Let me introduce myself with a cheap knife...

Atomic Zero

Atomic Zero

Joined
Oct 11, 2001
Messages
475
First off, it's really nice to read through a forum and find a courteous and friendly atmosphere. You don't find that often in the internet cesspool.

Anyway, I found these forums a few days back in my search for a big a knife as a complement to the little pocket knife I've had for years. I used to go camping frequently when I was younger, but I'm going to be taking the first camping trip with my new wife and I don't want to look like a dumbass.

A co-worker lent/gave me a knife and told me to keep it, but I don't know much about it. From a bit of research, the brand is Sigma or Sigma Impex. They sell the same brand at eknifeworks, but not the same knife. My first impression of it is that it is HUGE. I don't know much about knives, but it's almost impractically huge. Although it's heavy and purty, it seems kinda cheap. You guys think this thing will snap in half the first time I take a full swing with it? This is the dumbass factor I'm trying to avoid.

Sorry this was a bit long, but knives are really beginning to fascinate me now. I've always carried one, but I never saw them more than a tool. One look at Himalayan Imports' product line got me thinking that they're more than just tools; they can be beautiful as well.

Thanks in advance,
Butch
 
Easy way to avoid looking silly.

First time you use it for anything other than spreading butter. Say "well this thing was given to me, looks kinda cheap, lets see what it can do". If it then breaks, you can just say "yep thats what I thought". Now instead of looking silly, you look like you know what yer doing. If it works without the snap, just act pleasently surprised.
 
Heh, she hates my co-workers anyway. Even if I looked like a liar, she'd conveniently look the other way.

Whacking is probably all it's good for, anyway. I could butter the whole loaf in one pass with this beast.

Thanks,
Butch
 
I looked up Sigma products on eknifeworks after reading your post, I don't think the blade will break. I think the edge will deform horribly when you strike an even moderately hard piece of wood, then be next to impossible to put a decent edge on it, even the undamaged areas. The handle might liberate itself as well. I suggest you price some of the knives discussed in the forums and compare to what Sigma blades sell for, I hope you're prepared for the shock :) (99 cent folders, fellas!) Seriously, that is not the type of knife to ask to do any real work, can't have you lookin' less than rugged outdoors with the new Missus, can we? :D
 
The knife is going into the storage closet. No wonder he couldn't wait to pawn it off on me.

When I was a kid, my older brother would use a machete he brought from the Philippines. I remember how sturdy it was, but it wasn't gigantic, either. What would be a good big knife that wouldn't weight as much as my head?
 
There are lots of knives out there that would fit your requirements. The big question is:

How much do you want to spend?:)


Joe
 
Under 100 bucks. I don't wanna break the bank, but if I'm gonna buy something I'll actually use, I might as well get something reliable. Is that a good price-point? Or am I fooling myself?
 
No, you're not fooling yourself. I would suggest that you look into getting a Spyderco knife if you want a decent folder for that kind of money. There are many different models available at that price point. In my experience, they give the most bang for the buck...

If you are looking for a cheap, durable, large fixed blade, a Kabar or Ontario in tool steel is hard to beat for relatively small change. But this is just my $.02 worth. I'm sure that many more forum members will be responding with suggestions. This will be a good basis. Then begin shopping for the style/size that most appeals to you.
 
Good to know. I'll look up Spyderco tomorrow morning, along with any other suggestions that are posted.

One thing that surprised me when I was looking through catalogs was that the prettier knives were, the cheaper they were. I think I'll throw out form in this contest (for once) and go for function;)
 
...and Camillus fixed blades, especially their CQB line for about $120.00-$125.00, Their Becker Knife and Tool line,or the Camillus Marine knife for about $40.00.
 
Good stuff?
Becker Magnum Camp. Designed by J. Fisk, national living treasure.
Or Cold Steel Recon Scout.
Or Newt Livesay's US Marshall. A little smaller, but my fave campsite chore knife.
All at or under a C-Note :)
 
The Cold Steel SRK is supposed to be one of the best all-around knives out there (in the price range.) I don't own one myself, but I have never heard anything negative said about that knife. As a matter of fact, everyone who commented about it said they LOVED it. And that says a lot here.

http://www.coldsteel.com
Price is $114.99
 
I gotta agree that if you are looking for good fixed blade, the Becker Knife and Tool Magnum Camp knife is incredibly hard to beat and it can be had for under $70!
If you are looking for a folder the choices are endless but a good inexpensive starter knife would be one of the Spydercos -OR- Gerber has several nice choices. The AR 3.0 can be had for $25 or the Air Ranger can be had for $35 and they are both great knives. The CRKT line is great for the money too!
My Favorite knife for the money is this one:
 

Attachments

  • gerberharsey1.jpg
    gerberharsey1.jpg
    45.4 KB · Views: 1,529
I think the Becker wins out. I already had the Magnum Camp bookmarked at Smoky Mountain. I was really concerned about size (story of my life), and this one seems perfect; not too big, not too wimpy. I think I'll get that and a quality folder. 150 should do it.

One last question:
Other than eknifeworks, what's a thorough website catalog that offers good price/performance? I know of ragweedforge, 1 stop, and knifecenter. Are these any good? What are some other good ones?

Thanks again,
 
Welcome to the forums!

I was going to suggest the Becker line as well, but you already have that covered!

For online dealers, go to 1sks. You support the forums by shopping there.
 
Atomic Zero,

After you get some sort of idea what you are looking for, go ahead and take a look at the offerings here at the "Knives For Sale" Forums. You might find yourself a great knife at a bargain price!.:).
 
Thanks for the welcome!

1sks rocks. The Magnum is seven bucks cheaper and they even have the SAK I was looking for at a better price.

Now that I have it narrowed down though, I think I'll check the FS/FT forums real quick.
 
IMO, if you're looking for a "big" folder that is lightweight, then you need to look no further than the Spyderco Military. They can usually be had for around $100. (I recently picked up a used serrated one on EBay that needed a little TLC for only $26!! Sent it in and Spyderco reground it for me and now it's in great shape)

For the longest time I wouldnt buy one because I thought they were too big but now that I own one I carry it all the time. All my other knives look too small now. I can carry it in my waistband and forget it's there. It really is a great knife.

Just my $0.02

--Matt
 
If you are looking for a good utility fixed blade for around $100 I would suggest the Falkniven A1. I did a lot of research before I bought my fixed blade last Thursday. I looked at opinions, reviews, actually learned a lot. I didn't get a Flakniven, but I spent a little more. Still it looks like it performed very well for that price.
 
I cound't find any Fallkniven knives at 1sks. Is there another brand name it's categorized under? I tried other dealers, but most of them are crap.

I was pretty set on the Becker line, but what about Ontario knives? I went to their site in a search for machetes, and they seem to have a pretty solid product line. In a quick search through this forum, the opinions seem kinda split. How solid is Ontario for camping purposes?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top