Knife Buying Order

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keygenkid

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Feb 21, 2011
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Okay, I have never owned a good knife but I have been researching for a while. Im wondering if i should use my lack of good knives as an advantage. Seeing how I have never owned a good knife should I start with the less expensive ones then work my way up or should I instantly buy better knives. Like should I buy the tenacious then endura or just go straight to the endura. Any feedback would be appreciated.
 
The Tenacious aside from being more affordable is a different knife all together than the Endura. I would get an Endura if you are interested in it. No need to start on the very bottom of the totem pole so to speak.
 
They are both good knives. If you've got the cash, get the one you like best. Knives aren't like bicycles, where you need to start out with training wheels. On the other hand, if the less expensive knife meets your needs, why spend more? You could donate the difference to your favorite charity. Only you can decide what works for you.
 
I'd get the Endura. I find that I don't use my cheaper knives as much. Around $50, though, there are plenty of functional blades like the Endura.
 
It's always a good idea to handle a knife before you buy if/when possible. You might pick up an Endura and decide it's a little too big, the Tenacious might seem too wide or heavy, etc...

When in doubt, just get a Delica! ;)
 
Thanks for the feedback. I will in be end get both, I just don't have enough money right now. I also can't handle them because their are NO knife stores here and I'm too young anyway.
 
personally I would try to get the most bang for your buck. I dont think you really need, or would appreciate a $400 knife right now, I know I sure wouldn't. I would try out Kershaw, Spyderco, and Benchmade, because they make good knives realitivly cheaply. good value.
 
You should skip the Tenacious, imho. Then skip the Endura. Then skip the Military.

Just buy the friggin' Sebenza and get it over with. :p ;)






JUST KIDDING!
 
+1 on getting the sebenza. You can just buy one now, or buy 20 knives on the way to the sebenza you'll eventually buy. Both methods are fun obviously.
 
If you aren't in a rush.. save and get the Paramilitary (or the military), you will be very happy and won't have a bunch of $20-$40 knives just laying around collecting dust between the occasional box opening. I've had a bunch of knives and sold most keeping only a few rare ones or ones I use all the time. So if an Edura is one you will be happy with for a long time, then go for it. If it is a stepping stone, I'd pass and save for a better knife (btw.. I'm not an Endura fan having owned). But I do still have a Tenacious b/c it's a good value knife. Just make sure you will be happy with your purchase and that's all that matters.
 
Unless you get bitten by this affliction that many people mention where you end up buying knives left and right, I'd say save money for the one knife you really want. At any given time, I have less than 3 knives, and my last purchase when it gets finished is in the realm of 800ish and a custom. I just don't find the need in owning multiple knives when a fixed and a folder can take care of mostly any task.

My advice is to be deliberate about your purchase. Research more and really question yourself if you want this knife or that knife, and whether or not you know you'll buy another knife later on, and you will know this.
 
Do you own a SAK? If you don't then you should - they are very useful to carry with you every day (but not where banned, like most schools) and they are not seen as a 'weapon' by most people. Victorinox is a great brand and their SAKs are high quality but at a very reasonable price.

Also - buy an Endura, that's a really nice knife also at a very reasonable price.

When you have more money to spend I'm sure we can give you MANY more good suggestions.
 
Good luck! Sooo many choices ... :)

Since you don't have a chance to handle them, read a bit more and ask questions. After a while, you'll get a better idea of what you will like. One thing I used to do is find a picture of a knife and its measurements, and draw it on a piece of paper to life-size. Then I would put my hand over it, or even cut it out and hold it to get a better idea of the ergonomics.

For suggestions: eventually you will find a Swiss Army Knife useful. I don't always carry a big knife, but I put a Victorinox Farmer in my pocket every day. I also carry a Spyderco Military, but the Para-Military might be a better size for you.

The Endura or Delica is always a good choice. (Make drawings to scale of both to see which fits your hand best.) There is a reason these are long-term flagship models.
 
I've had a lot of fun over the years researching and buying progressively more expensive and more refined knives. I think you have to do a gradual progression with your collection so you can get a feel for what you like (and need - so many of us don't necessarily need what we buy). The standard answer here is "buy a Sebenza", but I argue that you will not have an appreciation for that $400 knife until you've owned and carried some $35-$50 knives.

That being said - I think I could probably get thru life with a good slipjoint and a sharpening kit.

If you have the chance and the means - go to a few knife shows so you can handle different ones.

If you are not proficient at sharpening a knife, you might want to start with the tenacious and move up when you get better. Theres nothing worse than ruining the blade on a good knife.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Good luck! Sooo many choices ... :)

Since you don't have a chance to handle them, read a bit more and ask questions. After a while, you'll get a better idea of what you will like. One thing I used to do is find a picture of a knife and its measurements, and draw it on a piece of paper to life-size. Then I would put my hand over it, or even cut it out and hold it to get a better idea of the ergonomics.

For suggestions: eventually you will find a Swiss Army Knife useful. I don't always carry a big knife, but I put a Victorinox Farmer in my pocket every day. I also carry a Spyderco Military, but the Para-Military might be a better size for you.

The Endura or Delica is always a good choice. (Make drawings to scale of both to see which fits your hand best.) There is a reason these are long-term flagship models.
Click to expand...


great idea, i will definitely use it,
 
my two favorites are my Gayle Bradly and my Stretch zdp. if id of had those prior to my endura or tenacious... i like the endura but ergos of the stretch are way better. the tenacious is a fine work knife, mine gets used often though doesnt see pocket time and is more of a around the house utility knife. The GB is the best cutter, best built best steel best looking knife i own, the zt0300 i have is second not the best cuttter but the most badass.
 
You refer to the Endura, which is a modern classic, but its more recent sibling the Stretch is in my opinion the spiritual successor of the Endura. It is tremendously comfortable in the hand and an excellent allround performer. I'd suggest skipping Tenacious and Endura, and then depending on your budget pick a VG-10 Stretch, or a ZDP steel Stretch, or the absolute luxury which is the ZDP steel and carbon fiber handle Stretch.

People also mentioned a SAK, I concur, for now pick an affordable alox-handled SAK such as the Pioneer or the Farmer and you'll enjoy it for many years, also while saving up to a high end folder.
 
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