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Knives!
- Thread starter TOOL460002
- Start date
I got a great deal on a Cold Steel Spartan!
Nothing quite like wave opening this beast out of your pocket.
Nothing quite like wave opening this beast out of your pocket.
I've been into knives as long as I can remember. My current favorites are a Benchmade Mini Griptilian half-serrated Tanto and a Spyderco Delica 4 FFG.
Others I really like are USA-made Kershaws (Leek and Blur) and the Gerber Sharkbelly (also USA). My preference for these brands' American offerings is strictly for the materials and craftsmanship.
In my ever-so-humble opinion, Spyderco is the absolute best value in a knife, and I'd rank the Delica as the overall best all-around pocket knife of all time. The VG-10 steel is awesome, easy to sharpen to a razor, and holds it for a very reasonable amount of time.
A friend lent me his Zero Tolerance 0450CF, and frankly, I'm unimpressed. The half-titanium/half-carbon fiber handle looks like a Chinese Gerber, and is not the least big ergonomic. Lots of sharp edges, and just an awkward shape. Their ball bearing pivot makes the knife flip open easier than an assisted, but the super chunky frame lock is difficult to operate one handed.
Any other knife enthusiasts?
Others I really like are USA-made Kershaws (Leek and Blur) and the Gerber Sharkbelly (also USA). My preference for these brands' American offerings is strictly for the materials and craftsmanship.
In my ever-so-humble opinion, Spyderco is the absolute best value in a knife, and I'd rank the Delica as the overall best all-around pocket knife of all time. The VG-10 steel is awesome, easy to sharpen to a razor, and holds it for a very reasonable amount of time.
A friend lent me his Zero Tolerance 0450CF, and frankly, I'm unimpressed. The half-titanium/half-carbon fiber handle looks like a Chinese Gerber, and is not the least big ergonomic. Lots of sharp edges, and just an awkward shape. Their ball bearing pivot makes the knife flip open easier than an assisted, but the super chunky frame lock is difficult to operate one handed.
Any other knife enthusiasts?
Oh yes. Quite a collection.
My latest acquisition is this Olamic busker. Polished titanium scales. Anodized hardware. M390 blade steel.
My latest acquisition is this Olamic busker. Polished titanium scales. Anodized hardware. M390 blade steel.
I've got two Proelias, one is a drop-point and the other is a tanto. Great craftmanship, super sharp, and the D2 steel holds its edge well.
Also have a Columbia River tanto that I received at least 15 years ago, and it also holds a scalpel-like edge for a long time between honings.
All told, I own about 35 folders of varying quality. The Proelias were about $100 each, the CRKT was $75, a $45 Case sodbuster, but the majority of the rest of my collection are $15 and below. I actually prefer my EDC being one of my cheapo's, so I won't get too upset if it breaks or gets lost.
Also have a Columbia River tanto that I received at least 15 years ago, and it also holds a scalpel-like edge for a long time between honings.
All told, I own about 35 folders of varying quality. The Proelias were about $100 each, the CRKT was $75, a $45 Case sodbuster, but the majority of the rest of my collection are $15 and below. I actually prefer my EDC being one of my cheapo's, so I won't get too upset if it breaks or gets lost.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,134
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Why go semi-high end? If you want serious crazy GAS, try Link Removed
No affiliation with the seller.
Here's a sample - one from Les George.
No affiliation with the seller.
Here's a sample - one from Les George.
I owned various knives when I was young, but have since narrowed it down to just one, which I bought in the Philippines, an original Manila Folder:
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,134
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
I've gotten out of collecting, but I did have 2 Emersons. I'm down to just one now.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,134
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Balisongs are wonderful, unfortunately illegal in CA. I won't carry anything that I could get arrested for.
I'd love to get a Benchmade Bali-song someday, but I think the Minigrip is the point of diminishing returns for me. I've never tried anything more expensive that I thought fit my needs better. Really, the only thing that makes me grab it rather than the Delica 4 is the more robust blade. I can be a little less cautious with it at work without worrying.
When I was 12, I bought a 1st gen FRN Delica at a gun & knife show. It was $27, and minus the integrated clip, is still 100% functional. I beat the hell out of that knife for years, and if it weren't for sentimental value, I'd still edc it.
I think that knife set the bar pretty high for my expectations. I have a few other Spyders (Calypso JR, Tenacious, Ladybug), and they've all been excellent. Probably gonna snag a stainless handle Delica on eBay for under $50 soon.
When I was 12, I bought a 1st gen FRN Delica at a gun & knife show. It was $27, and minus the integrated clip, is still 100% functional. I beat the hell out of that knife for years, and if it weren't for sentimental value, I'd still edc it.
I think that knife set the bar pretty high for my expectations. I have a few other Spyders (Calypso JR, Tenacious, Ladybug), and they've all been excellent. Probably gonna snag a stainless handle Delica on eBay for under $50 soon.
Oh I want one of those!!
I got a Kershaw Link M390 coming in the mail soon.
I ended up choosing the Link over the Dividend.
Come to think of it I should of got both!
I wouldn't call myself "an enthusiast" but I'm still very happy with the Benchmade Heckler & Koch Pika Tanto I purchased a few years ago. For Benchmade's cheap line, it's a nice knife and feels great in the hand. I paid less than $20 new.
I enjoy collecting autos or switchblades since they are now legal to own and carry depending on local law if one has a firearm owners license in my state.
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I considered that, but I think knife laws are purposefully vague, so the officer can use discretion. If I got into trouble, I'd rather they find a folder with a 3" blade clipped to my pocket than a Ka-Bar on my belt
A lot of guys come into my store with a Buck or something in a sheath, and I know my first impression is not that it's for opening boxes or chopping zip ties.
I recently moved to Florida from California and yeah big difference.
From what I've been told the only knife you can't carry here is a ballistic one.
From what I've been told the only knife you can't carry here is a ballistic one.
I won't go into the many folding knives and boot knives I have, but this one is by far the coolest. United Cutlery
The more interesting ones I have are the custom-made and rare fixed-blades.
This one was my father's old hunting knife - a Puma, Made in Germany (Pumaster Steel, Solingen). It's close to 50 years old at this point.
Here is a Solingen blade I got sometime in the late 80's, made in West Germany. It was meant to be a display piece, but I didn't get the walnut display case with it...
This one is a Zwilling given to me by my father...nice fishing knife.
this one I purchased in Sedona, Az. It was crafted by Ed Wzientek, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Native American tribe (hence the LCO etched into the blade). He's kind-of/sort-of known in the knife-crafting world. The shop-owner I bought it from told me he made the blade out of an old steel file...but I wouldn't know... Very nice balance to this one - it's my favorite.
here is another one made by Ed:
CUSTOM KNIFE LCO STAG HANDLE AND CARBON FIXED BLADE KNIFE AND SHEATH | eBay
and...
all this reminds me how much I miss Arizona...! Haven't been there for 10 years..
The more interesting ones I have are the custom-made and rare fixed-blades.
This one was my father's old hunting knife - a Puma, Made in Germany (Pumaster Steel, Solingen). It's close to 50 years old at this point.
Here is a Solingen blade I got sometime in the late 80's, made in West Germany. It was meant to be a display piece, but I didn't get the walnut display case with it...
This one is a Zwilling given to me by my father...nice fishing knife.
this one I purchased in Sedona, Az. It was crafted by Ed Wzientek, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Native American tribe (hence the LCO etched into the blade). He's kind-of/sort-of known in the knife-crafting world. The shop-owner I bought it from told me he made the blade out of an old steel file...but I wouldn't know... Very nice balance to this one - it's my favorite.
here is another one made by Ed:
CUSTOM KNIFE LCO STAG HANDLE AND CARBON FIXED BLADE KNIFE AND SHEATH | eBay
and...
all this reminds me how much I miss Arizona...! Haven't been there for 10 years..
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