Recommendations

C

canon

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Jan 28, 2007
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I am really interested in knives but there are so many that it's overwhelming. There seems to be limitless brands, shapes, styles and prices. As much as I would like to jump in and start buying what I like I know this would be a mistake. I would rather have one knife that is exceptional than a dozen mediocre or ordinary ones. I would like to start with folding knives. I have a bunch of Case knives that my brother gave me. They are nice but I am not excited about them. I like the Benchmade but like Case they production knives that are not necessarily unique. A friend just gave me a Benchmade that is really nice. It's a keeper but more for who gave it to me.

So, the question is this. If you didn't want to waste a lot of money and wanted to focus on a brand that was unique, perhaps buy one or two a month, that would be a highly well known brand for quality which brand would you focus on? I don't mind paying a couple hundred dollars for a knife with an occasional increase to $400 if something came along.

I am new to this forum so please excuse my stupidity. Any comments/suggestions/direction that you could give me would be appreciated.

Bob
 
Well, to focus on one brand with high quality, unique products and value for the money spent my personal choice would be Spyderco. They have outstanding knives at different price points in many categories, and they are a company that I trust and respect for both their products and their practices.
 
your not going to find many unique knives going the production route.

start looking at customs, lightfoots, fujisakas, hinderers, and the like.
 
If you want the ultimate in quality, buy a Chris Reeve Sebenza. Most people 'toy' with other brands prior to getting their first Reeve because of the costs.
 
I agree, if you want the ultimate in quality, get some Chris Reeves knives!! Get yourself a Sebenza.
 
jujigatame said:
Well, to focus on one brand with high quality, unique products and value for the money spent my personal choice would be Spyderco. They have outstanding knives at different price points in many categories, and they are a company that I trust and respect for both their products and their practices.
Click to expand...

Consider the fact that Spyderco's president, Sal Glesser, actually posts to this forum and interacts with the members, asking for input that will help design the knives that they will make for us. That's amazing.

Go Spyderco all the way.

I also note that in the thread starter, the poster seems interested in custom knives. I am not a fan of custom knives, for several reasons. First, I want something that I can easily get another one of if I should lose it or break it. Second, I don't want to pay the price for a custom. While it's nice to have something "unique," it's not that important to me.
 
You're interested in knives, why?

For use or just something to collect? If you just want find that "one perfect knife" for daily use, then you should go the cheap and plenty route, it allows you to see for yourself what you like and don't. Then sell them all and get a knife that has all the features you like. :thumbup:
 
Depends on what kind of knives you like also, rocker locks, liner locks, frame locks, axis locks? Bowie style, tanto, spear point, and on and on. For instanse I like the tanto, so I carry an Emerson HD 7. Its a great knife as tough as you can get and the company is top notch. I got mine used on another forum and love it. Emersons have a great reputaion if you like liner or frame locks, I would highly recommend them.

The Benchmades and Spydercos are great too at a lower price for some models. It hard to choose I know.

Ed
 
For about $175 you can get a Benchmade Rukus (BM-610) with S30V steel and an Axis lock. An unbeatable folder in my opinion. Even if you never use it you will get hours of enjoyment by flicking it open and closing.


BM-610.jpg
 
While I understand your desire to simplify your collecting to just one brand, and understand the responses of those who have recommended particular ones (all of whom I really like), I think you will find, fairly quickly, that you want to expand beyond that one brand.

My recommendation is to specialize in a TYPE of knife...for example, tactical folders, or slipjoints, or fixed blade fighters, or...you get the idea. Then you can select what you like from a number of manufacturers, and can eventually include custom makers as well.

If you really, REALLY, insist on one brand, I think Spyderco and Kershaw have the greatest selection, widest price range, most frequent new models, and excellent quality.

If I was forced to own knives from just one manufacturer, for my entire life, it would be Chris Reeve.
 
Well, your question is pretty open ended, especially since you don't know much about the options available, but I think I can point you in the right direction.

I've carried a knife for the last 20 years or so, probably since I was about 10 years old. I've had mostly medium or small sized folding knives, which I think is ideal for every day carry (EDC). Its amazing how much you actually use a knife when you are accustomed to having one with you all the time.

You probably want a knife that locks. I've got several scars from my early years learning that I needed a knife that locks. Now, I don't now that it is as important for most tasks, but it would have saved me several scars.

For the last 10 years i've carried something that I can open one handed. I really can't live without this feature now, so I mostly limit my selections to those that have thumbstuds or thumbholes. For me, a 2.5-3" blade is a good balance between effective size, carriability, and keeping people from thinking i'm a criminal when they see the blade.

I've recently gotten very interested in blade metals and what the differences between them are. About the same time I ran across Doug Ritter's site, Equipped to Survive, and found that I completely agreed with his thinking in regard to what you need in a good knife that you can stake your life on. This is when I first saw a Chris Reeve Sebenza and decided that it was nearly the perfect knife for me (well, the small sebenza is). I also decided that the knife he designed (Doug Ritter, that is) was a very good comprimise between the small sebenza and what I could afford. That knife is commonly referred to as the Ritter Grip, or Ritter Mini Grip. It is a variation on the Benchmade Griptillian and features an Axis lock and a S30V blade (just like the sebenza). I do not yet own a Ritter grip, or any other Axis lock knife, but I really like this design and you will find many people agree (the benchmade rukus above has an axis lock, for instance). It also features a wide drop point blade. You will find a lot of people prefer this type blade for most tasks, although there are good points to all the different blade styles.

So, it took me a long time to get here, but my first suggestion to you would be to try out a benchamde with an axis lock. See if you like it. Next, decide what shape of blade you like (or just get the ritter mini grip). Then, think about if you want to invest in a steel that has great edge retention, or would rather just sharpen the knife regularly (or just get something made of BG42 or S30V like the Sebenza or Ritter Grip that has great edge retention).

Now if I could just follow my own advise...

I have my reasons that I have not done it yet, but now that I type it all out it doesn't make much sense that I haven't gotten one yet.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

schiesz
 
Many thanks to all for sharing their knowledge with me. I have learned so much just reading your comments and other posts throughout this site.
 
Unique is a strong word, perhaps too strong for your pocket book. Mike Walker , the inventor of the liner lock makes unique knives. Bob Dozier and several others can make a knife that is unique in shape of blade or handle for you but the cost will be high.

Why not settle for interesting? Then you will find many knives in your price range that will give you great pleasure to own, carry and use.

all the best,

A. G. Russell
 
Well, there's another guy who knows something about knives. :thumbup:

Thanks for your input, A.G.
 
Schiesz, you must have read my mind. I've been down the same path, and arrived just about the same place. Must be that common sense Missouri mind set.

Unique and intersesting knives abound, but as has been said, it's how you plan to use it and what on that can determine what blade shape, lock, and grip you need.

I bought a higer end production knife for the features as they met my priorities. I has taken about 20 years to understand what I needed vs wanted, plus trying out a lot of interesting knives on the way. I chose the features and let the make and model fall where they may. If it had come down to a production knife, ok, but the best part of the more expensive knives is that they have more and do more.

You may be quite surprised where it leads you - and it could defy your comfort zone to be associated with a maker, but that's the truly pure and challenging part of the purchase.
 
A.G. is giving you great advice. I would also add that if you don't want to go full-custom, a lot of custom makers have hand-made regular models and that still fit the bill as semi-unique because not everybody has one. There are many fewer Doziers/Kreins/Ingrams out there than any production knife, and they are mainly in the hands of people who know and appreciate a good knife.
 
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