looking for my first good knife

A

avkrampy

Joined
May 11, 2010
Messages
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I am new to the knife world and am interested in getting a quality knife. I would like something with a 4 inch blade and a liner lock. I will use it for edc and i personally feel that it should look cool. I am looking to spend up to $50 dollars but i will go higher if its worth it. I hear the users here are very knowledgeable and hope you can give me some help. Much thanks in advance.
 
Well you are in luck! Check out the For Sale threads, Kershaw Guy has some steals on Zero Tolerance knives. He is in the For Sale By Dealer thread. Ask him about the "Blems". You can get a 0200 or 0350 dirt cheap. Since I am such a swell guy here is a few links to get you started.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655074
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=667765
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=717698
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=667747
 
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If your wanting to go higher with your budget, i would suggest, the spyderco military(4" blade and one of the best liner locks made) if your looking for something a little more rugged take a look at the Emerson CQC-8(4" blade and an awesome liner lock..also has the amazing wave feature:D) but these ones cost more than your budget, but are very solid choices! Keep your eye on the exchange here and you might just find something that strikes your fancy:D

Welcome to BFC!
 
"cool" is subjective. kershaw and spyderco will both come within your target budget. don't go by their online (msrp) prices though. many online shops sell for considerably less.
 
You might want to check out these retailers:

Knifeworks.com
Cutleryshoppe.com
Newgrahamknives.com
Knifecenter.com
 
+1 for Kershawguy. I picked up a new 0300 from him and he is a great guy to deal with.

He also had some really nice Kershaw JYDII blems a while back with SG2 blades at an unbelievable price.

The quality of the ZT line is second to none the only way to get a knife which may be better would be to buy a full custom.

One of the ZT 0200's would fill your requirements very very well.
 
avkrampy said:
I am new to the knife world and am interested in getting a quality knife. I would like something with a 4 inch blade and a liner lock. I will use it for edc and i personally feel that it should look cool. I am looking to spend up to $50 dollars but i will go higher if its worth it. I hear the users here are very knowledgeable and hope you can give me some help. Much thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I think that the Boker Plus Exskelibur 1 fits your requirements pretty well (around $53 if you shop around). If you want to see it in the hand, I made a little video review about it, which you can see HERE.
It offer that rare combination of being high-tech modern (rounded G10 handles, titanium liners) and timelessly elegant.

Otherwise, if you can live with other kinds of locks, then one of the best knife bargains at this moment is the backlocking Spyderco Endura, which come now with an excellent full flat ground blade and in various colours. Around $55 if you shop around. You can see my brown one HERE.
It's a high-performing no-nonsene knife that will last a long time. A mature evolution of a modern classic.

For higher prices a number of interesting other knives were posted above.
 
for about $50 you can find a 4" cold steel voyager (the older version, the new one is not out yet)...vg-1 steel, not a liner lock though...

4" blade at $50 is not going to be easy...
 
man...a RAT 1 folder is hard to beat IMO and would cost you about half your limit. I use the hell outta mine and it asks for more. Matter of fact i was weeding the yard the other day and i had some kind of stubborn deep rooted weeds that i used the knife to exterminate. didnt hurt it at all..

I have this one:

on8846.jpg


•Features
•4-Position Pocket Clip
•Reversible Thumb Stud
•AUS-8 Steel 57-59RC
•Open Post Construction
•Hardened Stainless Steel Liners
•Heavy-Duty Liner Lock
•Cutting Edge: 3.25 in
•Open Length: 8.6 in
•Closed Length: 5.0 in
•Weight: 5 oz

Touch shy of 4" blade but honestly it is enough...especially for a folder. A Buck Vantage Pro Small may work too... better steel

BU342BKS.jpg


smaller blade yet..but still...plenty IMO Vantage Pro Large has the same size blade as the RAT 1.

•Blade: 2 5/8" (6.7 cm), S30V stainless steel, drop point
•Thickness: 0.120"
•Length: 3 3/4" (9.5 cm), closed
•Weight: 2.3 oz. (65.2 g)
•Handle: CNC contoured black G10
•Clip: Stainless steel, reversible, discreet carry
•Made in USA
 
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You say higher if its worth it? There are some very nice knives out there that are fairly expensive but they are worth it. Striders, CRK, Hinderer, burchtree knives...and sooo many others that would make $200 dollar Spyderco's and Emersons look like pocket change. And to many they are worth it. For $50 you'd be able to find a good deal on a good knife, you should also look around look for carried ones on the exchane, the second hand market will allow you to snag something. Good quality built can be found relatively easily, you can't go wrong with benchmade, kershaw, spyderco, (not in any particular order), they all make economy lines. But in economy line you loose quality of the materials. You get cheaper steels, cheaper scales etc. Look around m8. Keep in mind that once you cross over $80-100 (real world prices) the knives go up a level, $250 another level, $400 is another level. You will see diminishing returns, but they are still getting better.
 
theedge13 said:
man...a RAT 1 folder is hard to beat IMO and would cost you about half your limit. I use the hell outta mine and it asks for more. Matter of fact i was weeding the yard the other day and i had some kind of stubborn deep rooted weeds that i used the knife to exterminate. didnt hurt it at all..

I have this one:

on8846.jpg


•Features
•4-Position Pocket Clip
•Reversible Thumb Stud
•AUS-8 Steel 57-59RC
•Open Post Construction
•Hardened Stainless Steel Liners
•Heavy-Duty Liner Lock
•Cutting Edge: 3.25 in
•Open Length: 8.6 in
•Closed Length: 5.0 in
•Weight: 5 oz

Touch shy of 4" blade but honestly it is enough...especially for a folder. A Buck Vantage Pro Small may work too... better steel

BU342BKS.jpg


smaller blade yet..but still...plenty IMO Vantage Pro Large has the same size blade as the RAT 1.

•Blade: 2 5/8" (6.7 cm), S30V stainless steel, drop point
•Thickness: 0.120"
•Length: 3 3/4" (9.5 cm), closed
•Weight: 2.3 oz. (65.2 g)
•Handle: CNC contoured black G10
•Clip: Stainless steel, reversible, discreet carry
•Made in USA
Click to expand...


Pretty impressive!!!
 
theedge13 said:
That Buck will be my next knife...pretty enamoured by it at the moment...
Click to expand...
They're really good knives for the price. I have both the Vantage Select Large and the Small. Very comfortable knives to carry and use. If you use them regularly for work as I do you should have a Sharpmaker or other sharpening touch-up system - you'll be sharpening it almost every day, as the 420HC is pretty soft. If that bothers you then spend more and go for the Vantage Pro with S30V steel. But then you're in a whole other price range and there's lots of competition to look at.

And of course that Ontario Rat 1 is really good for the price as well. I have one of those too.
 
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As you get deeper into the knife obsession, you won't have a problem getting stuff used on the Exchange. Lots of great deals on knives in great condition. Well below internet retail.

+1 on the RAT folder, it's a great folder. Also, +1 on the Buck Vantage Select.
 
Check out the Byrd line of knives, specifically the Catbyrd and the Caracara. The knives mentioned above are plenty good too.
 
I highly suggest you consider the spyderco endura 4. The endura is an outstanding knife and it falls within your budget and is just a hair short of 4 inches. It has vg-10 steel which I consider to be one of the better steels for an edc knife. Your also in luck, right now they are still selling the full flat ground enduras and delicas. For the price they are hard to beat. Good luck with your search and welcome to bladeforums.
 
You've come to the right place, if you want an education. I'd suggest waiting for a little while, so that you don't jump the gun, and end up with less than you want. Look around, read some of the review threads, sift through the retail sites, and then come back. If you find a brand/model you like, check out ebay for an idea of the going price, and then come back here and look for a deal on the Exchange forum.

You've just stepped into a whole new world, like falling down the rabbit hole. Without a guide, you could quickly lose your head (wallet!).

Welcome to our world! Stay awhile, and enjoy.

Daniel

As a recommendation, I'd suggest a Kershaw Leek with a combination blade, for starters, and then move up to the ZT line, or a limited Kershaw like the Tyrade, or a Junk Yard Dog II with combo steel blade.
 
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