Knife Buying For Dummies

S

silversport

Joined
Jul 22, 2003
Messages
54
Okay...I am new to the knife buying thing...what should I look for when buying a knife?
I want a folding knife for EDC...Where can I find out differences in steel? Where can I find what to look for in the blade??? Should I be able to feel a little "flex" in the blade side to side when I apply pressure to it (is this blade slop??? It seems to be compression of the "bushings")
Say I narrow it down to an Emerson Mini-CQC7 (154CM), Spyderco Delica (G2), Kershaw Avalanche (CPM 440V)...I want it for EDC and maybe some ruff stuff...I tried a search but got no where, really...Anyone recommend the "crash course???"
Bill
 
Silversport-- the FAQs right here on Bladeforums are a good place to start. Check out the blade geometry FAQ and the steel FAQ. I would also suggest going to a knife store if you have one nearby so you can handle a variety of knives and see how they feel in your hand.
Also, if you can give some indication of what types of things you envision using your knife for, people will be better able to help you narrow down your choice(s).
--Josh
 
silversport, I would suggest that you try and get a Delica VG10 PE as your first knife. It retails online for less than $45 and is an excellent blade for EDC. I have no experience with the vapor, but with the Emerson - you need to be aware of the characteristics of tanto points and chisel grinds. My full size CQC7 however, is my most comfortable knife in the hand, better than my spydercos.
 
Silver, of the three you posted, the Emerson is the one I would go for. However, as Spyken states, the emerson knives has weird tips and grinds, they can be tough to sharpen. spyferco makes a ton of knives that are e-z on the wallet, and usually gr8 quality. Both companies have ex. customer service, too.
My first "expensive" knife was a Benchmade 705, that I've sincetraded away. Simple to use, stout, and great company , too.
The links that Josh stated are good to go. Also, maybe a trip to the Emerson, Kershaw, Benchmade and Spyderco websites will fill in some information in helping you choose. Just a thought.
 
Some good one are syderco,benchmade,mirotech,mod,rekat,greco,crkt.
I just checked out peoples post here along with some mags and ebay and figured out whats good and bad ! :)
 
Welcome to BFC and the addictive world of knives. Of the three you listed, I have none of. However, I do have a different Spyderco (a Massad Ayoob) and have handled several others. I wholeheartedly recommend Spydies as an excellent group of knives with alot of bang for the buck. However, beware the custom bug... it WILL bite you at some point!
Where in "Chicagoland" are you located? I'm in the southwest burbs. Ya gotta check out the AECA show in Sept... it's held down Orland park way.
Mongo
 
Mongo: I am in Brookfield...Thanks for the headsup!
Let me just say that up to now I have not really had any knives other than a Scout Knife when I was a kid...I found this Forum from Glocktalk and all of a sudden...I have had a Spyderco Delica Clipit (solid clip, plastic scales and G2 "Spyderedge."
Recently, I picked up a Kershaw Avalanche and promptly sliced my finger open on it's 1st "real" use (other than just "poppin' it open."
I just bought an Emerson Mini-CQC7 in Black-Ti, Tanto and combo-edge. It is the 1st knife I have not bought from a store and was just curious.
At one time, I had a Benchmade CQC7 but my ignorance of knives caused me to sell it (at a slight profit) unused, in the box because I thought it was not heavy duty (I told you I was ignorant.)
Anyway...I appreciate the help and feel I am falling under the spell of all these "wonderful toys!"
Bill
 
I recomend the Camillus EDC. It's what I carry every day, that's the best endorsement I can give. $50 from 1sks.com, it's a tough deal to beat. The only issue I have is the thick edge that comes from the factory but that can be fixed with a little patience. Also, welcome to Bladeforums!
 
Roadrunner,

Please say a little bit more about the Camillus EDC. As some of you know, I've just got a BK&T Crewman and am now sold on Camillus knives.

Does the EDC have a removable clip? What else can you say? For $50 at 1SKS, and with a 154CM blade, it looks like a pretty good deal.

Thanks,

Albin

Oh, and SS: welcome to BFC!
 
Albin, the clip is removable. I have an initial impressions review posted here.

Hmmm, I just looked that over and realized I never finished it. Doh! I'll have to do a long term review, stay tuned.
 
I say you skip the foreground and go straight for the Sebenzas, Microtechs and Customs. This will save you allot of money in the future with resale values ;)
 
Silversport,

Why not spend a few weeks devoted to using and caring for a single knife of the ones you already own? Make mental or written notes of what you like or don't like about the feel in your hand, usefulness as a cutting tool, care needed to keep the knife in top shape, and so on.

You've got three great knives already, why not get the most of them before you go knuts like the rest of us and wantonly buy knives you will never need? After you've done that and you still feel uncontrollable urges to buy new knives, you will have had fair warning before your corruption.
 
Good advice HOWEVER it was not my intention to buy more than one knife...after reading here and seeing the great digital pix...well I am guessing you all know the rest. I agree with what you say so far...The Spyderco is in my uniform pocket every day and is a nice light folder...the Avalanche fits my hand best and is a great knife too...the Emerson is RUGGED but a little small for my hand but it IS a great knife...I almost picked up a Benchmade ACFK in Black-Ti and the round Spyderco hole but MAN that knife is a big blade for my needs. :D :p ;) :cool: :eek:
Thanks for all the advice!
Bill
 
what is your budget and what kind of knife are you looking for? What type of lock, blade style, size are you looking for?

I think ATS34/154CM is pretty much the standard now for high end production knives. The other more exotic steels like VG10, D2, s30v I would actually group together since I don't see that much of a difference between them in terms of simple EDC carry.
 
Well, in that case...

Get a plain-edged, FRN-handled Spyderco Delica as they are what a true slicer is (you can find other knives that outslice it right out of the box, but the Delica is the standard by which they should be judged).

Then, get something with S30V to find out how nice that steel is. Benchmade's 921 Switchback (one of the few knives that outslice a Delica) is my favorite knife and happens to have S30V steel, so it's a great choice. There's also the 733-02 and the upcoming 733-01 from Benchmade which have the steel in a beefier blade and prettier handle. Spyderco has so many great S30V bladed knives and they're all phenomonal choices. I have their FRN-handled Native and will pick up their Dodo, ATR, and Chinook II (when it comes out) in the future when I have money. Many folks love their Military model and you may, too.

Don't forget to buy or at least pine for a rock-solid tank of a knife. Here again is where Spyderco's ATR would be, as well as the Chris Reeve Sebenza and the Buck/Mayo TnT.

But, getting back to basics, get that Delica and that Benchmade 921.
 
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