Total newb, rube and know-nothing

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LawyerSam

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Jun 25, 2010
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I was referred here by a shave forum and well, I don't know why but I want a knife. About 4 years ago, I was in Opry Mills Mall and they have a tool shop and I went in and bought two $5 Chinese-made flip knives, part flat edge and then serrated nearer the handle. The usable blade part is 3.5 inches and with blade extended is 8" long. Heavy I think. Anyway, I use one at work to cut open the occassional package I get or some other box and basically the same at home, except there are twist ties and stuff. Maybe the blade is sharp but I dont think so, as I can run my finger across it and not cut myself and if I try to cut a piece of paper, I have to really work it.

I have a rod that I use to help keep the edge on my kitchen knives. I a year ago upgraded to a decent pair of knives recommend by Cooking.com and guys at the shave forum and they said get a rod, and well, I can tell the difference between those two knives and then the knives we had forever which we probably got at Target. I don't wash the nice knives in the dishwasher, just by hand and I do baby them, but I can cut much better with them.

I was thinking that maybe if I got a decent knife, I would find more opportunity - okay, more excuses!! - to use it (or play with it!). I was told that the Spyderco Tenacious is around $30 and is a great bang-for-the-buck and entry model knife. Someone said spend a bit more and get the Delica if I could. So I come here where the knowledge would be superior.

BEcause I go to court a lot, this is not going to be an every day carry knife, as there are metal detectors and well, putting it outside in a stash place, it will be gone when I get back. I also dont know if I go with the plain edge or serrated or combination. I also don't think I would spend much in a sharpening system, not to begin with anyway. Have no problem with a preowned knife, as in the shave forums, I have bought used shave brushes and pens without a problem.

So, give me some advice?

Sam
(Memphis, Tn)
 
Spyderco is a good name, I don't have either of the two knives you mentioned, but i do have the Stretch, its a good knife. Another option would be an Opinel, great knife for the money, apx. $10-15. Whatever knife you get take the time to learn how to keep it sharp, what your using for your kitchen knives should work. Good luck with your first purchase and remember the hunt is half the fun.
P.S. If you have a knife store nearby i recommend going and checking out the knives they have, so you can handle the knife before you make your purchase.
 
Ok, I read a thread on $25-$50 starters and it said to describe what I want and how I intend to use it.

I guess lightweight and something that might be able to be used if it got wet. I do not hunt or fish, but every now and then, we go to the beach. I do have a pool and so have to cut things like the rope that hangs between shallow and deep end, fiberglass I think. Cut open boxes a lot. Maybe strip a wire every now and then. The 3 inch blade on the cheapies I have now is plenty long enough, as I never really use the serrations. I guess serrations help with cutting rope better? Not that I cut a lot of rope, every now and then, twine.

I read some say stay away from liner lock, other say it is fine. I read that the Tenacious is a great value because it has better bushings for when the knife flips open, and for whatever it means, flat ground rather than hollow. I don't think that the thumb hole vs. the protrusion makes much difference or the clip as I probably will not carry it unless it is in a pocket for when we go to the beach, but even then, probably in a beach bag. Maybe this one leads to one or two more, I don't know, so it is kinda hard to say what all I need in one other than to explain my situation. Delicas seem nice but will run me about $45 I think, the Tenacious can come in around $30 if I shop.

I will try to hit a knife store locally once I know what to look for.
 
You cannot miss with the Delica. Just don't bring it to work.

The rest of the time...carry it! :thumbup:
 
And forget the serrations. A properly maintained plain edge will cut everything better than a serrated edge, and it is much easier to maintain.

Maintain it with a Spyderco Sharpmaker. I use one...and if I can...it's gotta be idiot-proof!
 
Theres really no reason to stay away from liner locks on a well made knife, they are the easiest to make so many of the dirt cheap dollar store type knives have them, and many people have bought them over the years and had them fail. A liner lock from a good maker will be a great lock, tough, fast to open, and easy to close when you want to.

I think the tenacious will be a good pick, it is not a small knife if that matters, its got a substantial handle and wide blade which makes it a great working knife but its what most non-outdoors non knife people tend to label as large (in my experience) the other model in the family is the persistence basically just a slightly scaled down tenacious, may want to take a look at that one too.

Fun part about the tenacious is that it makes a satisfying "Clanck" when it locks open and closes, also is easy to flick open, and cuts like the dickens.

Others to keep an eye out for, would be the kershaw assisted openers, there are some in your budget, chive (pretty small) or scallion (small but very usable) There is also the ontario RAT1 folder which many people like.

Good like with the hunt, but fair warning once you buy one you might be back here looking for more. :)
 
Thanks for the serration comment. I was thinking that for a first knife, and probably the only one for a while, a plain edge would be more versatile and then easier to sharpen.

Ok, liner locks, some people seem not to like them. Is this something I need to worry about? I dont know enough yet to see the difference between a Delica and a Tenacious, just that people seem to like Spyderco a lot, and my nephew who loves knives says to get one, and yet, he will not sell me one and he has like 30!

Feel free to point me where to go buy one!
 
Welcome to BFC Sam!

My vote is to get one of the new Full Flat Ground Delicas, i picked one up on the exchange here and have been very pleased with it! it slices like crazy, and i think it would serve you very well! Its also very lightweight, and it carries very well! VG-10 is a great steel and is very easy to sharpen up, as well as it doesnt rust easy!

I would also recommend you pick up a spyderco sharpmaker. its about $60, but its well worth it to be able to keep your knives sharp! you can even use it on kitchen knives and scissors. If you decide to get one, i would also pick up a pair of the Ultra Fine Rods for it, as they produce a very very nice edge! i use my sharpmaker on a daily basis!

hope that helps!
 
Eric, thanks for the comments. I had no problem with the liner lock on the cheapies I had, and yes, that tool shop had nice stuff, but I was going cheap as I had a Swiss Army knife mutli-tool and blade knife and well, gave that thing away. I have read comments that opening up cardboard boxes with my knife at work is not gonna help keep an edge. Seems like I need a knife to open those sealed plastic containers that contain small tools, cards for MP3 players, and things like that.

Saw the Rat 1, it was around $47. I dont know what size blade to start out with. I know the one I have now, 3", well it is heavy and I know I would not probably carry that one around a lot. My nephew has those holders on his belt that are like nylon. He has all sorts. I could go smaller if the consensus was to do that. I like the look of some of the nylon handles with the cross-things on them. Im not gonna be using this all that much, maybe once a week? So $70 or so seems overkill, but spending more than the $5 I did on the cheapy seems in order since I can see that it is useful and will be one I can keep forever.
 
I feel compelled to weigh in here.

As for a quality starter knife, you would be very hard pressed to beat the Spyderco Tenacious. I had one, and was so excited about spreading the word that I gave it to my brother just so he could catch the bug.

FRN handled folding knives are very hit-or-miss with me. I had several older model Spyderco Enduras, which I really liked. But I recently picked up an Endura 4, and was somewhat disappointed by how much lateral flexibility there is in the handle. HOWEVER, I had a Spyderco Stretch that had very similar construction, and that thing had a very rigid handle. SO your mileage may vary with the Delica. I would even consider getting one if I wasn't so happy with the Spyderco Paramilitary I have right now.

At any rate, my point in all this is that the Tenacious stacks up REALLY WELL with every single Spyderco I have ever owned. In fact I would say in some respects it is superior to other models which cost twice as much.

Get one. You won't be disappointed in the least. AND it will give you a very strong basis against which to compare future knives you are considering for purchase.

-nate
 
Nate, I read that a lot on the Tenacious. Many have glowing reports, and very few say anything bad, and if it is bad, it is that well, it is a good knife, just that it is not the best for me for this or that reason. From what I read, they say that for $30 or so, having a full flat grind makes it a heck of a deal.

I went to knifeworks and the Rat 1 is around $27. 3.25 inch blade. Should I be looking smaller, or is this size about right for me?

Wow, $60 for the sharpening system, a bit steep considering that I have just the one knife and well, we dont cook all that much. I guess I could get our cheap steak knives at home and either sharpen them or ruin them - they have serrations, lol.
 
Get the Delica.You'll like it so much you'll be a knife junkie like the rest of us in no time.I like the all stainless handle model,but they do add weight.Look at the Spyderco Byrd line also.You could try several models cheaply and they are very good quality.
 
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You can get by with just a ceramic triangular rod. Gatco sells a small one for under $10 which will touch up edges well as long as you don't let them get too dull.

I'd say 3.5 is a good max size for a good general use knife, always found 4" too big, and anything under 2.5 might be too small for a lot of things like food prep or making a sandwich on a picnic or something.
 
LawyerSam said:
Nate, I read that a lot on the Tenacious. Many have glowing reports, and very few say anything bad, and if it is bad, it is that well, it is a good knife, just that it is not the best for me for this or that reason. From what I read, they say that for $30 or so, having a full flat grind makes it a heck of a deal.

I went to knifeworks and the Rat 1 is around $27. 3.25 inch blade. Should I be looking smaller, or is this size about right for me?

Wow, $60 for the sharpening system, a bit steep considering that I have just the one knife and well, we dont cook all that much. I guess I could get our cheap steak knives at home and either sharpen them or ruin them - they have serrations, lol.
Click to expand...


Yeah, anywhere between 3" to 4" is a good EDC length. Most of my blades fall in around 3.5". The Paramilitary I've been carrying every day for the last month has a 3" blade, and is making me into a "less-is-more" believer. I used to never touch anything under 4", but not so much anymore. It's like the old addage says, "The best knife is the one you have with you when you need it."

As far as price for a sharpener, I have learned through sad experience that sharpening systems fall into the Buy-It-Nice-Or-Buy-It-Twice category. The Spyderco Sharpmaker is in that "Nice" category, and I get consistently screaming sharp edges from it. It is very simple, and effective at what it does, and it'll last you a lifetime. Seriously, you won't regret it.

-nate
 
Get the Sharpmaker. It will rock your world.

You will wonder why you have been using dull knives all your life.

Of course, then you are going to want more knives.

And then more-expensive sharpening setups and gizmos.

Its a vicious circle. The fact that you are thinking about and have come here says there is no backing out. Too late. Sorry, dude.
 
Ok, price of the knife sharpener is less of a factor. That knifeworks website has some nice specials, and a couple Benchmade field sharpeners at $10. Some place had it, I think Knifeworkds, the Spyderco for $53 so not bad. And since I can use it on scissors and awls (like I am gonna run out and buy an awl, but hey, I do have this belt that ......) could make sense.

Ok, why would I get the Delica over say one of the $25 or so knives at knifeworks here: http://www.knifeworks.com/specialpriceitems.aspx
 
Hi,

Welcome! Your second post is helpful. Choosing a knife can be pretty a pretty personal choice. Generally speaking if your stick with a well known company products you will seldom be disappointed. Since you don't want to spend much on sharpening equipment, you may also want to avoid the "fancier" steels like S30v. While they will hold their edge for a good long time. They do go dull and then they are more difficult to resharpen.

I'm not a fan of Spyderco, not because they aren't fine knives, they are excellent. But because their designs don't "speak to me". I prefer Kershaw, another fine company. I really like their Ken Onion line. Check out the Leek. A fine modern Gentleman's knife.

And don't forget the Victorinox/Wenger Swiss Army Knives. There is a good reason SAK's are the most popular knives available world-wide. They might very well be the ultimate urban survival knife/tool.and are made in a bewildering number of models and styles. A good plus for you might be the ease of resharpening. They can be touched up easily on stones or even the bottom of your coffee cup.

dalee
 
The kershaw junkyard dog is another great knife, if the design looks good to your eyes. Very solid knife. Kershaw is one of the big three one hand opening quality knife makers IMO, spyderco, benchmade, and kershaw. Very good product for the money.

Youtube is a great place to look for knife reviews on particular models too, also gives you a better look at the knife, and scale.
 
Lots of great recommendations here.
I'm also going to recommend you look at swiss army knives as well. For general light utility use, they're great, and the extra tools can be invaluable. You're going to be hard pressed to find more tool for your dollar than a swiss army knife of some sort
 
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