Most important things to first learn about Knives

buy Band-Aids, gauze, gauze tape, staples and something to sow yourself shut with for when you cut yourself. also something to clean the wound with. its going to happen.

get a tetanus shot now if you haven't already.
 
Think twice, cut once.
Safety:
Every time you have a cutting job to do then take some time to think where that edge is going to go if it slips, slides, or goes crazy. Time opening and closing a folding knife is thinking time. We have all got it wrong (the banana reference above), its just how wrong to you want it to be? A band aid or a trip to A&E? Watch a few y tube vids on techniques because if you start right and make them second nature then its well worth the effort. There are some natty safe techniques that make a lot of sense, and make you look professional/cool... well that you know what you are doing.

If you treat every folding knife as a slipjoint, as in a SAK penknife, then you will never have a blade fold on you. However bank vault a locking mechanism is don't trust it.
For fixed blades then don't go very big, a 3"-5" probably will do 95% what you want. Its all about control.
Thickness of blade stock, different grind styles, steel types and handle designs all make a difference in how they are intended to be used. Fit and feel is worth being happy with, so if it feels right it probably is. The rest is what you intend to do with any blade. Get familiar with a blade by using it a lot and it will do most things. A SAK will do it all, just takes time. Get the handling, grind and design right for what you want and life is made a whole lot easier. Makes a neater job of it too. You will need more than one knife; my son, 21, got a chefs knife for Christmas.

The modern military war machine is held together with multitools! As often as not most soldiers can get away with carrying a folder. So don't get taken in my the macho hype.
On hype there is a lot about. Go for a well respected and tested example of what you fancy. Don't spend a bomb until you know what you like and why its worth the outlay. There is always a less expensive example of some classic design to be had. Some of the less expensive knives are classics in their own right, having proved themselves over time.
Do invest in good sharpening kit. Do the research on what is available and try to get something you can use. Its a must learn skill to know how to sharpen and maintain a knife correctly. Best $'s spent is on sharpening kit, which may be more than your first blade that you buy for yourself.

Know your local laws. There are a whole lot of teenagers that did something stupid with a knife and are regretting it for the rest of their days. Knives are very dangerous as weapons, but really bad as a defensive or offensive weapon. Without high levels of training and the right mind set then only idiots carry them as weapons. Don't go there.

Do buy a Swiss Army Knife (Huntsman), an inexpensive Mora and an Opinel (No:7 or 8). For the price you will learn a lot from them. You can practice your sharpening skills with them. Most of us have them even though we might have other high cost knives. They are that good.
 
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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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The most important thing about a good knife is that it should be able to cut. The blade geometry has to be right for what you intend to do with it. It also very important that the knife have good ergonomics (a comfortable handle) and, if needed, a secure and safe sheath.

n2s
 
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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Learn how to use them. Learn how to sharpen them. Don't drink the koolaid.
 
Oh, and don't pry with a knife. It almost always leads to a poor result and possibly serious injury.

n2s
 
Lots of good advice for a new person getting into knives.

If you like throwing knives, get throwing knives.
Don't get hung up on the self defense aspect of knives. For most, it's a fantasy.
At first, keep your purchases under $100 in today's dollars, preferably less. You need to develop a sense of value for the kinds of blades you like.
Don't get hung up on fads. But I would venture to guess that all of us have purchased knives that we later chuckle at our purchase, especially years later.
The ONE knife does not exist. The ONE changes over time.
Be humble when showing your knives to other people. If you like knives, most will simply not understand.
Learn to sharpen the traditional way on a bench stone and then go from there.
Stay within your financial means.
Don't depend on locks on folding knives in an absolute sense.
Smaller blades are easier to cut delicate things. Thinner steel helps too.
Don't get hung up on steel types. Read and learn. You probably will get hung up on steel types regardless to some degree. A little knowledge is dangerous.
You will undoubtedly want some large fixed blades. Learn what you like, can use, and have fun.
The knife hobby is a journey. Tread slowly and deliberately. Discover what you like and what you like to use. They are often different.
 
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 $50 knaf.
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All of my knives are under 50$ and my trusted users are anything but crap.
It all depends on what you like and how you use your knives I guess.
 
If you accidentally drop your knife let it fall to the ground and get your feet out of the way quick. Do not try to catch it or break it's fall!
 
made2cut said:
If you accidentally drop your knife let it fall to the ground and get your feet out of the way quick. Do not try to catch it or break it's fall!
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this!! I'm pretty good with not catching with my hands but I did catch one between my toe's and one time cut my small toe but I was so lucky it was just the edge of my toe. it went right through the shoe like it was butter. I got my thigh once,that one hurt.


-another tip is to tape your blade when taking it apart or for other reasons you may need so you don't cut yourself when working on it.
 
Wow, OP, you got a lot of advice to wade through here. I'd add this: Look at everything, look at all styles, classic, modern, single and multi blade. Look on line and in person wherever possible. Buy something that grabs your interest and, as said above, carry it for a good long while, use it at every opportunity and learn how to sharpen it. You likely do not need the latest and greatest super steel so no need to focus on all that unless it's a real interest for you. Live with one knife for a good while, you'll learn more from that than spending a ton of dough on a lot of knives that you don't carry, use or ever get to know.
 
If I had to do it again, it would get done differently. I think I would limit how many blades I buy in a year. Like only three knives, maybe four. At the end of the year I would evaluate how well they have worked for me and make changes as needed. Sell or trade off the knives that fall short.

Knowing what I now know, I would buy a Swiss Army knife early on. No matter what else I buy. That way I have a knife that is suitable for any social event or environment. Also, Sheeple friendly and legal most everywhere. It also means that I have a loaner knife to give out so that people don't trash my better knives. Alox Cadet or Pioneer would be my first choice.
 
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
 
When I first started, I just looked at pictures / videos of knives and never took blade length very seriously. All knives look similar size in pictures!

After handling many knives now, blade length is one of the most important features!

So I definitely recommend handling your first few knives before buying.
 
Learn how to sharpen a knife..I avoided knives because I never knew how to sharpen. A few whetstones and a strop later and I'm buying knives every month now!!
 
marthinus said:
Buy what you like. Not everything is for everyone, opinions differ and enjoy the hobby.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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^^^^ this is the best advice you'll get. Took me a while to figure this out, and lots of money spent on knives that I really never liked.
 
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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What is it that interests you about knives, Ashley?
 
GREENJACKET said:
...Do buy a Swiss Army Knife (Huntsman), an inexpensive Mora and an Opinel (No:7 or 8). For the price you will learn a lot from them. You can practice your sharpening skills with them. Most of us have them even though we might have other high cost knives. They are that good.
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Greenjacket, lots of good advice. And I agree with your recommendations above. Lots of bang for the buck.

My son was a USMC combat engineer. Carried a Gerber multitool with the blasting cap crimpers in Iraq. Too bad I bought them for him only to find out later that the Marines issued them.
 
If you see something you like, save up and get it. Don't settle for a lesser blade or cheap knockoff as you will regret wasting money on it.

The thing said about not getting too many blades in a short time, not always a bad thing. I got 4 Spydercos within 4 weeks and love them all. I also picked up about 12 traditional slip joints in 6 weeks and no regrets there either. Half are vintage American carbon steel for $6 or less each. Hard to beat a deal like that! But generally getting a lot fast can be regretful as I did a year ago bought a lot of cheap stuff that was truly cheap and unsatisfying. I saved very few budget blades from that time, except my Sanrenmu 7010. I should have gotten a handful of those for the cash I wasted back then ;)
 
id like to repeat what was said above ^ save money. dont just get what you can get in your price range. saving money for things is best. work hard to get a job worthy. if you dont make enough, work hard to get a raise or a better position or even a better job to afford you the things you want in life.

dont over lube your knives. dont use snake oil lube like nano oil. plenty of other better more affordable choices that actually do better for a knife lube.
 
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