New to Knives

FTRrider

FTRrider

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Joined
May 31, 2023
Messages
141
I have no idea how it happened, but here I am. I've always been somewhat interested in knives but never enough to do any research or anything like that. I'd be at the sporting goods store and see what I thought were some pretty cool ones but wasn't willing to shell out $30 for one. I bought a Kershaw flipper with serrated edges about 11 years ago and was happy. I never sharpened it or did any other maintenance. About two weeks ago, I got sick and tired of the dull edge so I started looking at places to have it sharpened. When looking I saw a link to a YouTube video about how to sharpen a knife so I clicked on it.

That's the exact moment it happened. All the suggested videos were about knives so I clicked on one, then another, and another, and another. The next thing you know I'm looking at Bugouts, Para 3's, Drop Bears, and so on but never for a second did I think I was going to spend that kind of money for a knife, lmao. I went to every big site like Knife Center, Blade HQ, and some others. I started researching different metals. I had no idea about any of this but I've been hooked ever since. I started small with a Civivi Mini Praxis. Then I saw a video about the Terzuola ATCF Lite so I got one of those. I started watching video reviews from guys like Metal Complex. He liked the Kizer Drop Bear so I ordered one of those. All of this in the span of three days. I thought I was done because there was no way I was going to spend more than I did for the Drop Bear. The next day I watched a video on Knife Center's YouTube channel about the Benchmade Bugout so I started researching those. I pulled the trigger on one and ordered it. But then I saw a video of a Bugout with better steel so when it arrived I sent it back and exchanged it for the S30V aluminum scaled version. After spending that kind of money I thought for sure I was done. But a few days after that I watched a video on Knife Center's YouTube page about the Demco AD 20.5 Shark-Lock with S35VN so I "had" to order one of those. Then over the Memorial Day weekend, I started getting all these emails about sales. I watched a Knife Center video about the Viper Turn. I loved that so I went searching for the best price and found the Ti version with black G10 and bought that.

I need help. I can't stop. Is there such a thing as knives anonymous? Any help would be appreciated.
 
Welcome. I’m afraid you have come to the wrong place for help! This group of enablers are already itching to help you spend your money!!!



I’ll just leave these here….

Chris Reeve Knives

Maker of such knives as the Sebenza, Mnandi, Umnumzaan, and fixed-blade knives for the Quiet Professional. Products from Chris Reeve Knives are the epitome of high quality and attention to detail. Visit their website at: http://www.chrisreeve.com
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

Carothers Performance Knives

http://www.carothersknives.com
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
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Word of advice, take your time and actually use your knives before you buy more... Before you know it, you'll have a bunch of knives you don't really use.

The Demko is a great knife, so is the the Bugout. Both have good edge geometry.

Get a good fixed blade. They're solid and much easier to keep clean.
 
The cheap knives are good for learning how to sharpen your tools. You'll definitely need to invest on some sharpening equipment and the time to learn to use it. You can spend hundreds of dollars on a single knife, but it'll be useless if you don't know how to keep it sharp. Places like Ace Hardware have knife sharpening services, but they'll use some machine that hogs away metal and if you keep going there, your expensive knife will turn into a toothpick before long. Ditto some machine that you can buy and use at home. Learn to touch up your edge with ceramics or a fine diamond or a leather strop rather than honing away a new bevel each time, and you'll have a tool that lasts a lifetime.
 
There is no (1) perfect knife so you can discard any thoughts you might have of finding that. There is always something new, interesting and different around the corner. Most of the folks here have lots of knives so we’re in somewhat of the same situation but possibly at a more advanced stage, though it sounds like you have a pretty good head of steam up already. I have knives that sit in a toolbox drawer (oh yeah, just for knives and manly stuff) and no longer see any use whatsoever, ones that reside in bags and vehicles, tackleboxes, etc: and a handful that are my current carry users. I would suggest that you get familiar with the exchange here so that at least you can pass on the ones that you acquire along the way that don’t or no longer really fit the “keeper” list as you go. If you do much surfing here, you will see some pretty cool tools and everything that ranges from user to premier safe queen, reasonably priced to totally off the hook (although that is a matter of individual interpretation and changes with time).
If you fit what “I believe” is the norm around here (if that exists), choose to run away now or hold onto your credit card/wallet and get ready for the ride.
Enjoy!
 
Youtube claims another victim 🤣 It is hard, but try to limit yourself to one knife a month maybe? Less is more. And the hunt is more pleasurable, than pulling the trigger. Learning about blade geometry, handle ergonomics, and sharpening methods for different steels for each use case.. Anyways, Welcome to the madness!
 
Welcome. I suggest a Spyderco then you will know addiction:p

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I'm new to knives too but not collecting, and one of things I learned about collecting is to hone in on just a few brands or even just a one or two. It can help with saving money but also add more consistency to your collection's presentation if that matters for you like it does for me. So for instance I'm slowly pivoting to focusing on Cold Steel and Midgards Messer for my brands.
 
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