What to look for in a Knife

[stabbychick]

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[stabbychick]

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[BoarSpear]

I strongly suspect CKRTs loss of the right to sell Bud Nealy's Pesh Kabz folder reproduction was due to the shift to crap steel to save money

Watch out for the scam of good quality for awhile then the companies start cheaping out on materials to make the blades...

[Sagacious Lu]

Steel

First and foremost your knife needs to be made of a good quality steel. Some examples of good knife steels are ATS34, 440C, 154CM, 1095, M2, D2, and AUS8A. Here is a link to Bob Engath's site describing the different steels in more detail.

http://www.engnath.com/public/steel.htm

That's an interesting link, although as a layman I didn't understand all the details. I know some high end blades can get extremely expensive, but how much would you expect to pay for an affordable tactical folder of decent quality? I've owned a number of knives but I'm pretty sure none of them measured up by the standards Engnath is talking about.

[treelizard]

For fixed blades, make sure you get a full tang (the steel composing the blade runs the length and width of the handle), none of that partial or bolt shit.

[BoarSpear]

That's an interesting link, although as a layman I didn't understand all the details. I know some high end blades can get extremely expensive, but how much would you expect to pay for an affordable tactical folder of decent quality? I've owned a number of knives but I'm pretty sure none of them measured up by the standards Engnath is talking about.

IF you find a pre- sellout CRKT blade in AUS 6 then it wont be more than 75 bucks , if not expect to spend a couple hundred.

[treelizard]

I have a friend who makes these really sweet knives in his garage who could cut you a deal...

He has this huge rubbermaid crate of like 300 knives or something, and I fondled each and every one of 'em...

[stabbychick]

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[stabbychick]

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[BoarSpear]

I have a friend who makes these really sweet knives in his garage who could cut you a deal...

He has this huge rubbermaid crate of like 300 knives or something, and I fondled each and every one of 'em...

So does this friend have a guild member number or is he just making knives in his garage??

Unless your friend is Bob T I dont think a folder from someones garage is too good an idea

[Tant01]

Someone forgot to mention s30v and for the record AUS8 is kinda soft. I can literally cut metal off my AUS8 steel blade with my 1095 or ATS34 knife...

[Sagacious Lu]

Well, I will be looking into this. I used to recommend CRKT as an affordable option, ($50-75) but that's out now. Some of their other blades are still made with good steel, but I cannot recommend them in good conscience since they just might switch the steels. My other recommendation would be a Masters of Defense blade ($190), but I am not certain of that since they have been taken in by Blackhawk Knives... I am supposed to be calling them about repairing my MOD Hornet, so we will see how that goes. I'll try to do some more research on what's available currently. In the meantime, I would say you should be prepared to spend a MINIMUM of $50-75 dollars on a good folder. There are folders that cost thousands of dollars that are incredible, but I would be afraid to carry one... I might lose it.

Thanks, I'd appreciate it if you have any ideas. $50-$75 doesn't sound too rough for a blade you can count on, but thousands of dollars Yeah, even if I had that kind of cash to throw around it would make me sick to my stomach to lose something that valuable.

[BoarSpear]

Someone forgot to mention s30v and for the record AUS8 is kinda soft. I can literally cut metal off my AUS8 steel blade with my 1095 or ATS34 knife...

heheheheh no fair, tool steel everything I carry is D-2, 154cm, ATS-34 or 1095. I mean hey, no one mentioned L-6 or Stellite...or Titanium.

[treelizard]

Unless your friend is Bob T I dont think a folder from someones garage is too good an idea

Oh shit, y'all want FOLDERS! I forgot. I don't know if he makes folders, I'll ask him.

[BoarSpear]

Thanks, I'd appreciate it if you have any ideas. $50-$75 doesn't sound too rough for a blade you can count on, but thousands of dollars Yeah, even if I had that kind of cash to throw around it would make me sick to my stomach to lose something that valuable.

Yeah, things aint pretty in the knife world these days Cold Steel has gone downhill...CRKT has followed suit...unless you like spydercrap's thumb removal system and slippery handles your pretty much screwed for under 200 bucks since M.O.D. hasnt impressed me with repair on stabby's blade I wont reccomend them either now that blackhawk is running the show

Pat Crawford makes incredible folders!! But they start at $325.00 but they are SWEET!!! I'm on the prowl for a PRODUCTION company that makes blades under 200 bucks I can recommend to friends and family since the old standards have all been sold or simply sold out.

Knife selection requires quite a bit of thought, size, shape, blade pattern, materials used to make it and the CARRY SYSTEM!! Without a good carry system the blade is everywhere but on your person when you need it.

Folders also require tip up or tip down carry choice, this is extremely important in how you intend to open the blade!! Where is the clip located? Some ride too high in the pocket and will fall out, others interfere with the manipulation or grip of the blade...decision, decisions...