Hello all,
I have commented in some posts but I did not make a proper presentation of myself and my knives. I hope this is not against forum rules but I have decided to open this thread to present you my collection and my motivations behind my love for knives. This will be a rather long post so feel free to skip or, otherwise, bear with me and leave any comments or questions that I will very much appreciate and try to reply to.
First of all, I live in Europe and I am 34 years old. This love for knifes started last year in February 2014 when I decided to put together a Bug Out Bag for my family. For that purpose I researched a lot and I have bought the BK-7 as the main fixed blade for my survival kit. When I received it by post and I unpackaged it, I fell in love not only with it but also with the piece of human engineering and geniality that I had in my hands. It made me buy another fixed blade and then, at the same time, my car was robbed and some relevant documents were stolen from it. I got worried with some possible retaliation and decided that I should carry a folder knife with me at all times, for protection.
In my country it is legal to carry a non-automatic knife under 10 cms of blade so I did just that with my first folder, Cryo II. Fortunately, I had no problems and the burglars probably threw away the documents since that was not their aim. However, the passion for blades did not end there I have continuously increased my collection.
So far, I have spent exactly 576,6 in knifes. It is probably a low figure compared with some of you but I have spent it during 1 year and with it I could have bought a high-end folder such as a Sebenza or a XM-18. However, I prefer the diversity of my collection and the many options that it gives me for EDC. Also this proves how hard is the life of an European Knife collector and user. The prices, as you can see below, are quite high here in Europe and the shipment costs contribute for an even higher price that almost doubles the amount some budget knifes cost in retail stores in the USA.
As for the type of knife, I have some preferences. I like clean designs, I like flippers with the flip button acting as guard (this gives me a sense of handling security that I appreciate a lot) and I also enjoy straight lines, although I am open for other formats. These preferences made me steer away from the Spydercos that I find ugly and unattractive (although I have never held one in my hands, perhaps I will try a Delica or Sage when the budget allows for it).
This being said here is the list of knifes that I have in my collection with a small personal comment for each of them. I will try to upload a family photo later today.
Becker/Ka-Bar BK-7
- 113,05
- Great Knife. Sturdy fixed blade, beautiful and perfect for my BoB.
- It is my most expensive knife.
SOG Seal Pup
- 47,43
- I do not like the grip of it. My hand doesnt adapt well to the indentations of the handle. Nevertheless, it has a beautiful design and I use it as backup fixed blade in my wifes BoB.
Kershaw Cryo II
- 47.53
- This was my first folder and it is still one of my favorites for EDC. It is extremely well built, the assisted opening works like a charm and I like its steel very much (8CR13Mov).
- It has an aggressive look so it is difficult to openly use it in public.
Kershaw Skyline (Damascus steel blade)
- 64,73
- I had to have a Damascus steel blade as soon I saw pictures of this steel. Since I also love Skyline design, it was a match made in heaven. It was my first and only knife ordered directly from the USA and I was worried that it was held by customs. It arrived with some delay (around 6 weeks) but it is a true beauty and one of my pride possessions. I do not like the Damascus pattern on one of the sides, since it has a big blur, but the other one is perfect with enormous and beautiful waves. I do not use it for EDC.
Kershaw Leek (Stonewash)
- 42,91
- Since Cryo II was too aggressive for EDC use in some occasions, I decided to acquire a more discreet folder. I was quite happy with Kershaw, so Leek was the chosen model. It was quite a disappointment. The grip is terrible and the steel is very poor quality, with less than 1 month it was already dented and the tip showed a little bend. This added to the fact that the blade shape is ugly forced me to carry it very rarely. It was also time to try something new.
Cold Steel Spartan
- 91,43
- I wanted a heavy duty folder and when I searched online, Spartan popped up everywhere as affordable and with good quality and high-doses of originality. I dont use it to its bulkiness and size but I love it. Beautiful and powerful, a great combination to have in any collection. My second most expensive knife.
Tac Force Karambit
- 18,03
- The exotic bug left by the Spartan bite me again I went for a karambit. Since I knew up ahead that due to its appearance I would never EDC a karambit, I chose the most inexpensive model I could find. This blade has an aggressive and cool look but 18 cannot buy any semblance of quality. The grip is mostly painful due to the unfinished edges and the deployment system, although assisted, is somewhat cranky and moody. Nevertheless, I am happy to have a karambit although I wont buy another one for the foreseeable future.
CRKT Eraser (Black)
- 59,53
- I still wanted a new folder for EDC but when looking at my preferred online provider I saw a CRKT eraser at a 50% discount. I do not know the reason for this (since it has this same discount pretty much anywhere online) but at the time I went for it and, after all, it was a new brand. I enjoy it although the design does not appeal that much to me. Nevertheless, I concede that it has a good grip and I like the way it flips. It is a partially serrated blade (for which I have no use whatsoever) and it is quite bulky for EDC so it is frequently exposed in the shelf and not in my pocket.
Rui 19223
- 12
- This is my cheapest knife and my only store acquisition. I bought it at a Newspaper store and it was an impulse buy. I just needed a small folder to store in my cars coins compartment and this was small enough to fit there. I should have known better. The flip doesnt work and there is no information on the steel, just that it is stainless. Quite unhappy with it but it still found a home next to my coins.
This last acquisition was in November 2014 and the blade fever hit me again this February. Yesterday I ordered 2 new knifes for my collection:
Kershaw Thermite
- 37,43
- I wanted a Kershaw Skyline with normal steel but it was over 60 so I decided to order this low priced Kershaw for which I have seen good reviews. Lets see how this works out for me.
CRKT M16-13ZM
- 54,53
- After seeing an youtube review of the M16-01S, I decided I had to have one. I chose this one due to the color, a nice change from the black and grey is welcoming, and also because it uses 2 new materials that I have not tried yet, zytel and AUS-6 steel. I am quite anxious to receive and test it. I think it will be the folder that I have been searching since the leek let me down. (although I still think that the Kershaw Skyline would be the perfect choice)
I have a couple of other knifes that I already had before this new found passion.
Swiss Army Knife
- I do not know the name of the model or how much it cost but it was a gift from my father so it has sentimental value and I use it quite often at home for small stuff. It has not let me down so far.
Hunter Knife
- Fixed blade but not full tang.
- I found it in my grandparents house and I kept it. I do not know anything about it and it contains no information whatsoever.
I hope you have enjoyed this presentation of my collection and if you have any suggestions for my next knifes please drop a comment in this thread! Thank you!
Here is the family photo!
I have commented in some posts but I did not make a proper presentation of myself and my knives. I hope this is not against forum rules but I have decided to open this thread to present you my collection and my motivations behind my love for knives. This will be a rather long post so feel free to skip or, otherwise, bear with me and leave any comments or questions that I will very much appreciate and try to reply to.
First of all, I live in Europe and I am 34 years old. This love for knifes started last year in February 2014 when I decided to put together a Bug Out Bag for my family. For that purpose I researched a lot and I have bought the BK-7 as the main fixed blade for my survival kit. When I received it by post and I unpackaged it, I fell in love not only with it but also with the piece of human engineering and geniality that I had in my hands. It made me buy another fixed blade and then, at the same time, my car was robbed and some relevant documents were stolen from it. I got worried with some possible retaliation and decided that I should carry a folder knife with me at all times, for protection.
In my country it is legal to carry a non-automatic knife under 10 cms of blade so I did just that with my first folder, Cryo II. Fortunately, I had no problems and the burglars probably threw away the documents since that was not their aim. However, the passion for blades did not end there I have continuously increased my collection.
So far, I have spent exactly 576,6 in knifes. It is probably a low figure compared with some of you but I have spent it during 1 year and with it I could have bought a high-end folder such as a Sebenza or a XM-18. However, I prefer the diversity of my collection and the many options that it gives me for EDC. Also this proves how hard is the life of an European Knife collector and user. The prices, as you can see below, are quite high here in Europe and the shipment costs contribute for an even higher price that almost doubles the amount some budget knifes cost in retail stores in the USA.
As for the type of knife, I have some preferences. I like clean designs, I like flippers with the flip button acting as guard (this gives me a sense of handling security that I appreciate a lot) and I also enjoy straight lines, although I am open for other formats. These preferences made me steer away from the Spydercos that I find ugly and unattractive (although I have never held one in my hands, perhaps I will try a Delica or Sage when the budget allows for it).
This being said here is the list of knifes that I have in my collection with a small personal comment for each of them. I will try to upload a family photo later today.
Becker/Ka-Bar BK-7
- 113,05
- Great Knife. Sturdy fixed blade, beautiful and perfect for my BoB.
- It is my most expensive knife.
SOG Seal Pup
- 47,43
- I do not like the grip of it. My hand doesnt adapt well to the indentations of the handle. Nevertheless, it has a beautiful design and I use it as backup fixed blade in my wifes BoB.
Kershaw Cryo II
- 47.53
- This was my first folder and it is still one of my favorites for EDC. It is extremely well built, the assisted opening works like a charm and I like its steel very much (8CR13Mov).
- It has an aggressive look so it is difficult to openly use it in public.
Kershaw Skyline (Damascus steel blade)
- 64,73
- I had to have a Damascus steel blade as soon I saw pictures of this steel. Since I also love Skyline design, it was a match made in heaven. It was my first and only knife ordered directly from the USA and I was worried that it was held by customs. It arrived with some delay (around 6 weeks) but it is a true beauty and one of my pride possessions. I do not like the Damascus pattern on one of the sides, since it has a big blur, but the other one is perfect with enormous and beautiful waves. I do not use it for EDC.
Kershaw Leek (Stonewash)
- 42,91
- Since Cryo II was too aggressive for EDC use in some occasions, I decided to acquire a more discreet folder. I was quite happy with Kershaw, so Leek was the chosen model. It was quite a disappointment. The grip is terrible and the steel is very poor quality, with less than 1 month it was already dented and the tip showed a little bend. This added to the fact that the blade shape is ugly forced me to carry it very rarely. It was also time to try something new.
Cold Steel Spartan
- 91,43
- I wanted a heavy duty folder and when I searched online, Spartan popped up everywhere as affordable and with good quality and high-doses of originality. I dont use it to its bulkiness and size but I love it. Beautiful and powerful, a great combination to have in any collection. My second most expensive knife.
Tac Force Karambit
- 18,03
- The exotic bug left by the Spartan bite me again I went for a karambit. Since I knew up ahead that due to its appearance I would never EDC a karambit, I chose the most inexpensive model I could find. This blade has an aggressive and cool look but 18 cannot buy any semblance of quality. The grip is mostly painful due to the unfinished edges and the deployment system, although assisted, is somewhat cranky and moody. Nevertheless, I am happy to have a karambit although I wont buy another one for the foreseeable future.
CRKT Eraser (Black)
- 59,53
- I still wanted a new folder for EDC but when looking at my preferred online provider I saw a CRKT eraser at a 50% discount. I do not know the reason for this (since it has this same discount pretty much anywhere online) but at the time I went for it and, after all, it was a new brand. I enjoy it although the design does not appeal that much to me. Nevertheless, I concede that it has a good grip and I like the way it flips. It is a partially serrated blade (for which I have no use whatsoever) and it is quite bulky for EDC so it is frequently exposed in the shelf and not in my pocket.
Rui 19223
- 12
- This is my cheapest knife and my only store acquisition. I bought it at a Newspaper store and it was an impulse buy. I just needed a small folder to store in my cars coins compartment and this was small enough to fit there. I should have known better. The flip doesnt work and there is no information on the steel, just that it is stainless. Quite unhappy with it but it still found a home next to my coins.
This last acquisition was in November 2014 and the blade fever hit me again this February. Yesterday I ordered 2 new knifes for my collection:
Kershaw Thermite
- 37,43
- I wanted a Kershaw Skyline with normal steel but it was over 60 so I decided to order this low priced Kershaw for which I have seen good reviews. Lets see how this works out for me.
CRKT M16-13ZM
- 54,53
- After seeing an youtube review of the M16-01S, I decided I had to have one. I chose this one due to the color, a nice change from the black and grey is welcoming, and also because it uses 2 new materials that I have not tried yet, zytel and AUS-6 steel. I am quite anxious to receive and test it. I think it will be the folder that I have been searching since the leek let me down. (although I still think that the Kershaw Skyline would be the perfect choice)
I have a couple of other knifes that I already had before this new found passion.
Swiss Army Knife
- I do not know the name of the model or how much it cost but it was a gift from my father so it has sentimental value and I use it quite often at home for small stuff. It has not let me down so far.
Hunter Knife
- Fixed blade but not full tang.
- I found it in my grandparents house and I kept it. I do not know anything about it and it contains no information whatsoever.
I hope you have enjoyed this presentation of my collection and if you have any suggestions for my next knifes please drop a comment in this thread! Thank you!
Here is the family photo!
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