Looking to buy my first knife over 100 dollars need help

[Aj123]

Benchmade makes great knives and are one of the leaders in the industry. Without knowing your particular uses and preferences, the no-brainer suggestion would be a Griptillian.

You can get a standard Griptillian for right around $100 and a Mini Griptillian for a little less than that. Personally, I tend to prefer the Mini because my "sweet spot" for blade size is right around 3". The Griptillian in either size is an iconic knife for EDC; you can't go wrong with it as a choice. It also features one of the best assets for a knife; the Axis Lock. I have several different Grips and they're one of my all time favorite EDC choices.

If you're concerned about weight, you might consider the Benchmade Bugout. I personally don't own one but I have a feeling someday I will. The Bugout will push your $100 target budget by a few dollars however.

There's also the Benchmade Freek, but I've never quite understood it's place in the world. Anything it can do, the Griptillian seems to do a little better...but that could be a matter of opinion.

Finally, take some time watching the Exchange here at Blade Forums. You might luck into a gently used Benchmade 940/943 or another model that would normally be out of your price range. You might even find an "upgraded" Grip for not much more than a new vanilla one. I've bought several knives here and the members are great to deal with.

Good luck and welcome to Blade Forums!

Thank you for the awesome reply I was looking in the griptilian you're right its am amazing knife either the mini or the regular one I would go with the regular size because it suits me better also the bugout has been on my eye for a while too since it can be a manual folder If the griptilian has a manual option I think that will be the knife I purchase I love the griptilian

 

[Aj123]

I wj

We have a great variety of preferences here, in terms of manufacturers.
I've owned perhaps 10-15 Benchmades; several hundred Spydercos. You can tell my favorite, although ZT is likely 2nd place for me.
You might wish to consider a Sage2 model or a Caly3 or 3.5 in the Spyderco lineup. About $150 but you'll do much better on our Exchange...with one described as NIB or as new in box.
(for much less money). I've purchased 90% of my knives that way; seldom disappointed.

I will keep that in mind and look into it thank you

 

[Aj123]

Before you decide on one company or another I recommend going to you tube and studying up on different types of knives. The following 3 reviewers will give you more than you can handle but you will come out the other end knowing a lot about knives and then you can make an educated decision and amass a lot of info for your purchases once you get the bug. Nick Shabazz, Birdshot IV and Kevin Cleary. There are a lot more but for a beginner these guys will steer you in the right direction. and as Hackenslash said look on the forum for pre-owned knifes. Just so that you don't run into a problem make sure that under no circumstances should you pay Friends and Family. If they are asking you to pay an xtra 3% consider it a purchase of a Buyer Protection plan. Good luck and enjoy
P.S. not all the knives are used. They are consider pre-owned because the person bought it and has it in possession. Many times you will see them advertised LNIB, or NIB.Check their feedback and do a search on BF to see if there are any negative threads. Occasionally you will see someone with many satisfactory feedbacks but that does not mean that he a good vendor.

Okay sounds great I'll watch a couple YouTube videos today so I can strengthen my knowledge and know what I'm getting into

 

[Aj123]

Yes, single edge is most standard knives which are only sharpened on one side if the blade.

Benchmade is a fine choice... the Freak is a pretty great etc choice for jist over $100, well within your state's laws.

Thank you I will look into the freak

 

[Cscotttsss]

You can't go wrong with most of these suggestions in this thread, but I'll throw my .02 in as well, any Spyderco, ZT, or BM I think you'll be satisfied. I own several of each brand and they all are great.

 

[Lapedog]

I'll look into the thread thank you for the advice if I could score one for under 100 that would he amazing

I’m sure you can. And the good thing is if you look for a member who has lots of green points under his name (each green point is a positive feedback) then they will be sure to send you a knife that has no quality control issues that sometimes happen when you buy a new knife. Those green points imply an honest seller so he will tell you everything about the knife’s condition.

I suggested buying a usee one because you could get a Benchmade that would have cost more that 100$ new, and thus get an even nicer Benchy

 

[gazz98]

Have you checked to see if there any local knife stores around you? For those that are new to knives, it always helps to handle the knives so see how they fit in your hand. You don't have to buy from there (sometimes prices are insane at smaller places) but handling before you buy can save some pain and $.

At your price, the Grip is a fine choice.

The Spyderco Endura is under $80.

If you want a bigger, good quality knife that won't break the bank the Ontario Rat 1 in D2 is a great choice. $40 or so shipped to you.

 

[Aj123]

Have you checked to see if there any local knife stores around you? For those that are new to knives, it always helps to handle the knives so see how they fit in your hand. You don't have to buy from there (sometimes prices are insane at smaller places) but handling before you buy can save some pain and $.

At your price, the Grip is a fine choice.

The Spyderco Endura is under $80.

If you want a bigger, good quality knife that won't break the bank the Ontario Rat 1 in D2 is a great choice. $40 or so shipped to you.

Yeah I have looked into my local knife stores and I'm most likely going to be buying one from a store and not online so I can get a feel for what I'm buying and the guy behind the counter can make sure I don't slice my hand open lol I've been eyeing spyderco too there's a lot of brands that catch my eye that I'll test at the store I'll look into the spyderco knives too

 

[gazz98]

Yeah I have looked into my local knife stores and I'm most likely going to be buying one from a store and not online so I can get a feel for what I'm buying and the guy behind the counter can make sure I don't slice my hand open lol I've been eyeing spyderco too there's a lot of brands that catch my eye that I'll test at the store I'll look into the spyderco knives too

It always helps if you can visit a store and handle knives. Congrats you have a place close. It is also nice to help support a local store too. Best of luck on your journey and good luck on looking for a 2nd job to pay for all your new toys to come! Or 3rd job. Or 2nd mortgage.

 

[Aj123]

It always helps if you can visit a store and handle knives. Congrats you have a place close. It is also nice to help support a local store too. Best of luck on your journey and good luck on looking for a 2nd job to pay for all your new toys to come! Or 3rd job. Or 2nd mortgage.

Lmao tell me about it I'm know starting to get obsessed with knifes and getting into it I'm going to have a lot of them sooner or later I love collecting them now

 

[ucfgrad93]

If the griptilian has a manual option I think that will be the knife I purchase I love the griptilian

The griptilians are manual knives. As for buying from the exchange here, I've seen lots of knives listed and sold in just a few minutes on the exchange. It seems like it can be difficult to get the good ones.

I'm in the same boat, I'm looking to upgrade from my Swiss Army Knife. I'm looking at the following models...

Spyderco Sage 5
Spyderco Para 3
Spyderco Paramilitary 2
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian
Benchmade Griptilian
Steelwill Cutjack (m390 steel)

Honestly, there is a huge number of quality knives that will suit your needs. So many, that I think I'm suffering from information overload and am having a very difficult time making a decision.

 

[Hackenslash]

Thank you for the awesome reply I was looking in the griptilian you're right its am amazing knife either the mini or the regular one I would go with the regular size because it suits me better also the bugout has been on my eye for a while too since it can be a manual folder If the griptilian has a manual option I think that will be the knife I purchase I love the griptilian

Just to clarify, both the Bugout and the Griptillian are full manual knives. Neither are assisted open. Unless weight is a major concern, I think the Grip is a better all-around EDC choice.

 

[Cvrobinson]

It doesn't matter much which model knife you pick, that you are ready to cross the $100.00 threshold speaks to the fact that you belong here. Hold on for the ride, I predict many different knives in your future.

 

[Cold Steel/Ontario fanboy]

My advice? Buy what feels good in your hand and what you like. I know many dislike Cold Steel and that's their right. But for a folder I prefer their lock. The only thing I will never suggest is a liner or frame lock. I had too many fail on me within 1 to 6 months.

 

[Aj123]

Just to clarify, both the Bugout and the Griptillian are full manual knives. Neither are assisted open. Unless weight is a major concern, I think the Grip is a better all-around EDC choice.

Oh really? Sweet! I know the videos I saw of the knife they had some that are assisted openings too maybe I'm going crazy lol so i thought that's all they had now that I found out they'e manual I might have to get that I'm planning on purchasing the knife on Friday so I'll let you know which one I pick the griptilian has been one I've been eyeing for a while so I think I'm going to be picking that up I like my knifes not heavy but not light so it's perfect

 

[Aj123]

It doesn't matter much which model knife you pick, that you are ready to cross the $100.00 threshold speaks to the fact that you belong here. Hold on for the ride, I predict many different knives in your future.

Yeah I'm ready I've learned that a cheap knife can get you seriously hurt and in the knife world brand names really matter and if you want a good quality knife you have to be willing to suck it up and pay the extra dollar or two I'm ready I see many knives in my future too lol

 

[BBuser]

If the Leek was a tad small you might look at the Buck 110. It's normally under $50. A new light version (LT) is out at only $25. If you want to pay closer to $100 you can find them in S30v and some other handle materials at about your target price.

 

[Aj123]

If the Leek was a tad small you might look at the Buck 110. It's normally under $50. A new light version (LT) is out at only $25. If you want to pay closer to $100 you can find them in S30v and some other handle materials at about your target price.

I will look into it thanks for the advice

 

[hhmoore]

One word - Rift

 

[emjay4248]

I apologize about commenting on the 3% fee there are a lot of these threads in the GB&U. This isn’t the thread for it. So to the OP every maker has their flagship knives that’s
The oalways a great place to start

Thank you for the awesome reply I was looking in the griptilian you're right its am amazing knife either the mini or the regular one I would go with the regular size because it suits me better also the bugout has been on my eye for a while too since it can be a manual folder If the griptilian has a manual option I think that will be the knife I purchase I love the griptilian

The reason I Don't recommend Benchmade is a simple one. The quality control at Benchmade leaves a lot to be desired. Unless you go and put the knife you are buying you have a 50/50 shot at getting a good one.
I also think that as a novice you may not recognize the problems that the knife. Also stay away from Boker-Plus, they have even more problems. Kershaw is making some of their models in premium steels and their quality is quite good. I used to collect Kershaws and I had 30 or 40 of them and I don't remember a single problem with them.