Newbie looking for a knife

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pbaiamonte

Joined
Feb 22, 2001
Messages
4
Hey all,

I have been reading this forum for a month now and this is my first post. I just recently got hooked on knives (no pun intended) when I changed jobs. Most of the guys I work with carry knives in their pockets and after being witness to their usefulness and taking a lot of razing from my co-workers for not carrying one I have decided to break down.

Here is where the confusion starts
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. Each of the guys I work with that carry knives have their own favorites. One carries a Case Russlock, One carries a Spyderco Toad, and another carries a Cold Steel Hombre (a little big for my taste but a great knife).

So the question is "What is a good starter?"

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Paul Baiamonte
Have knife will travel!
 
Welcome aboard, Paul.
You didn't give us many details of a price range or what your primary uses will be, but how does this Benchmade 720 look for a starter:

axis-720bt-back.jpg


An Axis lock, 3.25" ATS-34 blade, and anodized aluminum handles for about $120. Not a bad combo.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
That depends on how much you're willing to spend on a starter knife. If you have a taste for the high end, go with Benchmade or Microtech. If you want to start low, check out CRKT. The CRKT Point Guard is a good starter for a tactical folder. The CRKT Lightfoot Urban Shark is also a great little knife for everyday use.
 
Welcome to the forums, Paul!
A few of the questions I know everyone's going to ask soon:
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- what kind of locking mechanism are you comfortable with? Lockback, liner-lock, frame-lock, axis-lock, rolling-lock, etc., etc..?
- what size knife are you looking for? Blade length? Do you like thicker or slimmer profiles? Pocket clips? How large are your hands?
- is one-handed opening important, or do you prefer traditional styles? If so, do you like thumbstuds or thumb holes?

I'm going to disregard my own questions at this point and recommend something mid-sized, like a Spyderco Native.
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It's a lockback, one-hander (SpyderHole), reversible clip. Possibly not the prettiest knife around, but it's plenty useful and you can pick one up for less than fifty bucks. It's also got a substantial integral choil so it's difficult to cut yourself accidentally with this knife (though I have friends who've managed somehow) if you're new at the whole one-handed opening/closing thing.

<a href="http://onestopknifeshop.com/store/spyderco-native-info.html" target="_blank">
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</a>

In any case, happy hunting!
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Your profile says you are a teacher. I'm shocked that any school has other teachers who carry knives, then again you don't say whay you are teaching or where.

Here's a short list of 'starter' knives:

Spyderco Delica, Native
Benchmade Ascent (discontinued, good prices)
Columbia River(CRKT) Mirage, Commander series (also discontinued, available at deep discounts at www.eknifeworks.com), Point Guard, Kasper Fighter
 
I just pickedup a Spyderco Dragonfly. I really like this little knife. Good price too. The Spyderco native is great also.

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Brian
The first knife was probably used to cut stuff.
 
Go out and find something that you like and feels good in the hand.There is lots to choose from.
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I like a CUDA and Benchmade 940 for my daily carry.

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have a"knife"day
 
Hey guy I forgot to Welcome you aboard. Have fun.There is a lot to do and see.

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have a"knife"day
 
Still being a "newbie" to the forum myself I agree with nifrand . . . find something that fits your hand. You cannot go wrong with an inexpensive starter however. Maybe a Gerber AR 3.00 for about $23 or a CRKT point guard for about $28.
 
I suggest a medium-priced Spyderco. I think Spydercos are great starters. Great quality at a very fair price. Probably about $50 for a nice Spydie is more than some, but not too bad.
 
Another vote for Spyderco.

Mouse or Navigator if you are looking for a friendly small knife.

Delica if you want something a little bigger.

Wayne Goddard Lightweight, while discontinued, can be found, and is comfortable.

Maybe you are thinking of a multi-tool? If so, I reccomend the SwissTool now in a version featuring scissors.....

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com

My website, guided links, talonite/cobalt alloy info, etc....
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff

&gt;&gt;---&gt;Bill Siegle Custom Knives&lt;---&lt;&lt;
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

"To wait for luck is the same as waiting for death." -Japanese Proverb

"Place you clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark." -Lazarus Long

"We cut things to create things" - James K Mattis
 
Let me be the first to suggest a SAK (Swiss Army Knife) very practical, get the size and tools that will be the most useful for you. There is hardly anyone that raises an eyebrow when you take one out. Lots of great knives to get after that, but that's where I would start.

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"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site
 
Welcome to the forums. The Spyderco Native is my current favorite. Any of the lightweight Spydercos is a great place to start. Enjoy.

Paul
 
Nifriend made a very good suggestion. Go to someplace that has a lot of knives and see what you are are comfortable with. It would be great if you could visit a weekend gun show, as there will be a lot of knife dealers and you can feel models in your hand. After all is said and done, this is the best and most cost effective way to find exactly what you are looking for. For my money, the most cost effective and practical line of knives now available is Columbia River Knife and Tool, or CRKT. Good luck on your search.
David


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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
I agree with virtually everything said/recommended, tho I don't know all the knives. You've probably already picked up on it, but the one thing that didn't get said was "NEVER PAY RETAIL!"
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Go check out knives in person, then buy one over the internet, or even on this forum.

I just got the new CRKT Tighe Tac, and think the $40 I paid at Bayou Lafourche was a great bargain. Good service too!
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Bugs
 
well if i could have only 1 knife give me the BM 800 AFCK - for the $$ it is #1 for me - #2 is the spyderco centofante 2 which is discontinued - #3 is my emerson CQC7 - gotta remember all these knives are top notch and any differnce between them is minor - cant go wrong w/any of them i promise - all are about $100 - IMHO anyway..............
 
oh oh oh - if ya wanna go the cheapest route go w/cold steel - best knife for the $$ i think - CRKT is good too..........
 
Welcome to the forums!! The one name that keeps popping up is Spyderco. They have a knife for almost everyone. Good Luck!!!


Blades

[This message has been edited by Blades (edited 03-08-2001).]
 
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