Newbie needs some knife help

mattz357

mattz357

Joined
Jun 20, 2002
Messages
873
I have never been able to make myself carry a knife, but since I can't carry anything else in IL, I'm going to try to start. It won't be for defense necessarily, but that would be a secondary concern. My preference is a satin (no black or other coating) PE tanto blade, but I am flexible on the tanto part. I do NOT like metal handles, don't ask my why, but I prefer plastic/G10/fiberglass/whatever you like to call it. The only type of lock I'm familiar with is the liner lock, and that type works very well for me. I would like to keep it under $50 since I'm really not sure how much I'll use it. What knives fit within those specs? What companies other than BM will sharpen your knife for you since I would do much more damage than good if I tried? I've looked at a Gerber Firestorm online, and it looks pretty sweet, but I've never seen one in person and NO ONE carries them locally. Any opinions, advice, and especially photos are much appreciated!!!
 
Take a look at SOG and Spyderco. They make some really nice knives in your $50 range.

But remember, if your life may depend on the knife, don't skimp on the the cost. Get quality you can trust.
 
100%

Spyderco Delica or calypso jr.

DONT buy gerber, it sucks.

Also reconsider the whole tanto thing. they ahve there reasons, but that is really to kill.


If you desire the tanto. id look at a Benchmade griptilian



That gerber Firestorm sucks. Just dont. if you really want a good tanto. save up for an Emerson.
 
As far as I know Spyderco is quality you can trust. I second Spyderco. Good knives at great prices, they sharpen too. I think it was like $5. But you should think about getting the Sharpmaker (model 204, about $50). I couldn't sharpen myself until I got that. Now I can put some sick $(^D! edges on my knives.

Oh, forgot about the tanto, maybe a minigrip tanto...

Good luck!
 
Sounds like a CRKT M16 or one of its variants would suit your needs perfectly, and you can opt for a tanto or a spear point, partial serrations or plain edge. You can go for a zytel handle (cheaper) or an aluminium handle .

Best of luck to you whatever you decide,

Mike
 
If you can get a grey Calypso Jnr. you will have exactly what you need. Small, strong, extremely sharp not expensive. I carry one IWB almost every day and don't even know it's there until I need it.
 
I had a Spyderco Ladybug for years. It was literally the ONLY knife I have ever carried. While I tolerated the Ladybug, I really don't like lockbacks.

5022, while I appreciate your input, I'm also looking for factual data. I respect your opinion that "Gerber sucks," but do you have any info to back that up? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you're wrong, it's just that the one knife I've found that meets all my criteria is in the brand you say "sucks." Thanks in advance!
 
mattz357 said:
I had a Spyderco Ladybug for years. It was literally the ONLY knife I have ever carried. While I tolerated the Ladybug, I really don't like lockbacks.
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If lockbacks don't take your fancy have a look at the BM mini grip. Excellent little knife and the Axis lock works really well.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
This I do not understand :confused:
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The reason I've never taken to carrying is that I can't get used to reaching around the knife to get into my pocket, and I'm too particular (read: anal) about the condition of my stuff to let keys/change/etc. scratch up the knife if I don't clip it. The Griptillian is one that I have looked at, especially since it is available in a tanto, but it's about twice the price of others I'm considering. The CRKT M16 feels too thin in my hand, but I've looked at the Point Guard.

Can someone explain what the intended purpose is of each blade type? 5022 mentioned that tanto was for killing, which I presume means that it is typically for a "tactical" application. What about drop point, clip point, spear point, etc???
 
I personally do like the tanto blades, but that might just be me. They have their advantages and disadvatages, just like any other style. I had a gerber, but the blade was uneven and I didn't like the lock, so it was the knife I didn't care about... just my experience. I'd personally go with the CRKT, but it's a little more expensive than what you were looking at
 
I found a Spyderco Native that I really liked the looks and feel of today, but it was stiff as can be to open and I REALLY don't like the lockback. I also tried out a Griptillian with a tanto blade and the axis-lock didn't feel all that great either. The knife that felt the best was a Mini-Stryker. I have already bought a mini-stryker and I'm waiting for it to get here, so that is a good thing, but I'd like to have another knife to EDC and keep that one nice since they are discontinued. Buying another one is out of my price range, so unless anyone can think of a less costly alternative I'll probably be selling/trading some stuff!

Does anyone know if BM sells stainless/silver clips and screws, or if I can polish the black off the ones already installed on the mini-stryker without affecting corrosion resistance?
 
Not sure, But I think that most clips are made from stainless steel, and the coating is there for primarily aesthetic reasons. I guess I never scratched the coating off to test for rust.
 
I personally quite like the BM Grip (I have the rittergrip, but the only difference is in the blade shape and material).
 
5022 mentioned that tanto was for killing
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a tanto is ment for stabbing very tough or hard object so take that w/e way u want

id go w/ a nice recurve for general use


ps wen u get a knife get some bench stones or a sharpmaker cuz a knife is no good if its dull :D :D :D :D :D
 
Here's my two cents: sounds like you already own a few knives, so you're really adding to your collection. :)

Why not just cover the basics, you know start out with a classic or two? There aren't a ton under $50 worth holding onto long term. The Spydies are well loved around here, they're unbeatable in that range. I gave a friend a Camillus heat tanto that he just loves to carry every day. Higher up, the Benchies (520, 710 etc) and their ilk. It's a lot of aesthetic choices, too. Some seem stiff, but loosen up over time.

Don't buy another $50 knife after this one. Denial is more than just a river in Egypt, save for the better ones, dude!

See ya' around!
 
Lucky, I searched for the "rittergrip" but could not find a picture, what is it? Wile, the Mini-Stryker is the first knife that I've bought with the intent to use... the Ladybug was a gift from a friend, and I've had other nice knives, but only for short periods of time as trade bait and such (I'm mostly a gun guy). There was a Camillus Heat with the package torn open at Gander Mtn, but it didn't feel like a quality knife. Do they stack up reasonably against other brands out there? Thanks again!
 
"Ritter Grip" is slang for Doug Ritter's RSK Mk1, made by Benchmade : http://www.equipped.org. You can see a picture and read the entire story.


You can buy one here: www.aeromedix.com. They have a regular and a mini. I have both and another mini on the way. They feel good, solid locking, and are S30V steel. To me, the mini is better suited for pocket carry. $99. If you hunt, hike, etc. take a look at the combo they offer with the survival pack.



"Honey, when I die, sell my guns and knives for what they're worth and not what I told you I paid for them."
 
How about a Case Russlock? Its got bone handles one hand (well, thumb) opening and a liner lock

Image taken from Knifestuff.com

105s.jpg
 
mattz357 said:
There was a Camillus Heat with the package torn open at Gander Mtn, but it didn't feel like a quality knife. Do they stack up reasonably against other brands out there?
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The Camillus Heat was a fun, well-made knife, but for me personally, the AUS8 blade swings out heavier than the thinner zytel handle can can absorb easily, and you almost get a little jump. But I lent one to a former serious dude who instantly started EDCing it, gave it to him the old coot, he gave me a nice old BDU top, so I had to give him a sailor's knife....

It's about if you dig the power assist thing or not. They're a really fun toy. The Heat has a particularly comfortable finger mechanism on its liner lock.

If you're not addicted yet and are really only to get like only one knife to last you a while, get a good one, the guys here know, I resisted, but then they put giant sea pods in my cellar and everything changed when I woke up. Now I want a blue freaking Dodo. Or an orange BRK. Or a freaking Swedish freaking axe I'll never use in my lifetime, or no, better yet, one with a sharpened spike coming out the back in case I uncover a Viet freaking Cong bunker entrance in my petunia patch.

But I digress....
 
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