How do I choose I folding knife?

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Tim Currie

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Ok, I don't know much of anything about knives. Just was in at the local blade store in the mall. Was looking at folding knives because I want to get one to carry and use as a tool and such and to have for who knows what. I looked at a bunch of different ones and found a few I liked and that weren't too pricey. Something in the $40-$60 neighborhood sounds good to me.

So, what do I need to know?

The one I liked the most was a Gerber Fred Carter design. It had a carbon fiber handle which was very light and nice and slim as well. Felt good and liked the fact that it was so light. Here it is:
G05856.gif


And he was discounting it to $66 from $83 cause he supposedly has had it for a while and would like to move it out.

What do you all think?
 
I am NO knife expert!

Relative knife newbie myself.
I'll tell ya what I HAVE learned, though...
Tip up carry, for me, is the way to go.
You have that "wave" option to assist opening on the way out of the pocket, and it is LIGHTNING fast once perfected.

I modified a CRKT Kasper-Crawford (NIB less than $40.00) to be tip-up carry, and it's a major handful of deterrence for a goblin.

YMMV.
FM
 
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Tim - try the Gerber against a couple of Spyderco's and see which you like better. try the opening option with your thumb and see which works a little better for you. If you're new don't worry about the fact that you may not get it all the way open every time - that's what practice is for, but see which one feels more natural to you and go with that one. I personally use a spyderco, but I have friends who wouldn't touch it, but would prefer something like the Gerber. They're both decent knives, find out which one works better for you.

Oh and don't listen to the "ya gotta have a 300 buck folder by Benchmade or it's just :cuss: " folks - they only think that 'cause they're substantially richer than the rest of us...

and :neener: to the expensive knife guys, too! :D
 
The Carter is a good knife, but not so much better than less expensive Spydercos and Columbia Rivers that I would pass them up. Take a look at several pieces at the shop and handle the ones you like the looks of. Put them in your pocket. Pull 'em out. Feel how they fit your hand when open. If you find a couple of knives that feel equally good and fit your pocket well then determine which fits your pocketbook and get it. Spend any money you save on a good sharpener and use that to keep your knife sharp.

Mike
 
Yeah thats what I did. I had the guy showing me all different kinds of 'em and telling me about them, they're pros and cons...etc. I did handle the Gerber a lot and did like the way it felt, opened, etc. Next in line was a different brand (forget) that had a real slick locking mechanism (kinda like a little slide on the back of the handle right below where the blade starts...) anyway, nice but too much $ for me to spend on a knife. Hell, that extra money can go to guns, that sword I always wanted, ammo, etc etc...

And then there was the S&W. Liked it a lot too but when it came down to it I liked the Gerber cause it felt almost half as light and was a bit slimmer. I wanted a handle material that was going to stand up to anything and not rust. Both knives fit that, S&W was aluminum and the Gerber composite. So I just wanted to check with ya'll to make sure it was a good knife and you know get a second opinion other than the guy who's trying to sell it to me :) Plus I know nothin' about them :)

Thanks!
 
Tim,

I don't remember the Gerber Carters coming in C-Fiber. I do remember them coming in G10 with an AUS-8 blade though. Check again and be sure that this isn't the G10 and whether or not the blade is ATS-34 or AUS-8. Take a look here - http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-Cu... Carter Series Knives,2,16,=,gb,&,60,=,carter for more pictures.

If the knife is AUS-8 then you are as well off getting the CRKTs, etc. (don't get the S&W because you can get a lot better made knife for the money if you shop around).
 
And you don't want one thats too expensive that you'll miss it after it gets stuck in some wino! Or when the man (LEO) takes it away and says "SO!" when you ask him why he's taking your knife away and that you think he's wrong on some statue. Functional and afordable is the key. ahadams is giving good adivse.
 
To me, when you carry a knife concealed, a folder is the best way to go. But you should carry two. One for everyday working chores, like opening boxes, letters, etc. The other, never use, except for self defense.

The self defense knife should be of relative high quality - but a less than 4 inch blade to keep it legal 3.5" to be sure. Spend from between $50 and $100 but no more. I don't see any reason to spend more, unless you adore the knife. But do go with a good brand. Gerber is trustworthy. I really like the Kershaw brands, and the Timberlines, especially the Kelly Worden Tacticals. For this knife, stay away from combo blades. I don't care for combo knives, unless the saw, or serrated edge is on the obtuse.

Don't ever use your self-defense blade for cutting anything, except, for that one moment you might need to use it to defend your life. In that way, it will remain factory sharp. If you need to practice, don't dull your main weapon, use one cheaper, that is similar in design.

For everyday knives, choose a knife that is easy to sharpen, a softer blade. Really, anything you like is okay for this use, just keep it sharp. A dull knife will cut your flesh worse than a sharp one and cause more damage. If you can't sharpen it, get a new one.

I would also recommend sticking to stainless blades. No rust. Lower maintenance.
 
bad_dad_brad:

My defensive knives don't remain factory sharp, I sharpen all my new knives from the factory when they are unwrappped upon delivery.

Factory sharp is rarely "scary sharp" which mine tend to be on the defensive side of things.

:rolleyes:

Brownie
 
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You may want to check out the Benchmade Griptalian (sp). Around $50, has an axis lock, which opens about as fast as an auto, maybe faster, without the complex mechanics. I have a 705, which is my edc and under 4" blade. You can find these for ~ $100.

The other choices above are all good too. Sort of like the Glock vs 1911 - whichever feels better to you.

Also, check out www.bladeforums.com - lots of good info there.
 
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