[wildturkey]

New to the forum. Need some help here folks. Have a ton of guns, but don't know squat about knives. Just got a gift card for my b-day to a knife store. Any ideas or comments. Pros and cons to either fixed or folders? Thanks for all info.

[Fosbery]

Fixed knives are stronger, more durable and safer. They are also quicker to deploy.

Folders are easier to carry and conceal. Folders are also more likely to be legal to carry and more socially acceptable.

[hso]

wildtureky,

Welcome to THR!

What's the store and what's your spending limit?

What will you use the knife for?

[wildturkey]

The store is a typical mall cutlery store. Spending limit is about $100. Use, well, not too sure on the use, just always wanted one I guess. Any ideas???

[JShirley]

Like hso said, welcome.

If you want a daily user, get a folder. I suggest something with a clip to hold it in place on your pocket, an opening stud or hole, a sturdy lock, and decent steel, with a 2.5-3.9" blade.

Spyderco's one good bet. Columbia River Knife and Tool aren't as nice as Spyderco, but they are more "value priced".

If you want an outdoors knife, a fixed blade is probably the way to go. You have to give us more info, though- how helpful would it be if someone asked, which hunting rifle should I buy? :)

Well, for what? We already know your price range, so we just need more info on what you want to be able to do with this.

John

[wildturkey]

Thanks for the help so far. Good point about the hunting rifle part.;)

Like, I said though. I don't really have a specific use. Dare I even say, I'm looking for a cool, tactical folder?:confused: A good brand though, you know, lifetime warranty and all...

Perhaps any good websites to point me in the right direction?

Thank for all the help!

[Fosbery]

Folders:

If you don't have a specific use, something like a Spyderco Endura, Benchmade Griptillian or CRKT M16 will do you fine. I'd reccomend the Endura.

If you want to spend a bit more towards the top end of your budget then an Emerson CQC-7 (or a copy of it such as the Benchmade Stryker) would be good.

The Kershaw Onion series of assisted openers have a superb 'cool factor' because they flick open a lot like automatic knives (switchblades) and are very good knives. The same goes for the Camillus Robo series which are also assisted openers.

Fixed blades:

Becker make some great utility and outdoors knives and the Spyderco Moran is an excellent fixed blade.

Ka-bars and the Cold Steel SRK are great too.

Just some things off the top of my head.

For $100 you could probably get a Cold Steel SRK and a Spyderco Endura, that's what I'd do if I was you :)

[wildturkey]

Thanks Fosbery! That's a great launching pad for me to do some research. Appreciate all the help from everybody.

[22-rimfire]

If the store handles SOG blades, take a look at the Twitch I, II, or XL models. I prefer non-serrated blade knives overall. These are assisted openers and yes pretty cool and tactical. With the left over funds, I'd buy a Swiss Army Knife, namely the "Soldier" model which is very traditional and very handy to carry every day. Refer to the ongoing SOG thread. http://www.sogknives.com/twitch.htm

Spyderco blades are pretty popular. I have a Native which I like. It is a knife that won't scare anyone. It rides nicely in the pocket. I took the clip off of it.

[hso]

Here are several online dealers that you can spend some time looking at what's available so that you've got an idea of what you might look for.

Any knife made by Benchmade, Spyderco, Al Mar, Blade Tech, Entrek, Falkniven, Randal King, Tops, Bark River or SOG will do well. Great knives can be found by CRKT, Camillus, Outdoor Edge, Boker, Buck, Gerber, KaBar, Kershaw and Ontario.

If you treat the gift certificate as a foundation to add on to, your options expand.

Cruise around the websites and take a look at what's out there. If you look at the what's in your pocketsessss type threads you'll find a lot of information. I've always got my Sebenza, but that doesn't mean I'm not also carrying a CRKT M16 or a SOG or a Spyderco or something else as well.

I will say honestly that you can easily find an outstanding knife for $100 and under. The more expensive knives are whitteling away at that last 20% of performance or style that most of us never need.

http://www.knifecenter.com/
http://www.1sks.com/
http://www.newgraham.com/

[richiequan]

CRKT specail force is the way to go. it a all duty knife and a self defence knife.
Easy to deploy, with the quick draw clip. When its locks up it becomes a fix blade basically. Really good knife for the price tag.

[JShirley]

The thing is, expect considerably higher prices in a mall cutlery store than online or at Wal-Mart. So, a Spyderco Endura from a mall store will probably eat most of that gift certificate.

Enduras and Delicas are too useful to be truly tactical, so you should probably look for something else.


;)

[wildturkey]

Well folks, thanks for everything. I finally chose one. Keep in mind, I was rather limited in selection. I am, however, happy with my choice. It does match some of my toys...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/wildturkey13/HKBatman.jpg

[hso]

Nice pair!:evil:

[strambo]

Looks like a nice choice. Who makes it (for HK)? The blade length is good and usefull enough for slicing or penetrating with good tip strength. The deep finger groove will help keep your fingers off the blade offering a good grip.

[JShirley]

It's certainly photogenic.

[Fosbery]

Benchmade make most of them IIRC. They're not as high quality as genuine Benchmades but they're not bad knives.

[10-Ring]

For daily use in the big city, I prefer a folder w/ a plain edge. I've had really good luck w/ Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw and Boker.

[Sharpdogs]

Brick and mortar stores tend to be a bit more pricey but I would look at folder and fixed blade combo. You should be able to get a decent folder and a fixed blade for around $100. Hope the suggestions below help

Folders
Kabar Dozier Folder $20-25
Kershaw Vapor $20-25
Spyderco Native $35-45
Spyderco Byrd $20-30

Fixed Blades
Kabar fixed blade $50+
Mora fixed blade $10-20
SOG Revolver $75-85