Most important things to first learn about Knives

Ashleyx3 said:
What would BF members say are the most important things to first learn about Knives, for someone who is just getting into them at the age of 18. (blade steel, locking mechanisms, etc)
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This "someone" is you I take it?

My advice (some have already been offered)

1) Buy what you like or knives that are designed to do what you want/need to do.
1a) Be honest/realistic when figuring out what you want to do with your knives
2) Don't get hung up on steels, you won't know the difference anyway at this point. AUS-8, VG-10 stuff will be fine. They still are for me.
3) Don't get hung up on locks. Get a slipjoint like a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, learn how to use it, and you will never have to worry about lock strength.
4) Cut down.
5) Learn to sharpen on a stone first,

http://www.baryonyxknife.com/no2coinst.html

then you wont have to rely on gadgets.
6) Keep your knives reasonably sharp.
7) If you are even thinking about lock strength/reliability when cutting something, go to a fixed blade.
 
-get the right blade shape/geometry for what you use the knife for. if you do slicing, cutting, chopping etc. dont get an overly thick blade for slicing for example.

-dont get clones or chinese knives that look like other american knives. they are not worth it at all. if you cant afford an original that they copy that you want... just buy an original knife in your price range, which there are many available. there is no reason to buy these copies that ganzo and others make. they are pure junk and the people saying they are good, just want to sell as many as they can since thats the only way to make profit on them. dont buy gas station starter knives, or gun knives or those other gimick's.

-start out with an ontario rat 1 (or rat 2 depending on the size you want) D2 steel if available, aus-8 is not bad too, but D2 is better.

-use zippo lighter fluid to clean the tape off your blades when you cut boxes with tape on them. be careful not to cut yourself when cleaning blades. there is a wrong way and a right way to do this. just be smart about it.

-get SiC and or Diamond sharpening stones if you get any super steel's or D2. SiC is very affordable, norton crystolon, so these can be for any blade steel you have. Diamonds are more expensive but are necessary for higher grits on super steel (i dont believe SiC goes that high in grit).

- get a leather strop or two and compound. balsa wood is a good alternative, and you can also use paper on glass or denim on glass or flat particle board. 1 strop is fine but you could get 2 or 3 strops with different compounds... just remember not to mix the compounds on the same strop, that will not be good.
- strop your knives after use, this will prevent the need to sharpen them often.
 
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1. Don't make the mistake that many of us have, buying up lots of blades in a short amount of time. What you will end up with is a bunch of knives that will not meet your needs so you don't carry them.

2. Give some knives a chance. In other words, use the knife for a little while and get used to it. Some of my all time favorite blades became favorites over time, not over night.

3. Plan your collection. You will enjoy your collection more and your wallet will thank you. One of the most well though out collections I have ever seen is purpose driven and only includes about six or seven knives. Yes, Gator Medic, I am talking about your collection.

4. Your needs and taste in knives is going to change with time.
 
After you've bought a common, yet high end production knife for a too-good-to-be-true price on the bay, be sure to create a post asking if it's a fake. AFTER, never before, someone might snake that deal you found.
 
always check the feedback section for people you are trading or buying from. always pay goods and services, if you pay with friends and family and the person scams you, you have no protection at all. know what country's your sending to and there knife laws. things can and will get held up in customs if you send somewhere that its not particularly legal in.
 
Dont forget you can ask on this forum before you are thinking of making a purchase to get opinions and recommendations. Most will steer you in the right direction. Also start off with the more inexpensive knives, esp if a brand like Kershaw makes a china made version of a ZT or Emerson or Sinkevich design you admire. I bought a Kershaw Emerson and Sinkevich designed knives under $50, decided I liked the Emerson style better, and gave away the other one. Glad i didnt pay hundreds for the ZT or Sinkovich version. Yes, the steel snobs will complain they wouldnt be caught dead with that steel, it dulls quickly, but again now you can learn to sharpen it and not screw up a good blade. Also you can only go up from there. The used market ON THIS FORUM is also a good place to buy used, DONT do it on E-bay or C-list or others where they may try to rip you off, since you admit you are still new and learning.
 
1) learn to sharpen (I recommend the sharpmaker, pretty easy to get a good edge)
2) as mentioned vg-10 is as adequate of steel as you'll realistically need
3) don't get clones, and post about them here (people hate them around here and they'll berate you)
4) as mentioned before don't use your knife for tasks other than cutting
5) get a delica sooner than later
6) get what you like


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I think the 3 most important things to learn are
#1 getting the most knife for your money.
#2 stay away from form over function companies who focus most on looks.
#3 discover your personal knife habits and usage before you get caught up in worrying about Steel types.
 
Your first folder, oh lots of folder, but the folder should honestly be a Chris Reeve. Their customer service is the best place to start with knives. I started with spyderco and bench made, excellent companies, but you will eventually end with a CRK. Just my two cents. With fixed blades, you will go nuts with whats out there from Busse, CRK, and tons of others. If your budget is tight, the Spyderco fixed straight blade salt is a great fixed blade. For small business attire NYC type, the CRK Mnandi and for the regular folder EDC, well it depends on your budget... small sebenza CRk, Hinderer 3 inch which will be shown at next blade show, or if you have a budget, spydercos and benchmades have a ton of good knives. As your income grows, you will go higher in the chain of knives and surpass the spydercos and benchmades. If you could only have one, go to the mid level production knives, Chris Reeves or Hinderers. IF you go lower, you will eventually buy the mid level CRKs. I was there and still carry the CRk.
 
are you really telling an 18yr old Kid getting into knives to go out and purchase a $400+ knife for his first purchase?? What street in Beverly hills do you live on? I bet he also likes cars, so skip right up to the lambo, no need for those pesky Zl-1s and Cobras, you will end up with one soon anyway.
 
caseknife64 said:
are you really telling an 18yr old Kid getting into knives to go out and purchase a $400+ knife for his first purchase?? What street in Beverly hills do you live on? I bet he also likes cars, so skip right up to the lambo, no need for those pesky Zl-1s and Cobras, you will end up with one soon anyway.
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if I knew when I was first starting out that these sub $100 knives were just crap, I would a saved my money and bought quality from the start. but how was I suppose to know. not only that but now I see the huge difference in why I pay $200+ for knives now.

so I guess its best to understand if you want quality or any knife will do ya. so try a bunch of good knives and see if that's something you want to save up for instead of wasting time and money on the cheaper things.... but still start out with at least one sub $50 knaf.
 
1. Safety first - learn to use a knife without cutting yourself every time you use it.
2. Get any type of SAK and start EDC-ing it. This will teach you what to look for in a future knife based on your specific needs first. Once your basic needs are defined and satisfied you will be ready for the life time adventure: "looking for my PRECIOUSS"
3. Learn how to sharpen a knife.
 
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Mo2 said:
if I knew when I was first starting out that these sub $100 knives were just crap, I would a saved my money and bought quality from the start. but how was I suppose to know. not only that but now I see the huge difference in why I pay $200+ for knives now.

so I guess its best to understand if you want quality or any knife will do ya. so try a bunch of good knives and see if that's something you want to save up for instead of wasting time and money on the cheaper things.... but still start out with at least one sub $50 knaf.
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Well, the thing is, you won't really appreciate quality until you've had a few knives from all over the spectrum. For somebody new to the hobby, a $100 knife will be light years ahead of their usual. No need to jump into the deep end right away.
 
Whomever mentioned basic maintenance was spot on. Learn how to form and refine an edge bevel.

Aside from that, be informed before you buy: if folders are what you are after, figure out what it's main use for you will be. From there, you can choose an appropriate blade length and profile, locking mechanism and steel type. Research brands/makers according to how much you wish to spend to help narrow your focus even more.

Fixed blades require the same diligence and methods (except lock-up, obviously). For fixed blades, carry method is important too. Vertical? Scout? In the waistband? Cross draw? Kydex or leather? Ask yourself which method would best suit your needs and go for it.
 
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