next step

L

live2hunt

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
1
i have many fine knives, and just recently got in my opinion my finest knife being the spyderco military. I was just wondering where do i go from here in terms of a "better knife?"
 
I think for most people it goes something like this:

Smith & Wesson >> Gerber >> CRKT >> Cold Steel >> Buck >> Kershaw >> Spyderco >> Benchmade >> Strider >> Chris Reeve >> Custom

There's lots of variation among buyers and variation amongst the offerings by the manufacturers and some people take a side path to Case XX or maybe RAT or Busse. Some people start at SAKs and end up at SAKs again after they go through the cycle.
 
lava_lamp said:
I think for most people it goes something like this:

Smith & Wesson >> Gerber >> CRKT >> Cold Steel >> Buck >> Kershaw >> Spyderco >> Benchmade >> Strider >> Chris Reeve >> Custom

There's lots of variation among buyers and variation amongst the offerings by the manufacturers and some people take a side path to Case XX or maybe RAT or Busse. Some people start at SAKs and end up at SAKs again after they go through the cycle.
Click to expand...

that's pretty much the path I took, except I started out with a knock off SAK, went to a real SAK, then a smith and wesson, then an endura 4 g-10, a benchmade 960, an xm-18 and the latest is an umnumzaan

to the OP, I'd say go for the sebenza if you want the next thing up in terms of quality.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums and Happy New Year. Congrats on your Military. It's a great knife. "Better" depends on your preferences and uses. While I own Gerber, Kershaw, and Benchmade knives I prefer Spyderco. I personally am not attracted to Strider knives and many Kershaws don't appeal to me either. Chris Reeve is on my radar and I hope to get a Sebenza in 2010.

Without knowing what other 'fine' knives you have it's hard to offer recommendations. I would suggest that you try to fill out your collection in terms of edc, medium, and heavy duty folders and some fixed blades. You might also want to look at some traditional knives like Case, Buck, and Queen Stockman, Trapper, Copperhead, Canoe patterns. Have fun and keep us posted on what you get.
 
I forgot to the address the "better knife?" question.

I don't think there is a better knife for what it is, just different. The Spyderco Manix 2 is probably stronger in every respect. So are the Kershaw Tyrade, Strider SNG and the Chris Reeve Umnumzaan. The Spyderco Stretch 2 in ZDP-189 slices better. The Buck 110 and all the Emersons I've had are at least as sharp and maybe sharper.

I can't think of a knife with a better ratio of weight to blade length than the Military, but some people prefer something smaller. If so, the Spyderco Paramilitary is a great choice, as are many Emersons.

I posted a poll a while back asking for votes on favorite knives. The Military/paramilitary finshed second to the Sebenza:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=669622
 
lava_lamp said:
Smith & Wesson >> Gerber >> CRKT >> Cold Steel >> Buck >> Kershaw >> Spyderco >> Benchmade >> Strider >> Chris Reeve >> Custom
Click to expand...

Damn, this is pretty accurate. I started at the Kershaw phase, moved on to the Spyderco stage, lightly hit on the Benchmade phase as well as the Strider phase, love my CRK knives, and I threw in Mid-Techs and then started looking at true customs. Bravo Lava. It's like looking at the evolutionary chart.


I still like picking up new Kershaws and Spydercos though. Some of the new designs are just awesome.
 
Yea... that was a pretty good estimate..

I went:

Cheapo's>Buck>Gerber>kershaw>benchmade>ZT>strider

Lookin foward to the CRK's and customs after I add in the spyderco and RAT notches..
 
I've had everything in lava_lamp's post (or some of everything). IMAO, Spyderco is at the top of the list when it comes to performance and value. I keep coming back to them for dependable carry & use.
 
Military is, to me, the perfect blend of slicer and tank. While this is good,it just creates in me the need for a dedicated slicer AND a dedicated tank, which are taken up by the Stretch 2 and Manix(original) respectively.

The Gayle Bradley, according to reviews, actually does both jobs even better. If you want a step up from the Military, the obvious choice would be the CF/S90V sprint or the upcoming Ti millie, or, if you can snag one, the RIL M4 version. Otherwise, it's time to knock it up to a Sebbie or Umnumzaan
 
My many, many years of evolution in the knife carrying and knife buying world have led me to this conclusion: One good tank, one good slicer, and one good SAK.

For me (at this time), it is the Military (slicer), ZT 0301 (tank), and Vic Climber (SAK). After 30+ years of carrying and using knives - there is really nothing I need to do that this combo can't handle.

Some advice I have given friends, family and co-workers that want to start getting into the knife hobby - avoid "spontaneous" purchases - the "I gotta have it" mindset - a lot of money gets wasted that way. Make a list of the qualities you like and want in a knife and carry it with you. Yes the Extrema Ratio RAO is a monster - but how many would actually use it?

This is a great forum for research - you will see the same favored models being talked about in many threads. In my experience our forum buddies usually hit the nail right on the head - collectively there are many years worth of knowledge here. If you need advice this is the place to post.

Also - be realistic in the tasks you will ask your knife to perform. If you need to chop buy a machete or khukri or good fixed blade. If you need to pry buy a good pry bar.

I've never owned a true custom knife, but have owned several semi-custom knives in the $400+ price range. They're great knives, but I think the production knife companies provide great knives at affordable prices.

Attend knife shows. So many times we have to buy from a website without the benefit of handling a knife, and once we get the package we realize that the knife is either much bigger, smaller or heavier / lighter than we expected. Before dropping $400+ on a semi-custom knife - go handle it.

I agree with the evolution that the other members posted - it's uncanny that most of us probably followed similar paths.

Best of luck with your collection and next purchase. Keep us informed as you evolve.
 
The real next step is a custom. And regarding expensive high quality (semi?) production folders, I have never seen any knife as painstakingly precisely made (with really good blade steel as well) as Rockstead.
 
lava_lamp said:
Smith & Wesson >> Gerber >> CRKT >> Cold Steel >> Buck >> Kershaw >> Spyderco >> Benchmade >> Strider >> Chris Reeve >> Custom
Click to expand...

This made me laugh... So True so true. Although I skipped the SW and Gerber and started at CRKT, skipped Cold Steel, and am now stuck between BM and Spyderco. I went through a fun phase of 'nicer knife experimentation' with Klotzli and Mcusta knives as well.

Almost as fun is the Slippie>> SAK>>Fixed blade>> scandi cycle.
 
live2hunt said:
i have many fine knives, and just recently got in my opinion my finest knife being the spyderco military. I was just wondering where do i go from here in terms of a "better knife?"
Click to expand...

You can continue buying large tacticals like the military, but either move to customs, or start looking at other interesting variations like lock types, blade shape, etc.

Or, you can check out other knife types. A Caly 3, more of a gentleman's razor, is a different experience and awesome for different reasons than the Military. Start looking at fixed blades. etc.
 
lava_lamp said:
I think for most people it goes something like this:

Smith & Wesson >> Gerber >> CRKT >> Cold Steel >> Buck >> Kershaw >> Spyderco >> Benchmade >> Strider >> Chris Reeve >> Custom

There's lots of variation among buyers and variation amongst the offerings by the manufacturers and some people take a side path to Case XX or maybe RAT or Busse. Some people start at SAKs and end up at SAKs again after they go through the cycle.
Click to expand...

Pretty accurate progression, give or take. What also amazes me is how much my perspective on prices has changed. My first serious knife was a Ritter Mini Grip, which cost ~$100. I sat on the fence wrestling with that price for weeks before I even took the purchase somewhat seriously. Come time to actually order, I was nauseous, sweating and shaking in front of the computer. Pfff, now I buy $100 knives with as much deliberation as if buying a cup of coffee. That sounded bad. I actually meant that as an embarassment to myself; not something to be proud of.:o
 
I collect by Design/Purpose build.
A fighter fixed-blade to a folding EDC, to a bush-crafter,etc.
The Katana & Fantasy blades may be next for you?
 
I suggest looking into getting some fixed blades and/or some gentlemans folders. Without knowing what you already have its difficult to point you in a new direction.
 
I am in between Kershaw and Spyderco... I probably skip Benchmade as they're really expensive... I might get Sebbie after I am done with Spyderco...
 
haha my knife progression was
el cheapo>gerber>benchmade>spyderco (not saying that spyderco is better than BM, just that i got one later)
I think i skipped quite a few levels
 
My folders purchases went as follows:

GerberX2 > SOGX2 > Benchmade > KershawX3 > Spyderco > BuckX2 > Spyderco > KershawX4 > Zero Tolerance > BuckX2 > CRKT > KershawX4 > CRKT > Buck > Benchmade > Spyderco > Kershaw

Sprinkle many SAKs.

I don't really believe in the "steps" implied in above posts. I believe manufacturers are capable of making damn fine models throughout their histories.

:)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top