Need knife advice, folding w/ lock

O

ozbej

Joined
May 20, 2005
Messages
11
I know lots of people ask for help and everyone is probably sick of reading threads like these... but I honestly do need 3rd party advice.

I am looking for an every day peice... and do alot of random things like boxes or zip ties, even food on occasion when I am camping.

I have a spyderco merlin (hawkbill w/ serrations) and have been happy with it, but have broken my tip off and am looking for a good replacement.

The reason I am here asking is that the serrations never cut clean for me, and my friends strait edge knives go through material with alot less problems for the most part. Some of them even have the Combo-Blade types, but again I feel the serrations should be on the end of the knife, not the other way around.


I am looking for advice on serrations vs non for every day uses, and blade type. I loved my hawkbill blade, but have found limitations on occasion such as using it for any food preperations. Does anything out there cut through materials like a hawk does? The pure power for slicing seemed unmatched hence my delema. The blade shape advice is especially important to me.

Any help is great, thanks :)
 
Welcome to BladeForums :D

I would suggest a plain edged Syderco Calypso Jr.; they cut extremely well with a more versatile blade shape.



- Frank
 
For food prep you'll want something stainless, as non-stainless steels can react to acids in some foods and give you a funky taste. For food prep when camping, you can't go wrong with a little Swiss Army knife (known as an SAK 'round these parts).

For a good every day knife for other tasks, it depends both on your budget and what you'll need the knife to do. I'm not a big fan of Spyderco, but the Manix looks like a good solid knife, and from my brief handling of it, it's a winner. Benchmade makes good knives, but a bit pricey for some. If you're looking for high quality, but mid-line pricing, take a look at Camillus, Buck (everyone should have a 110 in their collection) and Kershaw.

Do you want one hand opening, or is a traditional slipjoint (stockman, trapper, SAK, etc.) more to your liking? If had to choose just one knife, I don't think I could do it. I carry a one hand opener (right now a Camillus Heat) along with a Victorinox Soldier. The Heat for all the heavy tasks likes boxes, zip ties, etc., and the Soldier for food prep.

There's a lot to choose from. Good luck and have fun looking. Finding the right knife is half the fun.
 
Thank you for the quick replies on the subject :)

I am planning on going w/ stainless for the material, and the costs hehe.

I guess the biggest difficulty for me is understanding the functions of the different shape of the blades. I loved the merlin because once it is inside something, you can really put some power on it and tear through it because of the hawkbill shape... but it is less functional for the random other uses.

The serrations are also useful at times, but am considering a strait edge... possibly sharpening w/ a coarse grit for microserrations as in my experience the serrations can really tear up your desired object sometimes.

Right now I will not have the capability of carrying more than 1 knife on me as I carry many other objects, and already look like I have a bat-belt on heh.

thanks again! :)
 
not sure how much you want to spend

i would look at these five brands: benchmade becasue of the axis lock mchenry, ares, or afck. microtech becasue of the frame lock the mini socom, mini socom elite. kershaw, the boa, avalanche. i do not know alot about emerson but i hear they are very tough and good knives. oh and crkt, they have a lot of knives
 
well I am not too worried about specifics yet, just trying to understand the utility for each blade types in the real world. I have read the FAQ on the basic information on blade types here, but am looking for opinions on what is the better choices for what I am going to do with the knife.

thanks :)
 
I have to recommend the Benchmade Doug Ritter Grip. It has a very useful blade, excellent slicer. It has the AXIS lock that you will love once you get used to it. If you learn to work the AXIS lock so you can flip the blade open and closed you'll wonder how you got by without it. I used it to slice effortlessly through my hoagie a couple days ago.

You should take some time to learn how to sharpen and maintain your knife. I was able to take mine right to the Spyderco Sharpmaker with the rods set to 40 degrees and poilsh the edge right up. I ordered the optional ultra fine rods to get an even finer edge. Some say s30v steel performs better when it's highly polished.

http://www.aeromedix.com/index.php?...3dd3a650d0d8aad6965c72e6&action=sku&sku=bmrsk

This knife is about as close to perfect as I have found for EDC. It's pretty near perfect for functionality. I wouldn't mind having a fancier handle or something, but that wouldn't effect the function of the knife.
 
If you want a serrated knife, I would go with a Spyderco. In my not so humble opinion, their serrated edges are the best. I also think a straight cutting edge knife, serrated or plain, is better all-around than highly curved blades for non-specialized purposes.

You really can't go far wrong with an Endura or a Delica in either a full serrated or plain edge. They are relatively cheap and they will be super sharp right out of the box. Other than the Spydercos, there are lots of knives out there that probably would fit your requirements. Be sure to keep it sharp, whatever you decide on.
 
i wouldnt leave out a good tanto blade, i dont think you need to worry about breaking th tip on a tanto.
 
Well heres my Euro's worth:

A hawkbill has some great strengths, mainly the pull cut. There are some situations in which they shine. Down side, there pants at slicing onions :)

For a great all round blade have a look at a Spyderco Delica or an Endura for under fifty dollars. The Endura is the larger at 4".
Some will disagree but go for a plain edge (pe)
Now go and spend another forty on a Sharpmaker to keep it sharp, very sharp.

The above is safe money. There are plenty of other valid choices but check the reviews. Endura Delica just don't get slagged off!
Unless you fancy learning free hand honing (and respect if you do) your going to need a sharpening system. There are others but again check the reviews.

Until you have experienced the sheer pleasure of using a sharp knife you aint lived! An Endura out of the box will shave hair, promis ya.
The Sharpmaker will keep it that way if you invest an hour of your life in learning how to use it, bargain!

The above is coloured by my having just got great service from there customer service department. :D
 
thanks for the advice, yeah i am seeing alot of good reviews on the Endura.

I am a little shy of spiderco again because my merlins tip broke so easily, and the plastic handle always made it feel cheap to me (even though i know it is NOT that way)


I saw a mosty strait edge tanto with just a BIT of a serrated at the base that really sparked my interest, but it was a maxam knife... I am poking around trying to find a similar knife in a more reputable company.

I will probably wind up with the Endura regardless, but would still like other options for me (hey, maybe ill just buy more than 1 knife like someone else suggested :)

Anyone have any opinions on a Buck knife? Specifically the Buck Alpha Dorado?

Or possibly Kershaw Ken Onion Tanto 1670TBLKST

Or GERBER 1405 KIOWA TANTO



Ok ok, someone smack me :(
 
My inaugural post here a few months ago was just like yours - advice for an all-around folder. Now I browse this forum almost daily!

I got a Kershaw Ken Onion Vapor with a plain edge. It also comes in a serrated model. It is simple and of superior quality. Don't be fooled by its low price (around $20 bucks). I'm not afraid to put the Vapor to work.
 
Thanks for the advice :)

I am still trying to figure out blade type as my hawkbill tip broke so easily I am being lured into a tanto... but then read all the negative information on them as a utility knife and then don't know what to take a peek at.
 
If you like the cutting power of the hawkbill shape, maybe you should consider a recurved blade like the Microtech Amphibian, Camillus EDC, or Benchmade 710.
 
First of all, you need a SAK! No matter what other knives you have, a SAK is always a good thing to have (I'm a bit of a SAK-aholic).

I think a plain edge is better than a serrated one for most cutting tasks, and it's easier to mantain. I've never been too fond of serrated edges, my regular plain edge knives can do anything I need them to.

There are lot's of knives that would be great for regular EDC and camping chores (you should really get a fixed blade for camping). This are a few I found useful:

Buck: The good old 110 is tough, cheap and very nice. You can get one from the custom shop in BG-42, if you want a better steel. As somebody said before, everybody should have one. The 112 is a smaller version of the 110 that's starting to grow on me. The finger grooved handles are very comfortable, and it's as strong as it's big brother. The Alpha Folding Hunter, although a bit on the heavy side, has earned my respect. I've used it a lot and it performs beautifully. I've also used the Alpha Crosslock on a couple of hunting trip, very nice knife with a handy saw. I had to do some modifications to better adapt it to my needs.

Benchmade: The BM-550 is a great buy for around $65. I love Griptilians, they are amongst my favourite folders, great price, good materials and blade design. The RitterGrip has received some very good reviews from fellow knife nuts, I don't have one, but it seems to be a very good knife. Pikas are dirt cheap and pretty good for the money.

Spyderco: The Manix is about everything you'll need in a knife. Very strong, some find it heavy, I don't. The Centofante III is a great EDC knife, I haven't seen much talk about it in the forums, but I love it. Native III, Endura and Delica are other Spydercos you can't go wrong with.

Opinels are incredibly useful camping knives. They might not look like much at first, just get a #8 or #9, sharpen it and try it out for a few days. If you don't like it, you'll only be 10 bucks poorer.
 
My opinion on a great all-around no nonsense tough and inexpensive stainless lockblade will always be the Buck 110. The 112 is a smaller version, as indicated above, and smaller yet is the new Buck 55. I have been putting 110s through every conceivable real life workout for 25+ years. I have always replaced them when I thought they looked 'worn out' or because they went missing. The only real failure was due to a long drop onto concrete and a few tip over-torques.
The only drawback is the weight, which when you are in love, you overlook. The weight does make it a good 'tack hammer' though. Been there. Done that. No damage but little dents in the brass.
One day Buck will send me a complimentary 55 for being such a great promoter, but I only recommend the 110 because I really feel they are well worth the praise.
....and besides, they are a classic.
 
perhaps a warncliffe, like the BM 921, Gravitator, the CRKT E-lock, or Kershaw Onion/Centofante.
 
Merek posted
My opinion on a great all-around no nonsense tough and inexpensive stainless lockblade will always be the Buck 110
Click to expand...


He's right :)

The 110 is a classic and a great cornerstone of a collection.
The only down side in my view is the weight it's a heavy brute.
Fantastic value though and your not likely to break it.
If you can hack having it in a pouch on your waist then fine but it's a big lump in a pocket and no pocket clip.

The Endura is a lot lighter. The FRN handle looks uninspiring but just take it in your hand it's a site more solid than it looks.
 
I would forget the serrations and go plain-edge.

And you really cannot go wrong with Spyderco or Benchmade for an everyday folder.

Some favorites that I have no hesitation recommending:

Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Native III
Spyderco Centofante III
Benchmade 551 Griptilian
Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian
Benchmade 770 Osborne

Good luck,
Allen.
 
well i am dropping the idea of a full serrated blade... and am focused either a straight edge or a combo edge. i am looking for something very strong blade wise since i seem to break even spyderco tips. any recommendations on steel or strong blade brands and strong blade styles... like tanto or drop point would be great.
 
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