What knife started the addiction and do you still have it?

I bought this in about 88 or 89 it's probably my favorite knife. I believe one of the advertisements that got me to buy the knife wasa guy stabbing car doorswith it and the knife never needed sharing I got a lot of grief over buying it my father thought I was nut paying I think 200 to 250for it in 88 89 that was a hell of alot of money for a knife. At the time I was from New Jersey me and my father and my brother went to a gun show in Baltimore in 1990 I wanted a gun dealer scene I was wearing it on my side anyway long story short my dad was like do you think it's a good knife and the guy told him don't ever let him sell that
 

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richxxx69 said:
I bought this in about 88 or 89 it's probably my favorite knife. I believe one of the advertisements that got me to buy the knife wasa guy stabbing car doorswith it and the knife never needed sharing I got a lot of grief over buying it my father thought I was nut paying I think 200 to 250for it in 88 89 that was a hell of alot of money for a knife. At the time I was from New Jersey me and my father and my brother went to a gun show in Baltimore in 1990 I wanted a gun dealer scene I was wearing it on my side anyway long story short my dad was like do you think it's a good knife and the guy told him don't ever let him sell that
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That looks like a mini sword! Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
 
My first "good" knife was a Spyderco Delica and it was quite an eye opener. I remember thinking VG-10 was light years ahead of the "surgical steel" I had used before.

After that it was a handmade fixed blade form Gene Ingram, still my favorite maker of all time. I think I paid something like $80 for it and that was with an upgrade to spalted maple handles.
 
chanvic said:
That’s a good looking fixed knife and awesome that you still have it. I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a fixed knife, but would have very little use for it. Thanks for sharing!
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The more recent versions of the Freeman Guide use 8Cr steel, if I'm not mistaken (correction: 5Cr made in China, yikes). Mine is AUS8 and made in Taiwan. Not too much of a difference, but the heat treat is very good, the knife has always sharpened easily and performed well over the years. Since you expressed some interest in a fixed blade, I like the newer Esee models. May have to consider buying one myself when the itch strikes.
 
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Greggy said:
The more recent versions of the Freeman Guide use 8Cr steel, if I'm not mistaken. Mine is AUS8. Not too much of a difference, but the heat treat is very good, the knife has always sharpened easily and performed well over the years. Since you expressed some interest in a fixed blade, I like the newer Esee models. May have to consider buying one myself when the itch strikes.
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I've been looking at them too. It'll either be an Esee, Bradford Guardian or a fixed from a local knifemaker as my one and done.
 
richxxx69 said:
I bought this in about 88 or 89 it's probably my favorite knife. I believe one of the advertisements that got me to buy the knife wasa guy stabbing car doorswith it and the knife never needed sharing I got a lot of grief over buying it my father thought I was nut paying I think 200 to 250for it in 88 89 that was a hell of alot of money for a knife. At the time I was from New Jersey me and my father and my brother went to a gun show in Baltimore in 1990 I wanted a gun dealer scene I was wearing it on my side anyway long story short my dad was like do you think it's a good knife and the guy told him don't ever let him sell that and yes still have it.its the sharps knife I have ever owned this knife is scary
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chanvic said:
I've been looking at them too. It'll either be an Esee, Bradford Guardian or a fixed from a local knifemaker as my one and done.
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See my update. 5Cr for under 30 dollars. I would pass on that. I bought a fixed Wharncliffe from a local knife maker, Seamus Knives. Very nice for under 200 dollars. Good luck with your search.
 
My first knife was probably a 4 bladed Scout knife. I don't have it. I have had a knife (or 2 or 3) in my pocket for at least 50 years. I'm 59 now. I enjoy knives so much, I was a meat cutter for 30 years. Now, I carry several knives everyday which is more than I need, but I'm not going to let "need" interfere with what I want. Great subject and great stories. Thanks for sharing.
 
I started collecting knives about 5 years ago when buying/selling guns & ammo was starting to become a real PITA.

The initial impetus was to replace a Kershaw Shallot 1840CKT that I lost some years earlier.

iu


My collection has since gone way beyond that.

T1zg9k7.jpg
 
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I can’t ever remember not being interested in knives and firearms.
My dad gave me a two blade traditional when I was entering the first grade in ‘72. Can’t remember the brand, probably Case.

The first folder design that I fell in love with, and the first knife I bought, was a medium Texas Toothpick in ‘74, followed by a number of Barlows, finally settling on the Case Canoe. Stayed with the Canoe for many years until I bought my first modern folder, the Spyderco POLICE in 2001.

First fixed blade was a Sharpfinger. Can’t remember when I bought it. Had it until I was 15, gave it to my brother.
Bought a USMC at 15 and used it until I was 40, gave it to my nephew. Replaced it with a RAT 6 (ESEE)
 
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sgt1372 said:
I started collecting knives about 5 years ago when buying/selling guns & ammo was becoming a real PITA.

The initial impetus was to replace a Kershaw Shallot 1840CKT that I lost some years earlier.

iu


My collection has since gone way beyond that.

T1zg9k7.jpg
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Such a great model. I’m sad they discontinued it.
 
Bob Denman said:
My "fever" started 40 years ago when my Grampa Denman passed, and Gramma gave me his knife.
She told me that he always wanted me to have it so that we could still hunt together...
View attachment 1968399
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Fever is a good way to describe it. My grandfather passed away in 95 and he left all of his grandchildren money. Wasn't much, but while others invested theirs, I bought a watch and will never sell it. Thanks for sharing your heartwarming story.
 
richxxx69 said:
I bought this in about 88 or 89 it's probably my favorite knife. I believe one of the advertisements that got me to buy the knife wasa guy stabbing car doorswith it and the knife never needed sharing I got a lot of grief over buying it my father thought I was nut paying I think 200 to 250for it in 88 89 that was a hell of alot of money for a knife. At the time I was from New Jersey me and my father and my brother went to a gun show in Baltimore in 1990 I wanted a gun dealer scene I was wearing it on my side anyway long story short my dad was like do you think it's a good knife and the guy told him don't ever let him sell that
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Yes, it's an old school Cold Steel tanto, that's the brand, recently sold but the Taiwan made stuff is still good. That's probably really looked up on, an older model like that, you should look at the Espada XL! Ha, but the Cold Steel subforum would appreciate seeing this knife.
 
It was my small sebenza with cocobolo inlay that started my hobby of knives.
And yes I still have. I will never sell it, it's possible that I gift it to someone very important.
(Why can't I embed photos anymore?)
 
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