The Rohrbaugh Forum
Miscellaneous => The Water Cooler -- General Discussions => Topic started by: glazier on June 08, 2005, 01:04:56 AM
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Hey,
Kinves go with R9's like Ducks go with water, right? I haven't seen much discussion 'bout the sharp things here on this forum. Today I picked up a Benchmade/Blackwood collaboration that I'll carry on my 'off side' to dissuade any gun grabbers out there. It's longer in length and almost as heavy as my R9 BUG... Thanks to the folks at ROHRBAUGH, life is goooood! ;D
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No... not too much discussion, although lots of people here like knives too.
I actually got a sample of the blue CF grip material and tried to have a folder made with scales to match my R-9 exactly.... but it didn't work out. That CF material is difficult to work with.
Benchmades are my favorite knives right now. I carry a Mini-grip all the time.
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Glazer,
Are you talking about the BIG ASS Benchmade Skirmish/Neil Blackwood Collaboration knife? I got the same one, 4.3" blade w/overal length of 9.7" weighting in only at 6.84 oz.
Got these pictures from the BladeForums:
(http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/TOB9595/Passarounds/630001.jpg)
(http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/TOB9595/Passarounds/63002.jpg)
(http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/TOB9595/Passarounds/630buck02.jpg)
(http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/TOB9595/KNIVES/630dragon01.jpg)
(http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/TOB9595/Passarounds/63001.jpg)
(http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/TOB9595/Passarounds/63004.jpg)
(http://)
Cheers!
Cuteo100
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Folks,
I enjoy folders almost as much as firearms. I’m always looking for something new and interesting.
I need an education / direction on knives. Hopefully, not a costly (or should I say not at my expense)
I find myself buying a new blade, and within a day or two, concluding it’s nice but not right.
What blade material is considered the best? What other characteristic should one look for in top quality knives?
State law, (Rhode Island) prohibits me from carrying a knife with a blade longer then 3 inches. (I can carry a .45, but not a 3 1/4” knife. Go figure)
Recommended manufactures and web sites of interest would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Billmack
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Billmack. If you ever want to give yourself a treat attend the Blade Show held each June (was just held last weekend) in Atlanta Georgia. Largest knife show in the world- over 500 tables of custom and factory knves. You will meet great people who are into quality knives - many I know who also own a R9 or planning to. I have been into knives for many years - feel free to send me a private post with your email to pick my brain.
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Billmack,
I find myself doing the same thing with guns! Each one promises to be the ideal gun and ultimatley I get bored or disappointed with it and move on... Except for the R-9. ;D
I like knives a lot too. I am no expert, but I think that asking which is the best steel is like asking which is the best handgun caliber. Depends on what you are going to do with it (and how much you want to pay).
My dream knife right now is a small Chris Reeve Sebenza.
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Look at the Doug Ritter knife, the Mini.
It is produced by benchmade, and has S30V steel, and an Axis lock which makes it ambidextrous.
Get the plain edge.
I like the Sheeps head blade design, and that really shows up in the Large Doug Ritter. However, you won't be able to carry one in RI.
Benchmade has some great models out right now.
By the way, can't you carry an automatic in RI?
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I do appreciate a nice knife..
I just carry a itty bitty Kershaw Chive as an everyday though.. ;)
I lean towards the fixed blade for hunting chores,and I lean towards the "old school" Case stag for that.. :)
We have a 3" limit for blade length in MI,so I have a bit of a limit,along with utility in the pocket..
Love looking at them though.. 8)
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I am also a knife fan.
Stay away from cheap knockoffs, but also ask if something is really worth it before spending upwards of $150 on a knife. There are some good knives out there with unique features worth that much money, but they are the exception and not the rule.
For folders, I am a really big fan of Cold Steel, and there is a Recon 1 with the half-serrated spear point in my pocket as I type this. The "Proof" and "More Proof" videos are worth watching although "More Proof" is overly long.
If you are limited to 3", the Benchmade Mini-Griptillian is an excellent choice. I have two, one set up for each hand.
Features to look for:
Generally, avoid liner locks. They wear out quickly. I might make an exception for Cold Steel because of their Proof videos.
Rpcker bar locks are simple and strong, but provide the most resistance to thumb opening. They are generally a good choice.
The Cold Steel Ultra Lock, Benchmade Axis Lock, and Spyderco ball bearing lock are among the best locking mechanisms I have seen.
I prefer tip-up carry, for fastest access from the pcoket.
There is a lot of hype about blade steels and styles, but it is mostly just that. A "Tanto" point is nothing like a historical Japanese Tanto knife, and would actually penetrate less than something like a spear point. A version of 440 stainless, AUS8, ATS34, or 154CM are common, reasonably priced choices. Worry a lot more about legality of carry and speed of access than having the latest blade steel.
Emerson's wave opening feature is really nice, but will tear up pants relatively quickly, and see my earlier comments about liner locks.
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BillinPittsburgh
That was an excellent reply to Billmack and I can tell that you have done a lot of research and know your factory tactiicals. DDGator's Chris Reeve's small Sebenza is also an excellent choice and it has a a frame lock that doubles as a liner and would not break - I have met Chris Reeve at several Blade Shows and he is a great guy. Of course you are getting more pricey.
A three inch limit does put alot of limitation on a folder. I'm mainly into custom handmade slipjoint traditional folding knives. I do have a few factory tactiicals that are made very well - Microtech and Klotzli ($150 to $250) - they both sell three inch models and even though they are liner locks they are very strong - especially Microtech. I have seen the handmade tactical knives of many makers and still very few can approach a Microtech - who also makes a button lock. I can tell you that I have tortured my Mictotech Mini-Socom with a three inch blade and it keeps an edge and can take heavy use.
What Billmack hasn't said is if he is looking for just a good using knife like a traditional folder and/or something for protection and most important how much he is wants to spend. For protection a small three inch NA 22 mini-gun will beat a 12 inch blade anyday.
I have tried to share my interest in knives with others over the years. I figure I have given out $3000 in knives as gifts. Many younger people never have had anyone to share this knowledge - their parents may have been from the flower woodstock era. As Chris Reeves says "Think twice - cut once". In fact I just obtain some pocket knives from Shrade that just went out of business to give to the right people who have never thought of carrying a pocket knife. A side benifit is that most knife lovers will also like guns.
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Very informative comments, Bill and Dave. Thank you.
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I was going to stay out of this, but here's my carry Knife
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/rhedley/Mycarry004.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/rhedley/Mycarry006.jpg)
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RJ I haven't had the pleasure. That knife shows what I have thought about you from reading all of the posts - down to earth, and it you use something it better be functional.
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Automatic knives are not legal in US. It is a federal law. Never take a knife to a gun fight!!! HAHA Tom
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Thanks guys.
I asked for the education and I’m sure getting one.
Extremely informative.
Billmack
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Billmack:
If you ask a question around here you are probably going to receive a thoughtful and constructive answer delivered in a civil tone of voice. There is a varied wealth of collective experience represented by the members of this forum. And the Administrator, thankfully, has a low tolerance for "trolls." All in all, in my not-so-humble opinion, this is the best forum of its type which I have found on the Internet. I rarely visit any others these days.
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Dave,
Thanks for saying so, and as I haven't had the chance to say so yet, welcome to the forum.
While I have no personal experience with Chris Reeve's Sebenza or Microtech, I have heard good things about both from people I respect.
I also agree with you that there are some really good liner locks out there, but one has to be really careful to make sure that one is getting one of these good locks. A lot of the advertising hype I see simply doesn't accurately reflect the actual product.
Richard,
I agree with you as well. Lately I am getting somewhat disillusioned with another board we have corresponded on because of an influx of trolls and lack of response from the board's administrators. It is NOT easy to be a moderator or admin, one reason I've never sought out that responsibility.
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Sorry, Tom, but interstate SHIPMENT of automatic knives is illegal.
We lucky dogs in Georgia can own autos, except inside the city
limits of Atlanta. I live outside those limits so I can own as many
as I want. We also have 'shall issue' CCW laws, so all ya'll oughta
move on down heyah, as they say...
Ya'll come now...
Hayword N. Edgewise
Automatic knives are not legal in US. It is a federal law. Never take a knife to a gun fight!!! HAHA Tom
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I believe the law says it is ok to own"collect" but not carry or have one on your person. Tom
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It is ok to "collect" - at least in many states. The tricky thing is if you have to prove you collect. At the large knife "Blade Show" in Georgia there are many factory and handmade autos for sell. I believe it is legal to carry a auto in Oregon - I think that is the home of Benchmade. It is legal to carry a very small auto in California (surprise) but I don't remember the blade size.
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I believe that California has a 2" blade size limit for legal carry. Hence, some manufacturers have created a whole new line of 2" blade, California Legal knives.
Note that many cities have their own blade size limits. State legal may not be legal in your city, or in the township speed trap you are passing through on your way to work.
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I know of people who carry automatic knives in states where they are illegal. I sold the auto I had since I didn't want the temptation - plus you can open many of the knives almost as fast now days anyway. It is fun to play with an auto though.
I don't understand why anyone would take a chance carrying an auto in an illegal state. You never know if you will be searched for some reason. Why give up being able to carry a gun because you were carrying an auto. It would make sense that a person having a carry permit for a handgun could carry an auto knife - go figure.
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In Florida, we have Concealed Weapon or Firearm permit/ license..I guess that covers anything..
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Interesting thread. Most of the gun guys I know are also knife people. Guess that's why the "Gun & Knife Shows" are so popular here in Michigan.
I have a modest collection - accumulation, really, of knives. Mostly folders because that's what I can carry in an urban setting.
Over time, I've accumulated a fair number of good quality production blades. I've found ATS-34, ATS-55, Aus-6, and Aus-8 are the most durable steels, and the easiest to keep sharp. Spyderco (http://spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/) and A G.Russell Knives (http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/knife_encyclopedia/articles/steel.html) have good charts of the various knife-making steels. You don't need a degree in metalurgy, but it helps!
Even after buying the knife I carry - a Spyderco Delica - I continued to buy other, more expensive knives. The store owner told me when I bought that Delica (AUS-8 steel) that I wouldn't be coming back to his store because I just bought the best carrying knife, period. He was almost right. Russell keeps sending those great catalogues and occasionally I bite on a new concept, easy opening, greatest-knife-to-slice-bread-with. After a few days I aways go back to the Spyderco Delica.
I finally bought a second Delica with detachable pocket clip (my original one has a molded-in clip) and made from ATS-55 steel. The original is still fine, but I bought an EdgePro sharpening system from Ben Dale in Hood River, OR.
http://www.edgeproinc.com/
Mr. Dale demonstrated his system to me by sharpening my AUS-8 Delica. It's now one of my treasures and only comes out of the box when I want to shave the hair off my arm! ;D
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RJ:
"Concealed Weapon ... " permit may not allow that weapon to be an automatic knife in many states - don't know about Florida.
sslater:
The best knife to carry is the one you actually carry. Because of my work environment at work I carry a small folder. Most of the people I work with are die hard liberals. If I would open a tactical with a four inch blade, the ones that didn't faint would jump back as if I drew a three foot sword. I am mainly into handmade custom traditional slipjoint pocket knives - usually between 3 and four inches closed - this can get very expensive. If you think people think your crazy spending a $1000 on an R9S - just think how crazy they think you are to carry a $1000 pocket knife. I do at times though slip a Microtech tatical into my back pocket by my wallet when not at work.
Now sharpening is another story. Every knife I own is carried and used. I know people who have knife collections worth many thousands and no quality sharpening equipment - mainly because most of those knives are never used. I have stones (natural, diamond, ceramic), and I use two 8 in. ceramic stones (fine and ultra-fine) for most of my sharpening. Sharpening is a learned skill and after years I'm still learning. All of my knives are hair shaving sharp. Ceramic V rods do an excellent job and would serve most people.
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Memories of Your Dad's or Grandpa's Pocket Knife!!!
I have found that very few people carry a knife if their father never did. My dad carried the same pocket knife for 40 years - a 3.5 inch closed Case barlow with a bone handle he carved his entials into. I have many pleasant memories of my dad using that well worn knife, for they are snap shots of my dad's life with me. I finally figured out the reason I never could find that perfect knife and would jump to another. It is because the perfect knife didn't exist. What I was really doing was trying to find a knife that I had as much attachment to as my dad did for that Case.
A few times I gave my dad expensive pocket knives when I got older. But the next time he needed to use a knife out came that old Case. Well Dad lost that knife. I'm hoping somehow, someday, it will be found for it is the only thing of my dad's I would want that would mean the most to me. So he started using a Ivory handled knife I gave him but it was easy to tell he missed his friend.
So in conclusion the reason I can never find that perfect pocket knife is because I really was searching for my childhood with my father. That only exists in my memories.
Does anyone else have such memories of a knife owned and used my someone special???
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Personally, I just carry a "superknife" -- not that it'd be any good in defense, but it's pretty nice for chores.
Brad
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MountainMan:
I identified fully with your story about your father's Case Barlow pocket knife. For me, it was my father's Winchester 1906-model pump-action .22, which was stolen while I was working overseas. I shall be trying to find that rifle until the day I die.
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Even after buying the knife I carry - a Spyderco Delica - I continued to buy other, more expensive knives. The store owner told me when I bought that Delica (AUS-8 steel) that I wouldn't be coming back to his store because I just bought the best carrying knife, period.
As a result of doing a custom pocket holster for a Spyderco Delica some time back for a customer, I now have my own and love it. I take it everywhere I go. It's easy and quick to use and maintains a good edge.
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(http://www.viewonline.com/pages/articles/images/blurs.jpg)(http://www.viewonline.com/pages/articles/images/blursred.jpg)
(http://www.knife-depot.com/images/product/4_11235.jpg)(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-6/246559/KershawinMotion.JPG)
The Speedsafe assisted-opening system assists the user to smoothly open the knife with a manual push on the blade's thumb stud. Legally this is not a switch blade or gravity knife with a button on the handle. This knife requires a small push on the blade (on the thumb stud) to overcome resistant from the torsion bar, then the torsion bar springs the blade open.
http://www.kershawknives.com
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Actually, Tom, automatic knives ARE legal under federal law. In the entire U.S. Code, there is only about one section (2-3 paragraphs) about switchblades. It is a violation of federal law to (a) possess one on any Indian reservation, (b) Possess one in any U. S. Territory (e.g., Guam), and (c) ship one through interstate commerce. It's left up to each state to determine legality locally. Here in Florida, there is no mention of auto knives anywhere in the statute books. ;D I often carry a Benchmade Mel Pardue 4" auto with my gun. (It's legal in Florida if you have a CCW license.) I really feel sorry for you guys who live in "3" states"! :-[ I often carry a Nealy 5" Kinzhal upside down hanging from the inside breast pocket of my suit.
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Actually, Tom, automatic knives ARE legal under federal law. In the entire U.S. Code, there is only about one section (2-3 paragraphs) about switchblades. It is a violation of federal law to (a) possess one on any Indian reservation, (b) Possess one in any U. S. Territory (e.g., Guam), and (c) ship one through interstate commerce. It's left up to each state to determine legality locally. Here in Florida, there is no mention of auto knives anywhere in the statute books. ;D I often carry a Benchmade Mel Pardue 4" auto with my gun. (It's legal in Florida if you have a CCW license.) I really feel sorry for you guys who live in "3" states"! :-[ I often carry a Nealy 5" Kinzhal upside down hanging from the inside breast pocket of my suit.
I now feel very inadequate "knife wise".. :-[
In Mi our CCW does not include knives..
Would I be able to go "auto" on a visit?? ;)
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Automatic knives cannot be shipped by US mail. But they are not illegal per se under federal law. In Michigan where I live they are illegal, but the laws regarding them varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
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RJ,
As Crocodile Dundee would say, " Now THAT's a knive!" Was the original shape from an Army mess kit? I know I've seen that handle shape somewhere before. Like they say, form follows function. Great job on the perfect sheath.
Mike
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The knife is a Mess Kit Knife, I just re-shaped the blade a bit. It has very good steel, holds an edge..