New to knives looking for my first knife.

Thefrzalchemist

Thefrzalchemist

Joined
Feb 28, 2016
Messages
18
Hello

I'm new to knife collecting my friend has a nice collection and got me interested in it. I have my opinions but not a lot of knowledge about knives and he has the things he likes in a knife. Now I'm looking for some community input on what a good first knife would be. He gas a zt0562 that I like due to the fact it's a zvt bearing flipper and has a smooth and easy open. But I know there are a lot of knives out there and want to do a bit of research and surveying before jump into the pool so to say. Also I plan on using the knife and carrying it so I'm not looking for anything that is meant to be more of a display piece.

Thanks
 
Welcome to BF!

This site is a wealth of knowledge of everything sharp and pointy! First you might check your local laws to see what knives you can legally carry. Next establish a budget! how much you can spend can limit your options. Then I suggest you check out our EDC thread. Members of this site generally post pictures, find out what looks nice and ask about it!
 
I think if you like ZT's, that is what you should probably get. To me, they are expensive. I own one; the 0770CF which is assisted opening and like it a lot. It is the perfect size for me to carry in my pocket and still be very useable for many things.

If you like modern knives, a good place to start is the Spyderco Delica or Endura. I prefer the Delica and they are pretty cost effective and slim to carry in a pocket. I just find that the Endura blade length makes me uncomfortable opening it around other people.

Lots of knives available and lots of steel choices.
 
I'd like to stay in the $100 range I've done some viewing I like the zt0801bw but they are a little high on price saw one for 115 but it sold fast.

Edit I should have said a budget of 80 to 120 which is what I was meaning when I said around 100. I didn't mean to confuse people into thinking that was the limit of my search.
 
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If you didn't find constant utility in carrying a pocket knife during your formative years there's a good chance are you'll never find 'a', or any, EDC knife to be indispensable. SAK's are 'handier than a pocket in a shirt', durable, inexpensive and countless versions exist. Also they're strictly utility because they don't intimidate anyone.
 
I have to agree with 300six. I got into knives a few years ago and the rabbit hole is deep. You will soon realize that there is no perfect knife. Its almost like trying to pick a favorite food dish. I have a humble set of knives but i reach for the sak the most because im not afraid to use it since its cheap and its so utilitarian.

edit: I forgot to mention that a big reason why I edc the sak is because its non threatening to most people. People who arent into knives will even find a small spyderco unnerving.
 
Hard to beat a Victorinox SAK. I carry one every day and use if far more than any other knife. What's a good one? I started with the Tinker and moved to a larger version of the Tinker. But the basic two layer SAK is hard to beat and very useful.
 
I've carried a SAK around for years and used to carry a cheap knife from Walmart but that eventually got hard to open and gets dull quicker than you can cut. So now I'm looking to get into a good EDC knife that can hold up better than that. Plus the small SAK I carry Isnt very useful for say cutting an apple up or cutting into clams shell packs.
 
Have to take a look at a spiderco Delica IV. $65, good steels, built for use and EDC, all the qualities of a great carry piece. Dissapears in your pocket, excellent wet traction for your grip. Wanna get into the exotic super steels, the Delica can go there too with many offerings.
 
Your budget is a good start and reasonable to get you a decent cutter. Though you may be overly hopeful for a ZT less than $100. The Spyderco line are quality products at good prices. You didn't say what drew you to the ZT whether it was looks, function, blade shape or a combination of things. The Kershaw is the same parent company as ZT but Kershaw is the more economical line. Still some great knives in that line.
 
If you're just looking for utility and not a showpiece, I'd recommend an Ontario Rat 1 or Byrd Cara Cara 2, both can be had for under $30. Then get yourself a small non threatening knife to throw in the bottom of your pocket, like a SAK or Case slipjoint. You can try several options before you eventually drop a lot of money on your dream knife. While I love carrying my bigger knives like the Recon 1, most days I don't even use it and can easily handle all my cutting tasks with a sub 3" blade. Plus youll learn to perfect your sharpening skills on a cheap blade before messing up a $100+ knife.
 
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Spyderco Delica, it was my first serious EDC.
Benchmade Mini Griptillian is one of my favorites now.
Ontario Rat 1 or 2 is a great budget alternative.
Good luck and have fun
 
OP - unless you have the spare money, I suggest you not get into this knife hobby and strictly limit yourself to a SAK, which should be sufficient for 95% of the cutting tasks of an average person.
 
sharp_edge said:
OP - unless you have the spare money, I suggest you not get into this knife hobby and strictly limit yourself to a SAK, which should be sufficient for 95% of the cutting tasks of an average person.
Click to expand...

I have nothing but good stuff to say about a Swiss army knife.

But it's very inconvenienet to pull out, open and close.

OP, here's a few to look at

Kershaw- Knockout, Leek, skyline, Link
ZT 566

RAT- 1, 2, utiltac

Spyderco- Delica, Endura, stretch, paramilitary 2, Manix 2, Manix lightweight

Benchmade Griptilian, 530,531, Barrage

That should give you an idea of where to start.
 
DeadboxHero said:
I have nothing but good stuff to say about a Swiss army knife.

But it's very inconvenienet to pull out, open and close.

OP, here's a few to look at

Kershaw- Knockout, Leek, skyline, Link
ZT 566

RAT- 1, 2, utiltac

Spyderco- Delica, Endura, stretch, paramilitary 2, Manix 2, Manix lightweight

Benchmade Griptilian, 530,531, Barrage

That should give you an idea of where to start.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this list. Good starting point and all great knives. Out of all of them I would probably lean towards the knockout or Link.
 
sharp_edge said:
OP - unless you have the spare money, I suggest you not get into this knife hobby and strictly limit yourself to a SAK, which should be sufficient for 95% of the cutting tasks of an average person.
Click to expand...

^This. I'm almost ashamed to admit it but after spending probably almost $2k on knives, these two little guys probably see the most use and they set me back about $10 each.
25312252773_0604df0636_b.jpg
 
Zt knives have a couple of things I really like, one is the look I really like the 0562 the 0801 and I like the 0566 to another is the elmax steel they use in some of their knives as I said earlier my friend has one and he says it holds an edge for an exceptionally long time. His also has the zvt bearing and after opening his knife a few times it really is smooth and quick.
 
$100 recommendations:
Spyderco: Manix 2, Delica, Stretch, Endura, Dragonfly
Benchmade: Griptilian line, HK axis 14715 and 14716
Kershaw/ZT: Blur, Knockout, Leek, Link, Shallot
May be able to find a ZT 0566, 0450, or 0770 for that price if you look.

An SAK is always nice to carry in conjunction.

If you like the KVT, id look for a ZT 0450. ZT will also replace blades for a minimal fee, should you break it, as will Benchmade.
Personally, if i had a $100 budget, id go Manix 2.
 
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