So I'm admittedly a noob but want to start buying, collecting, trading, selling. I've been this way for a couple months now. I've done research on starting out and I've read to narrow down my search. I know I want to start out with USA made knives. I really like fixed blade but I also really like folding knives.. I've started out my collection with an ESEE Laser Strike and an old buck knife that my dad carried in the woods (passed 12 years ago) that probably holds no value to anyone but me. Anyway, I guess I'm just looking for advice and I'm sure it's been asked many times on here. I've read many other threads but y'all are to in depth on things for my understanding to this point. I'm searching for that next knife. I've been to pawn shops, antique shops, auctions, and yard sales. I find knives but still not quiet sure what I'm looking for besides USA made. I'm not working with a large budget so I'm trying to be picky. Any advice on where to look and the key things to look for. Any advice is appreciated. Glad to be here and look forward to having discussions and reading.
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Noob here
- Thread starter JBruce
- Start date
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You have a Buck and an ESEE. What more do you need?
Look at how the knife will be used. Maybe that will be of some help.
Personally, I can only really "justify" about six to eight knives, at most:
1) Travel knife (something non-locking, 2 1/2 in. blade).
2) EDC light duty folder.
3) Medium to Heavy duty folder.
4) Fixed blade (for stuff #3 can't handle).
5) Utility knife.
6) Dress knife.
7) Ax or hatchet.
8) Machete.
Of course, you could add special purpose knives into the list and fill it out a little more.
Look at how the knife will be used. Maybe that will be of some help.
Personally, I can only really "justify" about six to eight knives, at most:
1) Travel knife (something non-locking, 2 1/2 in. blade).
2) EDC light duty folder.
3) Medium to Heavy duty folder.
4) Fixed blade (for stuff #3 can't handle).
5) Utility knife.
6) Dress knife.
7) Ax or hatchet.
8) Machete.
Of course, you could add special purpose knives into the list and fill it out a little more.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
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- 13,581
Welcome to the forum!
Read a lot. Check out the different areas of the forum; Traditional knifes, the Manufacturers areas, the Custom Makers areas -
That is essentially how I got involved; I came here with a question about a knife, and then I discovered a customer maker that lives in my state and began buying knives from him (JK Handmade Knives - very nice custom knives at a great price...) -
I have always been into the traditional slip-joint knives, and I am old enough that I carried a Buck 110 and 112 in school back when that would not even raise an eyebrow.
I still love and collect Bucks, I collect slip-joint traditionals and I also love and collect Kershaw/Zero Tolerance knives while also enjoying the occasional Spyderco, Benchmade, Emerson etc.
There are many very knowledgeable people on the forum, and if you are respectful and follow the rules you'll have a long and happy stay!
We also love to see pictures of knives, especially old ones that were in the family - please feel free to post pictures!
best
mqqn
Read a lot. Check out the different areas of the forum; Traditional knifes, the Manufacturers areas, the Custom Makers areas -
That is essentially how I got involved; I came here with a question about a knife, and then I discovered a customer maker that lives in my state and began buying knives from him (JK Handmade Knives - very nice custom knives at a great price...) -
I have always been into the traditional slip-joint knives, and I am old enough that I carried a Buck 110 and 112 in school back when that would not even raise an eyebrow.
I still love and collect Bucks, I collect slip-joint traditionals and I also love and collect Kershaw/Zero Tolerance knives while also enjoying the occasional Spyderco, Benchmade, Emerson etc.
There are many very knowledgeable people on the forum, and if you are respectful and follow the rules you'll have a long and happy stay!
We also love to see pictures of knives, especially old ones that were in the family - please feel free to post pictures!
best
mqqn
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2001
- Messages
- 32,360
Welcome to the forums, first thing you hafta ask yourself is why and the what. Why are you collectin'? Because you want to invest, because you like knives for usin', maybe because you haven't found that one right knife yet (good luck 
), you hafta have more knives than everybody else or collect 'em just for lookin' at and wall hangin'. Once you know why you collect then figure out what you wanna collect.
There are members here who collect, members who accumulate, members who collect for the love of knives and members who are here strictly to make a profit what ever reason we all have one thing in common, we like(love) knives and there is a wealth of knowledge here unmatched anywhere on the internet and probably the world. The information that's accessible by members is staggering, the makers and shakers in the industry and community all come here to share. If your respectful, read and understand the rules and feel of the forum you're postin' in before puttin' your thoughts in a reply or question you'll enjoy the largest internet based, in fact the largest clearing house for information in the cutlery industry and related community.
Welcome again and lookin' forward to readin' your posts and seein' your pics.
), you hafta have more knives than everybody else or collect 'em just for lookin' at and wall hangin'. Once you know why you collect then figure out what you wanna collect.There are members here who collect, members who accumulate, members who collect for the love of knives and members who are here strictly to make a profit what ever reason we all have one thing in common, we like(love) knives and there is a wealth of knowledge here unmatched anywhere on the internet and probably the world. The information that's accessible by members is staggering, the makers and shakers in the industry and community all come here to share. If your respectful, read and understand the rules and feel of the forum you're postin' in before puttin' your thoughts in a reply or question you'll enjoy the largest internet based, in fact the largest clearing house for information in the cutlery industry and related community.
Welcome again and lookin' forward to readin' your posts and seein' your pics.
abbydaddy
Gold Member
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- Oct 14, 2014
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- 3,291
As has been said, the important thing is probably to think clearly about what you want and why. There is no magical best knife. There is not even a knife that is the best for the money for all people.
Lots of people like little neck knives. I have large hands and find most little knives hard to use. So what works for a lot of people doesn't work for me, and sometimes the handles that feel great to me are too big for a lot of other people.
Also, be prepared to realize some time in the future that your ideas of "affordable" have radically changed.
Welcome. Read, lurk, participate, and have fun.
Lots of people like little neck knives. I have large hands and find most little knives hard to use. So what works for a lot of people doesn't work for me, and sometimes the handles that feel great to me are too big for a lot of other people.
Also, be prepared to realize some time in the future that your ideas of "affordable" have radically changed.
Welcome. Read, lurk, participate, and have fun.
My budget for my next one would be around $130..
I guess I should mention the one I carry daily. A Carhartt by Case Russlock. I love it because it holds an edge and it's different looking from traditional pocket knives. I'm looking more to collecting quality pieces(vintage or new) that I can maybe pass down to my children. Something I can take pride in. Something that will make the average noncollecter look at and wish he had started collecting.
There are a few custom guys around these parts. How can you tell if it's quality stuff??
I guess I should mention the one I carry daily. A Carhartt by Case Russlock. I love it because it holds an edge and it's different looking from traditional pocket knives. I'm looking more to collecting quality pieces(vintage or new) that I can maybe pass down to my children. Something I can take pride in. Something that will make the average noncollecter look at and wish he had started collecting.
There are a few custom guys around these parts. How can you tell if it's quality stuff??
I sure do appreciate the warm welcome.
Another thing I want to do is find the knives I like the most and keep those. Buy or trade for other quality knives so I can get the ones I like the most. All for fun..
I sure will respect the rules and others.. It's the way I was brought up.
Another thing I want to do is find the knives I like the most and keep those. Buy or trade for other quality knives so I can get the ones I like the most. All for fun..
I sure will respect the rules and others.. It's the way I was brought up.
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Along with Buck, an american classic; Benchmade, Kershaw and Zero Tolerance, Spyderco, all have good USA made options. Probably the industry leaders...
KaBar is another good heritage brand in fixed blades.
Ontario has many budget friendly models.
Queen, GEC (great eastern Cutlery) along with Tidiouete and Northfield (who are owned by GEC now) are quality Brands for traditionals, along with classic Case knives.
Bear and Son (Bear Ops) are somewhat budget friendly(er) then some others.
If your doing a lot of 2nd hand looking, antiquing (check estate sales, usually posted in local paper), then along with the afore mentioned, there is a vast array of choices; old USA made schrade, Böker USA, Cattaraugus, Robeson, Electric Cutlery Co., Utica, to name a few; and that's just the tiobof the iceberg. Once upon a time there were American knife/Cutlery companies all over the place...
And that's not even getting into the slew of custom makers out there and the more high end low volume "mid tech" production stuff like CRK.
Hopefully that helps give you a better place to start.
KaBar is another good heritage brand in fixed blades.
Ontario has many budget friendly models.
Queen, GEC (great eastern Cutlery) along with Tidiouete and Northfield (who are owned by GEC now) are quality Brands for traditionals, along with classic Case knives.
Bear and Son (Bear Ops) are somewhat budget friendly(er) then some others.
If your doing a lot of 2nd hand looking, antiquing (check estate sales, usually posted in local paper), then along with the afore mentioned, there is a vast array of choices; old USA made schrade, Böker USA, Cattaraugus, Robeson, Electric Cutlery Co., Utica, to name a few; and that's just the tiobof the iceberg. Once upon a time there were American knife/Cutlery companies all over the place...
And that's not even getting into the slew of custom makers out there and the more high end low volume "mid tech" production stuff like CRK.
Hopefully that helps give you a better place to start.
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Trusted reviews from others, word of mouth...
Or get your hands on one and use the --- out of it and see for yourself...
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Ya win some ya lose some. Patience and good judgement (fair offers) go a long way. If the 190 was in really good condition as you say, $70 was actually a great price on it, being a discontinued model. A quick search showed me a handful currently on the Bay, the cheapest being offered at $80 w/ some wear...Guy knew what he had and what it was worth, gave you a fair offer, can't fault him for not accepting less... Can't fault you for trying... That is the nature if the process...
Leftytwogunz
Gold Member
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- Apr 30, 2013
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Go to bladehq, dont buy junk from pawn shops etc until you know what you are looking for.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
abbydaddy
Gold Member
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- 3,291
One piece of advice, don't be in a hurry to build your collection. Even if you only bought one knife a year (good luck with that ) you would end up with a lot of knives after a while.
Take your time, figure out what you want, and then set your conditions under which you will buy. I find much of the pleasure is in the hunt. It took me over a year to find my favorite knife at a price I could afford, and I have to say I miss that hunt process.
) you would end up with a lot of knives after a while. Take your time, figure out what you want, and then set your conditions under which you will buy. I find much of the pleasure is in the hunt. It took me over a year to find my favorite knife at a price I could afford, and I have to say I miss that hunt process.
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Welcome! Good to have you aboard.
Check out Bark River Knives for excellent fixed blades. Not only made in the USA (knives AND sheaths), but they're made right here in my home state of Michigan (a little bonus for us Michiganders).
For excellent folders, if you like traditional stuff, check out Northwoods Knives (sold by Derrick at KnivesShipFree, a Dealer-Member here on the Forum). They are also 100% USA-made knives and sheaths.
Here are a couple of examples. Enjoy...
Bark River Bravo Squad Leader:
Northwoods Hawthorne Jack:
Check out Bark River Knives for excellent fixed blades. Not only made in the USA (knives AND sheaths), but they're made right here in my home state of Michigan (a little bonus for us Michiganders).
For excellent folders, if you like traditional stuff, check out Northwoods Knives (sold by Derrick at KnivesShipFree, a Dealer-Member here on the Forum). They are also 100% USA-made knives and sheaths.
Here are a couple of examples. Enjoy...
Bark River Bravo Squad Leader:
Northwoods Hawthorne Jack:
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- 332
I've gone through hundreds and still have too many but have shrunk my collection a lot when I sat down and really put pencil to paper with what I need and what I want. Starting out you should really go to a shop that has a large collection and handle a lot of knives to see what feels good in your hand. At the end of the day, if the knife isn't comfortable, you won't use it. Concentrate on quality, not quantity. Really, how many knives do you *need*? I'd rather have a small number of great EDCs than 10 crappy ones, for example.
