Knife models/qualities

[Kevin Wilkins]

How about the Spyderco Wegner?

Benchmade AFCK is also an excellent knife.

Be sure and pick up the Razor Edge Guide to Sharpening. It's the best book on knife sharpeneing that I've ever read.

------------------
Totally new website!
http://www.wilkins-knives.com

 

[James Y]

Here is my take on some of your listed knives:

Spyderco Endura:
Excellent mid-to-low-priced knife, good edge geometry, needle-sharp tip, decent size, light weight, reversible pocket clip.
Weakness: Possible weakness at base of clip if it catches on something...remote but possible.

Buck 110:
Very solidly-built, time-proven, great edge geometry/fine tip.
Weakness: Heavy weight, thickness.

Cold Steel Voyager clip point:
Razor-sharp edge, extra-solid lockback mechanism (similar to the Spydercos), comfortable handle. (New versions have better handle ergonomics and steel pocket clip.
Weakness: Older versions have integral plastic pocket clip, which is more brittle.

Spyder Goddard Lightweight:
Combo straight/serrated edge, drop point blade (resulting in a sharp yet more solid tip strength), integral hand guard, reversible clip.
Weakness: Same possibility of clip stripping out the base as the Endura, also remote. Handle is much longer than blade, could be advantage/disadvantage depending on your taste. Combo edge only.

Outdoor Edge Magna:
Very solid, smoothly operating, excellent edge geometry. (I don't own one, but have handled a couple). Of the five knives it's the only liner lock.
Weakness: Only one I could detect is POSSIBLY the weight/size (might be a bit big?) for a daily carry.

For a while I've not liked the looks of the Magna, but the more I hear, and from my limited handling of it, I would definitely consider adding one to my own list. You could buy one of the above knives (best to handle in person to decide by feel), and due to reasonable price/high quality, you won't be afraid to really use whatever knife(s) you pick. It's probably just myself, but I would be hesitant to take a $200-plus knife out and use it hard.
Jim

 

[SALTY]

I would not say no to any of the 5 selected but, yow you will carry the knife eneters into this equation.

If you are carrying mostly in a belt sheath and occaisionally in your pocket, hands down the "outdated" (like an axe, horse or campfire?) 110 wins hands down. Time proven wwas the best words. Its rugged and comes from a company that's 100%

Endura : I have one of these and carry it frequently with dress clothes because of its light weight. IMO, the blade, especially at the tip is nowhere as strong as the 110's and the locking mechanism, again, IMO is the poorest of the choices.

Outdoor edge has a good reputation, but am not familar with their products.

Cold steel voyager is good value for the money but your tastes and sophistication of selection may outgrow it soon.

How the knife will be used and carried needs to be considered lest you break a wimpy knife in rugged use or stop carrying a heavier knife because you don't like the weight and your dress style does not lend itself to a belt sheath.

Stick with reputable manufacturers that stand behind their product, especially if this is going to be an everyday user.

 

[shivey]

For utility/defense, lock strength, appearance, $value (around $100 online), quality construction, ergonomics and style...
the BM 750 Pinnacle is hard to beat. I usually recommend a newbie to buy the best knife he can afford - within reason - get comfortable with it, USE it, and let that knife serve as the standard to which his inevitable future knife-purchases will be measured.

 

[clip point]

Or, you could call up SMKW and order a Spyderco Standard for like 42.00 or a Rookie in G-10 for 39.00. Great values, IMHO.

clip

 

[evasion]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I've learned ALOT about knives in the past couple of days. I must have spent a total of 12 hours reading about different knives

What does CRKT stand for?

As I've been looking through product lines of different companies the BM axis lock line look really good. Some people have commented on the lack of strength in the Endura and this has turned me off of it. The buck 110 seems like a great choice except it is a bit outdated. Any more suggestions? Thanks again!

 

[shivey]

Columbia River Knife and Tool: producers of under-priced, high quality knives. They manufacture their knives in Taiwan, thus, cutting costs. They've just released some new models that are worthy of your investigating. As for the BM axis-locks, they're all great knives. I owned a 710 and sold it because I didn't think BM did a good job on the G10 scales. But I'm probably too picky. I bought a 720 with the aluminum handle, and am very pleased. Some of my other favorites that you may wish to research reviews on are the BM Stryker in M2 tool steel, and the Spyderco Wegner and Starmate. Also, please bear in mind that all the knives I've mentioned open and close with one hand....the Endura and Buck 110 (both good knives) do not.

 

[Biginboca]

I would give the Spyderco Wegner and Starmate a very close look. According to these forums, Benchmade's quality seems to be pretty hit or miss these days. But you NEVER hear anyone knocking Spyderco's quality.

My Large Wegner has remained a favorite in my collection for three years and stacks up nicely against knives costing twice as much. Of all the knives mentioned it's the one I would go for and definitely my favorite knife around $100. Once you have handled one you will probably ask yourself why anyone would spend any more on a knife. It's very solid and fits the hand perfectly!

Take Care,
Al

 

[Stompy]

For knives that can be found at around $100..I will second the mention of the Benchmade Pinnacle and 720 Pardue Axis Lock.

Honestly, for someone new to knives who wants simplicity, ease of cleaning, lightweight, lock strength, and ATS-34 blade steel--you can't go wrong with the Pinnacle. I've even seen them for around $75 on occasion.

Of course, all of the Sebenza fanatics could post here and at you to buy a Sebenza and how it's worth the extra dough..it's not worth 4-times the money though.

------------------
You could put nacho cheese sauce on it...

 

[Walt Welch]

The above recommendations are worthy of your consideration, and the knives mentioned all have good reputations. I might say that the Buck 110 is available in BG-42 steel, the same bearing steel that is used in the Sebenza, which might interest you.

One factor not mentioned in the above posts, however, is that different people often favor different ergonomics. It is important for you to try out the knives and see how they feel in your hand. Some people (like me) simply cannot use the Spyderco hole as well as a thumb stud or thumb disc. While you are seeing how you like the feel, check the action of the knife. It should be smooth and open without hesitation, roughness, or a gritty feeling. If it doesn't, don't count on it getting better with time.

While you are at it, see how the knife feels in your pocket, assuming that is where you are going to be carrying it. Knives come in two types of carry position, tip up and tip down. While there are proponents of each style, tip down carry for me is preferred, as the knife will not cut you if the blade opens slightly in your pocket.

Once you decide what you want, I would suggest checking with Jim Mattis of Chai Cutlery. Ordering from him has three advantages: he is a gentleman of high integrity, he personally inspects each knife for quality and performance, and he includes with the knife a check for 10% of the purchase price made out to your favorite charity. His prices, BTW, are competitive.

Pick up a Tuf-Cloth while you are at it. It will protect the steel of your knife better than almost anything else.

Hope this helps, 'Sebenzanista' Walt

 

[Bronco]

We certainly have amassed a nice selection of very capable, affordable folders thus far. And Walt's point is well taken. We can readily comment on the various pros and cons of blade steels and locking mechanisms, but if it doesn't feel right in your hand, you're not going to be happy with it in the end. I highly recommend you make a list of some of the above offerings that appeal to you, and then make the effort to handle as many as possible before making your decision.

I'll also recommend again that your list be sure to include the Benchmade 710HS. I've seen some knives mentioned in this thread that feature locking mechanisms which are perhaps in the same league as the axis lock (i.e. REKAT), and I've seen some brands mentioned with blade steels that may approximate the level of performance of M2 (i.e. a few Spyderco models), but I have yet to see one offering that combines both of these features in one package (like the 710HS). Just my take.

------------------
Semper Fi

 

[evasion]

Wow. The more reviews I read the more confused on what knife to choose I get!
I've been narrowing my choices down and I've now come up with these knives:

Benchmade AFCK, Benchmade 710, Benchmade 750, and the Starmate.

Each of these knives had great reviews.

One thing about the BM's that worries me is the grind on the knife. From what I've been reading that grind gives a strong edge but it doesn't get as sharp and wouldn't hold an edge as long. The starmate has a hollow grind but uses 440V steel instead of the ATS-34 that the BM's use. Hrm. It's tough being a new guy

Which one of these knives would be the easiest to sharpen?

Any suggestions on this issue? Thanks.

 

[Bronco]

Evasion, a couple of comments regarding your last post.

1.- First, and most important, relax

. All the folders you've mentioned are excellent folders and I feel represent a good value. Find one that fits your hand well and I don't think you could go wrong with any of 'em.

2- Don't assume that all Benchmades have ATS-34 blades. Most large companies' catalogs offer knives in a variety of steels. Of the knives you've mentioned, both the AFCK and the 710 can be had with M2 blades. M2 is a high speed tool steel which is much more common in the custom knife industry than in production blades, and offers improved performance over ATS-34 in terms of edge retention and toughness. It is not, however, the equal of ATS-34 where corrosion resistance is concerned which is why you see Benchmade offering their BT2 coating on these blades. I would say that CPM440V bests both of these in edge retention, but is probably not as tough as M2, nor as corrosion resistant as ATS-34. Blade steels are all about compromises. Gents- if I'm off base here please step in.

3.- As you spend more time on these forums, you'll learn (as I have) that the knowledgeable folks who contribute here are very precise when describing exactly which specific aspects of a blade are responsible for which measures of performance. Again, to use your latest post as an example, most would argue that edge retention is more the product of a steel's composition, and less attributable to a blade's geometry. On the other hand, a blade's geometry can have everything to do with how "easily" a particular blade can cut. So, except in extreme cases, edge retention is going to be less affected by blade geometry and more affected by a steel's composition. Once you've grasped that concept, then you can move on to understanding how strength and toughness in a blade are often inversely proportional

.
I should probably also mention that there are some here who would contend that this is all much to do about nothing as ATS-34, M2 and CPM440V are all modern steels which, when properly heat treated, exhibit more than acceptable levels of edge retention, toughness, etc., etc., for most normal chores.
Bottom line- edge retention is a legitimate concern because it is largely a product of the type of steel you purchase. "Ease of cutting" is less so, because, as was mentioned previously, you can modify the blade's edge through your sharpening technique to suit your preference. The best advice I can give is to use the forum's search function and keep reading the old "best steel" threads and other similar discussions. Before long you may even start to understand the Charpy v-notch test. There's an amazing amount of knowledge and info stored in here.

------------------
Semper Fi

 

[Q-ball]

I would recommend a couple of knives. Either a Benchmade 730 Ares, or a Benchmade 910 Stryker. The 910 has a great blade shape for strength, and the handles are VERY comfortable. The 730 has a great look, great blade shape, and one of the smoothest actions, and locks on the market today. Honestly any knife from Benchmade is great, and is worth the money. If you look hard enough, you can find "most" Benchmades fro under $150.00. I personally carry the 9100SBT which is the 910 Stryker, in an automatic version. It is a GREAT knife!
CHECK OUT www.benchmade.com
Or my website has pictures, and links to Benchmade.. Hope this helps

------------------
Matt
If you are not living on the edge, then you are taking up to much room!
AKTI member# A000233
NKCA member# 33662 http://www.geocities.com/qballhk40

[This message has been edited by Q-ball (edited 04-17-2000).]

 

[evasion]

I have another quick question. I read two reviews on the AFCK and they said that the knife blade was supposed to be 99mm but it was actually 103mm or 104mm or something along those lines of the knife being over the 4" mark when it wasn't supposed to be. Does this mean that it is like this on every AFCK or just on these particular knives? I'm not sure what the knife laws are in my area. I need to check that tonight. It must be on a webpage somewhere