Newbie question on which knife to buy

[sunnyboy43]

Im looking at buying a new knife but I'm not sure which one. Im either looking for the best folding knife to edc for under $80, or a good chopper fixed blade for under $80 too.

 

[cmdionne]

I would need alot more info before I could make a good recommendation. What size blade, steel preference, handle material, locking mechanism, the list goes on. Similar questions would need to be answered in terms of the fixed blade as well. Give us a few more details and we could all save some time in helping you with some ideas.

 

[Bob W]

Do you currently have any knife at all? If not, I suggest you start with a nice folding pocketknife, something you can carry with you wherever you go, something suitable for where you work and live.

Then branch out into buying specific knives for secondary purposes - hiking, boating, what ever your hobbies are.

Someone who doesn't own a knife and has never owned a knife, I'm inclined to suggest something traditional, like this Case Medium Stockman, the type of knife that American workers and gentlemen have been carrying for hundreds of years.
http://www.casexx.com/DisplayDetailPage.asp?ProductCode=079

Or maybe a Swiss Army Knife? (there are hundreds to choose from)
http://www.newgraham.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=86

Or maybe a modern gentleman's knife?
http://www.agrussell.com/a-g-russell-4-lockback-cocobolo/p/A345hhhCO/

Just depends on your taste.

 

[markksr]

Do you currently have any knife at all? If not, I suggest you start with a nice folding pocketknife, something you can carry with you wherever you go, something suitable for where you work and live.

Then branch out into buying specific knives for secondary purposes - hiking, boating, what ever your hobbies are.

Someone who doesn't own a knife and has never owned a knife, I'm inclined to suggest something traditional, like this Case Medium Stockman, the type of knife that American workers and gentlemen have been carrying for hundreds of years.
http://www.casexx.com/DisplayDetailPage.asp?ProductCode=079

Or maybe a Swiss Army Knife? (there are hundreds to choose from)
http://www.newgraham.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=86

Or maybe a modern gentleman's knife?
http://www.agrussell.com/a-g-russell-4-lockback-cocobolo/p/A345hhhCO/

Just depends on your taste.

Three excellent suggestions.

 

[sunnyboy43]

I currently have a Benchmade Mini Griptillian and a Kershaw Scallion. I mainly carry my Mini Griptilian though.

 

[sunnyboy43]

For a folder I would like something with a 3 or so inch blade. Blade steel would be Aus 8 or better. Locking mechanism, probably a frame lock, a lock back, or something like an axis lock. As for a fixed Id probaly get something with a 5 or 6 inch blade and with 1095 or something similar. it needs to be full tang and 3/16th of an inch thick or more. But it needs to be pretty strong so batoning or chopping wont break it. I already have a Becker BK7 which is awesome.

 

[Artfully Martial]

Right now, I'd say the best folding knife under that price for someone who gives me no preferences is probably a Kershaw RAM. Great action, great lock, great ergos, general use blade shape and decent steel for under 60 dollars. Good size too. Nice low rider-esque clip to prevent attention.

 

[Frostyfingers]

Sounds like a good start. But, bottom line: There is no best. Best does not exist. It's merely a matter of opinion, taste, and the use to which you will put the blade. All of these factors can (and probably will) change over time. So, what to do?

First of all, do your research. You can skip a lot of the newbie mistakes and buyer's regret if you find out about the knives you buy first, and make sure they are actually a good purchase as far as steel, design, and price point. This forum is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME for doing research about different blades. Ask, and you will receive opinions.

After research, buy what you think you'll like, and if you like it, great. If you don't, sell it or stash it and try again. There is no "best" knife, and that's part of the fun. Every knife is different and you will enjoy each for what it is.

Good luck,

Frosty

 

[steelscout30]

For a good chopper under eighty dollars, you can hardly beat the Kershaw Outcast. Smoky Mountain Knife Works stocks them for significantly under this price---www.smkw.com.

It's a fearsome cutter---it can withstand nominal amounts of abuse with ease. Ten-inch blade of D2 tool steel. :thumbup:

 

[HKBM45]

For a folder I would like something with a 3 or so inch blade. Blade steel would be Aus 8 or better. Locking mechanism, probably a frame lock, a lock back, or something like an axis lock. As for a fixed Id probaly get something with a 5 or 6 inch blade and with 1095 or something similar. it needs to be full tang and 3/16th of an inch thick or more. But it needs to be pretty strong so batoning or chopping wont break it. I already have a Becker BK7 which is awesome.

Sounds like you already have good stuff there. My minigrip is still my favorite EDC, and I have a few folders. But you might try browsing the Spyderco catalog for under $80 folders.
For fixed blades, the new Ontario Ranger knives are coming out right now i believe for around $80. The old ones have an excellent reputation.

 

[carrot]

Great knives from the big three companies... Spyderco Endura or Delica or Tenacious, Kershaw Shallot or Leek or Groove or Zing, Benchmade Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian or 530.

 

[bradpierson26]

how about the famous BM griptilian?!?!? always a solid choice

 

[Jake Bauer]

Folders: Spyderco Endura or Delica, Benchmade 550 or 551 Griptillian.

Fixed chopper: KA-BAR Becker BK7 or BK9

All under $80

 

[knarfeng]

Im looking at buying a new knife but I'm not sure which one. Im either looking for the best folding knife to edc for under $80, or a good chopper fixed blade for under $80 too.

I currently have a Benchmade Mini Griptillian and a Kershaw Scallion. I mainly carry my Mini Griptilian though.

So, If you have a mini-grip, you are now familiar with the axis lock and Benchmade quality.

I guess I'd try a different lock style from a different company.

--Spyderco Delica springs to mind. It's a modern Classic Lockback with VG10 blade. Good boogie!

--Kershaw Blur also springs to mind. It's a quality liner lock. Frickin' gorgeous as well.

--A chopper for ~$80 brings to mind a Ranger Knives RD6. It's 5160 blade will do the job for you. Runs about $90. Worth the difference.

 

[C.S. Graves]

Re: Fixed blade chopper - Some of the Valiant Trading company Survival Goloks are around the $80 mark. Only catch being that they're based in Australia and you could be looking at shipping costs. For the money, you'd essentially be getting a short, thick, beautiful machete-type tool.