What would be a good knife for me?

You are all bad influences. I really just started researching knives to see if I could get replacement parts for this Flash II and today I took a little time and stopped by a couple places to try out knives. Couldn't find any Spyderco or Ka-Bar to try but did handle a few Benchmades... yeah, they're better than my SOG. Better even than a new SOG. Dammit.

By the way I still prefer thumb studs to the holes, at least the way Benchmade does it.

Edit: The shop that sold Benchmade is actually primarily a shooting range and gun shop; the very nice gentleman that was helping me mentioned something about a blade longer than 3" being illegal in Virginia but I can't find the reference. It does ring memory bells however. True/false? I knew that butterfly knives and switchblades were illegal, but I don't really have any interest in those nor is even assist a real requirement for me. The only reason it's even really pertinent is I just prefer the size/shape of the handles of a typical 3.5" or so folder. Kinda silly that I could legally carry a semi-automatic handgun but the size of my pocketknife is a concern?
 
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N8N said:
You are all bad influences. I really just started researching knives to see if I could get replacement parts for this Flash II and today I took a little time and stopped by a couple places to try out knives. Couldn't find any Spyderco or Ka-Bar to try but did handle a few Benchmades... yeah, they're better than my SOG. Better even than a new SOG. Dammit.

By the way I still prefer thumb studs to the holes, at least the way Benchmade does it.
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Haha I knew this would happen, buddy. Best of luck on your search. All these dudes have given good suggestions...
 
Here's a good suggestion IMO.....A SOG Vulcan....mini or fullsized. The Arc Lock is fun w/ amazing lockup and the blade (satin vg-10) is gorgeous! I had one for a long time and loved it.
 
I have both of the Vulcan's. The regular Vulcan was just too large for me to carry as an EDC and I don't have much use for it otherwise. The Mini-Vulcan fits me better. It is really a fun knife. The only thing I don't like about it is that it seems to have hotspots and the clip digs into my hand when I use it. It is one of the reasons that I am not sold on clips in general as almost all of them "dig" somewhat if you really use the knife.

The SOG Twitch XL is also a fun assisted opening knife (not as quick opening as the Twitch II, but still plenty fast for me). The larger Flash was the only SOG that I really disliked due to craftsmanship (blade wiggle) and so forth. Used it as a work knife until it dissappeared.

I suggest you just go ahead and buy the KaBar folder ($18) that I mentioned earlier. I was most impressed with this inexpensive knife and I suspect you will as well for a work knife. If you mess it up or loose it, it won't be the end of the world, but at least it wasn't a more expensive blade. Then you can move into the Kabar Becker line (fixed blades) and try those. The BK-14 is a nice little fixed blade for EDC use and quite capable. You don't have to use the optional clip for the sheath for pocket carry. Works just fine sliding it into your pocket (inside sheath), especially in a back pocket.
 
N8N said:
But this has me thinking... is there something that's still in an affordable price range that would be a better fit for me personally? I've been looking at some Benchmade models (e.g. Mini Griptilian) but the sheer number of choices is a little overwhelming, since I don't have any kind of knife background other than cheap Buck and Schrade models and the one aforementioned CRKT which wasn't really ideal for me other than in size and appearance.
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These are things we all need to find our own way through on.

My suggestion is (for the time being at least) to set aside the "high price == high quality" marketing story for a bit.

Instead, spend your money on several rather inexpensive ($30 or less) knives of different designs and styles and find the style that suits your preference the best. Nobody on this forum and nobody on this green earth can tell you that and don't for a single second think that just because people here tell you what's cool means that a knife of their preferred style will work with you. It's your life. Your pocket. Your hand.

Here are the things I would think about as you go through the buffet line trying out a little bit of everything.
1) Blade shape (clip, drop point, spear, etc)
2) Blade grind (flat, hollow, scandi, convex)
3) Joint style (liner lock, lock back, slip joint, etc)
4) Frame style (traditional, modern, thin, thick, pocket clip or not)
5) Blade steel (decent steels [1] in this price range: Carbon, 420HC, 440A, Aus 8, Sandvik 12C27)


Here is a range of knives that I think everybody should try just get a basic understanding of their own tastes. Or at a minimum, you should point google at them, look at them and ask, "could I carry that?" This will help focus your search. All of these can be found under $30.
+ A 3 bladed stockman (Buck, Case, Rough Rider)
+ A 4 or 5 blade SAK
+ Case Sodbuster or Sodbuster Jr
+ Opinel #8 or #9
+ Buck Ecolite 112
+ Modern knife with a thumbstud and clip
+ Modern knife with a thumbhole and clip

Last comment... I'm a big believer in the idea of the proof of the pudding is in the eating, not the looking. I grew up with Buck lockbacks and thought I loved them and emotionally, I do. But in use, I found that I preferred another knife much, much, much better. For me, it takes a good year or so of use before I can really make up my mind on a style.

I ended up with this EDC combo, but there's no way I'd push that on you (beyond saying, you should really give the Opinel a chance).


[1] - Understand that each knife manufacturer does their own heat treat so one vendor's Aus8 may turn out different from another vendor's Aus8.
 
22-rimfire said:
The KaBar Dozier folding hunter is a great knife for the price and in my opinion a much better knife than the price suggests. You would not be going wrong buying one at about $20. The #4062 is what I have which I bought on a whim and really impressed with this knife. http://www.tomarskabars.com/Dozier_Lockback_Folders.html They are made in Taiwan.
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Looks like a great value and definitely proof that you can find decent knives inexpensively. :thumbup:

That would be a nice knife for somebody to figure out if they like or can live with a hollow ground blade. I've come to the point where I won't buy another hollow ground blade unless it's specifically for hunting or carving meat.

My suggestion, get at least one flat ground knife and one hollow ground knife (like that Dozier) and use them side by each in the kitchen every night. Carry them every other day. I've found that if I listen, the knives talk to me.

If you think that I need meds, some guy just drove by in a 60's cadillac with a female mannequin in the passenger seat. Sheesh. I'm not nuts. He is.
 
I second the mini-grip suggestions in this thread, and also believe that the 555 model [sheepsfoot blade/opening hole] is superior to other variants due to easier deployment and better edge geometry. It can be purchased for less than $80, which is a steal. There is very little practical difference between 154CM and S30V steels, especially when the steels are used for minor EDC tasks like opening packages.

Although I am a spyderco fan, the axis-lock is miles ahead of Spydie lock backs in terms of ease of use, lock longevity, and overall strength. The lockback is the one feature that I find unfortunate about many Spyderco knives.

I'd also suggest looking at the Spyderco Manix 2 lightweight as another competitive option. It can be had for about $70ish, sports AUS-8 like steel, and has killer performance ratios.
 
pinnah, I think this is good advice for someone trying to decide what they like in the knifeworld. There are so many choices these days.
 
pinnah said:
These are things we all need to find our own way through on.

My suggestion is (for the time being at least) to set aside the "high price == high quality" marketing story for a bit.

Instead, spend your money on several rather inexpensive ($30 or less) knives of different designs and styles and find the style that suits your preference the best. Nobody on this forum and nobody on this green earth can tell you that and don't for a single second think that just because people here tell you what's cool means that a knife of their preferred style will work with you. It's your life. Your pocket. Your hand.

Here are the things I would think about as you go through the buffet line trying out a little bit of everything.
1) Blade shape (clip, drop point, spear, etc)
2) Blade grind (flat, hollow, scandi, convex)
3) Joint style (liner lock, lock back, slip joint, etc)
4) Frame style (traditional, modern, thin, thick, pocket clip or not)
5) Blade steel (decent steels [1] in this price range: Carbon, 420HC, 440A, Aus 8, Sandvik 12C27)
Click to expand...

I've already evaluated those, as I have had several different types of knives, although none of them were particularly *good*...

1) either clipped or drop point although on occasion I have had a need for a perfectly straight blade, but in those instances a utility knife is probably more appropriate unless it's unavailable
2) don't really know on that one
3) Definitely don't like liner locks, and I think that the Benchmade Axis lock is fantastic - best I've tried so far.
4) pocket clip is a must.
5) Don't have a preference here, but carbon steel is probably not a good choice for me. Stainless or at least corrosion resistant would be best.00

Here is a range of knives that I think everybody should try just get a basic understanding of their own tastes. Or at a minimum, you should point google at them, look at them and ask, "could I carry that?" This will help focus your search. All of these can be found under $30.
+ A 3 bladed stockman (Buck, Case, Rough Rider)
+ A 4 or 5 blade SAK
+ Case Sodbuster or Sodbuster Jr
+ Opinel #8 or #9
+ Buck Ecolite 112
+ Modern knife with a thumbstud and clip
+ Modern knife with a thumbhole and clip
Click to expand...

Have had a stockman, traditional lockback, and modern folder... will have to look into the others. At least from limited experience, I think I prefer thumbstud to hole, but the sum total of my experience with the hole is playing with a couple Benchmades in the store.
 
Sounds like your tastes lean towards modern knives. You aren't alone.

I'd make 2 suggestions...

Spend $20 on the Dozier that 22-Rimfire suggested. If I understand it right, the Flash II is a flat ground blade. This will give 2 knives with different profiles (the Dozier is a more full drop point) and different grinds. Use them side by each for a few months and see where your preferences start to build. I really mean side by side. Carry them both, one in pocket, one in pack. Swap back forth. Think of each cutting task as a mini bake off.

Also suggest spending $25 or $30 on a basic Lansky (or other guided rod) sharpening system. So long as you stay clear of super steels, the blades you're dealing with should be fairly straight forward to sharpen. I'm a total moron when it comes to sharpening. Trust me. Total idiot. But the Lansky removed any issues of skill out of the equation and allowed me to get paper cutting, hair popping results reliably. IMO, this will do 2 things for you. One, it will open up horizons in terms of knife use. No more dull knives. Second, it will give you the ability to (ahem) hone your preference in blade steels and blade grinds. If you can consider your 2 knives as disposable experiments and not family heirlooms, sharpen the crap out of them till the blades get small. Who cares. Just learnin' by doin'.

In a short matter of time, you'll be in position to come back to forum and ask for suggestions for, say, a thumbstud knife with a flat grind and a such and such lock. Or whatever. Not because forumites told you what was cool but because you tried different options out for yourself.
 
I couldn't resist, went ahead and pulled the trigger on a 551 last night. Now I'll have something to carry while I send in the old SOG... and I'll have two EDC knives. I still haven't found a dealer with Spyderco in stock, but I liked the thumb studs and Axis lock so much I don't think I will regret it.

Next request: something similar but with a 2.5" or less blade for Federal building friendliness? I do have a cheap Case 3-blade but am definitely preferring modern folders.
 
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