Newbie Asks How's His Collection So Far?

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perpster

Joined
Jan 19, 2006
Messages
146
Hi All. I'm pretty much a knife newbie and not even a newbie when it comes to sharpening (but I've been reading and downloading a lot of links/articles on how-to). I'm taken aback by the posts about S30V, because my entree into knives was Doug Ritter's RSK Mk1 folder. I like his ETS.org site and bought his knife. Not sure what to think now. I carry it often but do not use it. I use my Leatherman New Wave instead.

So what do you think of my choices below so far? I'm usually in suburban/urban setting or else camping.

-EDC Leatherman New Wave
-EDC Ritter/Benchmade RSK Mk1 folder (S30V--uh-oh or ok??)
-20 year old SAK (love it but no locking blade and no pliers so sits in draw most of time unless need for corkscrew anticipated)
-Ontario RAT-7 (1095 straight/serrated combo blade; awaiting delivery)
-Ontario Air Force Survival Knife (1095)
-Glock Field Knife with "Root Saw" combo blade
-Danish M5 Bayonet (to "top off" my M1 Garand)
-Kershaw Camp Axe 1018X

Sharpeners:
GATCO Gatstix Micro-X Pocket Ceramic Sharpener
GATCO Tri-Seps Diamond Serration Sharpener
Sterling pocket sharpener (carbide I think)
I don't trust myself to keep correct angles freehand on a stone.

Would love to hear any advice/opinions/criticisms. Fire Away!
 
Perpster, Looks great! You've got a nice collection. When I was starting, I was in major acquisition mode, and bought a lot of stuff that I ended up not liking/using, and evenually got rid of most of the initial collection at a loss. My suggestion -- do a lot of using, a lot of reading, and continue engaging in a lot of discussion. Your collecting tastes will develop rapidly.

Have a GREAT time collecting!
 
Thanks Fooj! To be honest, my funds have run low so the RAT-7 will be it for a while (though the RSK Mk3 fixed blade has me salavating--I hope it doesn't drip on the S30V blade of my RSK Mk1 and cause it to chip!!):confused:
 
I don't think you need to worry about S30V. It is a good steel, and I use it daily in my Spyderco Manix (with no chipping)

Why would you carry a good knife but never use it?
 
Rat Fink,

I EDC both the Wave and the RSK Mk1. The Wave suffices for nearly everything. The RSK is in reserve for lost-in-the-woods type situations or "social" situations that my .357 magnum can't handle. I learned from a Special Forces vet NOT to use my survival blade for anything but survival.
 
If I needed to use the RSK I wouldn't hesitate, but so far the Leatherman Wave has been more than enough for what I've needed it for. Why break out the RSK unecessarily (especially since I'm a sharpening neopyhyte)?
 
perpster said:
If I needed to use the RSK I wouldn't hesitate, but so far the Leatherman Wave has been more than enough for what I've needed it for. Why break out the RSK unecessarily (especially since I'm a sharpening neopyhyte)?
Click to expand...

What your "special forces" buddy should have said was "never trust your life to untested equipment".

also, If you cannot adequately sharpen the knife now with your equipment, how are you going to sharpen it in the field?
 
BTW, you have a good start to a collection. For last ditch self defense or wilderness survival, I would pick the Rat 7 over the folder every time.
 
Practice your sharpening skills. You won't get better without breaking out the equipment and getting your hands dirty. Sure you'll make mistakes, and maybe even a mess, but that's how you're going to learn. You can't learn to ride a bike without skinning a knee.

Fink is right about survival. I have a lot more faith in a fixed blade than a folder. If my life were on the line, I'd take a $100 fixed blade over a $1000 folder.
 
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