Which knives are best

M

MTP1

Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
19
I would like opinions on the the top knfe brands in fixed blade skinning, folding hunters, and folding pocket knives. I just read on a post that Gerber were not too good and that while Buck was better, there were others which are a lot better quality.

Thanks,
Mike
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

Your question will get you everyone's favorite brand, many of which will be right up there with "the best". But each is best for its own designed function or its own customer base. There are low, middle, and high end knives, and endless controversy within each level as to who likes what.

In fact, the real answer to your question is: read Bladeforums, especially this Blade Discussion Forum, and get an idea of the terms we use, and the currently most discussed knives.

It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with different blade grinds and steels first. Here's some basic information:

EDC Knives - Knife Knowledge
http://www.edcknives.com/vcom/knife_knowledge.php

A.G.Russell Knife Encyclopedia Articles
http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/knife_encyclopedia/articles.html

A.G.Russell Knife Encyclopedia Glossary
http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/knife_encyclopedia/glossary.html
 
folding hunters....

how about Buck 110's, and 112's, and Alpha Hunters

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Thanks for your suggestion. I will go to those web sites and read them.
Thanks,
Mike
 
There are no "best knives" and the choice is vast. There are some respected brands, such as Buck, Kershaw, Spyderco, Benchmade (not complete list and in no particular order) that make good and very resonably price knives. There are also some companies that make very good and outright cheap knives, such as Opinel, Mora, Byrd, and SAK (same caveat as above). Then there are the more expensive production knives such as William Henry and Chris Reeve Knives. For fixed blades brands that focus on fixed blades there are Swamp Rat, RAT, Ranger, Busse, BRKT, Blackjack, Becker, Fehrman and the list goes on with everything from $30 to $400 in a great variety of steels, and they are all respected quality knives, some are better than others, but non of them are junk. And once you have exhausted the production knives, there are the custom knives......

The best is really impossible to say. If you read around on this forum for a bit and use the search function you might be able to narrow type, size, steel and price a bit further down.
 
Here are some folder suggestions based on my experiences and what others here say...approximate prices too.

0-30$

8~30$+ - Various Swiss Army Knives. Some of my favorite models are Ramblers, Recruits, Soldiers, Farmers, Tinkers, Bantams and Nylon Solos
6~20$ - Opinel Knives. Great traditional feel, easily customized and some of the best slicers at any price point.
30$ - Buck 110 / 112. Probably the stoutest knife you can get for 30$.
15~25$ - Spyderco's Byrd line.
18$ - Kershaw Vapors. Just under 20$ for a compact little framelock.
20$ - Kabar Dozier. Various blade shapes in a solid lockback.

31-75$

40~50$ - Spyderco Native. Superior ergonomics to the Delicas IMO, S30V steel well thought of here and easy to find for 40$ at Wal Marts. Blade stock is a little too thick to me though.
40$ - Delica / Endura. Same knife, different sizes. Great quality and design for the money, but the ergonomics just didn't fit my hand the way I'd like them too. Well designed FRN grip patterns, steel liners, great blade steel and overall solid contrsuction.
50~60$ - D'allara Drop point. A step above the Endura. Beefier, more comfortable handle. Ball lock. Wire clip. Good stuff.
40~60$ - Kershaw Leek. Assisted Opener, compact size and a nice wharncliffe profile. Lots of color and handle options available.
50$ - Buck/Strider 889. Beefy, solid design based on high-end Strider designs.
45~60$ - Benchmade Griptilian. I prefer the D'allara, but many really like these knives. A little wide, but they have the much loved Axis lock and pretty comfortable handles. The only thing they have on the Spyderco to me is an easier to manipulate lock release.
30~50$ - CRKT M18, M20's etc. Nice linerlocks with LAWKS or AUTOLAWKS, amazing fit and finish for the price point and pretty comfortable handles. Flippers too, which make them very fast to open.
30$ - Kershaw Storm. Solid framelocks with good blade steel for a low price.

76-150$

100~135$ - Spyderco Manix, Mini-Manix, Military and Paramilitary
120$ - Benchmade 710


That touches on some of th ebasics, should give you an idea of what to look for.
 
the following are my preferences, these are not the latest steel by the newest maker and they don't cost as much as a rolex but they work for me.
folding hunter--- buck 110/112 don't worry about the 420hc it'll do fine
fixed blade---- buck either 119 as the largest or the smaller bucks do fine, if you can find an american made schrade{old timer/ uncle henry} these are also really good.
folding pocket knives-- i like case with the chrome vanadium steel, it rusts but i like it better, the stainless steel they use is okay also. models i like are the full size trapper, sodbuster, stockman, etc. i also like swiss army knives, specifically made by victorinox, these are really good knives for the money. the buck folders made in america are also pretty good.
and you didn't ask but for a tactical i really like the spyderco line, good steel and just a quality knife.
good luck in your search for knives and get ready for a lot of different opinions as far as steel and makers. try different things and if you like it go with it. later, ahgar
 
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