Knife newbie, help?

I have the following two knives. A Swiss Army one I never use and a cheap Chinese one I got for like $6 in a mall, pics following

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...r/P8100291.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...r/P8100290.jpg

I see that Vintage Blades LLC has a couple of Bokers for a great price and $40 seems reasonable to me. I usually just open up boxes, packages, maybe strip wires, so I dont have a need I think for something all that fancy. You may tell me I just need to keep the blue Chinese one I have, but feel free to comment on the knives at Vintage and tell me what I should look for. Oh, and if anyone wants to make an offer for the Swiss Army, feel free, as I have not opened it in 5 years other than to take this picture. I got it as a gift. Feel free to PM me and tell me what I could sell it for, as I'd also like to get some DR Harris Pink aftershave

I recently purchased a Leatherman Skeletool, and find it to be an excellent multi tool!

The simple liner lock blade is easy to flip out one handed, without having to open up the multi tool itself. When you do open the multi tool up, the pliers are fantastic (really good for stripping wires as well...), and you have access to either phillips or sloted screwdrivers. Other than that it has a bottle opener, and carabiner clip.

It's light on the number of tools, just the basics: knife, pliers, screwdrivers (oh, and the ever popular bottle opener!:rock:) but very useful for doing lots of diddly things such as you are looking for.


Or go and get a nice folder, as you are already looking at. There is something to be said for a nice, basic folding knife as opposed to a multi tool.


Or get one of each!:)

You may also want to check out "Blade forums", as you will then come across a mind boggling array of options for what kind of new knife to get!:)

Iam a nut for knives. I have spent entirely too much money on top of the line blades, a good number of which I will likely never use. I would recommend you caryy and use the Chinese lock blade. If it takes and holds an edge and the mechanics are easy to use and fully functional, stick with it until it is no longer useable. If you want to shop for knives, here are a few of my favorite sellers:

Knives at Knife Center

Blade Play - Switchblade Knives, Automatic Knives, Spring Assist Knives, Butterfly Knives, Military Knives, Law Enforcement Knives, Collectible Knives

DIRECT KNIFE SALES automatic knife switchblade knife stiletto out the front wholesale knives throwing knives throwing stars spring assisted knife boker smith and wesson domino tactical stiletto nato military 1600 cupid dark horn leverlock cali legal Great for cheapies

French Laguiole Knives and Laguiole Cutlery! If you want fine hand made French knives

Tinys Automatic Knives Switchblades -Automatic Knives Switchblades High end autos

Just today I recieved a new folder: a Kershaw Nakamura.

It is sweet! A review of it (by someone else, but has nice pics...) can be found here.

Icedog's tastes are a bit exotic and dangerous for me!:eek: But they do look like fun!

Easiest way to sharpen the Chinese Knife?

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Originally Posted by finsfan

Easiest way to sharpen the Chinese Knife?

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Toss it in the trash & buy a new one? :rofl2:

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Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

Toss it in the trash & buy a new one? :rofl2:

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Nice one



As for the knife. For 40$ I would rather get a Spyderco or a Benchmade mini-grip.

Check out Newgraham.com, this is IMO the best dealer around.

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Originally Posted by finsfan

Easiest way to sharpen the Chinese Knife?

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Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

Toss it in the trash & buy a new one? :rofl2:

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OK. Now that I have that out of my system: For sharpening chores, I love my Lansky system. The main problem folks have with sharpening is maintaining a consistent angle throughout the honing process. The Lansky makes it dead-bang easy. There are other systems like it, it's just the one I was introduced to first. You can also pickup a set of 3 diamond stones from Harbor Freight for about $12.

Cybrok, feel free to recommend some of the knives at that website. What an array!!

I just mentioned Vintage Blades because there are like 3 Bokers that he has for sale that are 50% off or more, below his costs his says. And I read that Boker made decent straights, so I just figured that a $100 Boker for $40 was a great buy.

Here is the link to the 4 Bokers
VintageBladesLLC::New...

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Originally Posted by finsfan

I just mentioned Vintage Blades because there are like 3 Bokers that he has for sale that are 50% off or more, below his costs his says. And I read that Boker made decent straights, so I just figured that a $100 Boker for $40 was a great buy.

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I agree with you on this deal except I am not crazy about combination (smooth and serrated) blades. Also, I can't tell if that Boker 707 can be opened with one hand. I will only carry a knife that I can open and close with one hand.

I would say it depends on the pattern you prefer. I personally like the case medium stockman for everyday carry. Mine has the yellow scales with CV blade. During the fall hunting season I carry a case trapper. On eating holidays I carry the old pattern case hobo(no spoon).

Don

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Originally Posted by finsfan

Cybrok, feel free to recommend some of the knives at that website. What an array!!

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Yep, huge choice indeed..

I would personally go for a mini-griptilian. The main differences between the models are the handle material/color and thumb hole/stud.

New Graham Knives - Detail

Also the spyderco delica is very popular
New Graham Knives - Detail

For any knife, I would either go fully serrated or plain, not combo edge. I only bought one combo edge and will not get another.

Kershaw also have some middle range alternative.

Personally I don't really care for Boker knives.

I like each of those knives. Im getting educated, so tell me, why one or the other? What does the serrated knife do that the plain edge does not, if that makes sense?

Serrated edges are a little better at cutting rope. They're also a PITA to sharpen. If you keep a knife sharp, a plain edge will tear through rope, etc, just as well as serrations in most cases.

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Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

Serrated edges are a little better at cutting rope. They're also a PITA to sharpen. If you keep a knife sharp, a plain edge will tear through rope, etc, just as well as serrations in most cases.

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This is what some say but the truth is that all professional rigging knives are not serrated.

This is getting way past my limited knowledge and experience and even more limited knife budget, but I'll just say this thread reminded me that I was interested in a small keychain multitool; and in the course of retracing my research I learned that Leatherman produces their tools almost entirely in the U.S., at their Portland factory. The only non-US operations, according to an e-mail I got yesterday from a representative, are that some parts are finished in Europe and jaws are cast in Mexico. To me this is important both for quality and for supporting our economy and American workers' jobs, and at my relatively low-end buying range it's a decisive reason to choose a Leatherman over someone else's comparable product.

Case, of course, also produces in the U.S.

That's my two cents and worth almost every penny. :w

~Rich

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Originally Posted by icedog

I will only carry a knife that I can open and close with one hand.

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You and me both brother!

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Originally Posted by finsfan

I like each of those knives. Im getting educated, so tell me, why one or the other?

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Eternal war between those 2. Both excellent so it comes back to personal taste.

Wich one looks the better to you?

I would get both because I can't chose.

I'd suggest the Spyderco Sharpmaker sharpening system. It worksvery good, and is easier to set up than the Lansky. Just my .02

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

You and me both brother!

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I think it may be worthwhile to explain why it is important (for me) to carry a knife that can be opened and closed with one hand. While inmany situations it is okay to fish around in your pocket and find your Swiss Army or Case or Leatherman or whatever and holding it in your dominant hand pull out the blade (or tool) you need, use it then close the knife with both hands and put it back into your pocket. However, if you are on a ladder or up a tree or(as happened to me two years ago) laying on the ground with a fractued fibula on a trail in the forest, having the ability to pull out a blade, use it and put it away safely while never letting go of what you happen to have in your other hand may very well save your life.

Here is a website dedicated to knives of all sorts. Much like our wonderful SRP, these folks share a passion and a wealth of knowledge. Warning, this is another highly addictive community but it is a great place for learning about cutlery:
www.bladeforums.com