Newcomer needs advice

[deskil]

I agree that, for someone new to knives, an affordable and functional trio, such as Sears recommends, would be a Mora Companion, an Opinel #9 and any old cheap hatchet. You won't be out much cash and you'll find out if you really need and use all of them enough to upgrade later. You also might find that what you start with is all you really need. Hopefully, you'll not find it necessary to complete the circular odyssey, as so many of us here have done , that eventually brings you back to the place where you began.