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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Dec 21, 2012 0:33:14 GMT
I just don't get it. I just have these interests the eventually gets me into random awesome things, and I eventually like it. :mrgreen: Archery, now knives... I'm interested what I get myself into next... Anyway, I've taken the interest that I would want to own the first knife that I ever own. Yeah, I find it funny how I have a decent amount of swords and no knives. So I am a total newb in the knife area. :? Like my swords, I don't want to spend my money on something not worthwhile... I was wondering how good of a knife I can buy for around under $50? The types I'm looking for: (Awesome if a knife can fulfill more than one ) -Bowie Knife -Folding knife -A tactical knife, the ones with some other tools besides the blade -A black bladed knife would be nice... I'm also confused the different type of folding knives, like assisted opening knives. Are they prone to breaking during use? Also, the type of knife I'm looking for is something that can be used heavily, something with good durability. I'm looking forward to getting a knife. Just don't want a knife that'll snap in two. Thanks in advance
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Dec 21, 2012 0:44:55 GMT
just like swords, look for quality steel, nothing in 440 stainless over 6 inches. Full tang with pinned pannels is always a sound hilt construction
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 21, 2012 1:12:10 GMT
For around $50 there are several good options. Folding: Kershaw, all the way. Best value for the money. The Leek is my very favorite ever, but also the Blur and the Skyline are superb. Made in the USA as well. They have a large selection of Chinese made knives, and they are also of very good quality. The Cryo especially is remarkable, and only costs $30. Here's some of mine. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=4812forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=13427Cold Steel has some good, tough folders as well. I really like the medium Voyager tanto. The Recon 1 runs between $50 and $60, and is somewhat legendary for its toughness. Spyderco. They also have several great folders for under $50, including the Persistence, Resilience, Tenacious. The Endura 4 and Delica 4 both run closer to $60, but are great. Fantastically sharp, too. Here's mine. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=8672 forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=8867. KA-BAR makes a decent folder that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Fixed: KA-BAR. The 1217 runs about $55, and is a legend for a reason. Killer, killer knife. Here's mine. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=12567Ontario. Much like the KA-BAR, they are well known for good, reliable knives. I have the SP-10 Marine Raider, and it's a monster. Here's mine. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=14553Cold Steel. They have several decent fixed blades for well under $50. Mostly tactical styled tantos. I like to get my knives at Amazon.com. They generally have the best prices, the best selection, and of the many, many knives I've gotten none were duds.
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Dec 21, 2012 5:04:49 GMT
Oh ok thanks for the recommendations!
All of the knives you recommended looks awesome and met the price. I was also wondering on how a knife should be maintained. So I just simply oil it? Or does some steels have the rust resistant covering over the blade?
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 21, 2012 5:22:26 GMT
A lot of them do, yeah. The KA-BAR's and the Ontario are 1095 with a coating, but you'll want to wipe down the edge with oil. All the folders have a coating except for the Spyderco's. The lower cost ones are made of good quality stainless and should be fairly resistant. The Endura and Delica are made of VG-10, which is a fantastic, awesome steel. Really rust resistant, and holds a monstrously sharp edge which is really easy to keep sharp.
The Kershaw Cryo is made of 8cr13mov, which is a low-cost, but good performance steel. Not really rust prone, and has a coating, but like the KA-BAR and Ontario you'll want to keep the edge oiled from time to time.
Be sure to share what you decide on, I'm very interested to hear.
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Post by Mike U. on Dec 21, 2012 5:49:39 GMT
Wow! Adrian Jordan nearly mirrored what I was going to type in his first post. Those are all stand-up choices. Kershaw is definitely the way to go for assisted opening folders. I was positively addicted to them after I bought my first one. I have half a dozen now, and, it makes choosing an everyday carry knife a hard chore. A sweet chore, but, a chore nonetheless. Non assisted, Spyderco, and, their sister company, Byrd Knives, make exceptionally good, working folders.
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Dec 21, 2012 22:27:51 GMT
So far I've decided on these knives: Ka-Bar Kraton Handled Big Brother Knife(Though over my price range, I'm also interested on a big knife) SOG FX01-N Fixation Bowie KnifeSmith & Wesson CKSUR6 Bullseye Search and RescueThough not the knives you recommend, although they look pretty awesome, I based my searches on the recommendations. I still can't find a folding knife that looks right for me... I'm looking for a big tough blade on a folder, if possible. The usual blade lengths I find for folders are around 3.6 inches... EDIT: I'm also trying to stay away from leather stuff. Though it's aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, I would like to have some material for both the sheath and the handle that would be nice for wet conditions
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 21, 2012 23:29:55 GMT
If you can swing it, I'd go for the KA-BAR. Also, the KA-BAR I listed come is a Kraton handle, Kydex sheath version if you don't mind it being a bit smaller than the Big Brother. www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Full-Black-Straight-Knife/dp/B001H53Q62/ref=sr_1_10?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1356132556&sr=1-10&keywords=kabar+fighting+straightSecond would be the SOG, third would be the S&W. I've had a few S&W knives, and not been really impressed with the build or durability. Also, as far as folders go, the Cold Steel Recon 1 is a big, tough folder. 4" blade, Bowie-style clip point, tactical, black coating. Just sayin', hahaha. www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Recon-Tactical-Handle/dp/B00322JP04/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356135002&sr=8-2&keywords=cold+steel+recon+1
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Sébastien
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,967
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Post by Sébastien on Dec 22, 2012 1:35:00 GMT
I have the SOG Fixation Bowie. It ain't bad, but it ain't my favorite knife either. My main gripes are that the edge isn't very sharp (and is made of cheap steel) and that the handle isn't very well-designed ; it's overly long and doesn't feel quite right in hand.
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Dec 22, 2012 6:33:10 GMT
I have also heard about stories of where Ka-Bar USMC Knives break because of the tang :? Though it worries me, I won't use the knife (If I get it...) that heavily So basically I have decided on this knife: www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Fighting-U ... HJRCMLZPTH I personally like the serrated edge for a multi-purpose use of the knife
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 22, 2012 7:02:07 GMT
Sweet choice! Any knife will eventually break with abuse, especially when used at a batoning tool, regardless of tang or steel or heat-treatment. Just like with a sword; just because you can, doesn't mean you should, hahaha. Anyways, the KA-BAR hasn't remained the top pick of military personnel across all branches by being dainty or frail. I also like KA-BAR's serrations. They have a scalloped design, rather than the sharp points often seen. This allows it to slice, not rip, material. Much smoother slicing as well, as the teeth don't try to catch on what you're cutting. Lastly, bear in mind that this is a fighting knife. It was not designed as an outdoors utility blade, though it performs well as one. Like all Bowies, it was designed to inflict massive damage to soft body tissues. It will not compare to a purpose-designed outdoors utility knife, just like the utility knife won't be as good for combat as the Bowie. KA-BAR manages to perform well in both, though. Another knife I just thought of is the KA-BAR Becker BK. It comes in the BK-2(5.5" blade), BK-7(7" blade) and BK-9(9" blade). I costs about as much as the Big Brother, and is lauded as one of the best utility knives on the market, period. Good shape for a fighter as well. www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=becker+knife+bk&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abecker+knife+bkSorry to keep throwing options out there, but I want to open the field as much as possible for you. Hate to see you throw the cash down and then see a different knife and be like "semprini! A-Hole Adrian didn't tell me about that one!"
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Post by GUEST on Dec 22, 2012 11:08:22 GMT
Why is it some people think you can go with a long blade in stainless. As long it a well made blade it will do just fine. I have Blackjack And Clod Steel knives well over 6 in blades ever had any problem out of them. It's the cheap not properly tempered or heat treat knives and swords that have given stainless a bad name. Get a good knife whatever steel and use it.
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Dec 22, 2012 14:49:32 GMT
mainly because you have no way of knowing if its a good knife if its 440 stainless until you break the damn thing trying to do normal knife stuff with it. i had a bowie made from stainless almost 1/4 inch thick and it snapped in two and helecoptered when i tried to cut some small kindling, my 9.99$ carbon steel bowie ive used to cut down trees it laughs at the brittle ass 440 stainless :lol:
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Dec 22, 2012 15:14:31 GMT
I still have one of these ---
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Dec 22, 2012 16:00:12 GMT
Yeah, I won't blame you if I got a knife that doesn't do the job. I understand that different knives do a different jobs, since obviously a "Combat" Knife can't do what a real "Survival" Knife can. I have decided finally on the Ka-Bar USMC Knife as my Combat knife. Though, if I do like owning knives (Which will most likely happen ), I might get a second one. :mrgreen: This time a survival knife, some knife that can handle the abuse of the bushcraft (Even though I have no idea what bushcraft is... :? ) and also Sub $50. Any more recommendations?
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Post by GUEST on Dec 22, 2012 16:19:42 GMT
Don't Buy cheap knives and you won't have that problem.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 22, 2012 19:20:22 GMT
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Dec 23, 2012 20:11:09 GMT
Thanks for the recommendations! I'll most likely buy my first knife soon, unless I see a good bargain for a sword. :mrgreen: Now I'm not that much of a newb with knives anymore
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 23, 2012 20:19:04 GMT
Sweet. Be sure to report back on what you get!
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Post by JRDsgns on Dec 26, 2012 1:30:07 GMT
To the OP, you sound just like me lol. I got bit by the Knife bug not too long ago and have basically become obsessed with owning one. I went a different route though since I couldn't find one I liked 100%. I'm currently having a custom built for me lol. Like you, I wonder what will bite next. I know Katanas will always be #1 in my heart lol, but who knows, I might end up getting into Euros...just gotta see that one that calls to me lol. Keep us posted and let us know which one you chose!
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