Help buying my first EDC knife

[RFOneWatt]

Hi!

I think it's time to pick up a nice pocket knife and I know nothing about them. 

I was hoping I could get some suggestions as to what to buy?

I was originally planning on spending between $75-$125 but then saw this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ozark-Trail-Stainless-Lock-Blade-Clip-Folding-Knife-/370300704938?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item5637a458aa#ht_500wt_922

What do you guys think? 

[Zed]

you could pick up a byrd cara cara or smaller meadowlark for not a lot of money with FRN handles and there very good knives, i wouldnt trust that one   

paul

[parmenides]

 

Are you serious?

You probably don't need to spend $50 for your first EDC knife, but you should get something better than a real beater which will probably be inferior with regards to steel, lock, scales, blade play, etc.  Cheap knives can be unsafe to use, as well.

That said - I've never used this particular knife, so who knows?  I have seen this knife for sale in the camping section at Wal-Mart for $1, so you may want to check there.  If you get it and don't like it you can always return it and get your dollar back.

My advice is to get something you'll like and feel comfortable with, and will be happy to use.  You don't need to break the bank to do this.  Spyderco makes some very nice knives for under $50.  Look at the Delica 4, the Endura, the Centofante 3.  The Spyderco Byrd line is even less expensive and also quite nice.  Less expensive yet are SanRenMu knives which are made in China but are very nice for the price.  The SanRenMu 710 has been heavily reviewed on the web and can be found on the 'net and at ebay for around $10 shipped.  This is a wonderful $10 knife.

Start out with a knife like one of these and then you'll develop a preference for blade length, steel types, blade shapes and grinds, lock type, scale type, etc, and before you know it you'll be on to your second EDC knife, then your third, fourth, fifth... 

[Mr. Whippy]

That's good advice.

I'd also recommend going to a store where you can personally handle the knives and see what feels good to you.  Some like a super thin handle, others want something more substantial.  Some like the round Spyderco hole, others perfer a traditional thumb stud.

Locking or not

Type of lock.

Lots of things to consider.  See what you like and don't spend a ton on your first one, your tastes may wildly change after carrying for a while.  (I would stick with a good brand until you're more familiar with what you're looking at). Spyderco, CRKT, Bryd, Kershaw, Benchmade, Cold Steel, and if you're looking at tradtional slipjoints, Case (There are likely many more that slip my mind at the moment).

[asupernothing]

I personally would not use that particular knife. However I can say that now, after years of carrying cheap nearly disposable knives I have found pricier quality knives to be a better value.

One knife that I feel ought to be mentioned is the Spyderco Tenacious (or any of the knives in that line). The Tenacious will give you feel for the quality you can expect from Spyderco and other upper echelon knife companies, while maintaining a more reasonable price point. Although the Tenacious is at the bottom of the Spyderco lineup, this has a bit to do with the Chinese construction and cheaper blade steel. For under $35 the knife will serve well and you won't be afraid to use it (valid concern for the 150+ knives). After you get a feel for what you want in an EDC blade you can narrow your search for a higher end knife.

[asupernothing]

Get this quick:


[url=http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=817035]http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=817035[/url]

[hawkchucker]

If you really want that knife it is at walmart for a buck. I am not kiddin it is in the camping section. It sells for a buck, and believe it or not I actually own one. Bought it as a joke and it actually isnt that bad but it will destroy itself after one use.

[Styerman]

Spyderco , abd Buck offer some good gear .

Chris

[sparky415]

As Mr Whippy said

I think as you have some great knife shops over there you should go shopping in person (or go to a knife show/meet)
pick up and play with a few knives to see how they feel in your hand
Its got to be the best way of buying, to get to feel what its like in your hand 

 

[Zed]

Get this quick:


[url=http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=817035]http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=817035[/url]

thats was a bargain 

ive been impressed with byrds for the price .

finch and meadowlark

[RFOneWatt]

Haha Yes - I was kidding about that knife. Sorry, had to do it. I picked one up @ Walmart the other day after I saw someone making fun of it in a Youtube video. Actually, the wife was at Walmart and I said "Hey honey, pick me up a knife".. the funny part is she actually DID waste the dollar on it.

THANK YOU for all of the responses. I am going to grab a SanRenMu 710 off of E-Bay right now, just to have it. It seems like a great value and something that can be used on sketchy tasks that I wouldn't want to use a more expensive knife on.

It looks like there are some great suggestions in this thread and I think I've checked out all of them now. I am really leaning towards the Tenacious or maybe even the Meadowlark.  (Thanks for that link, asupernothing. Unfortunately I didn't catch it in time!) - The Centofante 3 looks pretty nice as well.

I think what I want to do is spend about $50.00 on my first knife and if I like the manufacturer, spend a bit more.

I really would like to buy something Made in the USA, but quality is the most important factor regardless of where it is made.  I would also have to say that Warranty is pretty important as well.   

Which manufacturers have the best warranty? 

I've been carrying this Kershaw 1650ST that I impulse-bought on a road trip in 2003.  Not knowing anything about knives I have been really happy with it. It's very thin, which I like.

[Mr. Whippy]

I suspect you'll like the Spyderco too.  Very thin and the action is so smooth.

Kershaw makes a great knife too.  I'm curious, what do you think of that combo blade? Do you mind sharpening the serrated part?

[RFOneWatt]

I suspect you'll like the Spyderco too.  Very thin and the action is so smooth.

Kershaw makes a great knife too.  I'm curious, what do you think of that combo blade? Do you mind sharpening the serrated part?

Believe it or not, I've never sharpened a knife in my life. Needless to say, my Kershaw is pretty dull.  That was going to be my next question -- I need to learn how to sharpen a knife and I don't know where to start.

I don't really like the combo blades to be honest. Maybe if the blade was a little longer it would be OK but with such a short blade I think it should be one or the other.  It gets the job done though so it wouldn't be deal breaker if I bought another like it, but I think I'd rather have a straight blade.

[Mr. Whippy]

I suspect you'll like the Spyderco too.  Very thin and the action is so smooth.

Kershaw makes a great knife too.  I'm curious, what do you think of that combo blade? Do you mind sharpening the serrated part?

Believe it or not, I've never sharpened a knife in my life. Needless to say, my Kershaw is pretty dull.  That was going to be my next question -- I need to learn how to sharpen a knife and I don't know where to start.

I don't really like the combo blades to be honest. Maybe if the blade was a little longer it would be OK but with such a short blade I think it should be one or the other.  It gets the job done though so it wouldn't be deal breaker if I bought another like it, but I think I'd rather have a straight blade.

You are not alone. 

Spyderco Sharpmaker.  It's an easy way to get very good sharpening results.  And it is pretty close to idiot proof. 

[RFOneWatt]

And it is pretty close to idiot proof. 

Ah ha! You said the magic words. It should be perfect for me then. Haha.  The one I just looked at on E-Bay comes with a instructional DVD so that should help too. I'm sure I can find some demo's on YouTube as well.  I heard about some guy who maintains something called the Nut 'N Honey project (or something like that) and I think he has some videos on sharpening knives.  I'll dig a bit deeper.

What knife manufacturer has the best/longest warranty?