Hi guys,
I've lurked here off and on for a long time. This site is amazing, and the knowledge you guys share has certainly been very useful to me in coping with this addiction we all share. Like most of you, I've spent a king's ransom on sharp, pointy things over the last few years, so I thought for my first post I would sum up my journey thus far. In my search for the holy grail of edc's, I've accumulated quite a collection, which will probably only continue to grow (b/c we all know the holy grail doesn't exist, right?). So, here's a few mini-reviews if anyone is interested:
Victorinox Soldier: Here's where it all began. I had a swiss army knife as a boy scout, and several years ago decided that I should start carrying one again. So, I bought the Soldier. Folks, this is such a great knife that I don't know why my journey into knife-knutism did not stop right here. Cuts like a laser and can open a beer. What more could you need? Heck, you can't open a beer with a Sebenza. Well, I guess you probably could in a pinch, but it would be ill-advised. I still carry this knife a lot during the work-week.
Spyderco Delica/Endura: I suppose Spyderco is always the next logical step. My first good locking folder was a plain edge FRN Delica. A heck of a knife. Light, comfortable, sharp as can be. I liked this knife so much that I bought the fully serrated model a few weeks later. Then I decided that I needed a bigger knife for the weekends, which logically led me to the Endura. Again, liked it so much I followed it up with a fully serrated model also. Any of this sound familiar? At this point, I had begun my downward spiral, and there was no turning back. Despite the many other knives I've purchased, I always come back to the Delica. They're great, and I'm not afraid to use them and use them hard. Definitely one of my all-time favorites. I just wish they'd make one with G-10 handles. That, my friends, would probably end my quest.
Spyderco Native: I like everything about this knife except for one thing--it just doesn't fit my hand well.
Calypso Jr: Great knife. Ridiculously sharp out of the box. Carried it for a long time but, for some reason, I now tend to reach for the Delica more often. Can't explain it, I guess it's just one of those things.
Military: Eventually eveyone needs a big-a** knife right? I ordered this bad boy, and when it arrived I was shocked.
This thing is huge--like a sword compared to what I'd been carrying. This is a great knife for weekends, camping, etc. But it was just too big for me to carry around every day, especially at work (in an office). I really wished Spyderco would make a smaller version--at the end of my story you will see I got my wish. 
Sebenza: I had to get here at some point right? I struggled with this decision for a long time and finally convinced myself that I would eventually end up with one, so I might as well go ahead and get it over with. My first Seb was a small regular. I will never forget unwrapping that tissue paper it came in and holding it in my hand for the first time. Simply amazing. I love being able to take it apart and clean it. I have no qualms about using it either because the more I use it, the better it looks. I've carried this knife at least 2-3 days a week for two years. I will never get rid of this one. All things considered, it is probably my all time fave. I also bought a large regular, but I haven't used it as much. I just can't see that it offers much benefit over the small, for my uses. If I had to say anything negative about the Sebs, it would be that they are not as sharp out of the box as say, Spyderco. But few knives are.
Benchmade: I saw the 705 as a good "beater" alternative to the small Seb. Love the G-10 handles and the axis lock. Hate the clip--this was a brand new knife and the clip looked like it had been used and scratched up. I took it off and just drop it in my pocket now. Also, the knife came with a terrible sharpening job from the factory. Wouldn't shave hair in the least. I used to carry this knife a lot, but now I tend to gravitate back to the Delica for some reason.
Soon after I got the 705, I ordered a 770 carbon fiber. It is a beautiful knife, great fit and finish. Problem is, it was as dull as my fingernail out of the box. I don't understand why a company would make a knife with premium materials, premium steel, and then not make it sharp. Don't get me wrong, these two Benchmades have a permanent place in my collection. I just don't like having to sharpen a new knife myself.
Microtech Amphibian: This thing is a brute. Super thick blade and is scary sharp. One of the most comfortable handles I've ever experienced. Smooth opening and the lock feels secure. I'm not too sure about the long-term durability of the bar lock contraption, but it seems solid. The only thing I don't like about this one is the weird shaped thumb studs. All in all a great knife--MT should continue to make them.
Buck Mayo: Love it and carry it a lot. Blade is stupidly sharp S30V and lock is secure. The thing I like most about it is that it has the most secure closing of a frame/liner lock I've ever seen. The ball detent just snaps right into place with authority. Slices like crazy. I prefer the Sebbie blade shape, but this one is a definite winner.
Al-Mar Sere 2k: I'm not too sure why I bought this one because I knew it would be too big for me. Fit and finish is outstanding and I love the clip design. The handle is very comfortable. But, this knife is way too heavy and bulky for the size of the blade. I'm also not a big fan of liner locks. Just not for me, I guess. I'll reach for the Military, Large Sebbie, or Amphib over this one if I need a big blade.
Al Mar Hawk Ultralight: This is my "gentlemen's" knife. Awesome materials, awesome fit and finish, scary sharp, and extremely light. I carry this to work a lot.
Strider SnG Gen. 3 Tanto: I had to have a Strider. Everyone should have a Strider. These are the coolest looking folders I have ever seen. I got the tanto point simply because I couldn't find anyone who had a spear point for sale at the time I bought mine. Normally I wouldn't go with a tanto under any circumstances, but it made sense here. If you're going to get what is probably one of the toughest most balls-to-the-wall knives on planet Earth, you may as well get one with the toughest point. I wouldn't hesitate to poke this thing through a car door if I needed to. BUT, I don't carry it that much. The clip is very tight and almost impossible to use. Also, the knife does not securely close. There is a ball detent, but it barely engages and the knife will partially open with only the slightest movement. I guess I could use a sheath, but I just don't want to. The knife flicks open with authority, but I just don't feel comfortable that it will stay closed in my pocket. In any event, I don't think I'll ever sell it. It's just too cool.
Spyderco Paramilitary: Folks, there's always a chance it is just because this knife is my latest purchase, but this may be the best one yet. This knife has almost everything I have ever wanted in a folder. The handle is the most comfortable I have ever held--even more comfortable than the larger, regular Military. The blade is thick and stout leading to a nice pointy tip, and the length is perfect. It is my first knife with the compression lock, and it feels even more secure to me than an axis lock. Out of the box, the blade was the most insanely sharp of any I have ever seen. It is beyond scary sharp. I didn't even know that a blade could get that sharp. This knife just feels so solid and secure in my hand that I think it may be as close to the holy grail as I'm likely to get any time soon. Size-wise the Para is about the same as the SnG, which I like. If I had to say anything negative about it, it would be that the clip rides a little high in the pocket. I've had it for about three weeks now, and it has never left my pocket. To Spyderco: Thanks for this one. For me, at least, it is an instant classic.
Well, that's where I am. I've left off many others from this overview, and maybe I'll get around to talking about them someday. Sorry this was so long, but maybe someone enjoyed it. :yawn: Again, it's great to be a part of this community, and I'm looking forward to talking with you guys a lot more.
I've lurked here off and on for a long time. This site is amazing, and the knowledge you guys share has certainly been very useful to me in coping with this addiction we all share. Like most of you, I've spent a king's ransom on sharp, pointy things over the last few years, so I thought for my first post I would sum up my journey thus far. In my search for the holy grail of edc's, I've accumulated quite a collection, which will probably only continue to grow (b/c we all know the holy grail doesn't exist, right?). So, here's a few mini-reviews if anyone is interested:
Victorinox Soldier: Here's where it all began. I had a swiss army knife as a boy scout, and several years ago decided that I should start carrying one again. So, I bought the Soldier. Folks, this is such a great knife that I don't know why my journey into knife-knutism did not stop right here. Cuts like a laser and can open a beer. What more could you need? Heck, you can't open a beer with a Sebenza. Well, I guess you probably could in a pinch, but it would be ill-advised. I still carry this knife a lot during the work-week.
Spyderco Delica/Endura: I suppose Spyderco is always the next logical step. My first good locking folder was a plain edge FRN Delica. A heck of a knife. Light, comfortable, sharp as can be. I liked this knife so much that I bought the fully serrated model a few weeks later. Then I decided that I needed a bigger knife for the weekends, which logically led me to the Endura. Again, liked it so much I followed it up with a fully serrated model also. Any of this sound familiar? At this point, I had begun my downward spiral, and there was no turning back. Despite the many other knives I've purchased, I always come back to the Delica. They're great, and I'm not afraid to use them and use them hard. Definitely one of my all-time favorites. I just wish they'd make one with G-10 handles. That, my friends, would probably end my quest.
Spyderco Native: I like everything about this knife except for one thing--it just doesn't fit my hand well.
Calypso Jr: Great knife. Ridiculously sharp out of the box. Carried it for a long time but, for some reason, I now tend to reach for the Delica more often. Can't explain it, I guess it's just one of those things.
Military: Eventually eveyone needs a big-a** knife right? I ordered this bad boy, and when it arrived I was shocked.
This thing is huge--like a sword compared to what I'd been carrying. This is a great knife for weekends, camping, etc. But it was just too big for me to carry around every day, especially at work (in an office). I really wished Spyderco would make a smaller version--at the end of my story you will see I got my wish. Sebenza: I had to get here at some point right? I struggled with this decision for a long time and finally convinced myself that I would eventually end up with one, so I might as well go ahead and get it over with. My first Seb was a small regular. I will never forget unwrapping that tissue paper it came in and holding it in my hand for the first time.
Simply amazing. I love being able to take it apart and clean it. I have no qualms about using it either because the more I use it, the better it looks. I've carried this knife at least 2-3 days a week for two years. I will never get rid of this one. All things considered, it is probably my all time fave. I also bought a large regular, but I haven't used it as much. I just can't see that it offers much benefit over the small, for my uses. If I had to say anything negative about the Sebs, it would be that they are not as sharp out of the box as say, Spyderco. But few knives are.Benchmade: I saw the 705 as a good "beater" alternative to the small Seb. Love the G-10 handles and the axis lock. Hate the clip--this was a brand new knife and the clip looked like it had been used and scratched up. I took it off and just drop it in my pocket now. Also, the knife came with a terrible sharpening job from the factory. Wouldn't shave hair in the least. I used to carry this knife a lot, but now I tend to gravitate back to the Delica for some reason.
Soon after I got the 705, I ordered a 770 carbon fiber. It is a beautiful knife, great fit and finish. Problem is, it was as dull as my fingernail out of the box. I don't understand why a company would make a knife with premium materials, premium steel, and then not make it sharp. Don't get me wrong, these two Benchmades have a permanent place in my collection. I just don't like having to sharpen a new knife myself.
Microtech Amphibian: This thing is a brute. Super thick blade and is scary sharp. One of the most comfortable handles I've ever experienced. Smooth opening and the lock feels secure. I'm not too sure about the long-term durability of the bar lock contraption, but it seems solid. The only thing I don't like about this one is the weird shaped thumb studs. All in all a great knife--MT should continue to make them.
Buck Mayo: Love it and carry it a lot. Blade is stupidly sharp S30V and lock is secure. The thing I like most about it is that it has the most secure closing of a frame/liner lock I've ever seen. The ball detent just snaps right into place with authority. Slices like crazy. I prefer the Sebbie blade shape, but this one is a definite winner.
Al-Mar Sere 2k: I'm not too sure why I bought this one because I knew it would be too big for me. Fit and finish is outstanding and I love the clip design. The handle is very comfortable. But, this knife is way too heavy and bulky for the size of the blade. I'm also not a big fan of liner locks. Just not for me, I guess. I'll reach for the Military, Large Sebbie, or Amphib over this one if I need a big blade.
Al Mar Hawk Ultralight: This is my "gentlemen's" knife. Awesome materials, awesome fit and finish, scary sharp, and extremely light. I carry this to work a lot.
Strider SnG Gen. 3 Tanto: I had to have a Strider. Everyone should have a Strider. These are the coolest looking folders I have ever seen. I got the tanto point simply because I couldn't find anyone who had a spear point for sale at the time I bought mine. Normally I wouldn't go with a tanto under any circumstances, but it made sense here. If you're going to get what is probably one of the toughest most balls-to-the-wall knives on planet Earth, you may as well get one with the toughest point. I wouldn't hesitate to poke this thing through a car door if I needed to. BUT, I don't carry it that much. The clip is very tight and almost impossible to use. Also, the knife does not securely close. There is a ball detent, but it barely engages and the knife will partially open with only the slightest movement. I guess I could use a sheath, but I just don't want to. The knife flicks open with authority, but I just don't feel comfortable that it will stay closed in my pocket. In any event, I don't think I'll ever sell it. It's just too cool.
Spyderco Paramilitary: Folks, there's always a chance it is just because this knife is my latest purchase, but this may be the best one yet. This knife has almost everything I have ever wanted in a folder. The handle is the most comfortable I have ever held--even more comfortable than the larger, regular Military. The blade is thick and stout leading to a nice pointy tip, and the length is perfect. It is my first knife with the compression lock, and it feels even more secure to me than an axis lock. Out of the box, the blade was the most insanely sharp of any I have ever seen. It is beyond scary sharp. I didn't even know that a blade could get that sharp. This knife just feels so solid and secure in my hand that I think it may be as close to the holy grail as I'm likely to get any time soon. Size-wise the Para is about the same as the SnG, which I like. If I had to say anything negative about it, it would be that the clip rides a little high in the pocket. I've had it for about three weeks now, and it has never left my pocket. To Spyderco: Thanks for this one. For me, at least, it is an instant classic.
Well, that's where I am. I've left off many others from this overview, and maybe I'll get around to talking about them someday. Sorry this was so long, but maybe someone enjoyed it. :yawn: Again, it's great to be a part of this community, and I'm looking forward to talking with you guys a lot more.
Great collection ... for now ... so don't stop 
?