New to this world! Need help for a better steel!

[prepper81]

Hi There,

I am new to this world of knives and blades but I am already in love with it.

I live in Europe and in early 2014, with the economic fragile situation in the EU zone, I decided to put up a BOB.

While researching and putting it together a survival knife was required and I bought a BK7. As soon as I received it I fell in love with her. Just holding her gives me an enormous pleasure and taking it too a field trip was tremendously fun and rewarding.

Then, I acquired a SOG Seal Pup (didn't like it, my hands are small for the finger depressions in the handle so the grip doesn't feel natural) and a Kershaw Cryo II, that I am loving and using as an EDC knife.

So right now I have:

- BK7 with 1095 CroVan Steel
- Seal SOG Pup with AUS8 Steel
- Kershaw Cryo II with 8CR13Mov Steel

Well, I want a new folder with a different, better steel. I was thinking about one of the Kizers with VG10 Damascus Steel. Is it any good or should I go for the ZDP-189?

My limitations is it should not go higher than 100$ (since this means around 120€ in a Europe Store due to inflated prices) and I really like the extended tang that serves as a guard. (like the Kershaw models)

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[HwangJino]

Hello.

Do you have any sharpening experience? Lately I've been looking at spyderco knives.

Personally I would take zdp over vg10.

 

[AddictedToGear]

Many good knives in that price range. For the steel I would look at many Spydercos and the VG-10 or ZDP. I do not have experience with Kizer but will have one on its way soon.

 

[prepper81]

Thank you for the answers. I really do not like the spyderco design with the hole in the blade. I know they are extremely popular and I want to buy onde just to try it but it will be a cheaper model.
I do not want to spend 150$ in a design that I do not appreciate.

 

[prepper81]

And no. No sharpening exp here. But I intend to order a Whetstone and I want to start soon. Do not know if it is the most adequate procedure but I will do some research.

 

[jla3156]

Look at the endura and delica. Both come in vg-10 and zdp and are under $100 for vg-10. I like the full serrated edge for utility purposes.

 

[A.P.F.]

Forget about ZDP-189 unless you plan on using diamond hones. Trying to sharpen ZDP-189 on conventional stones is just frustration in a can.

 

[ozgooner]

I'd try and stretch your budget a little and go for a Zero Tolerance 0550. S35VN blade, titanium framelock and tough as all get out.

Good call on the BK-7 though. Perfect BOB knife. :thumbup:

 

[Quillan]

What APF said. ZDP is a bear to sharpen.

 

[knifeguy101]

Benchmade's 154cm is a good starter steel. Takes a great edge, and easy to sharpen, I actually sliced the tip of my thumb off sharpening a full sized grip.

 

[mtangent]

Why not try a European knife?
Look at Helle Skala.

 

[prepper81]

Thanks for all the replies. Just made up my mind and ordered a Kershaw Skyline Damascus. Loved this steel the moment I laid my eyes on it and a Damascus Blaze around 60 Bucks seems a good deal.

It is 1760DAM steel. Read some good stuff about it and I assume it is better than 8cr13Mov, right?

I will have more opportunities to go to the high end steel such as gv10 or the S35VN.

 

[crom]

Nothing beats Rasta Frai mon

 

[prepper81]

Lol Crom. I am glad there is google, otherwise I would have been trolled Searching everywhere for Rasta frei #1!!!

 

[jobasha11]

Forget about ZDP-189 unless you plan on using diamond hones. Trying to sharpen ZDP-189 on conventional stones is just frustration in a can.

Especially with no experience.

 

[mrdabble]

I'd try and stretch your budget a little and go for a Zero Tolerance 0550. S35VN blade, titanium framelock and tough as all get out.

Good call on the BK-7 though. Perfect BOB knife. :thumbup:

You won't be disappointed if you follow this recommendation, I second it. Just received my second one, blackwashed, in the mail friday.