store to test drive some of the folders I've been considering, with the intent of narrowing down my choice and then buying it online. God knows I'm not going to pay 50% more to but it there! Unfortunately, I'm now even more undecided than when I woke up this morning!

First I looked at the one I've been eyeing the most, and that's the BM710 with the straight/satin blade. That is an outstanding knife. The action is smooth and STRONG, and it's just really good looking too. It feels good, even in my small hands. I also like the idea of being able to buy a 705 as a smaller companion. My only gripe was that the edge on this particular example didn't seem particularly sharp.

Then I looked at a full sized satin/combo AFCK. I briefly had one of these last year so I was familiar with it's operation. The blade seemed sharper than the 710 I looked at and I really like the angle of the handle to the blade. But the handle didn't feel as good in my hand as the 710's did. Plus, I've never really liked having to place my fingers in the path of the blade like you have to in order to close a liner lock.

Then just for craps and gigles I looked at a CRKT M16 (the non tanto point one). For the price, this is one hell of a knife. It looks good, feels good, and seemed pretty sharp. The thing I didn't like about this knife was that the opening stud lies even with the handle heightwise, so it didn't seem real conducive to quick manipulation.

Then of course, there were the obligatory Spydies (Delica, Endure, Native, etc...) which as usual were by far the sharpest of the blades I looked at. I have no gripe with Spydies, the Delica has been my constant companion since I was a junior in high school 6 years ago, but I just want something different.

So I guess when it comes down to it, I'M ADDICTED TO FOLDING KNIVES!!! I have a feeling that money that used to go to new firearms every 3-4 months is now going to be going towards folders. I WANT THEM ALL!!! I seem to hate none of the knives I look at. But I think I'm going to go with the BM 710 first. If I get a sharp one I'll be happy, if not, I'm going to learn to sharpen knives on a $100+ folder.

Any last thoughts before I lay down the plastic to buy one would be appreciated. And damn this website and all of you for getting me addicted to knives!!!
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Now rent and tuition will have to take a back seat to my favorite knife of the moment.
 
BZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz...Hey Guys, there's another one Hooked!
I thank Heaven every time I see a knife that I don't have to have. You might want to try what I do, I collect images of knives I want off the Web. I've got quite a virtual collection...sure it's not the same thing, but this one I can afford.
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"Will work 4 Knives!"
Homepage: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=254126
 
JMB,

go for it - buy as many as you can. The more you buy the fewer that will be out there for me to buy.
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As for your original issue; it sound to me as though you still haven't quite decided on a direction for your collection. If you work on this first the rest will become alot easier.
 
As alternatives to the 710, you really should "fondle" the BM 750 and 720. Or the
Spyderco large Wegner. Just a suggestion.
 
CRKT - for the price, can't be beat.

Got a Mirage (Wharncliffe) and just love it. The steel isn't the best, but I am not one to rely on edge holding to save my life. I can cut boxes, rope, whatever and resharpen when needed. One thing I do expect is NO LATERAL PLAY! The CRKT has zero play, out of the box and months later without tightening. The fit and finish are top-notch. Now, if only the steel was upgraded a little...

Learn free-hand sharpening: the wharncliffe is the simplest to practice on. Arkansas fine, steel then strop... great edge... so much fun I don't mind resharpening the CRKT every now and then
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[This message has been edited by RLR (edited 03-10-2000).]
 
May I kindly recommend the Benchmade Elishewitz 730.... Its an extremely fine folder.

And if you have'nt already been there, I also recommend www.gpknives.com for all your knife needs. Outstanding customer services and prices that are hard to beat.

P.S. The pictures on the internet of the Benchmade 730 knives do it no justice what-so-ever! You have to be able to handle one to really appreciate the 730.....Or just take my word on it!

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Repeat after me...

"Gottahava730"..."Gottahava730"...."Gottahava730"!
 
Gotta second FiveO's recommendation of gpknives.com. They are quick, professional and reasonable. What else could we ask for?
Chris
 
Go with the 710, just buy it from a recommended dealer here on the forums.


Blades
 
Well George, unfortunately the online knife dealers do not allow you to "test" the knives before you buy them. I would have no problem with buying from that bricks and mortar store if they didn't insist on charging such outrageuosly high prices. I understand that they are the third person on the chain (factory-wholesaler-dealer-me), but when I can buy from the second link on the chain and save some money, I have to do that. If I can get a BM710 online for $109 I'm sure as heck not going to pay $160 for the same knife at a mall store just because he took it out of the display case to let me see it. My wallet just can't afford to shell out money for those kinds of reasons.
 
JMB,

I have to second the admonition that if you can't bring yourself to buy from the Bricks and Mortar store you shouldn't go there to test drive the knives.

You have already identified one of the added values that the Brick and Mortar Stores provide over the Internet Dealers and someone has to pay for that. The Brick and Mortar stores typically pay higher rent to be in a location that is convenient for you to visit and they have a significantly higher payroll in order to keep someone there to hand you the various knives that you are interested in. Sometimes the people behind the counter are even knowledgable enough to answer questions.

Please forgive the rant. But people seem to forget that the reason Internet Dealers CAN charge significantly less for a knife is that they have lower overhead than the Brick and Mortar Stores.

Just like this Forum if you are going to use the resource please be prepared to support it.


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AKTI Member No. A000370
 
I don't mind spending an extra $20 or so to purhase products and build a rapport with local merchants...but theres a limit.

Example:
My new BM730S at the local knife shop is $235! Thats no exageration folks! How can I not buy from (insert knife shop here) .com when they provide excellent service and fast shipping of the same knife for $103+ S&H?? C'mon, you don't expect me to pay over $100 for the same knife do you?? This local dealer is impersonnal and assumes that his customers are stupid! I see it all the time in local shops. These people are going to have to provide some customer service and competative prices to get my scarce hard earned money.

Sure, this example is somewhat extreme and is'nt always the case, but like I said, I don't mind an extra ocassional $20 here and there. But if your gonna insult my intelligence.....

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Repeat after me...

"Gottahava730"..."Gottahava730"...."Gottahava730"!
 
Well, if it makes you guys feel any better I bought a Spyderco Ladybug for my father today at the Remington Store at the highly overrated Mall of America. I first looked at a BM705 (holy crap that's a nice knife) and a Spydie Endura. The Ladybug was only $7 more there than online. Now THAT I'll gladly pay. In fact the guy who runs the Remington Store at the M.O.A. (for any Minnesotans who may be in the area) is a really great guy. He was there way back when I bought my first Spydie Delica in 1994.

Like Five-O said, I don't mind paying a little extra, but once it goes over $25 I have to buy elsewhere.
 
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