Out of box sharp

C

Chuck4480

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Jan 11, 2020
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Hi everyone, I used to be really into the knife scene about 10 years ago. Looking to get back into it. I recently lost my beloved Camillus Cuda Tanto Dominator at work. I almost cried. I’m wondering, what’s everyone’s opinion on the sharpest knives brand new out of the box? So far I’m looking at the Spyderco Manix 2, Benchmade mini griptillian or mini barrage. Again, I’ve been out of the loop for quite some time so I’m not exactly as up to date with the latest and greatest as I’m sure some of you are. Trying to keep it around $150 or so but I’ll take a look at anything.
 
I hear people say Cold Steel Knives are super sharp out of the box. Personally, I think Hogue knives are something special. They have a factory polished edge on all their knives.
 
second for cold steel and you will have a lot of different models and styles its like thay make a folder for every one a lot of good ones in your price limit
buck were always sharp out the box too
 
My Manix 2 was shaving sharp out of the box, I was very impressed back then. Spyderco has always been that sharp for me. I've had less success with ZT/Kershaw. My Cold Steel folder was sharp but a fixed blade I bought was not.
 
Cold steel knives I own were great.

Just to throw out something different the SOG Terminus in s35 has been impressing me big time
 
Welcome back to the knife world. Out of the three you mentioned, my vote goes for the Manix 2. Are you ordering your knives from an online dealer or do you plan to handle before buying? Out of all of the knives I have owned from Spyderco and Benchmade, Spyderco had far more consistent quality control. Benchmade customer service is excellent though, so if you do go that route and experience issues, they’ll take care of you.
 
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All my spydercos have been hair popping sharp out of the box. My cold steel ad10 was as well, and my buck 110. Only 2 out of 10 ZTs were however. My benchmade contego was sharp, but not hair shaving.

Anyway, slightly off topic, sorry! Go for the manix.
 
My full flat-ground S30V Manix 2 came extremely sharp, just like virtually all of my Spydercos. I also like its ball bearing lock better than Benchmade’s axis lock.

Jim
 
Most knives are sharp out of the box. I'd look at Benchmade, ZT, and Spyderco knives that appeal to you, I have the Mini Barrage. It's assisted, and at first I liked it and it is a comfortable size to carry. But I have moved away from assisted openers. I would much rather spend my money on flippers or manual one-hand openers now. Manual one hand openers generally are preferred now, but if a flipper catches my eye, I would take it home. If you like AO's, the ZT 0770CF is a great knife. The SteelWill Mini Cutjack in M390 is another good one (flipper).
 
I think price range is a consideration here as well.

For ~200? Hogue has hands down the best edges I have seen in a production line knife. However Once you break 300 or 400, every edge should be flawless, I have had good experiences with Hinderer in that regard, the edge that came on my XM-18 was stellar (but a bit thick).

In contrast, when it comes to edge geometry, which is more important? Spyderco has some of the best edge geometry knives in the game, the PM2, Manix series, etc. Cutting geometry is more important, and can make an otherwise less than stellar edge cut like no ones business simply by nature of a good geometry.
 
Hands down, Spyderco. It's not a hit or miss with them. You can count on whichever Spyderco you pick up, it's going to be stupid sharp.
 
A lot of great suggestions on this thread. If your looking-at something in the $150 USD-range; Cold Steel is hard-to-beat. Either SR1, or AD-10 with the 'tri-ad' lock. These blades come exceptionally-sharp right-from-the-factory. Here's my AD, fresh-from-the-box new, the edge is dangerously sharp. Hope this helps you out, brother!

aHxtT85h.jpg
 
I prefer higher end knives over all. But for out the box sharpness. Its Emerson, Cold steel and Spyderco. Even if the grind is uneven ;)
 
I've no idea what the sharpest out of the box "modern" knife is.
As you'll soon see, a lot of folk here on the forums say Spiderco is. Others swear Cold Steel, and still others claim brands that cost so much that if I were to touch one, I would burn my hand, such as Bussy and Hinderer, are the sharpest.

I know the two "modern" knives I've had (a CRKT Ken Onion "Ripple", and an Ontario RAT 1) were pretty sharp out of the box and hang-pack.
I did not have to even strop them to get a good sharp edge.
So was my Opinel Number 8 and Mora Classic number 1, come to that.
I think the sharpest "traditional" knives I've found (excluding the Opinel and Mora) were from Buck (110, 301, and an 877 fixed blade) Next would be Rough Rider and Marbles.

I believe Opinel has a reputation of having the sharpest blades out of the box. However, I strongly suspect you have less than zero interest in one of them, though. :)
 
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afishhunter said:
I've no idea what the sharpest out of the box "modern" knife is.
As you'll soon see, a lot of folk here on the forums say Spiderco is. Others swear Cold Steel, and still others claim brands that cost so much that if I were to touch one, I would burn my hand, such as Bussy and Hinderer, are the sharpest.

I know the two "modern" knives I've had (a CRKT Ken Onion "Ripple", and an Ontario RAT 1) were pretty sharp out of the box and hang-pack.
I did not have to even strop them to get a good sharp edge.
So was my Opinel Number 8 and Mora Classic number 1, come to that.
I think the sharpest "traditional" knives I've found (excluding the Opinel and Mora) were from Buck (110, 301, and an 877 fixed blade) Next would be Rough Rider and Marbles.

I believe Opinel has a reputation of having the sharpest blades out of the box. However, I suspect you have less than zero interest in one of them, though. :)
Click to expand...

I was gifted a brand new Opinel #8 several years ago. That was the dullest factory edge of any knife I've ever owned. It didn't take me long to get it scary sharp, but the factory edge was truly abysmal. As far as sharpest out of the box. Spyderco has been the best I've experienced.
 
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