Please help a complete newbie pick his first real/proper knife

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Jul 10, 2009
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Hello there, my first post here :D

So here is the thing : until about a month ago, i, like 99% of the population, couldn't care less about knives and blades in general. My interest came out of the observation all the knives i own are pretty much as sharp as a bloody leaf.
So here i am : i want/need a good knife, but just one, at least for the moment. I have absolutely no interest in beginning a collection, and i just want something that works properly. I'll use the knife mostly for light jobs, like opening letters or boxes, cutting food and such.

Considering this, the knife has to be :

-crazy sharp. This is an absolute must for me; as ridiculous as this may sound, a knife is supposed to cut stuff, and there's absolutely no way that the sharpness of the blade comes after anything.
-edge retention is important too, but i'd life either

*a very hard steel ( ZDP 189 comes to mind), that stays sharp very long. The sharpening is absolutely not a problem considering the fact that if the blade is actually tricky to sharpen, i'll make it sharpen by a professionnal once in a while.

*a reasonnably hard steel, that is both easy to sharpen and cut very well, even if the edge retention is not as good as harder steels. In that case i'll try to sharpen it myself.

-a folder knife, that feels and is very well built
-the size must be moderate ( although for this particular matter i'm way too much of a newbie to pop an actual lenght ). Let's say that the blade must be around 3"/8cm and i can go up to 4"/10cm
-the grip of the handle is not that important, although a nice looking handle is an obvious plus
-it must be easy to open, so either an assisted opening, or an automatic ( that are legal to buy where i live )
-finally, the budget is not really relevant, meaning i have not problem in putting 200/300$/€ if i think the knife is actually worth it, the exact same way that i have absolutely no problem with the idea of buying a knife cheap. No snobbery here, i want a tool that works very well, not an object to show off.

Considering all that ( god, you're still reading ? :D:p ), and after some day of research ( keep in mind that until recently, my knowledge about knives was absolutely non existant, and it's not that easy to make yourself an idea of what's what, who's making proper stuff, who tends to make overpriced stuff etc ... ) 4 models come to mind, and i'd be ready to buy at least 2 of them with the feeling i'd do the right choice :

-Caly 3 - ZDP-189 : everything in this knife seems to match the idea of the the tool i need : the size, the sharpness, the build quality ... I think that would be my n°1 choice.
-Benchmade Torrent : i heard very good things about this knife as well. It seems it's actually way easier to sharpen than the spyderco. The build quality seems exellent as well.
-benchmade 760 lfti : i think it looks very nice, although i don't know what to think about that tanto blade in everyday use. I appears to be pretty big as well. The biggest upside would be for me the CPM-M4 steel, supposed to be both easy to sharpen, and keeping its sharpness pretty long.
-finally, considering that i could buy an automatic knife, i could get a benchmade 2550 mini reflex. I like this knife, but i don't think an auto knife would be useful to me.

So, and i'll finish with this ( finally, i know ! :D ) i don't want the perfect knife. I just, for this, like for all the stuff that i buy, like to think about what i'm doing, and to buy the right piece of material for the job.

So, what do you think ? :)
 
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Stretch II in CF, Caly3/CF ZDP-189, S90V Military all are excellent choices.

The two Benchmades are not in the same league as these. One's 154CM (doesn't hold a candle to ZDP-189) and the other has had problems with the blade coating rubbing off.
 
well it looks as though you've researched it a bit so your on the right track. Do you have the option of playing with knives before buying or are you just mail order?
I would recommend the Spyderco knives. Take a look at some of the higher end steels they put on some of their knives.
 
Well, at least you're realistic about what you want it for. Of course, there's no need for a super steel if you just want it for that type of work.

But if you just forgot to include that other all-important category - 'impressing your friends' - that opens up a whole new world of possibilities. :D

If you can carry autos then that does make things interesting. Autos are a lot of fun. If fun is a factor that is, and I believe it always will be when it comes to sharps.

Where autos are concerned, Microtech is the king of the heap. Unfortunately they no longer make knives, but there are still plenty to be had on the used market and some dealers still stock 'em. Protech are also well regarded and Benchmade make a couple of nice ones too.

As far as regular folders go, the options are endless. Best thing is to go into a store with a lot of good stock and try some out for size.

Otherwise, just get yourself a Spyderco Para-Military. Its about the best high end production folder on the market IMO.
 
Well, at least you're realistic about what you want it for. Of course, there's no need for a super steel if you just want it for that type of work.

But if you just forgot to include that other all-important category - 'impressing your friends' - that opens up a whole new world of possibilities. :D

If you can carry autos then that does make things interesting. Autos are a lot of fun. If fun is a factor that is, and I believe it always will be when it comes to sharps.

Where autos are concerned, Microtech is the king of the heap. Unfortunately they no longer make knives, but there are still plenty to be had on the used market and some dealers still stock 'em. Protech are also well regarded and Benchmade make a couple of nice ones too.

As far as regular folders go, the options are endless. Best thing is to go into a store with a lot of good stock and try some out for size.

Otherwise, just get yourself a Spyderco Para-Military. Its about the best high end production folder on the market IMO.

Microtech isn't making any more knives? :confused:
 
The D2 Para is an option for the quality steel the OP is looking for plus the shortened blade length . . . Get one while they are still available ;)
 
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Look at the Kershaw Shallot with ZDP composite blade. It's assisted, one of your criteria, and a good steel, another criteria, and it's pretty inexpensive at about $80. If I were you, I would buy the Shallot then use the rest of your budget on a set of paper wheels, check richardj's post inthe tinkering section for more info. For less than your budget, you can have a great knife and an amazing sharpening system.
 
There was talk about it on the forums... I see they are making firearms too now but it looks like the autos are still being produced as well.

I suppose reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated..!
 
Think about the Stretch II CF too

It indeed looks exellent, is it really that much of an improvement over the caly 3 zdp ?

well it looks as though you've researched it a bit so your on the right track. Do you have the option of playing with knives before buying or are you just mail order?
I would recommend the Spyderco knives. Take a look at some of the higher end steels they put on some of their knives.

I'll have to order it online i'm afraid, since there's pretty much nothing where i live :(

Well, at least you're realistic about what you want it for. Of course, there's no need for a super steel if you just want it for that type of work.

But if you just forgot to include that other all-important category - 'impressing your friends' - that opens up a whole new world of possibilities. :D

If you can carry autos then that does make things interesting. Autos are a lot of fun. If fun is a factor that is, and I believe it always will be when it comes to sharps.

Where autos are concerned, Microtech is the king of the heap. Unfortunately they no longer make knives, but there are still plenty to be had on the used market and some dealers still stock 'em. Protech are also well regarded and Benchmade make a couple of nice ones too.

As far as regular folders go, the options are endless. Best thing is to go into a store with a lot of good stock and try some out for size.

Otherwise, just get yourself a Spyderco Para-Military. Its about the best high end production folder on the market IMO.

Well the videos i saw on youtube ( i'm thinking to the infidel for example ) look indeed tons of fun, but i'm wondering if the price tag is indeed justified. As far as i know, auto knives are pretty expensive ( benchmade infidel, microtech halo ), and i'm afraid they're not as solid as a "simple" assisted opening. I don't want to be bothered with opening mecanism problems, and although an auto knife ( otf in particular ) look very nice to use, i'd rather have a simpler knife built like a tank than a very cool but fragile auto knife.

Am i mistaken about all that ?

Look at the Kershaw Shallot with ZDP composite blade. It's assisted, one of your criteria, and a good steel, another criteria, and it's pretty inexpensive at about $80. If I were you, I would buy the Shallot then use the rest of your budget on a set of paper wheels, check richardj's post inthe tinkering section for more info. For less than your budget, you can have a great knife and an amazing sharpening system.

I like that idea, i'll look into it.
 
They cost a lot of money for good reason - the materials used are high end and reliability comes with the deal.

Not all autos cost a fortune though. Side openers can be had for pretty reasonable sums. I would suggest taking a look at the new Benchmade AFO II. That's a damn nice piece that is made primarily for the military and law enforcement agencies, so its built to be used hard.

But yes, a folder that opens under one's own steam is obviously going to present less potential problems, if only because it is a simpler device, with less moving parts.

Well the videos i saw on youtube ( i'm thinking to the infidel for example ) look indeed tons of fun, but i'm wondering if the price tag is indeed justified. As far as i know, auto knives are pretty expensive ( benchmade infidel, microtech halo ), and i'm afraid they're not as solid as a "simple" assisted opening. I don't want to be bothered with opening mecanism problems, and although an auto knife ( otf in particular ) look very nice to use, i'd rather have a simpler knife built like a tank than a very cool but fragile auto knife.

Am i mistaken about all that ?.
 
The BM 760 would be a very good choice, mine has yet to leave my pocket :thumbup: The M4 steel is some of the best but its not really that easy to sharpen (its kinda like S90V/ZDP) if you don't have diamond hones its going to take a long time to sharpen. The plus side is that it holds a edge very well even when going against the toughest of materials. M4 also gets VERY sharp but like most factory edges mine was not even shaving sharp out of the box.

Lot's of folks will say that a tanto does not work well and to this day I still don't understand what they mean. I personally like tanto for EDC, I like that the blade is thick all the way to the tip but can still perice with the best of them. I also like the two different edges, I feel that I have a more useful cutting tool.

The Ti handle of the 760 is also very nice, not that comfortable in long term hard use but much better than it looks like it would feel. It's also a very nice looking knife that's smooooooth as butter :D

Though my perfect knife for overall usefulness is my S90V millie, it's beyond the best cutting most EDC friendly knife I have ever had. My problem is that I can't bring myself to use it on a daily basis because it was a limited run and I kinda feel like its my "dress knife" so I don't want to damage it. My 760 on the other hand is going to get it's a$$ handed to it as soon as I can find something to cut :p this thing just screams abuse me :D
 
The two Benchmades are not in the same league as these. One's 154CM (doesn't hold a candle to ZDP-189) and the other has had problems with the blade coating rubbing off.

The 760 does? Never heard of that before.

To the OP. I think once you get into the knife world one of the most beneficial skills to learn is sharpening your knife. I recommend getting a knife with a steel and blade shape that most can handle resharpening. Because most likely you will find yourself appreciating the ability to touch up your own knife and keep it sharp. Or instead you can purchase a really hard steeled knife that will hold its edge for an extra day or two and then you can send it off to a pro to be sharpened.

Find a knife that you won't mind beating up or possibly losing, as this is a knife that will be your only EDC. With a steel and blade shape that will be user friendly. And then spend the $50 for the Spyderco Sharpmaker so you will be able to take care of knife. Sharpening is really not that hard once you make the plunge to learn how. This should be a much more practical route for a person new to quality knives. Plus you said you own a bunch of dull knives, you can't be buying a new knife every time one gets dull. ;)
 
I honestly don't think you can go wrong with the Caly3 CF ZDP. I picked it up a year ago because of all the great reviews and it has been in my pocket ever since! I honestly believe it's one of the best EDC folding knife out there. It's slim, wire clip for discrete carry, the Carbon Fiber is nice looking and feels good in the hand and the best part about the knife is the ZDP-189 steel!!!!

This has been my first go-around with ZDP and I have to say I love it!! it really stays razor sharp a long time and I've never had to take mine to a sharpening stone yet. I have however once in a while take it to a leather strop with green compound to keep the edge in first class shape but not all that often.

My Caly3 Carbon Fiber ZDP-189
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I would suggest taking a look at the new Benchmade AFO II.

The AFO II is a damn fine knife. That and the Infidel are the only two automatic knives in my collection; I sometimes use them to augment my various RSK series Griptilians.

I'm a Spyderco guy at heart, however, and can also highly recommend the Stretch and the Caly3. While they are not automatic like the above, they do open quickly and smoothly.

With quality names like Benchmade and Spyderco, you're headed in the right direction.

:thumbup:
 
It indeed looks exellent, is it really that much of an improvement over the caly 3 zdp ?

The biggest difference between the Stretch ZDP and the Caly ZDP is the Stretch doesn't have a laminated blade. There is no softer steel laminated on the Stretch so the Stretch is less prone to normal use scratching in general. The cutting edge is the same on each apart from a grind variance or course.

A normal Caly CF will have a radial scratch on the tang that indicates the opening/closing radius of the pivot because the outer steel is softer. It's normal and Caly CF owners embrace this but it's still a difference to a degree. The Caly CF will also have an obvious "hamon" (not a true hamon) type appearance due to the lamination line of steels. The Stretch has a gripper peel-ply scale texture while the Caly CF is a smooth CF.

Then of course you have the different ergos and blade profiles.
 
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Those are some great suggestions. I would also suggest considering one of the Kershaw Leeks with S30v (eg: KS1660G10) or a Leek Damascus (not the toughest steel, but takes a great edge, and easier to sharpen) eg: Black with Damascus KS1660CKTDAM.
The Leek Assisted Opening is very smooth and brisk. And makes a nice EDC pocket knife. Not a "Tactical" design, but very functional for daily use.
or one of the LUM designs such as Benchmade Lum Dejavoo BM740
or Spyderco Lum VG-10 SC65FGP.
Do you know what blade shape you are paticularly enamored by? When you mention cutting food, are you talking about chopping, or slicing or just what?
 
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