Looking to buy a new knife and need advice.

J

Jdlaxer

Joined
Jul 7, 2011
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10
This is going to probably be a long post. I apologize in advance.

I have owned and carried pocket knives since I was very little. I always either carried a Buck or a Gerber and was very content with them. I recently started looking at some higher quality steals and was doing research on them and found out that Damascus steal looks really cool (although I have heard some bad things about it) and s30v is one of the best quality ones, for what I am looking for.

So I look into buying these and the name "Chris Reeves" keeps popping up everywhere, so I go to his website and there you have it, $400. As a poor college student I am going to have a hard time affording any of his knives, well, from his website at least.

My price range is capped at $150. I know you can get some good knives for that, but personally I don't have much experience with buying non-sports authority knives, so I don't want to spend all of that and get something I don't like or is a poor quality.

What I need out of my knife is general use. I cut through all sorts of things. Cardboard and paper, fruits and vegetables, Twine and string. I would need stain resistance for the acidics of the fruit, Edge Holdness is extremely important for me since I don't sharpen my knives all that often, Toughness for things like cardboard. A serrated edge is preferred, I need a clip and I don't like knives that have switches or buttons for the lock mechanism. Plastic is also one of those things I don't need..anywhere.

Also I carry in New York so it needs to be a folding knife with a blade at no longer than 6 inches. No gravity knives, no switchblades or ballistic knives.

I have been given suggestions of Spyderko and higher end Gerbers, but I thought I should ask people that really know what they are talking about. Thank you for your time. I will check back for responses regularly and give feedback on your comments.
 
Hello and welcome, Jdlaxer!

Spyderco makes some very nice blades in full-serration. Try looking at the Delica 4 or Salt 1 and see if either piques your interest.

Good luck! :)
 
I personally prefer a solid blade, if it has a hole in it I would like it to be thin and long instead of circular. Also I tend to like blades that are long and thin instead of short and thick. Closer to a long rectangle if you were to square of the tip.
 
Why do you like serrations? Plain edge knives can do all sensations can and mote much better. Serrations are hard to sharpen and suck at slicing.
 
Jdlaxer said:
I personally prefer a solid blade, if it has a hole in it I would like it to be thin and long instead of circular. Also I tend to like blades that are long and thin instead of short and thick. Closer to a long rectangle if you were to square of the tip.
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Sorry, I can't think of too many companies that offer full-serrations. Spyderco does them very well however, imo. You really ought to handle one and try to keep an open mind before dismissing 'em! :) But a preference is a preference, and if you can't find a fully-serrated blade you like elsewhere, I'd say you ought to stick with something in a full-flat grind plain edge instead... great slicers and you'll have many more options!

Maybe look at an Al Mar Ultralight Falcon. It is a very thin, classy-lookin' folder, fer sher...
 
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Chris Reeves is the innovator of the integral lock, also known as the frame lock. It's basically a beefed up version of the liner lock. So, it is possible to get a Chris Reeves inspired knife that isn't made by the actual man. I just picked up a Spyderco Sage 1, which is dedicated to Michael Walker, inventor of the liner lock (has liner lock, cf handles, s30v steel). There is also the Sage 2, which is dedicated to Chris Reeves and as such has an integral lock, titanium handles, and s30v steel on the blade. The Sage 2 falls well within your budget. However, the Sage knives are full flat ground, no serrations.

I also picked up a Paramilitary 2 sprint run which has a version of s90v called cts20cp, which in all reviews I've seen, performs identically to s90v which has even better edge retention than s30v. But again, no serrations. If serrations are a priority because you don't like to maintain your blades, investing in high quality steel doesn't make much sense. A dull blade is a dull blade, regardless of the material.

Either way, if you're upgrading to a high quality steel knife, you really should invest in a sharpening system. Again, without sounding like a fanboy, Spyderco has the Sharp Maker system, which is pretty nice and hard to beat at $50.

Good luck with your hunt.
 
You won't find CRK's brand new for less than what you see on his website--everyone licensed to sell them must keep the MAP.

Serrations are a pain to sharpen, it's much easier to sharpen a plain edge. Besides, for cardboard I've found that a plain edge works better anyways, especially if you get a knife in S30V.

I'd recommend maybe a Benchmade 940 or a 950. If you can get over your dislike of holes, I'd earnestly recommend the Spyderco Para 2 (the regular version in S30V runs at or under $100), and adding a Spyderco Sharpmaker (which you can find for around $45). The Sharpmaker has a very easy learning curve, and should keep your knife sharp for a long time until you get around to needing a re-beveling.
 
Go to knifeworks.com, choose the price range you want, pick one you like the most, you can't go wrong...

I agree with Keygenkid, full serration is not as practical as plain edge, I only buy it for the look.
 
Al Mar Ultralight Falcon
Benchmade 940 or a 950

Those are the recommendations I have liked so far. I really appreciate the input guys. I have been checking out all sorts of knives.

I do have a pretty serious affliction toward holes though. Also, What makes a blade black over white? I mean, I am sure it is the metal, but I prefer the look of a black blade. I just don't know if there is much of a difference.

I don't want or need full serrations, just having 1/2 blade or I think someone said 40%? Is good.
 
Blades can have different types of finishes or coatings. Most of the time when you see black blades they have some sort of DLC or some type of ceramic coating on the blade. In my experience I've found that it does nothing at all except cost more, and show wear more than satin/bead-blasted/stone-washed blades. Unless your knife is in a carbon steel, or a more rust-prone steel, then I'm personally against coatings. Aesthetically, YMMV.

Some people like partial serrations (a combo-edge), however the most prevalent sentiment on serrations on Bladeforums appears to be all or none--either go full serrations or full plain edged. I'd like to re-iterate that serrations are a BIG pain to sharpen, and in higher-end steels that pain is only going to become worse. Spyderco's fully serrated H1 knives test out at in the high 60's HRC-wise, and according to other members here their edges last a long time.

Again, a good sharp knife in plain edge can do a great deal many more things than a serrated combo-edge knife can. On the other hand, having a small run of serrations can be useful sometimes if you go for long periods of time in between sharpenings. After a while though, those serrations are going to wear down from use and sharpening, and they will need to be re-ground.

If you really want/need serrations I might recommend picking up two knives: one fully serrated and one with a full plain edge.
 
Most of the super steels that you see now are going to be hard to sharpen if you let it go completely dull. Your best option, and Klamp has already mentioned it:thumbup:, is to invest in a sharpner, and like he suggested, the Spyderco Sharpmaker is one of the best of it's type. I've found that it is much easier to keep the edge sharp than to let it get dull and then try to resharpen. When I use my knife/knives a couple days in a row, I'll come in and hit them 20 or 30 licks on my white stones (Sharpmaker) and bring the edge right back up.

You don't mention weight either way, so I'm going to suggest a ZT0200. It is a big knife and weighs 7.9 ounces, 4" X.157" blade, black G-10 handle scales. It is definately a do everything type of knife, though it may be a bit overkill for some folks. Take a look anyway and see what you think. Price is around $130.

I would consider a crock stick type sharpner though!:thumbup::)
 
If you are to buy a quality knife you must invest in a quality sharpener. I have the sharpmaker system and can vouch for it as an excellent setup sharpens everything with ease. As for knives, and excellent all-around knife is the benchmade mini griptilian http://www.benchmade.com/products/556. It has many configurations and should cover all of your general use needs. Benchmade has great Customer service, and my mini-grip finds itself in my pocket more often than not. The mini grip comes up down yonder on the exchange for around $50-60. The mini grip plus a sharpmaker should be well under your $150 budget cap. Hope this helps.
Adin
 
Kershaw is excellent. their customer service is top notch, and their products are very good. I think I would point you toward the kershaw blur in S30V and a sharpmaker. that comes in under budget, and gives you premium steel and a way to keep it sharp. the reason that you are not going to find a whole lot of knives with S30V is that, most of the time, the whole reason that you have the premium steel is so that it holds an edge longer, and serrations are able to do that with a cheaper steel, making the S30V somewhat unneeded.

I came from the same place that you did. I thought serrations were a total necessity. I have found times where they would be useful, but I have also found that in the vast majority of situations they would mess the process up. if you are cutting veggies, EDC knife serrations are probably going to get in the way.
 
http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=435&brand=kershaw
http://www.benchmade.com/products/522
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=ZT0200

These are the three knives I am looking at right now. I have read everything you guys have posted, looked at all of the knives and narrowed it down to these 3. I have heard your warnings about serrated edges, about coatings and about sharpening. All of which I have listened to, but neglected to head. (except the sharpening, once I get some more money together I will buy one and teach myself to use it on some of my other knives before I move to the nicer one)

I am leaning away from the ZeroTolerance only because it seems like it will be really big. My knife now is 3.5 inch blade and closed is only about an inch shorter. That isn't the problem. It is the width of it (which I am having a hard time putting my finger on.) The thickness of the blade is fine, but the width of the blade seems like it could be twice mine.

The Kershaw is my favorite so far. I have read a few reviews on it on multiple sites, I have looked up specs and compared and it seems to be pretty good. I just haven't gotten a recommendation from you guys yet, that is the only reason I am hesitant.

The third is my fallback choice if the first two don't work out for some reason. I am not a fan of the handle or the locking mechanism. Honestly I think I may have put it on there just to make a third.

What would you say Kershaw vs ZeroTolerance. (Ignoring the serrated edge please. I know you don't like them)
 
I would have to vote a Spyderco para-military 2. You can find them for under $100 and it is well worth it.
 
Kershaw and Zero Tolerance are subsidiary companies of KAI. They have a great reputation for fantastic customer service and excellent bang-for-your-buck knives.

The Shallot is a nice knife, but it is a little "thin" in the hand. The ZT 0400 might be a bit/a lot bigger than what you are looking for.

Personally I'd go for the Presidio, but to be honest I'm a bit biased towards Benchmade because they make ambi-dextrous/lefty friendly knives. You can't really go wrong with any of those three choices.

Also, buy the combo-edged ones if you want to; take anything that we suggest with a grain of salt--you know your knife use habits far better than we do. After all, you are going to be the one using it and probably sharpening it, not us!
 
I always either carried a Buck or a Gerber and was very content with them.
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At the risk of staying close to your comfort zone . . .

Have you looked at the Buck Vantage or the Buck Paradigm? Both of them are available in "Avid" (using Sandvik 13c26 steel) and "Pro" (using S30V steel).

They are very similar, having nearly identical blade profiles, and essentially the same shape and size. The Paradigm is an assisted open (AO) knife, while the Vantage is a one-hand-opener. Vantage uses a robust liner lock, the Paradigm uses a new hidden-in-plain-sight "shift" lock.

I have both. The Vantage is a little lighter. The Paradigm is, well, very energetic.

I have seen combo edge Vantage versions, though I have a religious problem with serrations myself, being a card carrying member of the Reformed Church of the Plain Edge.

If you can get to a Cabela's, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro, Sportsman's Warehouse, or similar sporting goods store, you can probably fondle one in person. I've always found that there's just no substitute for a hands-on evaluation.

 
Jdlaxer said:
... The Kershaw is my favorite so far. I have read a few reviews on it on multiple sites, I have looked up specs and compared and it seems to be pretty good. I just haven't gotten a recommendation from you guys yet, that is the only reason I am hesitant.

The third is my fallback choice if the first two don't work out for some reason. I am not a fan of the handle or the locking mechanism. Honestly I think I may have put it on there just to make a third.

What would you say Kershaw vs ZeroTolerance. (Ignoring the serrated edge please. I know you don't like them)
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If by "the third" you mean the ZT is your fallback choice and you're comparing the Shallot to the Benchmade, they're both good knives from outstanding companies. IMAO, the BM will be a bit "tougher" knife because of the handle design (a better fit for my hand) and the AXIS lock. Both will cut well and if you like a slimmer knife, the Shallot may be just what you want. Both 440C and 14C28N are good steels for an EDC blade when BM and Kershaw use them. Personally, though, I'd choose a Blur in S30V or CPM154 over the Shallot because of the blade shape and the thicker handle.

The ZT has a wide blade from edge to spine. Mine was a good knife but too wide for my taste and it was heavier than I like to carry. I also don't like recurve blades so the ZT just didn't fit my preferences.
 
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