My First Decent Knife

I

iratepr

Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
27
Curse my inquisitive nature!

A while ago my older Gerber Paraframe bit the dust, or rather got duller, looser, knicked dinged dented and in general bad shape from use. I decided that even though I don't use a knife as much as I used to, they're still too handy to go without. Through a little searching I came upon this forum.

I thought it would be easy. Something more recent, better quality maybe. Little did I know, well, how little I knew about knives.

Different blade steels (tons)
Different handle materials (G10, Carbon Fiber, trac-tec, aluminum...)
Different opening (thumb stud, thumb hole, flipper...)
Assisted Opening, automatic.

So I decided to buy a knife that meets my needs, but allows me to try out as many of these features as possible. Those needs are:

Smallish, as I don't use it often and not for heavy duty tasks.
I need a nice point, as I sometimes need to cut tightened zip-ties.
Nice looking, and not too threatening for an office setting.
Less than $50. I'd spend more if I know I liked something, which I don't.
Made in America preferably.


While I originally leaned toward a Kershaw Leek, I don't really think the stainless on stainless looks too nice, and the AO, while fun, might be intimidating. I thought of the Skyline too, but the blade looks pretty broad and I've heard of people having trouble with the flipper.

I decided instead to go with this little guy:Kershaw Ener-G (KnifeWorks link). (sry, it occurs to me I don't have any web hosting space for my own images)

Has:
* G-10 AND Trac-Tec handle
* Flipper
* Nice point
* Made in America

All for under my budget.


Impressions:

The flipper is quite fun to flip when I'm bored, but not that useful when I want to use the knife. I find that even though it is easy to get the blade open with the flipper, you have to be thinking about it and applying pressure correctly. When I just want the thing open, positioning my hand to get the right motion is not really what I want to think about.

It does feel quite small in my (larger) hand, but that's okay. If I were using it for anything serious I would want get more than 3 fingers on the handle. I also think that the blade on the larger version would be harder to flip open.

The G-10 on this feels okay, just like a higher quality plastic. The trac-tec is really cool though.




So now for some questions:
1) What is that little notch on the base of the blade for? I've seen it on more than just this knife.
2) How should I keep it sharp without spending $50 on a sharpener for my $25 knife?
3) What should I get next to try out some more features!?
 
iratepr said:
So now for some questions:
1) What is that little notch on the base of the blade for? I've seen it on more than just this knife.
2) How should I keep it sharp without spending $50 on a sharpener for my $25 knife?
3) What should I get next to try out some more features!?
Click to expand...

Welcome aboard!:)

1) Could be where the stand alone flipper rests.
2) Spend the $50 for a sharpener, preferably a Spyderco Sharpmaker. Trust me on this.;)
3) Kershaw Blur, Spyderco Waved Delica, Kershaw JYD, Spyderco Native, Buck 110, Benchmade Griptillian, Benchmade 530.
 
On 2) indeed a Spyderco Sharpmaker is worth the investment.

On 3)
Your needs are quite "gentlemeny".
I do recommend one of the following 2 modern yet elegant and well-made knives, which are around your price point if you shop around:
- Boker Plus Exskelibur 2
- Spyderco Centofante 3
If you want to see them in the hand, have a look at videos 76 and 28 on my video review page .
 
iratepr said:
Smallish, as I don't use it often and not for heavy duty tasks.
I need a nice point, as I sometimes need to cut tightened zip-ties.
Nice looking, and not too threatening for an office setting.
Less than $50. I'd spend more if I know I liked something, which I don't.
Made in America preferably.
Click to expand...

$50 is little tough limitation for a knife made in US with decent steel. Most likely you can pick-up Spyderco Native on e-bay, under $50. S30V is a great steel. But I would wait few month when full flat grind Native4 come out, but it will be in 60+.


iratepr said:
2) How should I keep it sharp without spending $50 on a sharpener for my $25 knife?
Click to expand...

Most of decent manufacturers have free sharpening service, you just need to ship knife to them, but I would get sharpmaker and do it yourself.
 
I'll post my usual recommendations:



  • [*]Kershaw Skyline - $35 : US made, good Sandvik steel, nice the blade shape, G-10 handles, liner lock, hollow ground blade, bead blasted finish, 2 position clip for right handed tip up or tip down carry, phosphor bronze washers, light weight, smooth and fast flipper w/ thumbstuds also (non-AO)

    [*]Spyderco Tenacious - $30-35 : Chinese made, high quality, high value, very good fit & finish, decent steel, G-10, handles, liner lock, 4 position clip for tip up/down/left/right carry, phosphor bronze washers, fast & smooth deployment, open construction, full-flat grind, Spyder Hole (non-AO), great thumb jimping

    [*]Buck Vantage Pro - $40-45 : US made, S30V "premium" steel, G-10 handles, liner lock, very high value considering the Paul Bos treated S30V premium steel, great clip design that rides very low in pocket, hollow ground blade, 2 position clip for left or right tip up carry, open construction, flipper and thumbslot (non-AO), no jimping

    [*]Kershaw Leek - $35-50+ depending on steel and handle options : US made, steel handles, frame lock, good Sandvik steel (other steel choices include S30V, ZDP-189/Sandvik composite blade), hollow grind blade 2 position clip for right hand tip up or tip down, thumbstud and flipper w/ AO

    [*]Spyderco Native - $50 and up : US made, great S30V steel (other steel options available), FRN handles, linerless, pinned construction on the cheaper models, spear/leaf shaped hollow ground blade, 2 position clip for right or left handed tip up carry, light weight, linerless Spyder Hole (non-AO), great thumb jimping



All are 3 - 3 1/2". All are in my EDC rotation. You can get the Kershaws from Walmart. You can't beat the Buck Vantage Pro for "bang for the buck" with it's S30V and G-10 handles. The Skyline is my favorite and gets the most carry but I could easily say that about the Vantage Pro too.
 
the guys are right spend the money on a spyderco sharpmaker since you can use them for yrs.down the road you will find the sharpmaker to be a tool for all seasons.
 
iratepr said:
So now for some questions:
1) What is that little notch on the base of the blade for? I've seen it on more than just this knife.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forums.

The little notch you see is a sharpening choil. It is there to provide an exact point for sharpening. As Ken Onion once said "Its there to keep you from crashing your stones".

As for other knives to consider, you've been given a really good list. Should you decide on another Kershaw, check out kershawguy's blem sales threads here. I've bought many from him; they're great deals and I've only been able to find a blemish on one of them. And I'm still not sure that was what kicked it out on QC.

As for sharpening, you have several options. First, if you start acquiring multitudes of knives as most all of us do, you will want to be able to sharpen them. The Sharpmaker is a great tool and is easy to use. You can also learn to freehand, so get yourself a set of stones. If you stick with Kershaw, you can send the knife back to them any time you want and they will put a factory fresh edge on it. No charge to you except your cost to ship it to them. They even cover return postage.

I have a few of the Ener-G's, and I really enjoy them. Good luck with your new addiction. :)
 
Get a Centofante 3 or try a kershaw blur.

I'll also have to be the black sheep here and say don't get the sharpmaker. Get somes stones; learn and eventually get a belt sander.
 
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

Most of those were on my list to consider, and the Blur, Native, and Centofante will certainly be high contenders for round 2. I can probably loosen up the requirements now that I have a knife I can carry in the office. Yes, $50 is a little limiting, but it's really just my learning budget. I'm guessing it will go out the window as I sink deeper into my "new addiction".

Looks like sharpmaker gets a lot of votes, with a few for plain stones. Would either of those be good for my kitchen knives too? Might help justify the cost.
 
Benchmade Monochrome, plain or combo blade, black or stainless, made in the USA for $35 bucks or so. Made from either 440C or N690, both great steels. Solid knife, classy drop point blade with a solid liner lock. Nice flat profile for carry.

Sharpmaker is what I'd recommend although I know you didn't wanna really spend the $$.... BUT.... its the easiest and most versatile for someone who only has a few knives and it will last you forever.
 
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iratepr said:
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

Most of those were on my list to consider, and the Blur, Native, and Centofante will certainly be high contenders for round 2. I can probably loosen up the requirements now that I have a knife I can carry in the office. Yes, $50 is a little limiting, but it's really just my learning budget. I'm guessing it will go out the window as I sink deeper into my "new addiction".

Looks like sharpmaker gets a lot of votes, with a few for plain stones. Would either of those be good for my kitchen knives too? Might help justify the cost.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, although if you are just starting out I would recommend a lansky system or sharpmaker over a plain stone.
 
Polynikes07 said:
Absolutely, although if you are just starting out I would recommend a lansky system or sharpmaker over a plain stone.
Click to expand...

Knowing how to use flat stones is better (in that you aren't limited in which angle you sharpen at), so I'd suggest just getting those rather than a 'sharpening system' and practicing first on your Gerber--and it really doesn't take much practice.
 
Gretings Iratepr: If your primarily interested in making and keeping your new knife sharp with the least amount of complications, get a Sharpmaker. Although it may cost more than a pocket knife you have chosen to carry, a good inexpensive knife that is sharp is more useful than an expensive knife that is dull. The knife in your pocket is a lot more handy than the knife in transit to or from the factory getting resharpened. The Sharpmaker is also quite useful for maintaining your kitchen cutlery. It provides the SHORTEST learning curve and LEAST opportunity to screw up an edge. It is probably the EASIEST to use without prior sharpening experience. Another plus is a Small foot print, no oil, no water, no stone dishing no break in period no dislodged grit or dust. Many who use other sharpening methods still find the Sharpmaker excellent for maintaining a sharp edge. It can also be used to reprofile but is very time consumptive. The Sharpmaker is however limited to two preset sharpening angles of either 30 or 40 degrees but you can adjust for more. Used as per the included video and printed instructions it will get the job done and produce a consistently even and sharp edge. At about $50.00, it comes with medium and fine grit ceramic rods, a case/base, hand guards, a DVD and instruction booklet. OldDude1
 
If you are spending a little more - look at the Spyderco "Dragonfly" small, sweet, but a bit more pricey! - as to the Sharpmaker- go for it and use it on anything needing to become sharp! - I personally use a diamond plate and ceramic rod but like others have said it takes a while to really learn how to use them well! - I've worked at it for some 65 years! Enjoy your new knife and keeping your kitchen knives sharp!
Peace
Revvie
 
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