Advice for knife newbie

[JanCPF]

I'm into flashlights really, but I also want to EDC a small pocket knife/tool. I don't know anything about knives though and I would hate to buy a "M@g" knife so to speak (BTW are Victorinox considered "M@g knives" by you?). What I want is: Small size (key chain or a little bigger), one blade (and preferably more functions too), good looking and feel (like a Surefire/ EDIT: Surefire/Arc flashlight). Basically what I want is a "Surefire" EDC knife/tool if you know what I mean. What should I be looking at. Thanks.

Jan

 

[x-ray]

Hi Jan,

I recently asked a similar question in this thread, which may be of interest.

 

[JanCPF]

Thank you x-ray.

 

[Rothrandir]

when i first got into the knife thing, i noticed that surefire arc are kind of like strider and crk.

each have a diehard following, and not much can be said to convince one that the other is better.
a lot of people seem to like both a lot.
one is more towards military, one aims more towards civilian.

those are some of the parallels i've noticed, and some of the feelings i got.

personally i'm more of a arc/crk man myself, but like surefire/striders also. unfortunately i can't afford either a strider or crk, but i do have both arcs and surefires /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

if you say you want he "surefire of knives" because you think surefires are the best, than either a strider or a crk are very nice, if meant that you wanted something that appeals more to the hardcore military type user, than strider design is more what you're after.
i don't think strider makes a lot of small knives though, i do know that crk does (crk = chris reeves knives)

i also consider benchmade to be the streamlight of knives and spyderco to be the pelican of knives. those are primarily based on my personal opinions (i like a lot of the streamlight lights and a lot of the benchmade knives, both are better than average but not quite high-high end)
and spyderco and pelicans don't really appeal to me, though they are both good companies with good products.

of course much of what i said is mostly opinion and not very helpful, or maybe even accurate, but that's my take on things.

 

[JanCPF]

Rothrandir,

That IS very helpful, and I know exactly what you mean when you mention the 4 knife companies and compare them to Surefire, Arc, Streamlight and Pelican. I like the quality, looks and feel of both Surefire and Arc and own a couple of them (have a couple of Pelicans too), and I will probably be looking at crk when I've saved up enough to get one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif They sure are expensive though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif

Jan

 

[sph3ric_pyramid]

I'd take a good look at Spyderco. They make some of the best finished production knives on the market, backed with a great guarantee.

Spyderco also makes a large selection of smaller knives (keychain size and larger) in lots of colors you can choose from, and are affordable as well.

Victorinox SAKs are by no means considered the "Mag-lite" of knives. They're amazingly well fitted and finished for the prices they go for, and they're very functional. Almost everyone I know who carries a knife also carries a Swiss Army Knife in addition to a main EDC blade.

 

[RebelRAM]

You can get knives at all price ranges and there is some really awesome stuff in the $30 range. If you want the Surefire of knives, then we are talking anywhere from $100 to several hundred.

You mention you want a single blade, but you would also like more functions.... So my question is, how do you plan to use the knife? Do you want something that just has a good blade for cutting anything? Or are you wanting something that has screwdriver blades, can openers and other various tools?

You say you want keychain size or maybe a little larger. The good news is, there is a lot to choose from in that size.

Another thing to consider, is for the blade of this knife, would you like a plain smooth blade, or do you want serrations? You can also get blades with half smooth and half serrated. Serrations are really good for cutting lots of things, but are especially good on rope and cardboard.

My EDC as far as knives go is a tactical folder(lately it has been one of my two CRKT Crawford/Kasper's) with a pocket clip and a blade of 3 to 4" Then I carry a Mini Buck on my keychain, it has a 1 7/8" blade. And on my belt next to my SF, I carry a Gerber Multi-Plier 600.

Swiss Army knives are by no means on the level with Mag. As long as you stick to the two main brands(Vitorinox and Wenger) you will be fine.

Here's a suggestion that may be exactly what you are looking for, the Leatherman Micra
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/micra/default.asp
I have given a couple of these as gifts and they are always very appreciated.

--Jason

 

[Bushman]

Jan, do you know that Surefire also makes knives? The Surefire Alpha and Bravo. www.tadgear.com go to the edged tools area

 

[JanCPF]

Thanks all.

sph3ric_pyramid,
Yes those Spyderco sure looks nice too. It's good to know that Victorinox is not considered the "maglite of knives".

RebelRAM,
I mainly want to use the knife for outdoors general use like cutting rope and small tree branches and so on. I don't plan on using it as self defense. If it's impossible to sharpen a serrated blade myself I don't want that, but I'm unsure about it. I own a Leatherman Micra already but I don't really like the looks and feel of it, and I ruined the scissors on it (cutting a wire i think - oops). I think I want to go for a single blade knife, as the ruggedness seems to be better as far as I can see.

Bushman,
Yes I've read about the Surefire knives in a another thread but I didn't know that they still offered them.

Jan

 

[Bushman]

I "think" that it is/was a very limited offering.

 

[ChrisA]

@Jan - Take a look at the pioneer (alox or aluminum scales) series from Victorinox. They are inexpensive, rugged and well built. Imho you can't go wrong with one of those. Just one example :

Vic Pioneer Solo

[image]http://store5.yimg.com/I/knifesite_1771_7668080[/image]

Chris

p.s. don't know, why the image link isn't working /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[RebelRAM]

Cutting rope and small tree branches and general utility, then it sounds like all you need is a small lockback or liner lock type knife. Serrations are actually not that bad to sharpen. They look hard, but honestly, all you need is a diamond rod or something similar. Gerber makes a nice little diamond rod for about $7

As for the knife, I think a Spyderco LadyBug or Dragonfly might well suit your needs.

If you have a knife shop nearby, go touch everything you can, it's the best way to shop and will tell you what feels best in your hand. But for prices though, I still find the best prices online.

--Jason

 

[JanCPF]

RebelRAM,

Thank you for the advise. What does "lockback" and "liner lock" means? (Yep, I'm a newbie at knives as you can see from this question /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Jan

 

[FNG]

Jan, does it have to be keychain sized? Im sure many knife nuts and general users can vouch when I say that the Spyderco Delica is a really nice knife for the money. I have one and its got a very thin profile where you dont notice it at all if clipped to your pocket. I put mine up for sale but might take it back down since it is/was my first "real" knife. My Benchmade 705 should be coming any day now...

 

[RebelRAM]

I don't mind sharing what knowledge I have /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Lockbacks and liner locks are just the locking mechanism used to lock the blade into place when the knife is open so that while you are cutting the blade doesn't accidentially close on your fingers. There are arguments for and against both types, but it's mainly a user preference. I use both types. Here's a link on the Buck website that has pictures and explanations of both types http://www.buckknives.com/basics_types.php

As to how much experience I have with knives. About 20 years.... I got my first knife when I was 8 years old.

--Jason

 

[Whistler]

I'm a 'Reeve' fan.

I got a few Mnandi's, Sebenza's, Green Beret...

My EDC is a Mnandi (Iron Desert Wood) for my work. Or on other days my small Sebbie or a big Woodinlay Sebenza...

 

[torment]

I have a small regular sebenza and its awesome. Best folder I've ever owned.

 

[NeonLights]

I think Benchmade deserves a look too. I'm slowly working my way up the ladder as far as quality knives go, started with Kershaws and SOG as well as a CRKT Point Guard, but my new favorite is a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. Very good knife for the money (around $55), and I really like the axis-lock locking mechanism. I think my next knife purchase will probably be a Buck-Strider Mini. It will cost twice what my Benchmade did though.

I've been happy with the two Spyderco knives I own too (a Navigator and Spydercard), they are a very good value. FWIW, you can sharpen serrated blades yourself too, it just takes a cetain kind of sharpener to do it.

-Keith

 

[kz1000s1]

In my opinion, Microtech is the Surefire of the knife world. Their quality and style are similar, and they are usually less expensive than CRK and Strider. Are automatic ("switchblade") knives legal for you?

 

[FNG]

Is that including customer service?