Recommendation for an absolute newbie to knives

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dacoontz

Joined
May 10, 2017
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12
Guys and gals,
Very new to the knife world, but need a couple recommendations on resources (other than this fine forum) to begin my education regarding knives. My interests include custom made to large quantity production (higher grade) knives. I live in Southern Utah and just recently realized that I am surrounded by master craftsmen in the knife world thus my interest recently has been stoked.

I religiously collect S&W's and have a fair amount of knowledge in that area which was partially augmented by the S&W standard catalog. Thus, a book of this sort would be a great recommendation to start. Of course, I realize that only time truly educates a man, but any help in accelerating the process as I start out would be fantastic. The Antique Arms and Knife show in Vegas has always made me curious about knives as well.

I should mention that a recent visit to Solvang and a subsequent random stop by Nordic Knives further sharpened my interest. That little stop was almost as good as stopping by an old time gun shop full of pre-1960 S&W's. I can totally understand the addiction. Please help. :)

Thanks all, Dacoontz.
 
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Look on YouTube, Walter Sorrells has a number of videos that answer a lot of simple questions, I find him entertaining. You live in Utah, you may have heard of nutnfancy? :) He's an acquired taste. Gideon's tactical and the Late Boy Scout are other channels I like. Cutlerylover, welljuggleknives are interesting as well. Nick Shabazz does interesting folder reviews.

Be careful, there's a lot of somewhat incorrect information - which may not matter much, for example, clip points and drop points are often confused - to the blatantly wrong, i.e. for a crazy one, I dunno, take your pick, pattern welded steel better than monosteels... Sanmai is a cold steel invention...

Make sure you understand your local laws, which I think are quite liberal regarding knives in Utah? I get that feeling but double check. I guess it's worth mentioning to read this:

www.nononsenseselfdefense.com

Better read this carefully. Tool or weapon in your mind, it's what the law thinks it is, not you.
 
Subscribe to one of the leading knife magazines, or find a store that sells them to pick up an issue here or there that suits your fancy. A lot of great articles, a lot of nice knives to check out.
 
Phixt said:
If you get a BudK magazine in your mailbox, throw it in your recycling bin - the waxy pages are no good for starting fires.
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Oh but aren't those videos they upload just so amazing? I mean, come on, those mall ninja swords can chop up soda bottles bro!!! Must be quality to get that job done!!!

Seriously, BudK is a joke please don't waste any hard earned cash there. If you are interested in customs, we have some real talent here check out the Exchange. You can find excellent one of a kind blades in all price ranges.
 
Thanks all. Will pick me up a good mag at Walmart, do a little perusing on YouTube, and avoid BudK.

And I did notice the exchange, some good looking work on there. I just figured I should get a little more educated before I start opening the wallet too wide.
 
dacoontz said:
Thanks all. Will pick me up a good mag at Walmart, do a little perusing on YouTube, and avoid BudK.

And I did notice the exchange, some good looking work on there. I just figured I should get a little more educated before I start opening the wallet too wide.
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Just read a lot here. Its that simple. If you want "hard copy" get a used copy of Bernard Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values, 4th ed or earlier. You can get them off an auction site.

Forget magazines, they are advertorials at best. And remember anybody with a cell phone can post to YouTube. And just because bought a bunch of knives and posted on YouTube doesn't mean they know diddly squat.

Your best is to read read read here...check out the work in the galleries.
 
22-rimfire said:
I like Condor stuff which I suppose would be considered the high end Imacasa stuff. My favorite is the 18" El Salvador model with the wood handles. Certainly costs more than the junk you pick up a Wallyworld. Buy once, cry once. That said, I have a number of Condor machetes and pleased with all of them.
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JupiterPaladin said:
Oh but aren't those videos they upload just so amazing? I mean, come on, those mall ninja swords can chop up soda bottles bro!!! Must be quality to get that job done!!!

Seriously, BudK is a joke please don't waste any hard earned cash there. If you are interested in customs, we have some real talent here check out the Exchange. You can find excellent one of a kind blades in all price ranges.
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Don't totally dismiss BudK if you know what to look for and when to buy. They have an outstanding deal on Imacasa machetes and with free shipping, you can get a 1/2 dozen quality El Salvador machetes for $3-5 each shipped to your door. For $31 I had two 14", two 18" and two 22" poly handled Imacasa machetes shipped to my door.

 
P panoz77 Nice machetes. I bought my CS Bushman and CS OSS through BudK many years ago. But it's the marketing of what are typically low-end products and knife-shaped-objects I'm warning him about...

to which I add never buy anything from those Cutlery Corner simpletons on TV.

Like others said read here. If you'd like a magazine in your hands for glossy pics n such, get Blade mag.

marcinek said:
And remember anybody with a cell phone can post to YouTube. And just because bought a bunch of knives and posted on YouTube doesn't mean they know diddly squat.
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+1. And I'd like to stress the fact that there are a few 'Survival' & Gear YTers (names shall go unmentioned because that's another story) who have millions of views but don't have a clue about real knives or high end gear.
 
Keep firmly in mind that the only guy who knows you is you. Most of the mid-range knives you will see on the exchange can be trialed for the cost of shipping, and so you will get a good idea on how handles, opening methods and locks work for you. Don't bother looking too much into steels yet, because you wouldn't be the first guy soured to a knife because it was hard to sharpen, or to expensive to use. Be careful with pawn-shop buys as there are often fakes that float around, and you will be able to find out easily which knives to avoid buying sight unseen with a little ask or search around here.

And feel free to ask a heap of questions, the more specific the better. For example, the old "whats the best EDC knife?" question won't win hearts and minds, or get you a useful answer. However, "Whats the best EDC knife, with mostly traditional materials, at X$ pricepoint, with a blade length of Y for a guy who has Z glove sized hands, for carry in a pocket slip, in boot-cut, straight leg levi's, to compliment my CCW in style, with a bottle opener because I like craft beer?" will get you fewer, but far more useful answers.

Also take what you get with a grain of salt, seems that for every straight up legit survival expert here we have a complete blow-hard moron. So ya know, advice being worth what you pay and all that.....
 
You will need to develop a sense of what you like or prefer whether it be fixed blades or folders. You don't have to spend a lot lof money to get good knives. I would suggest you visit a large knife store that sells a wide range of products and spend some time there handling knives.

IF you like traditionals, the GEC #48 Weasel (single blade) and two blade #48 Improved Trapper are very well put together knives and a good representation of the quality that comes out of Great Eastern Cutlery. I don't believe I've read a single negative comment about them since their release. There is a thread on them in the Traditional forum.

With traditional customs, it is hard to beat something made by TA Davison. Again there is a thread in the traditional forum and he sometimes posts on the gun forums.

Added: The BLADE Show is coming up at the beginning of June in Atlanta GA. It is the largest knife show in the world. Many custom makers will be there. It is a three day affair. I highly recommend attending.
 
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The advice regarding GEC and TA Davison is right on! Also, look up Lon Humphrey ad is knives. He forges them all--he makes them to be used, and I personally love their aesthetics. Randall Made Knives are legend as well. Happy knife hunting brother!
 
I see no "Blow-hard moron" advice anywhere in this thread, but perspective certainly does speak to the beholder.
 
adamlau said:
I'm somewhat partial to cliffstamp.com myself.
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He is banned here and not welcome back. I wouldn't listen to a thing he says. We have our own very knowledgeable folks here who can handle themselves appropriately.

Best thing to do OP is hang around, read threads and read some more. Not sure on the SW front as their current knives are of not so good quality.
 
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