Opinions needed on first quality knife.....

M

monk71

Joined
Mar 14, 2002
Messages
32
Hello all,

I am a newbie. I have been researching folding knives for the past week. It has been overhelming. There are many good brands and knives out there.

I plan on using the knife for opening packages and camping, not as an EDC.

These are the ones I am looking at:

Spyderco Military
Spyderco Calypso Jr.
Emerson Mini Commander
Al Mar SERE 2000
Benchmade 705
Buck 112 Ranger

Your opinions on one or more of these will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

monk71
 
Originally posted by monk71
I plan on using the knife for opening packages and camping, not as an EDC.
Click to expand...

Isn't that what we all use our EDC for? ;)

You have some nice knives picked out there. When given a choice like this, often I advise to go with what "excites" you most. You'll likely be most happy with it.

And if you're anything like the rest of us, you'll get them all sooner or later! :D

Best of luck to you.
 
Welcome!

You've got a great,but varied list.

I own several of those listed, and if I was going to use one exclusively for camping, I would tend toward one of the larger knives, such as the Spyderco Military, SERE 2000, or Mini-Commander. The best thing would be to find those locally and handle them - each has their own unique characteristics that you may or may not like.

You won't go wrong with any of those in your list.
 
Love my Mini-Commander, but would also recommend you look into a Camillus Enhanced EDC. For $50-$60 this is one heck of a knife and perfect as an initial foray into quality knives. You may learn some things about your personal knife usage and preferences that may be in line with what the EDC offers, or you may find you want something else, which in that case you have spent very little on a great knife which you could keep, gift, trade or sell with very little loss of value.

Either way, welcome to the "fold".
 
I have a SERE 2000, and it is a great knife. You would not be dissapointed if you bought it. It is rock solid, and comes razor sharp, and the action is very smooth. I would also suggest that if you want to use it for camping a larger knife would be better, and as it is still a folder acceptable for daily chores.


Erik

P.S. If you buy them all you will be able to see which you like the best, they all have good reputations, but I only have experience with the SERE.
 
If the Sere 2000 has VG10, then that is the answer. Sorry, I LOVE VG10. The military tip may be too weak. All nice knives...Like Ron said, One will probably stand out a little more than the rest. Good luck.
 
Another recommendation for the Mini-Commander. Mine is just awesome. The Calypso Jr. is also good but you might have a little trouble finding one since they have been discontinued.
 
They've seiad it before and I'll say it again. Those are all good knives. If it were me I would go with the Mini-Commander first and then the SERE. However, it has to be right for you. Another thing you might want to check out is once you have decided check out the for sale forums here. Sometimes you can pick up a used knife is very good condition for considerably less than new. I know you may be vary of dealing on the internet like that, but 99.9% of the people here are truly class acts, and heaven forbid anything go wrong with your dealing or you get a bad seed to deal with the good fellas round here will help you out.
 
Another very good (stout) folding camp knife is the REKAT Carnivour.:).
 
Well.... Somebody had to do it here, so I'll throw in the first pitch for the Buck 112. It doesn't have the newest super steel, and isn't quite as convenient as a tactical, but it is still a very good knife.

Buck's 420HC steel doesn't hold an edge like most of the other knives in your list, but it's very easy to sharpen. Buck's "Edge 2000" grind also outcuts most of the tacticals out there. If I'm out camping, that's my primary concern; easily keeping the knife at peak cutting efficiency. And seeing as it won't be an EDC, the extra weight of a traditional lockback might not be a big issue to you. You'll need to wear it in a belt sheath, as opposed to other pocket clip tacticals, but belt sheaths make me feel more studly anyways. ;)

A few people will say that camping requires a larger knife, but that all depends on your idea of camping. If you check out the Wilderness & Survival Skills section here at BladeForums, they have a rather extreme idea of "camping". :D But if you're just pitching a tent for a couple days at a public camp ground, and maybe doing a little fishing, the Buck 112 is more than enough knife for the job. It may actually be the best knife of the bunch, if you plan on using it to clean trout.

Either way.... They're all great knives. No matter which one you get, you'll love it. Use your gut and get the one that looks right for you.
 
Some nice knives to choose from there Monk, I think I would go with the Spderco Military, but since you are not looking for something for every day carry, I wonder if you would'nt be better off with a fixed blade, something like one of my favorites the Spyderco Moran drop points perhaps? I like a fixed blade for camping because it is easier to keep clean and dose not have as many places to get clogged with gunk, also there is no lock to fail. I carry my Moran as a neck knife when canoeing and hiking. Just some food for thaught. I think which ever you choose, you won't go wrong. - Frank.
 
If you're looking for a knife for camping, keep a SAK or multitool in mind, one with a saw.

If you scale that BM 705 up to its big brother, the 710, I think you'll have an excellent knife for heavy duty use in the field and quick, slick, home or office use, too.

I'll second the Buck Ranger as a good choice, too. Its blade was designed as a "folding hunter" and all you need is a pocket sharpener, and you'll have an excellent edge all the time. Some of the "better" knife steels will defeat anything but a diamond sharpener.
 
I will go to some knife shops on Saturday and check them out. Reading great things about these knives and looking at the pics is completely different than actually holding them and getting a feel for them.

Thanks glockman99 for mentioning the REKAT Carnivour. I think the Carnivour Cub looks great and is a bit smaller than the Al Mar SERE and Emerson. It may suit me fine for camping. I will try all three regardless.

Still, I can't stop thinking about the classic Buck 112. Thanks for the great info Buzzbait. Maybe I'll customize a 110 and add the BG-42 blade. I think I would feel more studly with the belt sheath too.

I have ruled out the Spyderco Military, Spyderco Calypso Jr. and Benchmade 705. I don't like the hole on the blade of the Spyderco models and I just don't find myself thinking about or looking at the Benchmade.

Thank you all again. I will post which knife I get very soon.

Regards,

monk71
 
I think the 112 is good. It would be my second choice. The Spyderco hole can be unattractive to some, but if you get a chance at the knife store, try to check out a new Endura or Delica in VG10. I just can't say enough about how much I love it. I have tried every major manufacture and almost all steels and Talonite. I settled on VG10 for the folder. It won't hurt to look right?
 
Buzzbait, if I remember correctly, you also have a Buck 110 in BG42? I have one with Sanbar stag handles semi serrated BG42. That is a nice knife. The lock is solid, and it is a great "all purpose" blade.

Monk71, maybe you should consider 2 knives...;) A smaller folder for the EDC (packages) and a fixed blade for camping... -It's a sickness:D That'll give you an even wider list to play with (ahem... consider...)

Have fun,
Rob
 
Yah. It's not only a BG-42 stag 110, but it's an Angry Beaver!!! :D It elevates me from mere studliness to super-studdom!!!

beaver1.jpg
 
The Buck 110/112 is always a great choice for an outdoors knife. Either size will serve you well.
The Camillus EDC is just about the best value going in a knife at the present time. It would be a fine choice.
A SAK is practically a "must have". The saw blade really does come in handy. The Rucksack is a great choice for camping.
Good luck with your search.

Paul
 
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