Help buying my first EDC knife

[jekostas]

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?

I've dealt with warranty issues from a number of manufacturers, and I say without reservation - Kershaw has the absolute best warranty service in the industry, bar none.  They will go out of their way to make you happy, even with the simplest issue, even with their $15 foreign made knives.  Everything has a lifetime warranty.

Buck and CRKT are also very good.  Gerber's okay, Spyderco and Benchmade are good but slow (and sometimes need a little *push* to get what you want), and SOG sucks.

The knife you bought is actually pretty decent - the Vapor is a classic Kershaw knife.  I will agree though that serrations can be hard to sharpen if you don't have a lot of experience doing it.

[gunga]

I'll watch this thread closely.  I would like an Edc folder around 3".  I just picked up a buck vantage select I quite like.  Now for something smaller with better steel.

[Sean]

I'll watch this thread closely.  I would like an Edc folder around 3".  I just picked up a buck vantage select I quite like.  Now for something smaller with better steel.

Mike & RF,
Kershaw Leek, great knife, great steel, 3in blade, aprox $50 (W&W)
Kershaw OD-1 another good 3 in blade, approx $60
Kershaw Skyline, super knife for price, 3 in blade, $ 30
Kershaw Zing, great knife, 3 in blade, $48
Spyderco Delica, exc knife, almost a 3 in blade, $63

Just a few that come to mind and all in your city except for the Skyline
that is currently out of stock.

[asupernothing]

I have a DMT sharpening guide with angle guide that I really like. It was a bit pricier than the Sharpmaker, but its amazing, I was able to put razor edges on some old and really dull kitchen knives incredibly fast.

All that being said, I have one major complaint against the Delica/Endura and that is the lock. I personally just do not like traditional lockbacks. My opinion on knives is that if I can open it one handed, I ought to be able to close it one handed as well. In a related concern, you may want to keep in mind that most knives are designed for right handed persons. While many knives are ambidextrous openers, most linerlock/framelock knives are not safe for lefties.

Since the $50-75 price range is open, I figured I would throw out the Griptillian option. While I don't like Valox handles, it does have the Benchmade Axis lock, which is probably my favorite lock mechanism. The Griptillian might be a very good choice for a mid-range folder.

From an ergonomic standpoint I would say Spyderco is at the top. While the knives look a little goofy, you really have to hold it to appreciate the design. The Spydies are designed as knives for use, and aesthetics are secondary. It seems that many manufacturers try to build knives which look wicked, but are in reality awkward or clumsy or even dangerous. I would keep in mind that just because a knife looks really cool, does not in any way indicate performance.

If you are right handed I would recommend that you start with the Tenacious and then use that to determine what you really want in a knife.

If you are left handed I would recommend the Delica/Griptillian since most linerlock knives will be out of question.

Gunga I think you would be happy with a Griptillian or a Spyderco Manix2.

[jekostas]

All that being said, I have one major complaint against the Delica/Endura and that is the lock. I personally just do not like traditional lockbacks. My opinion on knives is that if I can open it one handed, I ought to be able to close it one handed as well.

Huh?  It's quite easy to close a Delica or Endura one-handed...

[asupernothing]

I meant safely and fast. The way a back lock closes puts your hand in the blade path, which is something that I don't like. Its mostly a matter of preference. I like the Benchmade Axis locks as well as the Spyderco CBBL. Those are locks that do not require your hand to cross the blade path.

[RFOneWatt]

My opinion on knives is that if I can open it one handed, I ought to be able to close it one handed as well.

Ahhh!!! Now that I think about it, that makes sense to me. I've always opened and closed my Kershaw with one hand and never gave it a second thought.

I think I've narrowed it down to Spyderco and/or another Kershaw for a "good" blade however I am still going to have a look at what Benchmade and Buck have to offer before I pull the trigger on anything. I'd like to check out this "Axis Lock" you speak of.

I like that Kershaw appears to have the best warranty and service - that goes a LONG way in my book. 

[asupernothing]

I'd like to check out this "Axis Lock" you speak of.

I feel that the axis lock is one of the best, while the Spyderco CBBL lock seems to be functionally stronger the Axis lock is much easier to manipulate. The two knives I am looking forward to for this year would be the Benchmade Emissary and Triage both feature the Axis lock.
The Emissary in particular embodies nearly everything I would want in an EDC blade:
- Deep pocket carry
- Premium steel
- Thin utility style blade
- Axis lock
- Assisted open
- Lightweight

[jzmtl]

I meant safely and fast. The way a back lock closes puts your hand in the blade path, which is something that I don't like. Its mostly a matter of preference. I like the Benchmade Axis locks as well as the Spyderco CBBL. Those are locks that do not require your hand to cross the blade path.

If you push your index finger toward front of handle, it will hit the tang as blade close, perfectly safe way of closing lock back. (the ones with lock release in middle of handle anyway, I wouldn't try it with something like buck 110)

+1 on Kershaw's warranty, literally THE best I've ever encountered. There are a few things I don't like about kershaw though, they love to use stainless handle which is slippery and heavy, and recurve on blade which is a pain in the butt to reprofile. If you don't mind these, kershaw storm (smaller and bigger version) is very nice, my 2nd quality tac folder actually.

[GMArthur]

 RFOneWatt if you want I could send you a Delica and a Mini-Grip to try out. In most threads asking for a good first knife these two get the majority of the recommendations and for good reason. You can't go wrong with either. It does help to be able to get a feel for which one suits you better, carry each in your pocket for a week or two, it makes a difference. Send me a PM with your address if you'd like and I'll ship em to you to play around with. When your done just ship em back.

[asupernothing]

I meant safely and fast. The way a back lock closes puts your hand in the blade path, which is something that I don't like. Its mostly a matter of preference. I like the Benchmade Axis locks as well as the Spyderco CBBL. Those are locks that do not require your hand to cross the blade path.

If you push your index finger toward front of handle, it will hit the tang as blade close, perfectly safe way of closing lock back. (the ones with lock release in middle of handle anyway, I wouldn't try it with something like buck 110)

+1 on Kershaw's warranty, literally THE best I've ever encountered. There are a few things I don't like about kershaw though, they love to use stainless handle which is slippery and heavy, and recurve on blade which is a pain in the butt to reprofile. If you don't mind these, kershaw storm (smaller and bigger version) is very nice, my 2nd quality tac folder actually.

Interesting, I will admit I have not tried that but I will do making an attempt. Thanks for the suggestion.

Arthur: That is a very nice offer, and those are both very good knives.

[RFOneWatt]

Oh, Wow!! GMArthur, you are just too kind! Thank you very much.

PM is on the way!!

[gunga]

Based on these recommendations, I've decided to try a Spyderco Persistance.  Just a bit smaller than the Tenacious.   Can anyone point me to a steel resource?  Don't know anything about 8Cr13Mov steel, how does it compare to typical 440A or 420HC?

Love the feel of this knife.  I still love the smooth action of the Buck Vantage I have, just wish it was shorter.  Mine is the 345 model.  Anyone want to trade for a slightly smaller knife? 

 

Anyways, the Persistance is very nice...

Thanks for the recommendations guys.  Keep em coming, I may end up with a few more...

 

[jekostas]

Based on these recommendations, I've decided to try a Spyderco Persistance.  Just a bit smaller than the Tenacious.   Can anyone point me to a steel resource?  Don't know anything about 8Cr13Mov steel, how does it compare to typical 440A or 420HC?

Wholesale Sports in Langley has the smaller version of the Buck Vantage.

As to 8Cr13MoV, it's well ahead of 440A or 420HC steel in terms of edge retention and hardness.  Sal Glesser (Spyderco was the first big American manufacturer to use it) has put it on the same level as AUS 8, and Spyderco hardens their 8Cr13MoV to 58-60HRC.  440A tops out about 56-57, 420HC about the same with Buck's heat treatment.  Since Rockwell Hardness is an order of magnitude measurement instead of a linear measurement of hardness, this is a significant difference.

From extensive usage, I would compare 8Cr13Mov to AUS 8 as well.  It's a little tougher, meaning less likely to chip or break, but a little bit behind in terms of corrosion resistance.

[gunga]

Hey thanks so much!

about the 9cro etc numbers, does that increase edge retention as the number goes up?

Langely is a bit far for me.  Let me know if you ever end up out there.  I do like the Vantage,  lot, it's just a bit big for me...

I think I need to do a small knife sale on inexpensive ones to clear the collection.