Looking for a knife to last a lifetime.

Lots of great recommendations.
The Kershaw Junkyard Dog and JYD-II fit the bill too.
 
Full flat ground Sage 2 with an OPEN SPINE! Easy to clean, and very cool to boot! For a larger blade the Spyderco Endura is ridiculously nice for its price. It's a very big blade 3.7 inch and 8 3/4" full open, that's great for big guys. It's giant and kinda thick bladed, yet can slice as if it were a thin bladed Opinel or slip joint which is what is nice about those FFG blades.
 
Buck 110 and 112 come to mind. Not exactly sure on their blade lengths, but they should be close. Well under $120 as well.
 
bob124 said:
Meh .. my lock broke on my 110, it is now useless :grumpy: and don't like it, it's pure junk.. maybe it's a fake.. :confused:
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did you get it from a reputable dealer?

If it is a real Buck, send it to them and they'll fix it.
 
My dad used a plastic handled Victorinox Tourist knife for over 25 years. It still had life left when i bought him a new one. That's a $20 knife.
 
First off, you can buy the suggested knives in this thread online. I wouldn't bother trying to find the particular brand/model in a store, unless you happen to be near a big knife store. Bladeforums has very strict rules that prohibit mentioning retailers unless they pay for membership and I never know who is on the 'good' list here. But you can google online knife retailers easily.

My opinion is that you will not have much trouble with production knives in your price range lasting long enough that it's as good as a lifetime.

No matter what, though, they'll get dirty. Fact of life. If you want the ultimate in easy to clean, then consider a fixed blade. Otherwise, set aside an old toothbrush for the occasional cleaning with dish soap and you'll be in good shape.

I would not recommend carbon steels. I pay attention to my knives and I've still had rust issues. I would stick with stainless. Coated stainless, even better.

You want it to be easy to sharpen. Someone suggested D2 but that's a nightmare for me and I know I'm not the only one. Some of the cheaper stainless steels would actually be a good fit for you. They need to be sharpened more often but they sharpen up again quick.

Also as far as ease of sharpening, I would avoid serrations. Short term they would probably work great for some of your uses but they do dull eventually and who wants to figure out what to do about that. You can sharpen a straight edge for the rest of your knives' lifetimes using an upturned coffee cup.

Echoing comments here about companies that have unusually good warranties. You're actually looking to spend a fair bit of money, and you should require great customer service and no-hassle replacement policies. I've had direct and positive experience with KA-BAR, Leatherman, and ESEE.

I think you should avoid the suggested Opinels. I love them and own several, but the first time you stick it under the faucet to wash it off, the handle swells, and you can never close it again... you'll wish you had your nine bucks back.

For your 3" blade, I recommend KA-BAR's #4082 "Phat Bob". It is a nice looking knife imo designed by a legend, has a reversible clip and thumb stud for lefty or righty, a sturdy liner lock, thick steel liners, sturdy micarta handle scales, pronounced jimping for a great grip. The blade is hollow ground which makes it very slicy. KA-BAR has a great warranty and CS. Stainless uncoated. Less than $50.
KA-4082.jpg


For your larger knife, I recommend KA-BAR's #3050 "Mule". This thing is big and bad ass designed by someone who should be a legend. Also reversible for lefty and righty, lockback, plastic and rubber handles, 3 7/8" blade hollow ground and coated, generous handle size. Comes with a nice nylon sheath. Be careful when ordering... while it's nice that the handles come in black, tan, and bright green, some models only come with a partially serrated edge and tanto points. Stick with the clip point. Some models are made in Taiwan; these are what you want. Avoid the ones made in China. Less than $50.
ka3050.jpg


Off topic, but I also hope you follow the suggestions here and work a multitool into this collection if you don't already have some. Swiss Army knives or Leatherman tools are incredibly useful.

Please tell us what you end up buying.
 
Fanglekai said:
My dad used a plastic handled Victorinox Tourist knife for over 25 years. It still had life left when i bought him a new one. That's a $20 knife.
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amazing how your fathers generation made things last or carried things alot longer than our generation, so it seems. we get tired of using a knife after 2 weeks before we're ordering another one. maybe too materialistic these days? :confused:
 
cards94 said:
amazing how your fathers generation made things last or carried things alot longer than our generation, so it seems. we get tired of using a knife after 2 weeks before we're ordering another one. maybe too materialistic these days? :confused:
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I'm sure if you found a knife knut from generations past, that person would be no different than us. The average knife owner probably put no thought into the thing and once he/she owned something that functioned, had no reason to get another one. I don't think its any different today, in fact no different than the OP.

And I will say that despite having a somewhat large collection and drooling over pictures of new toys every day, my GEC #33 for EDC and Wave for heavy work are pretty much all I use, week in and week out.
 
BRL said:
I'm sure if you found a knife knut from generations past, that person would be no different than us. The average knife owner probably put no thought into the thing and once he/she owned something that functioned, had no reason to get another one. I don't think its any different today, in fact no different than the OP.

And I will say that despite having a somewhat large collection and drooling over pictures of new toys every day, my GEC #33 for EDC and Wave for heavy work are pretty much all I use, week in and week out.
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I think i might hang around here and learn more about how things are made manufactured and function. But i don't have much interest in making further purchases after the things i just ordered come in.
 
Ipistol said:
I think i might hang around here and learn more about how things are made manufactured and function. But i don't have much interest in making further purchases after the things i just ordered come in.
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You made some great choices with the Spyderco knives! Definitely stick around, it's a great place to learn about all things knives and there are great people here. But I must warn you, even though you think now you don't have much interest in more purchases, you hang around here much and you may very well start to want all sorts of new knives!
 
How old are you? "Last a lifetime" can easily apply to any knife if you don't leave it in the mud or rain and/or don't sharpen (and slowly wear out) the blade. I've been out there now for 50 years with knife in pocket and typically what happens is; lost/misplaced/thievery, and every once in awhile, genuinely 'worn out'. Because worn-out is very last on the list I view cost and availability (along with durability and usefulness) as most important. You can't go wrong with Victorinox as long as you stay away from frivolous features to keep it simple. And buy two while you're at it; feels good to know you have a known spare for that rare occasion that some SOB lifts it or it is accidentally lost.
Problem with carrying around Yuppie/fantasy expensive 'display/collector' knives is you are afraid to scratch or use them and that entirely defeats the purpose of having a knife.
 
300Six said:
Problem with carrying around Yuppie/fantasy expensive 'display/collector' knives is you are afraid to scratch or use them and that entirely defeats the purpose of having a knife.
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Yup, a man truly into knives really should have a well worn and cared for knife in his pocket. That's why the OP looking for a knife to last a lifetime is refreshing because I assume he meant a knife to be used over a lifetime. Often though I see some guys being more like bass, running after the next shiny object with their last having not even lost any of its shine, and that's with knives, guns, watches, and other gear.
 
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leghog said:
Yup, a man truly into knives really should have a well worn and cared for knife in his pocket. That's why the OP looking for a knife to last a lifetime is refreshing because I assume he meant a knife to be used over a lifetime. Often though I see some guys being more like bass, running after the next shiny object with their last having not even lost any of its shine, and that's with knives, guns, watches, and other gear.
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Been using my stainless police all weekend and I really like it. For such a big knife it feels really nice and slim in my pocket. It came nice and sharp and feels great in my hand. While watching youtube videos people comment that it might slip if you try to stab with it but I really don't ever intend to use it for anything like that.

My wife took the dragonfly with her to work today so I'll let you guys know what she thinks.

I haven't used the delica yet but it feels to be of good quality despite having plastic type handles.

I love the feeling of the stainless police though it feels like quality to me and in my eyes is worth every penny of the 98$+5 shipping I got it for.

Also on a non relavent side note. The box is came in is kind of interesting and I like it. I don't usually save boxes but I think I will keep this one.
 
Thanks for the update! I think you am some good choices, those are good knives. But what really matters is what YOU think of the knives you bought. If you like them then it was a good purchase! I know you said that you won't be buying more, but after a while the itch will return and you will be back for more. (From experience!)
 
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