My first Knife.

lightr07

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 20, 2006
Messages
193
I've been here on CPF for years now (I joined in 2006, as you can see) but after leaving for a while, I came back, a couple years wiser, and a bank and account and a half wealthier. :devil:

I decided that after contemplating it for quite a while, I'd like to expand my EDC past my E1B, to a small, pocketable, yet nice looking knife. I don't need something 12 inches long worth of taking someone's head off with, just something I can have for opening things, and using for protection, should that ever arise.

I went ahead and picked up a little Smith and Wesson knife off Amazon, the SWFR2S, a folding blade with a 3 inch blade and 4 inch handle.

I know this is probably the most boring, underwhelming, basic thing that most of you knife collectors/users here have seen, but I'd like to ask what you (personally) think of it as someone's first knife? Have a hit or miss right off the line?

Plus, I'd like to know what you guys feel a great, affordable (less than less than $50) is. Something small and pocketable, yet usable. This question has been likely covered ad nauseum, so I apologise ahead of time!

I know I likely sound very noobish, so please go light on me, remember, we've all got to start somewhere in this stuff. :)

Thanks for any responses.
 
Last edited:

carrot

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
9,236
Location
New York City
Smith and Wesson are not exactly known for making quality knives but every example I have held has been pretty solidly made and quite serviceable. Most knife users are likely to screw up their first knife (maybe repairable, maybe not) in some way or another so it's probably not really good to fuss too much over the particulars. Over time you will figure out your preferences and particular needs so that your next knife can better suit you than the last (oh, the things we knife nuts tell ourselves...)

Under $50 are a lot of really great knives. Some of my favorites are examples from Spyderco and Kershaw, my two favorite production folder makers. With Spyderco, anything from the Tenacious family (Ambitious, Persistence, Tenacious, Resilience) will blow your mind with a super high quality, high performance blade at bargain basement prices. Bump up your price point a little bit and for less than $60 you can afford a Delica (or Endura), the workhorse and generalist of the Spyderco lineup, or one of my very favorites, the Manix 2 at about $80.

Over on the Kershaw side is an excellent roster of great knives made in America at superb values... I'd be remiss to claim to know them all but some of my favorites are the Skyline, Scallion, Leek and Shallot. Everyone has their favorites, like the Junkyard Dog and Needs Work but do take the time to peruse Kershaw's lineup. They have a lot of inexpensive knives that are real quality pieces. They do skimp on the steels a bit for their cheaper knives but the Sandvik steels they use have always treated me right, taking a really keen edge and being easy to resharpen.

At this price point you may be able to find a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian (555, 556, or 557) or a Benchmade 530. Not really a big fan of Benchmade but I do respect that they make quality knives. (IMHO, their designs and performance are easily surpassed by Spyderco and Kershaw.)

Boker's Boker Plus lineup is another favorite amongst knife nuts: inexpensive knives that are often designed by incredible designers (see Chad Los Banos and Mike Skellern's and Dozier's designs for example) and offered at good quality and great prices. A couple fan-favorites are the Boker Subcom, Boker Trance, and Boker Exskelibur.

Lastly, but not least, KaBar Dozier knives are incredible knives, with most of the folders going at about $20. They don't look like much but they are nearly universally agreed upon to be the best tactical-style (one-handed and clip) folders at this price point on the market. Quality is good and they have a great snap to their action.

To me, a Spyderco Tenacious or Persistence is one of the best first knives someone can buy because they are quite inexpensive (a hair over $30), are extremely reliable (Spyderco builds some of the best liner locks in the business), have a nice heft (new users always prefer slightly heavier knives), are TOUGH (they are built to take some punishment), and gives users a taste for Spyderco's unparalleled blade geometry design: Spydercos are simply the best slicing production knives on the market!

Cheers, and don't forget to invest in a good sharpener! That's one thing that'll probably outlast most knives in your collection! Personally I like the Spyderco Sharpmaker because it is very versatile. However, a common complaint is that it's only good at keeping knives sharp and not rescuing them from being dull. This is true, but alleviated by the purchase of the optional diamond rods.
 

RedLED

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 5, 2006
Messages
3,599
Location
Palm Springs, CA, Beverly Hills, CA, Washington, D
Congratulations, and welcome to knives.

Your knife is just fine! Unless you abuse it on purpose you will not, "Screw it up," as the post above states. I never have any of mine.

If you take care of this knife, it will last. Keep it clean, and I recommend Tuf Glide, and Tuf Cloths for keeping it in good working order. The Spyderco Sharp Maker is a great sharpening set-up.

Also, remember...you can get wonderful knives for $50.00. I have Custom Emerson's, Strider's, Hinderer's, and all that...but let me tell you my favorite may be the current Spyderco Delica. Frankly, I should have bought some Spyderco delicas, and enduras, and bought 1oz. solid gold bullion bars instead of the custom knives.

A nice companion to this will be a (SAK) Swiss Army Knife. Carry both together, and you will be all set. With a flashlight, of course!

Most of all enjoy the knife by carrying it daily.

Best of luck with the new knife,

Warm and sincere regards,

Ned Redway
www.Redwayphoto.com
 

Obijuan Kenobe

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 19, 2010
Messages
1,059
Location
Pittsburgh, PA, USA, Earth
I agree with the last post entirely. Whatever you buy...whatever you spend...don't collect. Use. Carry and use your knife as was intended. The enjoyment of having a knife for me is using it.

But the bottom line is a nice knife is a nice knife, and for 50 USD, there are some great deals out there. I like Kershaw as well.

obi
 

HoggerNaut

Newly Enlightened
Joined
May 3, 2011
Messages
16
Location
South Africa
Its a tool and should be used as such!

I believe when it comes to knives, guns and flashlights that
"one is none, two is one and three is barely enough"

Use it and enjoy it....

You'll soon learn what makes a good blade!
 

AaronG

Enlightened
Joined
Oct 30, 2010
Messages
385
Location
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
My three picks would be benchmade mini griptillian, kershaw leek, and CRKT Drifter. All of them open really smooth and lock up tight.

I have them in order of preference and price (most to least)
 

shao.fu.tzer

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 13, 2006
Messages
1,076
Location
P-Town, TX
$50... Get a CRKT big dawg or whatever M-16 Flipper knife with LAWKS or Auto-LAWKS. It's huge, tough, and cheap. Plus it works as either a flipper or a wave. (Both of which are the coolest way to open a knife)... You can get it in a tanto and I believe a spear point blade.. look it up on Ebay... CRKT's really are a great deal for the money... My other choices would be a Kershaw Tanto Groove or Junkyard Dog II.
 
Last edited:

lightr07

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 20, 2006
Messages
193
Thanks for all the replies, I wasn't expecting near as much advice as I received! Big thanks out to carrot, I'm still reading that post for the 6th time to soak everything in. :eek: (Big thanks to RedLed for the warm welcome too!)

I after I took a few more good looks at local knife carry laws, I'm going to look at getting one more of the affordable type knives (sub-$30) and then save up for a Benchmade 585 Mini-Birrage. I have some plans to head out this weekend and go hands on with one locally, but from what I've been reading and watching about it, it seems like what I'm looking for from an EDC sort of knife.

Locally, the laws say that "concealing a deadly weapon (excluding pocket knives) is illegal." and does not define any length or any such measurement defining what a pocket knife is, so pretty much any blade that is able to fit in a pocket, is not an auto/OTF knife and follows federal law seems to be okay. This gives me lots of options as to where I want to go with an EDC.

I've decided that, just for the sake of keeping explaining to a minimum, if I were to ever be question regarding it (haven't been questioned for anything, or even had any run in's with police in two countries in my 18 year life) that something under about 3.5-4 inches would be a good idea, and would also fit nicely in most any pocket I'm going to have available to me. The 585 mini has a blade length of 2.91in, making it perfect for what I want.

Thanks again for all the responses so far. :thumbsup:

(Update: After some looking around, I went with a Kershaw Chill, and a Kershaw Skyline as my two affordable knives that I'll have until I grab a 585.)
 
Last edited:

glockboy

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
Messages
2,345
Location
houston, tx
From your location UK/US, if you are in UK, you can not carry a folding knife with locking blades.
Take a look at the Spyderco UK Penknife.
 

lightr07

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 20, 2006
Messages
193
I'm currently in the US, in Arizona, so I'm lucky to be able to take advantage of some of the relaxed laws on knives and concealed carry of such things. When I do travel home to the UK for visits, leaving my knives here in the states will be a no brainer.
 

manoloco

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 29, 2006
Messages
690
Location
Lima, Perú
Boker Trance (designed by Chad los Banos) should be a bit under $50 and its a very useful knife specially a slicer friendly grind, light, flat (very comforable to carry), yet very comfortable to handle, has a flipper that doubles as guard. Sturdy construction with no play.

Also very nice looking, doesnt have a flavor of the year super steel, but AUS 8 is a very good stainless with decent edge holding (providing you dont abuse the knife, but then again that applies to ANY knife, so i guess im saying its a good stainless, unless you want to up the budget to much more).

Dont get a serrated blade for everyday use.

You should also consider a small necker.
 

Lit Up

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 8, 2006
Messages
1,231
I have a:
Boker SubCom
Swiss Army Alox Cadet
Kershaw Half Ton (Love that stubby, fat blade)
Ka-Bar Dozier folder in blaze orange
CRKT Drifter
Ontario RAT 1 folder.

All priced under $30. I like them all but seem to carry the Dozier the most for kicking around/ general carry. The SAK Cadet is on my keys so that always comes along too. If I traveled somewhere where under 3 inches was required for legal carry, I'd take the Half Ton.
 
Last edited:

DaveyJones

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
73
u might want to check out a youtube channel named 'nutnfancy'.
that dude does knife reviews and has a playlist dedicated to good knives under $40.
 

whetrock

Newly Enlightened
Joined
May 21, 2011
Messages
18
Location
Tupelo,Oklahoma
One of my favorite folders in the sub 50$ range is the Kershaw Skyline it's a very simplistic yet fool proof knife also I'm quite fond of Spyderco's imported line (I.E. Ambitious,Persistence,Tenacious,and the Resilience) but for about 10 bucks more you could purchase a nice FRN Endura4, Delica4, or Native (the first 2 have vg-10 stainless steel and the native has S30V) But my absolute all time fave in the sub 50$ range would have to be the Kershaw JYD ii in 13C26 sandvick.
 

lightr07

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 20, 2006
Messages
193
So, After just a few weeks, quite a bit has changed. I ended up returning the blade I showed above, after I bought a Kershaw Chill. The Chill was razor sharp out of the box, and the S&W was... not. The S&W was actually quite a disappointment for the price, the handle was nice, but the thumbstuds were rather hard to actuate due to their location and the thickness of the handle.

After returning the S&W I bought Nutnfancy's favourite EDC folder, a Kershaw Skyline, which instantly became what I'm putting in my EDC setup almost 90% of the time, unless I switch it out for the Chill when I want a smaller, more concealable option for certain events. Right now I'm waiting on UPS to drop off a Kershaw Volt II (3650, assisted opener), my second actually, as the first was rather dull. I'm not sure the Volt will be my EDC, as while it has lightning fast deployment, the thickness is a little more than I think I'm willing to deal with in an EDC. It serves the purpose of fondling blade rather nice though.

As for other things, I invested in a Pelican 1200 series case with the removable "pick and pluck" foam, which I'm using for storage, I may eventually buy a Pelican 1600, which will allow me to store all my blades vertically, instead of horizontally, however for now, this 1200 and another one in time serves me just fine, I can store about 8-10 knives in each one.

Tuf-Cloths, as suggested by RedLed is also something I picked up, slightly pricey at about $10 for the 12 inch, standard version, but they do seem to do a very good job at keeping the blade clean and keeping at least a small barrier between the blade and what it's cutting. For sharpening, I'm a little apprehensive about picking up a Sharpmaker at this point, however I'm certain I will get one at some point, for now, I have a Smith's PocketPal (PP1) which has ceramic and carbide sharpening capabilities, with a small diamond sharpening rod that flips out of the bottom, while not something you'd use to bring a totally dull blade back, for me, it's enough for my touch-up work when it comes up.

The Mini-Barrage (585) from Benchmade is still in my sights, I'll probably be picking that one up in a month and a half or so. For now though, Kershaw's products have been great in giving me affordable options I can pick up and experiment with while I'm saving up for higher end, more expensive blades.

Thanks for all the help everyone. :Dhttp://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/member.php?20207-RedLed
 

jhc37013

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
3,268
Location
Tennessee
I've always EDC'd a knife my favorites was Kershaw Blur & Blackout, I also just loved the Native and Delica from Spyderco. Here recently I bought my first Benchmade which was a 550 Griptilian, I like it so much I caught the Benchmade bug and now I have a few more from BM, be careful once you have one you may want more.

I'm I big fan of the flipper used with some Kershaw's so I to have been eyeballing the Skyline, it just looks like a really nice knife with a nice price.
 

lightr07

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 20, 2006
Messages
193
I've always EDC'd a knife my favorites was Kershaw Blur & Blackout, I also just loved the Native and Delica from Spyderco. Here recently I bought my first Benchmade which was a 550 Griptilian, I like it so much I caught the Benchmade bug and now I have a few more from BM, be careful once you have one you may want more.

I'm I big fan of the flipper used with some Kershaw's so I to have been eyeballing the Skyline, it just looks like a really nice knife with a nice price.

Your not a true knifeaholic until you have a Skyline. :D

The Skyline really is a nice blade, good steel (14C28N), thin, lightweight, good lock up and comes with Kershaw's great customer care who've got your back if you ever need them. The Volt II is nice, as it's an assisted opener, but if you can get the flipper/flick of the wrist down in perfect harmony, the manual in the skyline is just as good.

For me, I think I may end up returning one, or both of the Volt II's, as I've been unhappy with both of them so far, and just getting another Skyline (maybe a Damascus?) because I love that blade so much. If your going to pick one up, pick it up from Amazon at about 50% off retail ($35), which makes it an even better value.
 

jhc37013

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
3,268
Location
Tennessee
Your not a true knifeaholic until you have a Skyline. :D

Ha Ha! I picked one up tonight from wal-mart and I can see what all the fuss is about, like you say the blade locks up nice and tight, no twicking needed, it's extremely light weight and you gotta like the flipper. I usually wear 5.11 pants and with those I really don't feel the difference between a 2.8 or 4.8 ounce blade but the Skyline is very practical so I'm going to put in rotation.
 
Top