Pursuit of Knife Knowledge

J85909266

J85909266

Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,531
Hello, everyone. My name is Joe. This is my first time here at this place. I've been looking for a board like this to answer my questions and discuss knives for a while. I've been into knives since I was a kid. I was always captivated by them, and now that I'm old enough and have a job and all that, I've started buying them quite frequently. I started off buying the biggest, nastiest looking folders I could find (Cold Steel Recon1 Tanto, CRKT M16 - 14 SF, etc.). But now I'm looking to really understand the many different aspects of knives and their components, so that I can buy them without ignorance. I don't buy knives solely for function, but also because I simply enjoy having them. I apologize because I'm sure all of my questions have been answered multiple times, but I'm new to this place, and I have many things I'd like to know about. Bear with me, and know that I appreciate any replies. On to my questions:

I'd like an explanation on the hardness of knives. I've never understood the charts, and I'd like to know the correspondance of the different steels I'm familiar with to the hardness levels. I'd like to have a general idea of what steels are good, and which are bad, and why. Where to things like ceramic blades fit in, and is having a knife that hard worth it? Also, is damascus actually a good steel to carry and use, or is it mostly useless aside from being decorative?

I want to know about the purpose of all the different blade styles. What is each one intended for (tanto, clip, spear, drop, etc.)? Which one's are the most favored amongst casual knife owners, and why?

What are the favored brands amongst knife enthusiests, and why? Also, which brands should I stay away from?

Please, explain to me the different ups and downs of the various locking mechanisms (lockback, liner, axis, compression, framelock, etc.). Which one's are the best, and what should I stay away from?

Once again, I thank you for any replies. I know that replying seriously to a thread like this requires a lot of effort.
 
J85909266 said:
I'd like an explanation on the hardness of knives.
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Hardness measures the resistance to impaction, to measure it a knife is hit with a hard object and the depth of the dent determines the hardness. As steels get harder the edge resists rolling and denting more and thus it stays sharp longer, there are other aspects of edge retention as well such as corrosion and wear, plus in some heavy cutting like chopping toughness can be a factor as well.

I'd like to have a general idea of what steels are good, and which are bad, and why.
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Most steels are good for something, a good steel for a fillet knife isn't a good steel for a camp bowie for example. Different knives demand different properties.

Where to things like ceramic blades fit in, and is having a knife that hard worth it? Also, is damascus actually a good steel to carry and use, or is it mostly useless aside from being decorative?
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Ceramic blades stay sharp for a long period of time, don't respond well to rough finishes, are brittle and break easily. Damascus can make quality knives, but it is hard to argue they would be better than quality single melt steels, so yes mainly looks.

I want to know about the purpose of all the different blade styles. What is each one intended for (tanto, clip, spear, drop, etc.)? Which one's are the most favored amongst casual knife owners, and why?
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Tanto tends to favor tip strength, clip tip penetration, speak and drop are inbetween. How the tips are ground makes a lot of difference as well, a thick clip point can be stronger than a thin tanto.

What are the favored brands amongst knife enthusiests, and why?
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Almost every brand has its fans.

Please, explain to me the different ups and downs of the various locking mechanisms (lockback, liner, axis, compression, framelock, etc.).
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Liner locks are very ease to open and close one handed but are instable under torques and impacts, lockbacks are much more secure but can jam if debris gets in the mechanism and prevents an engagement. Compression locks are essentially liner locks without the weaknesses.

I would recommend reading Joe Talmadges FAQ's to start.

-Cliff
 
If I were you, I'd look through old posts and use the search function. A WEALTH of knowledge there. You've got the right attitude my friend!! I think you're gonna love it here :D
 
Welcome to the forums. I hope you end up enjoying this place at least as much as I do. You have some great answers so far. One thing that you will find is that we are all fortunate to have the highest number of quality knives to choose from than at any other time.

One thing that I have come to understand is that no two knife nuts are the same. A knife that foots the bill perfectly for the lifestyle of one person, might be the worst choice another person could make since the tasks placed upon the knife might be quite different. When we multiply that by a few hunderd or thousand. all we are left with in comonality is an enjoyment of the use and ownership of these tools we come here to discuss.
 
I certainly understand the relativity involved in my questions. The subjectiveness of all things is something I massively incorporate into all my philosophies in life. I find the the replies in this thread very helpful so far, especially the FAQs I was linked to, but I would also like to hear some of the user's individual opinions and their reasons for them as well. Relating with and disagreeing with your peers is also a great way to narrow down and learn about such a huge subject.
 
SEbenza and sharpmaker.

**this has been an auto-reply**


Seriously, though, If you start reading, say, this particulat forum (general knife discussions), and go back about 1 yr, and read most, if not all of the posts, you will be miles away from where you are now. Or, you can cut out the middle and go back to traditional knives, where we all end up (just kidding). You will find a tremendous amount of info. Be aware that there is also a reviews and testing forum, so most knives that you are thinking of have probably been reviewed at some point. Happy looking, and remember-the search function is there to use.
 
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