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Knife models/qualities

E

evasion

Joined
Apr 14, 2000
Messages
123
Hey guys, this is my first post! I'm so excited!

I am looking to buy a locking folder for general all purpose use and self-defence if the situation arises. My price range under $150. I would really appreciate it if you guys could recommend me a good model and/or a url. If not, could you give me some tips on what to look for when buying a knife. How can I tell if it is a quality knife, how it will perform, etc. Thanks.
 
It's not spoken of much here any longer but an AFCK is a very good knife for your needs.
kEep an eye in the for sale forum they pop up there.
 
The Benchmade 710 axis lock and the REKAT Carnavour rolling lock knife both with sub-4" blades, g-10 handles, and stainless steel liners, come to mind.

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You could put nacho cheese sauce on it...
 
Welcome to the mix Lad,
You just asked the "$64,000" question. I'm sure there will be a wide spectrum of answers.

Since you asked the question, I must assume that you don't have a great deal of experience in the world of knives. I also assume that your price is in Canadian. Since it isn't high I'm also assuming that you are on a fairly tight budget.

That said, I have a few recomendations: 1) A standard Buck #110 Folding Hunter. These are priced low enough that you can try one to see how it feels to you to carry around. It is common enough that even the RCMP boys usually don't give it a second look. It holds an edge fairly well, but is easy to sharpen, an important point for a newby. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to sharpen a knife for the first time and most of the new wonder steels don't help any. Then it weighs more than most of the latest High Tech offerings, you may like it, you may not, but it doesn't cost alot. Nothing like spending big bucks only to find that the knife that was soooo great in the store has become the blade from hell.
Another knife that might interest you would be a Spyderco Endura, again pretty good steel, it's much lighter than the Buck and has a pocket clip, which you may or may not like. This also applies to the Cold Steel Brand of folders. Now I say this with the Idea in mind that you could buy one of each for the collective price of $150 C. Each is enough different that you can get a feel for some of the style differences and beable to refine your prefferences, before moving upscale in knives. I listed only sterdy lockbacks because "I" think they are safer for someone just getting into the knife world and ther is less chance of biting yourself, that using a linerlock when you're not even acustomed to using a folding knife.

Now I've made some gross assumptions here and if I'm wrong at any point, I'm sorry, but you didn't leave much information to work with.
Luck to ya,
Dan
 
I'd recommend anything by Spyderco that you like or you could go all out and get what has pushed out a few others of mine: REKAT Carnivour. Great blade shape, a handle that fits many hands like the proverbial glove. Also, the Rolling Lock is hard to beat.
 
1) Look at your local laws. - I'm sure most of us are going to recommend knives that are illegal in your country. If you decide to carry one anyway.......

2) What are your real world everyday uses going to be?

3) Check out Spyderco, Benchmade, Al Mar (I like the Eagle), and Colombia River. Do some keyword searches on the forums on models you are interested in to see what past opinions and reviews have been like.

Good call on the Buck, Dan K!

[This message has been edited by the4th (edited 04-14-2000).]
 
Thanks for the feedback! I'm suprised how many new topics were posted in only a couple of hours and how fast the responses were.

I'll try to give you guys a bit more information to work with. I don't have alot of experience with knives, right now i own a Schrade stockmen 3 blade, a swiss (I think you guys call them SAK's so i assumed it stood for Swiss Army Knife correct me if i'm wrong) and a cheap $20 lockback that won't sharpen or hold an edge for longer than 2 minutes. Boy did I ever learn my lesson on buying cheap knives. I will be using the knife for everyday purposes such as cutting rope, boxes, self-defence. But when I go on hunting and camping trips I'd like to be able to take it with me. This would be my first 'real' lockback and I'd like to start developing some knife expertise. Also, what do you guys do with your knives? I mean, I live in the city and its hard to find things to do with my knives besides just carrying them on me. I love using them and I wish I could use them all the time. I did a bit of knife throwing and read some whittling books. That helped me spend some time with knives. Any suggestions? Thanks!
 
Bang for the buck, you can't beat a Buck. The 110 Folding Hunter sounds like it will do everything on your list - for a lifetime. While not as fast opening as "one-handers" it is a sturdy knife that will stand up to years and years of rugged use. If the weight bothers you on the 110, consider the lighter, yet more expensive 560 XLTi Titanium. For the price its hard to beat a 110 Folding Hunter. You can also visit buckknives.com and see Petes "custom" knife shop where you can get a 110 with BG-42 blade steel and a variety of slabs.

The Buck Odyssey (181,182) or several Spydercos are lighter and can be opened with one hand, if that is important to you.

I like a partially serrated blade (near the hinge) with most of the blade being plain. For most uses, a plain end is more practical but for rope and cardboard, serrated is nice. Serrated is also a little trickier to sharpen properly.

Like wine, a really low price usually means poor quality, but a really high price doesn't always mean great quality.

Let us know how you make out.
 
Boker Walter Brend Tactical. Brend knows his stuff. VERY reasonable price for a knife w/ titanium bolsters and liner. G-10 and an awesome liner-lock that's 2nd to none. I think I paid only around 80 for it.

If you live in the city, like me, a Wharnecliff point (real pointy) blade knife is very handy to have. I guess I'm also assuming you're a student or office type person, since you didn't mention that you were going to use it at work. This type of knife (esp Spyderco's Celefont) comes in very handy for cutting paper (very strait lines) or picking things out of tight places. And it's great for slicing food too.

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EdRozen-On the cutting edge of finding out what the cutting edge is....

[This message has been edited by edrozen (edited 04-14-2000).]
 
Check out Cold Steel's line of Voyager lockbacks. These are at least as reliable as liner locks. They come in 3", 4", and 5" models, with plain, serrated, or half-serrated edges. I would recommend half-serrated for general purposes, but plain is supposed to cut just fine anyway! As a beginner, you should ignore exotic blade shapes, like their tanto, and go for a clip point.

You can see their knives and prices on their Special Projects website http://www.ltspecpro.com and even order on-line. (I just did -- no problem.)
 
I would have emailed this to you but your email isn't listed. An excellent, excellent, all purpose hard use folder (and for everything else) would be the CS Voyager series, personally I own the large voyager clip point, but the shape and size is your choice. Also, an awesome knife is the Outdoor edge magna. You won't be let down by any of my suggestions on this whole thread, although the least expensive is CS, and while it's not much to look at, it will work as hard as (if not harder than) every other knife mentioned on this thread so far. And there are lots of folks around here who will second that opinion.

OH, and why are you limiting yourself to a lockback? I never look at the lock mechanism until after I've decided I like the feel and/or look of a knife. Again, any of the knives mentioned in this thread will hold up very well. Best of luck to you

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EdRozen-On the cutting edge of finding out what the cutting edge is....
 
You can get nice prices and lots of information about knives from one of our forum's stars, Chai Cutlery at http://www.chaicutlery.com and also get a look at many different makers' knives. I second all recommendations of Buck and Spyderco. Lots of reasonably priced general purpose models from both companies. Kershaw has some of the best bargains and some of the most beautiful new knives out there. Both my Kershaws stay sharp no matter what I use them for (kitchen, garden, and on the trail.)

What can you do with a knife in the city? Chop vegetables. Carve a roast. Slice bagels. I'm serious: using a good blade around the kitchen will teach you a lot about how it handles, and it will challenge the edge enough to teach you how to maintain it.

As for self-defense, I read some Scandinavian maker on that: Knives aren't for killing people; they're to pin him to the wall while you run and get your axe ... You want self-defense, wear a good pair of sneakers, or carry a shillelagh.
 
I agree with above posts that anything from Spyderco can be checked out. I also like the CRKT line for both high quality and relatively low cost. The M-16 model with Zytel handle and spear point blade is a good choice, and there will be new models coming soon as well.

Spyderco's Endura, Cold Steel's clip point Voyager in 3 different sizes to choose from, Buck 110 or 112, Spyderco Wayne Goddard Lightweight, also look into Kershaw's line.
Jim
 
I think I gotta throw in with Stompy on this one. With the recently introduced super strong axis lock and an M2 tool steel blade, the Benchmade 710HS sports a combination of features that is tough to beat for the money.

The Kershaw/Ken Onion Random Task is another good value featuring a CPM440V blade, but I don't know if the "Speed Safe" mechanism is a no no in the Great White North.

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Semper Fi
 
Wow, again thanks for the responses. So far all the recommended knives look great. How the hell should i choose between them? What other type of locking mechanisms are there besides the lockback? I think i'm missing something here..what are liner locks(the outdoor edge magna has this one i think)?
 
Hey guys I'm back again
biggrin.gif

I've been surfing all night trying to pick a knife keeping in mind your suggestions and this is what I have so far:
1) Buck #110 lockback
2) Syderco Endura
3) Spyderco Wayne Goddard Lightweight
4) Outdoor edge magna
5) Cold Steel's voyageur large clip blade

Each of these knives are in my price range. Maybe I'll pick two or three :]

I would really appreciate it if you guys could give me your opinions on these 5 knives and maybe point out some advantages/disadvantages, strengths/weaknesses of these knives
Thanks for all your help.
 
I'd recommend spending $100 for your knife, and save $50 for learning, say buying how-to videos, accessing bladeforums.com, and buying hone(s). A knife isn't ever sharp without honing, and the edge doesn't work without knowledge and / or experience. Experience cannot be bought by money, but others can...
All the experts here who know much better than I will give nice answer also about howtos.



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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
Evasion,

Welcome to the forums. While there are exceptions, generally you get what you pay for with a knife. Here are a few thoughts.

Most knife knuts tend to appreciate better quality knives as they progress. So my advice is that quality is nearly always more satisfactory than quantity. I always recommend a knife buyer get the best he can afford rather than spend money on a lot of less expensive knives. I have lots of customers who have given away or sold all kinds of knives and left themselves with a few higher end knives that they really use and appreciate. The same thing has happened to me.

So I'd suggest either blowing your budget on one superior product or just buying one knife that's more modest. If you do the latter you can wait, watch, listen and learn. Your tastes will become apparent pretty quickly and you'll be able to decide what really turns you on and buy it without having spent money on several products that didn't really satisfy.

The knives on your list would all make good candidates for a first choice but they are very different from one another. That means your tastes haven't really developed yet. Pick one for now and be patient. It will all come together. Remember-what matters is what you like not what others like. There are as many preferences as there are knife knuts.

And there are fashions, too, in the knife industry. Lots of features and design elements bear more on fashion than on utility. That's why there are so many knives available. Be patient. Take care.



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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
1) Buck #110 - One of the all-time great folding knives. It's a classic, but its design is outdated now.
2) Spyderco Endura - One of the great modern folding knives. I'd personally recommend this one.
3) Spyderco Wayne Goddard Lightweight - A good knife, but a bit too lightweight for general use.
4) Outdoor Edge Magna - I haven't handled one of these, but I've heard good things about them.
5) Cold Steel's Voyageur large clip blade - Another good knife. Solidly built and very usable. However, it's blade steel and clip are a step below the Endura's.

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Cerulean

"Just because some folks think you make great kydex sheaths doesn't make you into some sort of mind reading psychologist." -Paracelsus

[This message has been edited by cerulean (edited 04-15-2000).]
 
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