Zero to 3 in 24 hours: My first folders

K

krick

Joined
Apr 14, 2009
Messages
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Hi all - I'm both a newbie to this forum and to the world of non-kitchen knives (I've been a kitchen knife nut for years).

I recently decided to take the plunge and order a decent EDC folder, but not having any clue as to what I really wanted or what would suit me best, I went ahead an ordered not just 1 but 3 folders - each in a different style, blade length and steel. I based my choices on information gleaned from reading this and other forums and of course on price (this is sort of a test run, so I wanted to spend as little as possible while getting a feel for different brands, designs, lengths and steels). So here's what I went with, in descending order of blade size:

Benchmade NRA Pardue Reverse Tanto (3.25" 440C; paid $19.99 from Cabelas bargain cave)

Kershaw Composite Leek blem (3" D2 blade edge; paid $35 on ebay after cashback discount)

CRKT Ed Van Hoy Snap Fire (2.375" AUS8; paid $15 on ebay).

I'm looking forward to playing around with them once they arrive. Hopefully I'll end up really liking at least 1 or 2 of them and in the process gain some first hand experience with the different styles, brands, etc. And having spent only $60 for all 3 knives, it won't be too painful to start over from scratch if I don't end up liking any of them.
 
Welcome, very nice choices of knives, don't forget about a sharpening system, I would recommend a sharpmaker or a lansky turn box crock sticks.
 
First post. Three good knives from three good manufacturers. That's a good way to get started. Welcome to Blade Forums!:thumbup::D
 
I had never heard of or seen the Benchmade NRA Pardue Reverse Tanto. My first thought was: Damn! Why pay $65-70 for a Griptilian when I could have this for $20?

Based on the reviews on the Cableas' website it seems that Benchmade did NOT make this NRA model with it's usual quality controls but to my eyes, it kinda looks like a much less expensive BM Grip/Pardue.

Has anyone used it? How does it compare?
 
autoopen said:
Based on the reviews on the Cableas' website it seems that Benchmade did NOT make this NRA model with it's usual quality controls but to my eyes, it kinda looks like a much less expensive BM Grip/Pardue.

Has anyone used it? How does it compare?
Click to expand...

No offense to the reviewers on the Cabelas website, but I tend to take those reviews with a healthy dose of salt. There's just no frame of reference for those reviews, so they may or not be credible. For that very reason, I contacted Benchmade directly about the NRA Pardue model, and they confirmed that (1) it is made to the exact same quality control standards as every Benchmade knife, which they don't compromise regardless of branding, and (2) the 440C blade found on the NRA Pardue knife is of the exact same quality as the 440C blade found on Benchmade's proprietary knives.

That said, my understanding is that the Griptilian's are made with 154CM not 440C, which would seem to account for some of the price difference. The rest of the price difference is probably attributable to the fact that the NRA model has been discontinued and is being closed out by Cabelas. The NRA Pardue can still be found for sale elsewhere for $40-60 and I believe was originally MSRP priced at $60-70, which isn't that far off from the Griptilian.

The proof is, of course, in the pudding, but unfortunately I know I'm not experienced enough to be able to compare the relative qualities or merits of the NRA Pardue v. the Griptilian other than to parrot what I've been told by Benchmade and others.
 
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I'll give my thoughts on the knives once I get them and have some time with them. I also want to thank everyone who has recommended the Leek in these forums in the past. Of the three, it's easily the knife that I'm most eagerly anticipating and I can only hope that it will live up to the hype and my expectations. At the other end of the spectrum is the CRKT, which as a brand has not gotten nearly as much love here as Benchmade and Kershaw and I've found almost nor reviews anywhere on the Snap Fire model. At the ridiculous price of $15, however, I just couldn't pass it up even though life experience has taught me that if something seems too good to be true (which probably applies equally to the NRA knife), then it probably is.
 
Hey looks like you snagged a nice variety. While you're at it don't forget to put Spyderco on the list for your future purchases. Like someone else said, a Sharpmaker or other sharpening system will go a long way towards keeping your knife collection enjoyable.
 
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