hey guys I was wondering what is a good all around survival, day/carry around knife? I have been reading around and it seems like everyone leans towards plain edge knives. So my question is the SOG seal pup or seal pup elite with a plain edge a good all around everyday carry,camping knife? I really dislike folders because of the past experience.
new to knives
- Thread starter kevshin21
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I had really cheap folders in the past all with the plain edge and serrated combo. Currently I only have 1 folder which is a Maxam which my buddie gave me (I think he found it off the street) The other folders were basically crappy butterfly knives I got from china town and a folder I found off a basket ball court. Basically most of them are really crappy and that is why I am only using the Maxam. most of them are kinda dinged up and the tips were bent and the Maxam is starting to Rust.
my other question if a folder can be as strong as a fixed blade knife?
Edit: also the reason why I do not usually buy knives is because I am still trying to learn what brand and steel is good etc.
my other question if a folder can be as strong as a fixed blade knife?
Edit: also the reason why I do not usually buy knives is because I am still trying to learn what brand and steel is good etc.
killerskill
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everyone says plain edge is better because it looks better and takes better pictures. People tend to jump on the bandwagon here also. If you where in the field all day and had no way to sharpen your knife, and where cutting say, rope all day, the partial serattions will be the only thing useful on your knife at that point.
I (personnaly) really like black blades , and serrated blades. However, Sometimes it's better to have a Plain edge than a partially serrated edge, especially at the back of the blade.
Double edge is nice but require extra care and you need to be more safe with it.
Powder Coating (black), can, I guess, help the blade cut better.
And it looks good too !
So, I like black blades. I use to buy cheap knife at Canadian Tire, but man those are dull. DULL.
I just ordered a Becker BK10, and I think it will be nice and sharp this time.
I will give you a steel list to choose from. Normally, 420,420J,440 steel are easy to sharpen but will not keep the cutting edge long, plus it's quite cheap.
You see, when you will see the steel list you will see that a steel is a combonaison of compromise. It's either Sharp longer or easier to sharpen, Either tuffer but easily break, really tuff but wont cut that much...
So, you need to decide what you want in priority.
Here's some list / description of some steel
http://www.zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml
E. What's the "best steel".
Understanding these properties will get you started to fundamentally understanding steels and how choice of steel can effect performance. I often see people asking, what's the best steel? Well, the answer depends so much on what the steel is being used for, and how it's heat-treated, that the questioner can never possibly get an accurate answer. For a knife lover, it's worth spending a little time understanding steel properties -- only by doing so well he really understand what the "best steel" might be for his application.
Check this site, and come back after that
Double edge is nice but require extra care and you need to be more safe with it.
Powder Coating (black), can, I guess, help the blade cut better.
And it looks good too !
So, I like black blades. I use to buy cheap knife at Canadian Tire, but man those are dull. DULL.
I just ordered a Becker BK10, and I think it will be nice and sharp this time.
I will give you a steel list to choose from. Normally, 420,420J,440 steel are easy to sharpen but will not keep the cutting edge long, plus it's quite cheap.
You see, when you will see the steel list you will see that a steel is a combonaison of compromise. It's either Sharp longer or easier to sharpen, Either tuffer but easily break, really tuff but wont cut that much...
So, you need to decide what you want in priority.
Here's some list / description of some steel
http://www.zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml
E. What's the "best steel".
Understanding these properties will get you started to fundamentally understanding steels and how choice of steel can effect performance. I often see people asking, what's the best steel? Well, the answer depends so much on what the steel is being used for, and how it's heat-treated, that the questioner can never possibly get an accurate answer. For a knife lover, it's worth spending a little time understanding steel properties -- only by doing so well he really understand what the "best steel" might be for his application.
Check this site, and come back after that
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Plain Edge-Cutting things that don't require a sawing action or thick materials.
Serrated Edge-Good for cutting rope and thick things, boxes or anything that needs a sawing action.
Folders are a great knife, cheap knives do not compare to a well made folding knife, so don't throw folding knives out of your options just because you have some poor ones. Buck makes nice folding knives, as does benchmade and spyderco. Have you ever considered a multi-tool like a leatherman or a victorinox swiss tool? Maybe a swiss army knife? Fixed blades are stronger per say but as far as being able to tote it around i would lean towards a folding knife. If you want to use it for work and survival and fishing and stuff i would look into a multi tool, carried either in your pocket or in it's sheath. Hope this helps.
Serrated Edge-Good for cutting rope and thick things, boxes or anything that needs a sawing action.
Folders are a great knife, cheap knives do not compare to a well made folding knife, so don't throw folding knives out of your options just because you have some poor ones. Buck makes nice folding knives, as does benchmade and spyderco. Have you ever considered a multi-tool like a leatherman or a victorinox swiss tool? Maybe a swiss army knife? Fixed blades are stronger per say but as far as being able to tote it around i would lean towards a folding knife. If you want to use it for work and survival and fishing and stuff i would look into a multi tool, carried either in your pocket or in it's sheath. Hope this helps.
wow you guys are very helpful! I really appreciate you guys walking me through this. Suzukigsx I have not considered getting a muti tool because most of the things that I need are already lying around in my tool box, room etc. But one of the more important tools (the knife) has been very lacking. My other question too is are there any good knives that have a PE and a SE in the back?
edit: If i have not mentioned it already this knife will be basically part of my everyday carry tool (as long as its not massive like a machete) AND a survival/camping knife.
edit: If i have not mentioned it already this knife will be basically part of my everyday carry tool (as long as its not massive like a machete) AND a survival/camping knife.
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i personally do not like having combo edges on my knives for the simple fact that a knife should be either serrated or plain. A combo edge i feel, does not give enough of either in order to be effective. One swipe of a full serrated edge could take 2 or 3 from the serrated portion on a combo edge. Would you be able to tell us what you will be using this knife for and we could better help you?
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Id suggest a delica 4 FRN (plastic like handle material) with either a vg-10 blade or zdp 189 (more expensive but better imo). The delica is a great all round folder. If you have only used crap folders in the past, you have never used a folder=). If you are not into spyderco, check out benchmade, they have some really nice stuff (little pricey but well worth the cost). Good luck!
I put a stone in the accessory pocket on the sheath on most all of my fixed blades... All of the ones that go w/ me to the woods for sure. Am I the only one?
I suppose if they aren't too big then no, personally a little folder with a 2-3 inch blade does the trick for edc, survival and camping I like to go a little wacko in the woods and have 3 or more knives, if your in the wild, go wild!
Good, better to ask first, buy later, I have way too much garbage I should unload and buy one really good blade of 2-3 good blades.
Most of the folders you have encountered are junk, I have 2 frost folders - crap, and the other flea market crap. The difference between these and say a Spyderco Endura 4/Delica/Native, etc or even the "discount" Byrd line is mind boggling. When you pick up any of these knives you will immediately feel quality, same with any good to great company. You should find your nearest knife place that sells good quality knives and just handle them, and your cheapy folders. That or just go to Wallyworld if your in the US and grab any of the Spyderco's, you'll be happy.
I EDC my Buck Woodsman, it's a fixed blade knife. 4" blade, 7" overall. I feel it is perfect, not too large, not too small. I carry it on my belt in the sheath, under my shirt/jacket. You can't see it on me, and I can sit down, run, walk, work, with it on comfortably.
If you get anything larger (IMO) it will b cubersome for EDC, especially if you are trying to conceal it. A large Bowie knife may look cool, but I don't see how someone would conceal it comfortably.
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Fixed blades arent as bad as we make them out to be, to be honest if i could just sell all my knives and buy one top of the line fixed blade and was able to carry it out in the public, i would be all for it. I love fixed blades because they are beefier and can do more tasks than a folder, per say. You don't have to worry about anything failing either. I would recommend a Buck 110 Folding hunter knife, it is a really robust knife, you will feel the quality, and it is under 30$. Here is mine if youre interested in buying one.
My Other favorite folding knife that i havent put down since i bought it a couple years ago is my CRKT(columbia river knives and tools) M-16-03(the new 03's are zytel, mine is aluminum handled). But yeah that or the 110 should set you straight. Or maybe you could consider the benchmade benchmite II for edc, definately not a survival knife by any means but i would carry a fixed blade for that anyways. Practically, you are looking to buy two different knives, one for carry and one for survival/camping.
My Other favorite folding knife that i havent put down since i bought it a couple years ago is my CRKT(columbia river knives and tools) M-16-03(the new 03's are zytel, mine is aluminum handled). But yeah that or the 110 should set you straight. Or maybe you could consider the benchmade benchmite II for edc, definately not a survival knife by any means but i would carry a fixed blade for that anyways. Practically, you are looking to buy two different knives, one for carry and one for survival/camping.
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If you are dead set on a fixed blade i would look at Moras at Ragweed forge.
The sog you mentioned seems like a pretty solid blade too,
Also Kabar makes some nice larger fixed blades, Becker has some nice blades at competitive prices.
If you are looking for something more compact and carry freindly a folder may be the way to go.
Buck 110 Hard to beat the classics
Spyderco Endura or possibly delica or native if you want something smaller.
I have had really good luck with my Gerber Gator Folder they also make a fixed blade version that seems neat to me.
Do some research, Figure out what you want and what you are willing to pay then shop around a bit. You can get some good deals on ebay if you know what you are looking for, but know what things are worth before you bid and watch shipping charges
The sog you mentioned seems like a pretty solid blade too,
Also Kabar makes some nice larger fixed blades, Becker has some nice blades at competitive prices.
If you are looking for something more compact and carry freindly a folder may be the way to go.
Buck 110 Hard to beat the classics
Spyderco Endura or possibly delica or native if you want something smaller.
I have had really good luck with my Gerber Gator Folder they also make a fixed blade version that seems neat to me.
Do some research, Figure out what you want and what you are willing to pay then shop around a bit. You can get some good deals on ebay if you know what you are looking for, but know what things are worth before you bid and watch shipping charges