O' and what is a nice folder in your opinion with a ~4" blade or maybe a little more blade is OK. Maybe up to $150 at max. Less money is better but if the folder is extraordinary and has some really good stuff for the price I might go to $150.When I started out with folders, I'm the kinda of guy who likes to buy highend or at least know what is state of the art and then buy second best if "the best" is too expensive. Anyway my first nice folder was S110V steel https://knifesteelnerds.com/2020/11/23/cpm-s110v-steel-history-and-properties and the first time it was dull, I was very disappointed that not only did I spend more money on the knife to get the "better" steel, but now I would also have to pay for a sharpening system to be able to sharphen it. I had no idea that my regular water stones would not do much to this kind of steel. Now that I have the setup, it is one of my favorite knives. Despite me using it a lot, I need to sharphen it maybe once a year because it keeps the edge for a long time.
My current EDC is the Kunwu Pulsar with Elmax steel, and I have to say while I sharphened it with the diamond stones, it was a quick process and I think you would be able to sharphen it with other means as well.
I think if you want a blade that you can use outdoors, maybe split wood with and also be able to sharphen with whatever you have on hand, a softer steel like AUS-8 or VG-10 will be a good choice.
There have been a lot of "sprint runs" and special boutique steels in the last couple of years, and while I enjoyed participating in that, really for everyday use you do not need the super steels at all. On the low end, 440C steel just pisses me off because it's so soft you have to sharphen it constantly, but if you move up a little, you get very good usable steels. See here for nice overview:
Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist - Toughness, Edge Retention, and Corrosion Resistance - Knife Steel Nerds
Steel Metallurgist Larrin Thomas uses tests of knife steels to rate the steels and explains the factors that control performance.knifesteelnerds.com
Anything between 450 and 550 TCC will be a good steel for everyday use that will keep an edge and also be possible to sharphen with normal methods IMHO.
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Knives. Knifethread.
- Thread starter digitalfrost
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digitalfrost
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- #402
I am not an expert so take this with a grain of salt. 1095 Cro-Van is not stainless and will rust if negelected. It should be easy to sharphen in the field. 52100 should have better edge retention (but also not stainless), if you care about corrosion resistance S30V / S35VN / Elmax is the premium choice but it will be more expensive. The steel will be very soft and I would not buy it for myself, but it will be easy to sharphen. I guess these are all ok for the money. Personally, I like a full flat grind (Turok) much more than any thick blade on top (Becker).What do you think of these knives. Steel is OK? They are not really expensive and are on the lower end of the price range and I like that. if I kill the knife, chip the blade, lose it or it falls off a cliff into a river below I can walk and buy another.
The best working knife I ever bought was the Spyderco Amalgam but it's 330$. For 150$ it's hard to recommend something this size. I usually use smaller knives than this. What about https://www.civivi.com/collections/praxis ? (Generally check out Civivi, it's high value for money).
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This looks to be a very good choice of a EDC knife.
Blades Canada - Warriors and Wonders - Vancouver, BC
Blades Canada - Warriors and Wonders - Vancouver, BC : - Quartermaster Knives Medford Knives Axes & Tomahawks All Folding Knives All Fixed Blade Knives Throwers Trainers Misc. KeySmart Accessories Canes & Bats Linton Cutlery Knives Ka-Bar Knives Spyderco Knives Cold Steel Knives CAS...
I am thoroughly impressed by the level of advancements Chinese metallurgical entities have made, over the past few dozen years.
They have successfully raced ahead of the Germans (..., Japanese, Americans and Italians, etc.) in their quest to become the top dogs in metallurgy... Bar none for precision, performance, price.
\/\/This\/\/ knife may look cool to your unaided eye, especially at a $27USD price.
but, you'd be wrong!
I didn't NOT know either, when I purchased it sight unseen... Boy, oh boy! Was I wrong!
My #1 shocker was that it looked to be boxed in a genuine "Benchmade" box, with a "Benchmade" leaflet/warranty card inside the box... yet, the website does not state any brand-name.
My #2 shocker was how elaborate and detailed of a design/construction it was.
#3 shocker was the smooth finger-operated flipper-opening.
#4 shocker was that the "unlock button" allows wrist-flick to open it... but the website photo-shops the above-image to remove the button.
#5 shocker was not the beauty of the damascus... but what was sandwiched inside it
Green arrows (above) show a thin piece of metal that is advertised as "M4"... may even be akin to Benchmade crucible "CPM-M4' blade steel.
I don't know and I don't care anymore.
It is is wicked-sharp, retains its edge for long, easy to hone and it has become my EDC of choice, since purchase in May 2025.
Nothing comes close to its beauty, price and performance in my (40-50) knife collection.... w/the exception of my WilliamHenry Hitachi mystery-metal (limited edition) knife.
They have successfully raced ahead of the Germans (..., Japanese, Americans and Italians, etc.) in their quest to become the top dogs in metallurgy... Bar none for precision, performance, price.
\/\/This\/\/ knife may look cool to your unaided eye, especially at a $27USD price.
I didn't NOT know either, when I purchased it sight unseen... Boy, oh boy! Was I wrong!
My #1 shocker was that it looked to be boxed in a genuine "Benchmade" box, with a "Benchmade" leaflet/warranty card inside the box... yet, the website does not state any brand-name.
My #2 shocker was how elaborate and detailed of a design/construction it was.
#3 shocker was the smooth finger-operated flipper-opening.
#4 shocker was that the "unlock button" allows wrist-flick to open it... but the website photo-shops the above-image to remove the button.
#5 shocker was not the beauty of the damascus... but what was sandwiched inside it
Green arrows (above) show a thin piece of metal that is advertised as "M4"... may even be akin to Benchmade crucible "CPM-M4' blade steel.
I don't know and I don't care anymore.
It is is wicked-sharp, retains its edge for long, easy to hone and it has become my EDC of choice, since purchase in May 2025.
Nothing comes close to its beauty, price and performance in my (40-50) knife collection.... w/the exception of my WilliamHenry Hitachi mystery-metal (limited edition) knife.
It's so modern looking. Lots to look at for sure with all the various unique stuff going over the entire construction. The blade design gives me a bunch of ideas too.I am thoroughly impressed by the level of advancements Chinese metallurgical entities have made, over the past few dozen years.
They have successfully raced ahead of the Germans (..., Japanese, Americans and Italians, etc.) in their quest to become the top dogs in metallurgy... Bar none for precision, performance, price.
\/\/This\/\/ knife may look cool to your unaided eye, especially at a $27USD price.
View attachment 480800but, you'd be wrong!
I didn't NOT know either, when I purchased it sight unseen... Boy, oh boy! Was I wrong!
My #1 shocker was that it looked to be boxed in a genuine "Benchmade" box, with a "Benchmade" leaflet/warranty card inside the box... yet, the website does not state any brand-name.
My #2 shocker was how elaborate and detailed of a design/construction it was.
#3 shocker was the smooth finger-operated flipper-opening.
#4 shocker was that the "unlock button" allows wrist-flick to open it... but the website photo-shops the above-image to remove the button.
View attachment 480807
#5 shocker was not the beauty of the damascus... but what was sandwiched inside it
View attachment 480808
Green arrows (above) show a thin piece of metal that is advertised as "M4"... may even be akin to Benchmade crucible "CPM-M4' blade steel.
I don't know and I don't care anymore.
It is is wicked-sharp, retains its edge for long, easy to hone and it has become my EDC of choice, since purchase in May 2025.
Nothing comes close to its beauty, price and performance in my (40-50) knife collection.... w/the exception of my WilliamHenry Hitachi mystery-metal (limited edition) knife.
Hmmm, I can't believe i've not posted in this thread before. I am named after my penknife 'Berwhale', which is named after a comedy sketch by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie from 1994. I picked the name a year or two after starting to use the internet and realizing that a pseudonym might be required, the show had just been on TV.
Here is the original Berwhale on my desk today (yes I realize that it's not the same model as in the sketch, but it is of the same vintage)...
Berwhale has suffered a bit over the years, the terracotta on the ends is Miliput which I used the repair the plastic. He's very sharp though, I managed to cut myself twice trying to get all the blades out at the same time for the photo
Here is the original Berwhale on my desk today (yes I realize that it's not the same model as in the sketch, but it is of the same vintage)...
Berwhale has suffered a bit over the years, the terracotta on the ends is Miliput which I used the repair the plastic. He's very sharp though, I managed to cut myself twice trying to get all the blades out at the same time for the photo
Haha. That's a funny story and even funnier in a twisted way that you nicked yourself on the blade. I mentioned that I used those Olfa 0.7mm razor sharp utility blades everyday for years and I would nick myself and not feel it and then minutes later blood everywhere. So I understand how that can happen.Hmmm, I can't believe i've not posted in this thread before. I am named after my penknife 'Berwhale', which is named after a comedy sketch by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie from 1994. I picked the name a year or two after starting to use the internet and realizing that a pseudonym might be required, the show had just been on TV.
Here is the original Berwhale on my desk today (yes I realize that it's not the same model as in the sketch, but it is of the same vintage)...
View attachment 480809
Berwhale has suffered a bit over the years, the terracotta on the ends is Miliput which I used the repair the plastic. He's very sharp though, I managed to cut myself twice trying to get all the blades out at the same time for the photo
If I am understanding all that you are saying::
:: I think have a 'Berwhale' too, but a Philips-head replaces the corkscrew. Mine has the tweezers [aka roach-clip] and the toothpick inserts. Both unused!
I think my Berwhale may be of the original vintage or -at least- 30 years old.
I have no clue how/why it is in my collection ... and unlike you... I have zero use and zero attachment to it.
If you want it: It is yours for the price of shipping US>>UK... but no tariffs!!
PM me, if interested.
gorb
Senior Member
Got a new corrosion resistant knife for runs because I sweat a lot. I didn’t pay attention to the size when I ordered it however so it ended up being one of my biggest pocket knives haha
4.
thanksI have the KME system that I'm happy with for many years now. The diamond stones even cut supersteels like it is nothing.
KME Knife Sharpening System – KME Sharpeners LLC
kmesharp.com
thanks looking at some similar to the KMEI bought 3 different diamond stones and everyone of them the diamonds fell off after a couple of dozen strokes on the chefs knife blade. Total wastse of money. Maybe a very expensive diamond stone will be better but the 3-$35 ones I bought where all scams. I bought one of these(See below) and my 8" chef's knife that the diamond stones had such difficulty with was sharp and going through all veggies like butter after 5 passes through this sharpener. I sharpened my SOG Key Knife with this sharpener too and after 7 passes through it to really get a edge cut into it because it was AFU from the factory it now cuts really good too. If you don't need shaving sharp and you want sharp and easy this is a great sharpener.
Professional 5-In-1 Knife & Scissors Sharpener - Sharpal Inc.
For both Standard & Asian style knives! Sharpens both Standard and Santoku & other Asian double-beveled edge knives Tungsten carbide blades for quick edge setting Ceramic blades for fine honing Tungsten carbide blade for scissors sharpening Preset optimal sharpening angle Rubber coated...sharpal.com
Fav kitchen knife is a Fallkniven "white whale" 7 inch Santoku, VG1 steel. Of course there are other phenomenal ones.
Outdoors kinves... a few Cold Steel San Mai knifes (VG1), a monstrous Bowie (ready for the zombie apocalypse :-D)and a long Tanto. Also a Mad Dog ceramic knife I scored by sheer luck. And since those are expensive, several more I really put to work.
Pocket knives... Benchmade all the way. I know you pay for the name, but the quality is awesome.
Outdoors kinves... a few Cold Steel San Mai knifes (VG1), a monstrous Bowie (ready for the zombie apocalypse :-D)and a long Tanto. Also a Mad Dog ceramic knife I scored by sheer luck. And since those are expensive, several more I really put to work.
Pocket knives... Benchmade all the way. I know you pay for the name, but the quality is awesome.
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- Joined
- Jul 5, 2023
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Big fan myself for years, quick pick of the ones I have out lying around I use a bit, Bottom two are my EDCs, Bottom one is the rare CQC7. Have one in titanium new in box in my safe with most of my collection, too lazy to drag it out right now. One in the pick is sold as a rock, damn crowbar, looks rough because I locked myself out of the house in the 80's and used it to pry my door knob off. Perhaps my favorite.
Wow just read about it. Shame they went out lying about steel quality as they ramped down operations (allegedly).Are we going to talk about what happened with Bark River?
I have quite a few Benchmarks (their prices have shot up unacceptably though, in my opinion). I also have some Cold Steel VG10 steel ones (Bowie, large Tanto) and I like Civivi a lot these days (Banter is my EDC).
Such boxcuttters appear to be in a new class of hi-end pocket-able EDCs:
For $61, it is an impressive titanium, outside-of-the-box design creation.
Even the replacements blades are hi-tech as well as costly.
For $61, it is an impressive titanium, outside-of-the-box design creation.
Even the replacements blades are hi-tech as well as costly.
tineared
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Do the blades conform to standard utility knife specs or are you forced to buy their proprietary replacements?
tineared
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Cool knives that use standard utility blades (they don't come with any)
My EDC for the last 22 years...
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- Jan 16, 2021
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Wild stuff and such drama in the knife world. I'm unclear why he admitted to that publicly.
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