Newbie advice

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miso2 said:
Welcome to the forums, Eric!

I myself joined BF only a couple of years ago. Since then I learned a lot about different knives, designs, steels, and maintenance tips here on BF. As the result, I have bought too many knives (to me and probably to my wife, too) like you and too many accessories during the last 2 years.

I was going after the ultimate edge holding steel at the beginning and went from ATS-34 to S110V. Then I realized that I need to sharpen them properly and bought a bunch of sharpening tools. This was followed by my fascination to the frame lock design, which really reveals the level of fit and finish of a knife easily. Naturally, I went to a midtech/CRK route, came to a realization of my grail knife (a well-crafted 3.3” Wharncliffe front flipper frame lock knife with a thin edge), and got the first custom just like that.

I am quite happy with it and with my other favorite, Umnumzaan, and hoping that this acquisition makes my craving subside a little while. It is working so far. When a new knife catches my eye, I say to myself that it ain’t be better nor as good to those favorites. I was pretty close to order a TiLock Yesterday, but able to fight the rage.

What is really bad (and really good at the same time) is that there are so many good knives and knife makers out there these days. I am not sure if I can resist my craving at all when front flippers come out from CCCK and JG Customs in the near future. Oh, and Gough Customs may be making folders right now! Really really bad :)

I guess the bottom line is that you cannot do anything but keep buying, and just damn about your living this fantastic era.
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Let's get some pictures of that custom?
 
You might have seen it already. It is a front flipper made by MacWasil Knives.

MacWasil_Umnum2.JPG
 
My best advice is if you want a certain knife, don't settle for a lesser but similar knife. You won't be satisfied knowing you didn't get the one you really wanted and it will be wasted money. Also, if shopping for knives in a brick and mortar shop, carry one of your nicest blades with you as a reminder of what you already have. It will either keep you from buying cheaper blades, or it can backfire and make you buy something even better. It works for me. I take a Spyderco with me to any place that sells blades under $50 (which is a lot of places around me). You can also be fondling that same knife while browsing other knives online. It's just a reminder of quality vs liquid assets :)
I can also agree with the old slipjoint idea. You obviously got lots of nice modern blades. The classics can be had for a few bucks each even nice shape USA made carbon steel! I've gotten about 20 traditionals for about $2-$6 each, mostly made in the USA! For less than a single ZT I got so many blades that really are worth having plus they make great loaners and gifts. I've had a few really happy people receive something like an old Barlow or Trapper knife that I fixed up with my own hands and gave to them. Another high quality but low priced option is the Swiss Army Knife! I ended up with 7 of them, 3 new 4 used for a grand total of $35 on auctions. Again, SAK's make great gifts, gentleman's carry, and even non-knife people recognize a SAK as a tool and will think they're cool.
 
I have tried to end my knife buying, and it has not worked in the past. If I were you and just starting out, hmmm. Well I guess I would do this. Buy small, medium, and large folder. Then buy small, medium, and large fixed blade. Buy one machete. And that is it...no more, at all!! But, probably won't happen. I keep telling myself, these last three knives are all I need to fill in the niche I have in my assortment, but then something great comes along, and out the window that plan goes.

Another thing. There are some great knives under 250 bucks, do NOT go over that! Don't start getting into mid-techs and customs, it just creates more and more niches!But, buy quality, not a whole bunch of 5 dollar corner store knives, get a quality knife! And not a company that sells knockoffs! IMO I would rather have one quality knife, than 20 crap knives. Everyone is different though.
 
Also, someone on here suggested "sleep on it" before you buy a knife. Best advice! IDK about others here, but I am extremely indecisive when it comes to choosing between all these great new knives coming out. Sometimes I buy one, and before it gets to the house, I am already wishing I would have bought the other. Do some research and take your time, and then some!
Welcome to blade forums buddy!
 
Ebrads420 said:
What's the best way to sell iyho?
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The best way to sell is right here on the Exchange with a Gold or higher membership.

I've also found it's the best way to buy, as most BF members are highly honest and candid about the condition of the knives they're selling. Buying here gets you a knife at better price that's already been field tested and individually reviewed. You can find anything from safe-queen to user at an appropriate price.

I've found that selling has really helped control my buying habits. As my collection grew from $30 users up through quality Spydies, BMs, ZTs, into CRKs, Hinderers, and well beyond I was initially unable to let anything go. However, I started to find that a certain knife I'd been wanting was a more-or-less duplicate of something I already had that wasn't getting any use. I had a number of $150ish (Exchange-valued) knives in that category that I liked and maybe filled a certain niche but that I didn't use. I sold a few that were good knives, had a slight tinge of seller's remorse initially, but found I really didn't miss them overall nor feel the need to replace that knife or to fill that "hole" again.

Anyway, having sold a pretty fair number in the past year has helped to refine my collection and gives me a perspective on where any particular knife I desire might fit. I try now to just buy knives that I'll actually carry and use. There was a grail I'd wanted for a long time that came up at a super price (still wicked expensive for sure) that I struggled not to buy and was ultimately glad I passed on. Selling has removed a lot of duplication and fluff and has helped me to look at any particular knife of interest with an eye toward what might become of it.

Some guys buy and sell easily just to try stuff out. For me, for now, selling has calmed me down quite a bit. Of course I've said that before and am still a guy with 60 or 70 knives. :rolleyes:
 
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ChazzyP said:
The best way to sell is right here on the Exchange with a Gold or higher membership.

I've also found it's the best way to buy, as most BF members are highly honest and candid about the condition of the knives they're selling. Buying here gets you a knife at better price that's already been field tested and individually reviewed. You can find anything from safe-queen to user at an appropriate price.

I've found that selling has really helped control my buying habits. As my collection grew from $30 users up through quality Spydies, BMs, ZTs, into CRKs, Hinderers, and well beyond I was initially unable to let anything go. However, I started to find that a certain knife I'd been wanting was a more-or-less duplicate of something I already had that wasn't getting any use. I had a number of $150ish (Exchange-valued) knives in that category that I liked and maybe filled a certain niche but that I didn't use. I sold a few that were good knives, had a slight tinge of seller's remorse initially, but found I really didn't miss them overall nor feel the need to replace that knife or to fill that "hole" again.

Anyway, having sold a pretty fair number in the past year has helped to refine my collection and gives me a perspective on where any particular knife I desire might fit. I try now to just buy knives that I'll actually carry and use. There was a grail I'd wanted for a long time that came up at a super price (still wicked expensive for sure) that I struggled not to buy and was ultimately glad I passed on. Selling has removed a lot of duplication and fluff and has helped me to look at any particular knife of interest with an eye toward what might become of it.

Some guys buy and sell easily just to try stuff out. For me, for now, selling has calmed me down quite a bit. Of course I've said that before and am still a guy with 60 or 70 knives. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Thank you for your advice
 
miso2 said:
You might have seen it already. It is a front flipper made by MacWasil Knives.

MacWasil_Umnum2.JPG
Click to expand...

So I've just finished writing my sage advice to our Newbie OP, I Google MacWasil for the helluvit based on the above, and now I'm ogling a $700 MacW CF frame lock. Thanks for nothing and for exposing my hypocrisy, pal! :p

Dude makes some sweet knives! :cool:

I watched a vid of one of his front flippers. How do you find the action on yours and did it take a while to get used to it?
 
ChazzyP said:
So I've just finished writing my sage advice to our Newbie OP, I Google MacWasil for the helluvit based on the above, and now I'm ogling a $700 MacW CF frame lock. Thanks for nothing and for exposing my hypocrisy, pal! :p

Dude makes some sweet knives! :cool:

I watched a vid of one of his front flippers. How do you find the action on yours and did it take a while to get used to it?
Click to expand...


You are very welcome. I can't stop watching his Instagram myself..... You should not go there if you haven't done so. I warned you.

Regarding front flipper, I think it is very natural to operate. Though I was already familiar with it before MacWasil (with Boker Exskelibur I). It took no time to get used to.
The blade is on bearings, and the action is very very smooth after its broken in (but not free falling). Since the knife came in truly mint, there was no detent ball track at the beginning. This made the initial action a bit tight.

Anyway, I am quite happy with the purchase and determined to order a second knife from him near the end of year.
 
So is the implication that the OP is the person???
The first note came from a staff member, so that I assume he spotted the same IP address.
Correct me if I am guessing wrong.
 
miso2 said:
So is the implication that the OP is the person???
The first note came from a staff member, so that I assume he spotted the same IP address.
Correct me if I am guessing wrong.
Click to expand...

Yes,. I am confident the OP is the same person..now.
The OP has changed tactics and started to mask the IP address.
We are who we are and there isn't much that can change that for the long term, so he gave himself away in the writing style.

Thread is closed.
 
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