-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Suggestions for my first folding knife?
- Thread starter MarkZ
- Start date
I have to agree with an earlier post that mentioned buying a Swiss Army knife to function as a screwdriver or light scraper/prying tool. A useful, very light but strong model is the Victorinox Soldier with silver aluminum handles, spear-point blade, awl, screwdriver/bottle opener, screwdriver/can opener. The awl can scrape and maybe even very light prying.
Then, in addition, you can get an Ascent or whatever single-blade folder you choose. I would also suggest if you can, go to a gun show, they usually have knife dealers there selling brand-new knives for very cheap. Then you can also examine a few of each to check for flaws first-hand.
If you really only want one folder for more abusive prying or scraping, the Cold Steel tanto Voyager might be good...not very expensive and very strong tips. The edge-holding is fair, but the blades are less brittle than, say, Benchmade's hard ATS-34 blades. These tanto Voyager tips are not very pointy, but at least won't snap off, and if you end up messing it up, it's not an overly big loss.
Jim
Then, in addition, you can get an Ascent or whatever single-blade folder you choose. I would also suggest if you can, go to a gun show, they usually have knife dealers there selling brand-new knives for very cheap. Then you can also examine a few of each to check for flaws first-hand.
If you really only want one folder for more abusive prying or scraping, the Cold Steel tanto Voyager might be good...not very expensive and very strong tips. The edge-holding is fair, but the blades are less brittle than, say, Benchmade's hard ATS-34 blades. These tanto Voyager tips are not very pointy, but at least won't snap off, and if you end up messing it up, it's not an overly big loss.
Jim
Here's my two scents! You can't go wrong w/ a benchmade but if your looking for a knife that you can use and abuse....don't have to stake your life on and don't want to be pissed off if you tear it up....buy a cold steel voyager. If you want to have a good quality long lasting blade that your going to take care of and makes sense for defensive use get yourself a Benchmade. Keep carrying that multi-tool for "Non-knife" tasks and use the blade on that for abusive tasks like prying, scraping, and screwing....
- Joined
- Aug 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,317
Forget about the Ascent. You already don't like the thumb hole, and when the pocket clip pulls out of the handle and strips the holes, you'll regret the day you bought it. My suggestion? For a nice working knife with a brute-strength lock, you can't beat the REKAT Pioneer. If that is too pricey, then look hard at the Gerber Gator in ATS-34. If you can only find the drop-point version (which you stated you didn't like), then forget the ATS-34 and get the original Gator. You can beat the hell out of it for years, lose it, and only be out $30.00.
I hear good things about the CRKT M-16; it's well designed, tough, and priced right. And finally (!) before you give up on the Spyderco, look at the Tim Wegner C48 (?) model. It gets fantastic reviews as a working knife, both for ease of use and toughness. Good luck, and let us know what you go with.
Paul
I hear good things about the CRKT M-16; it's well designed, tough, and priced right. And finally (!) before you give up on the Spyderco, look at the Tim Wegner C48 (?) model. It gets fantastic reviews as a working knife, both for ease of use and toughness. Good luck, and let us know what you go with.
Paul
O
OU Sooners Fan
I would agree with Waldo about the M2 AFCK. The AFCK is a great knife and the M2 makes it that much better. I just recently purchased one from Mark @ mjsknives.com for $95. For that $, you can't beat it. If you are completely against the thumb hole, the bm710 and bm750 are both good choices. I honestly like both a great deal, the AFCK is just my personal preference. I don't particularly care for any of the Ascent series. I have had several and had nothing but problems. I would look at the Spyderco Endura before buying a Ascent. The Spyderco fits the hand better, gets scary sharp and seems to just jump back into the handle everytime you close it. Another thing, I have been assuming that you are looking for a larger 4 inch knife because of previous posts. But if a 3 inch knife is acceptable, give the bm350 a look. It, like the Ascent and Endura, has a zytel type handle except it uses a liner lock as opposed to the lockback. It locks up tight and passes the spine whack test everytime. Great little knife for basically the same price as the two above mentioned knives. By the way, I obviously am a huge Benchmade fan, but I do agree with the suggestions about going and checking out the knives first relating to QC issues. For the money, you can't beat a well fit AFCK, but I've seen some real POS's too. I have had good experiences with ABC-Direct and MJSKnives, if you look on the net. Either one will take good care of you and give you some great prices. Anyway, I hope some of my rambling has helped. Let me know what you decide.
Jeff
Jeff
While I agree with the comments about BM quality, I've bought 11 Benchmades over the past 6 months, 4 of which were through internet dealers (DiscountKnives was one). None of the 4 I ordered had any problems. Of course, the ones I got from a local dealer were good as well. It pays to deal with someone who checks the knives out before sending them.
I can't recommend the 710 and 705 enough. For the money, I don't think a better knife can be found anywhere. For half the price, though, the Spyderco Endura is also a great value.
Ray
------------------
Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988
AKTI Member #A000831
[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 05 October 1999).]
I can't recommend the 710 and 705 enough. For the money, I don't think a better knife can be found anywhere. For half the price, though, the Spyderco Endura is also a great value.
Ray
------------------
Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988
AKTI Member #A000831
[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 05 October 1999).]
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1999
- Messages
- 2
That thing about not liking thumbholes but leaning towards an Ascent is a little confusing. If you truly hate thumbholes, I would also suggest the REKAT Pioneer. Check out www.roundeye.com. I like the drop point, but they come in clip point too, and these knives can take a beating. Though the pioneer is heavy duty, I would suggest getting a smaller multitool, like the Buck mini or Leatherman micra, etc. to go with it.
- Joined
- Oct 19, 1998
- Messages
- 426
Heh, give knife fans the chance to recommend a knife, and the recommendations are all over the map, including a number recommended specifically for features you've said you don't want
. The knife/wine connoisseurs analogy is spot on...
So don't buy a Sebenza as your first folder, don't buy a $100 wine to go with Dominos pizza, and don't buy a Ferrari as your first car. You won't appreciate how wonderful it is, and you'll probably end up doing something with it that you'll regret later on, and you'll be annoyed to end up carrying around a damaged $300 knife. There may be a Sebenza in your future, but wait until it calls to you, and you feel comfortable using it as a tool (they are terrific tools).
As far as doing those not-quite-knife tasks, part of the answer is to drop a Micra in your pocket -- it's tiny, has screwdrivers, and if you mess it up, a replacement is under $20.
The Benchmade Axis Lock (er, BM710BT) is a terrific knife (great handle, great lock), the Ascents are okay, but not nearly as nice. BT2 is good/helpful, but will scratch up over time (depending on what you're cutting); depends on how much you value having the knife look pretty. I've come around to the idea that combo blades offer the worst of both worlds. Benchmade has had QC problems off and on, best to buy from a store where you can look at several and pick the one you want (or if you buy online, find a dealer who cheerfully handles returns; if I recall correctly, when Jim Mattis is wearing his Chai Cutlery hat he generally inspects knives before he sends them out, to ensure you get a good one).
You like G10 (so do I), you have concerns about Benchmade (QC) and Spyderco (holes and style), and you want something really indestructable -- I'd second the recommendations to check out the REKAT Pioneer series; I don't own any, but from what I've seen they're built like tanks, have strong locks, have G10 handles, open with thumb studs, come in a variety of blade styles, and they can be had for something in the $100 ballpark. A nice introduction to the field of folders, so you can start getting a better idea of exactly what you're looking for in your next one...
Were it not for the preferences you've stated, I'd suggest the Spyderco Endura as a better knife than the Ascent (Joe Talmadge was quoted here recently to the effect that "after the Endura, all other folders are a case of diminishing returns"). For a bit more money, both the Benchmade 710 Axis Lock and the Spyderco Starmate are terrific G10-handled working knives.
And find a good knife store, even if it involves a long drive. Find a salesperson who really enjoys knives and who is willing to let you handle everything in the case. Pick up the knives that you've heard good things about but don't interest you -- one of them may surprise you with how it fits your hand, how it opens, etc. And if you do find something you like, after a helpful salesperson has spent an hour handing you various knives, making suggestions, and chatting about your mutual interest, buy it from them even if you could get it for less online; the difference covers a service you've just received that you can't get elsewhere, finding out what a caseful of knive actually feel like in your hand.
My $0.05 (sorry, much too long-winded for just $0.02),
-- Carl
So don't buy a Sebenza as your first folder, don't buy a $100 wine to go with Dominos pizza, and don't buy a Ferrari as your first car. You won't appreciate how wonderful it is, and you'll probably end up doing something with it that you'll regret later on, and you'll be annoyed to end up carrying around a damaged $300 knife. There may be a Sebenza in your future, but wait until it calls to you, and you feel comfortable using it as a tool (they are terrific tools).
As far as doing those not-quite-knife tasks, part of the answer is to drop a Micra in your pocket -- it's tiny, has screwdrivers, and if you mess it up, a replacement is under $20.
The Benchmade Axis Lock (er, BM710BT) is a terrific knife (great handle, great lock), the Ascents are okay, but not nearly as nice. BT2 is good/helpful, but will scratch up over time (depending on what you're cutting); depends on how much you value having the knife look pretty. I've come around to the idea that combo blades offer the worst of both worlds. Benchmade has had QC problems off and on, best to buy from a store where you can look at several and pick the one you want (or if you buy online, find a dealer who cheerfully handles returns; if I recall correctly, when Jim Mattis is wearing his Chai Cutlery hat he generally inspects knives before he sends them out, to ensure you get a good one).
You like G10 (so do I), you have concerns about Benchmade (QC) and Spyderco (holes and style), and you want something really indestructable -- I'd second the recommendations to check out the REKAT Pioneer series; I don't own any, but from what I've seen they're built like tanks, have strong locks, have G10 handles, open with thumb studs, come in a variety of blade styles, and they can be had for something in the $100 ballpark. A nice introduction to the field of folders, so you can start getting a better idea of exactly what you're looking for in your next one...
Were it not for the preferences you've stated, I'd suggest the Spyderco Endura as a better knife than the Ascent (Joe Talmadge was quoted here recently to the effect that "after the Endura, all other folders are a case of diminishing returns"). For a bit more money, both the Benchmade 710 Axis Lock and the Spyderco Starmate are terrific G10-handled working knives.
And find a good knife store, even if it involves a long drive. Find a salesperson who really enjoys knives and who is willing to let you handle everything in the case. Pick up the knives that you've heard good things about but don't interest you -- one of them may surprise you with how it fits your hand, how it opens, etc. And if you do find something you like, after a helpful salesperson has spent an hour handing you various knives, making suggestions, and chatting about your mutual interest, buy it from them even if you could get it for less online; the difference covers a service you've just received that you can't get elsewhere, finding out what a caseful of knive actually feel like in your hand.
My $0.05 (sorry, much too long-winded for just $0.02),
-- Carl
Blades-r-cool,
Mark was probably referring to the newer drop point Ascents (825, 835, 845).
Mark,
I agree with everybody who suggested REKAT Pioneers, they are really tough. If you want to go with a Benchmade, keep you eyes on 800 (AFCK), 800HS (M2 AFCK), 710 (Axis), or 750 (MonoLock). Personally I would go with either 800HS or 750.
------------------
Reynaert
Mark was probably referring to the newer drop point Ascents (825, 835, 845).
Mark,
I agree with everybody who suggested REKAT Pioneers, they are really tough. If you want to go with a Benchmade, keep you eyes on 800 (AFCK), 800HS (M2 AFCK), 710 (Axis), or 750 (MonoLock). Personally I would go with either 800HS or 750.
------------------
Reynaert
- Joined
- Sep 21, 1999
- Messages
- 137
Get one of the locking Victorinox Swiss Army Knives that has a screwdriver on it. You'll get a fairly inexpensive first locking knife that will provide lessons on what you'd want or not want on your second or thirty-fifth knife. I have used the locking SAKs fairly hard because one is usually at hand if I don't want to abuse one of my more expensive knives and I haven't wound up at the emergency room because of blade or locking failures. Now, the SAKs on a couple of occasions, didn't fare as well, but who cares? They're replaceable.
It seems that no matter how many knives I buy I wind up getting at least one SAK variant a year. They are just so damn useful and inexpensive! They wind up in glove compartments, tackle and tool boxes, my desk, the workbench and on and on.
That'd be my first choice. If you want a fairly stout locker you've got plenty of other fine examples in this thread, but I'd second the Spyderco Military.
------------------
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of the tyrant; it is the creed of slaves.
William Pitt, 1783
It seems that no matter how many knives I buy I wind up getting at least one SAK variant a year. They are just so damn useful and inexpensive! They wind up in glove compartments, tackle and tool boxes, my desk, the workbench and on and on.
That'd be my first choice. If you want a fairly stout locker you've got plenty of other fine examples in this thread, but I'd second the Spyderco Military.
------------------
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of the tyrant; it is the creed of slaves.
William Pitt, 1783
Ebbtide
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
- Messages
- 7,994
Get a buck 110 like the rest of us old timers... seriously there is alot of good advice above. The best thing to do is handle as many as you can. then when you have a particular model picked out...go through ALL of that model they have in stock. Pick the honey of the litter. It may drive the sales person crazy, but they should understand after you show them the differences there are.
just my 2¢.
just my 2¢.