New user! Need help picking out my first knife

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bananawww

Joined
Jul 14, 2011
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Hey there everyone. I'm currently in the market for my first actual EDC knife. I've only had a couple little swiss army knives before, and they've come in handy. I figured it's time to graduate to a folding knife. I've been looking around, and I've really taken a liking to all of the benchmade knives with Axis locks. I haven't really been able to go to any dealers to actually hold one in my hand yet, so that's a problem. Anything I should know about these knives?

P.S. what do you guys use your knives for? I'm just curious

Edit: Btw, I don't really want to spend over $100, but if the knife is nice enough, I'd spend more. I'd wouldn't really use it for anything too crazy, just cutting strings off clothes, I do rock climb a lot, and try to go camping when I can, so they'd come in handy for anything
 
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In Benchmades, take a look at the Griptilian stuff.

Also if you can, check out the Buck Vantage line.
 
The axis lock is great: very smooth and strong. I was initially planning to get a Mini Griptilian, but after trying out some knives in a store I decided that the 943 was worth the extra cost and went with that. I've been pretty happy with that knife; it's very refined and well-made. It's over $100, but you could find some other nice axis locks, like the 710, for about that much. Keep an eye on the for sale forum, or look at GPknives.com or Knifeworks (these two stores have the best prices on Benchmades).
 
I am going to recommend a kershaw skyline. it is cheap, well built, comfortable, packs a lot of blade into a small package, opens fast, and will handle anything reasonable thrown at it. I would also recommend the ZT 0350. it is a solid knife that is larger and thicker than many knives it's size, has good steel, opens really nicely, and has the kershaw warranty behind it. I love axis locks, and i would love one, but there are a lot of options out there that are in the same price range.
 
There are a ton of good ones to pick from so you may need to give a little more info like how long you want the blade to be, what kind of handles you want ect!!!! A few that come to mind for me would be a Spyderco Delica or Endura, Benchmade 940 if you want to spend a little over $100, Cold Steel American Lawman or Recon 1 if you want a little bigger knife, ZT 350 is a nice edc. If you dont want to spend much for the money there are several Kershaws like the Tremor, Clash, Volt 2 that are all good buys for the money! GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!! Kevin :D:thumbup::D
 
it's funny i just went through the same thing, I really loved the look of the benchmades and wanted one but they didn't feel quite right in my hand I ended up going with a spyderco paramilitary 2. Got it in the mail two days ago. It's fantastic and everything I was looking for in a knife. It's performed so well that I completly gotten over that I was lukewarm on the looks once I realized everything looks the way it does because it's serving a function.
 
bananawww said:
... Btw, I don't really want to spend over $100, but if the knife is nice enough, I'd spend more. I'd wouldn't really use it for anything too crazy, just cutting strings off clothes, I do rock climb a lot, and try to go camping when I can, so they'd come in handy for anything
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If you like AXIS locks and BM products, have a look at their small Bone Collector. It should be small enough to carry easily, more than strong enough for the tasks you've listed, and it'll hold up well to general hiking / camping chores... all for < $100.
 
Lots of great choices. I own quite a few knives and the Spyderco Delica ends up in my pocket pretty often. Light weight, tough and won't break the bank.
 
For the uses you describe, a good SAK is still your best bet. Having said that, however, I fully understand that you WANT a good folder. And Benchmade is one of the best. Of those, the Griptilian is considered by many to be one of BM's top models. Here's one for $73.95. Hard to beat!
 
moxie said:
For the uses you describe, a good SAK is still your best bet. Having said that, however, I fully understand that you WANT a good folder. And Benchmade is one of the best. Of those, the Griptilian is considered by many to be one of BM's top models.
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I agree a SAK is hard to beat but that didn't stop me from buying a Spydie Millie. :D The Griptilians are a good deal and if you wanna spend a tad more you should look at the Ritter Grip. I had one for a time and it was one of the best slicers I've ever owned.

And welcome to the addiction! ;)
 
+1 for that skyline. That was my first except the had any kind of quality. Also the knife that started my addiction. The quality and price just kept going up from there. Anyway there great knives!
 
Spyderco Delica 4 ffg is tough to beat for a good all-round EDC folder in the $50-$60 range. If you want to push the budget to around $120, you could get a Para-Military 2 or a Sage 1--two amazing and very respectable EDC options and both are fantastic values for the money. Spyderco has never let me down... :thumbup:

Good luck! :)
 
get a doug ritter grip and if possible upgrade it with some kevin wilkins scales!
you won't regret it;)
 
A Benchmade Griptilian would make a nice knife for EDC and many chores -- hiking, climbing, camping, etc..

A full size Benchmande 551 Griptilian 3 1/2" long blade -- top knife in picture and a 556 mini-Griptilian 2 7/8" long blade -- bottom knife in picture.\

benchmade551griptilianf.jpg


And don't forget to take along or carry a Swiss Army Knife (SAK)

Victorinox Huntsman
huntsman1.jpg


Nothing wrong with a Buck 110 either. A lot of the younger set don't like the 110 because it isn't racy/tactical looking enough for them and they claim the 110 is too heavy. Well, they're wrong on both counts and the 110 will work just as hard as any other folder -- harder than most.
1980sbuck1101.jpg


I could go on but you get the idea from the pictures. Good luck with whatever you get.
 
I carry a Kershaw Skyline everyday as my work knife. Its good quality at a great price (~$35). I also love both the Spyderco Delica 4 and the Endura 4. You can get either one for around $50.
 
Modoc ED said:
And don't forget to take along or carry a Swiss Army Knife (SAK)
Victorinox Huntsman
huntsman1.jpg


I could go on but you get the idea from the pictures. Good luck with whatever you get.
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This was my first ever knife :D My dad gave it to me when I was 12 years old. I lost the toothpick and tweasers, because everyone in my house would use them.

Great suggestions everyone! I checked out the Doug Ritter Griptillians, and I am definitely interested! I am just waiting to find a deal on any Griptillian, 940, or Doug Ritter Grip. Thanks for all the help!

Also: Is there any advantage of having a larger blade (4 inch and up) over a 3.5 inch blade? Just wondering, since I've never had a good knife yet
 
the griptilian is an amazing knife. however i prefer the slimness and weight od a delica. i have the one with no liners its an amazing blade.
 
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