Any knife nuts here in Outdoor Life?

[Brucie Kibbutz]

I figured there might be some hunters or anglers here that like knives. Added a Benchmade Mini Skirmish to my small collection today and I would say it is the nicest knife I've had so far. It will definitely be my EDC for a good while. The other two knives are Benchmade 710 and a Spyderco Paramilitary, which have also been top notch hard use knives. I use a Spyderco Sharpmaker for honing and I'm experimenting with using an old leather belt as a strop. It really does seem to add that final touch to make it *scary* sharp!

My camera is really old so it doesn't take very good pics but you can at least see what they look like. If any of you have some knives, I'd like to hear what you have or see some pics. :hi:

Mini Skirmish


Paramilitary



710 is on top in this pic. Any time I flick open the big blade on the 710, it really get's people's attention. lol :shrug:



Skirmish/Para comparison

[spin]

1. Benchmade makes some fine knives...

While I've never handled one, I feel you have a great knife in the Mini Skirmish. Many people buy cheap knives and never realize how truly nice a quality knife is.

for everyday carry (EDC) I liked the Benchmade 710 McHenry Williams folding knife with the almost indestructible axis lock until I retired.



After I retired (and I no longer had to deal with managers and other idiots), I decided to try a fixed blade knife for EDC. I like to use a knife for tasks such as food prep and a folding knife is harder to clean so as to eliminate bacteria.

I found a couple I liked.

The Benchmade Fixed Resistor with a 3.4 inch blade length. (no longer in production)



The RAT Cutlery RC-3 with a 3 7/8 inch blade and an excellent sheath which has many carry options.


note: this knife comes in different colors as shown below:


For most of my daily uses of a knife, I like a plain edged bade rather than a combo edge with some serrations. However, there are times a serrated blade comes in handy. Therefore, I also carry a Spyderco Endura folding knife with a fully serrated edge:


I am fortunate to live in Florida and since I have a Florida Concealed Weapons permit, I can carry any type of knife (including auto knives) that I want to. Unlike concealed firearms permits from many states, the Florida permit is a weapons permit. I'm not a fan of auto knives although I do own one as part of my collection.

In the rural area I live in, I have no problems and attract no attention carrying the Benchmade Resitor or the RC-3 openly on my belt. I usually conceal these weapons when I am in a large urban area.

I like knives and knife collecting, but I don't carry a knife as a weapon. I carry a firearm for that purpose. A knife is far more useful for slicing a tomato or opening a cardboard box than a .38 snub nosed revolver.

I also use a Spyderco Sharpmaker and strop at the end of the sharpening process. Out of curiosity I decided to buy a knife with a convex edge which you strop to get a sharp edge. I choose to buy a Bark River Bravo-1. This knife really impresses me and is surprising easy to sharpen with a strop. It is however, a little too large and thick to carry for EDC. The overall length is 9.065 Inches with a 4.250 Inch blade. The knife has a very thick blade at. 215 Inch. Bark River plans to produce a slightly smaller version, the Gunny, which might be a perfect fixed blade for my purpose.



To sharpen the Bravo-1 I use a strop and compound from Bark River:


Another idea for stropping a knife after you used the Sharpmaker is to use the cardboard back of a legal pad.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

2. I gotta try one of those Bark River knives.

People that have them sure do seem to like them a lot. The RC-3 looks great too. There's just so many knives but only so much $ that I can afford to spend on them. :crazy: I'm definitely going to get the strop and compound like you posted. You might have already seen the tutorial for convex sharpening but if you haven't... http://www.knivesshipfree.com/p4/Sharpening-Videos/pages.html The 710 is an awesome knife. I missed out on the limited run of them with CPM M4 steel. http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmade710featurescpm4steelfoliagegreeng10orgreenmicartahandlesknifeworksexclusivereaddetails.aspx

I ordered a Griptilian and it's supposed to arrive here sometime today. It's got the hollow ground sheep foot blade profile: http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmadegriptilianblacknorylgtxhandleplainedge.aspx

Still want to get a Delica and Endura like yours but probably a combo edge. The ones with G10 handles are nice but they're expensive! More than most Benchmades with G10. The stuff that Snody has done with Benchmade, such as your fixed blade, looks good too. I really like some of the folders he designed such as the HK 14205. That may very well be my next knife. http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=7966 After using the AXIS lock knives it's hard for me to choose anything else for a folding knife. They made a brilliant move by buying the exclusive rights to that.

I like to shoot but I'm more of a knife dork. I do want to get a .357 revolver some time this year though. Probably a GP100. All I have right now is a 30 year old SIG P6 9mm. It's been flawless so far and it's more accurate than I am so I can't complain too much.

[spin]

3. A .357 revolver is an excellent purchase...

as it can fire .38 special and .357 rounds. You can fire a broad range of ammo from target to hunting loads.

The GP100 is a fine very durable firearm. I also like S&W revolvers. The Ruger is more sturdy, the S&W usually has the better trigger pull.

By the way (as you probably are aware) knivesshipfree.com and newgraham.com are excellent dealers.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

4. Exactly what I had in mind.

I would probably shoot mostly .38spl and just practice with some .357mag enough to stay used to the recoil and muzzle blast. Keep the magnum loads in it for home defense.

It's a ways off down the road for now so I might just end up getting the Smith 686. It's certainly the better looking gun but I don't like the internal locks on them.

I've had nothing but great service -and prices- from New Graham. Problem is, Benchmade is only selling their knives direct to their authorized dealers as of Jan. 1. No more sales to distributors and that is how NGK was getting their Benchmades anyway so once they run out of a model, you have to go somewhere else to get it. I think NGK and Benchmade have locked horns before over the prices their knives were being sold at. NGK had to be selling enough to be one of the top dealers in the nation (just a guess on my part) but the brick and mortar stores couldn't compete with those prices so no more wholesale prices for Benchmades. :cry: It had to be more than just price,though, because they have a very nice store just for knives there next to the pharmacy.

I'll still use them to buy Spyderco stuff but Knife Works seems like a good store. My first knife from there just showed up here a few minutes ago, in fact. :woohoo: They're supposed to have over $175,000 in Benchmade inventory alone. Knives Ship Free gets a lot of good publicity on the knife forums so I'll probably order from them as well.

[spin]

6. It's a shame that Benchmade made

that decision. This will drive the price of Benchmade knives up considerably. Higher priced knives in the middle of a recession might be a real bad idea for the manufacturer.

I've dealt with Knives Ship Free and found them top notch.

I own two S&W 686 revolvers, a four inch and a six inch. Both are very accurate. The four inch has the internal lock as do several of my other revolvers. I have never experience any problems but I'm not fond of the lock.

You might look for a used S&W without the lock. Many used firearms have only had a box or two of ammo run through them. If the weapon was properly cared for it will be just like new in the box. My six inch 686 has been one of my favorite firearms and I would conservatively estimate that I've run 15,000 to 20,000 rounds through the barrel without any loss of accuracy or any problems.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

7. They seem to think it won't change things much...

Benchmade, that is. Seems to me like there will be a much smaller supply of their knives on the market so I don't see how prices won't go up for the ones that are in stock.

They were talking about it at the forum:

http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/638106573/m/7471098716

If they go up near MSRP, they can forget it. I'll be happy to buy Spyderco instead.

BTW, thanks for the gun info. :fistbump:

[spin]

8. I've found my Spyderco knives to be just as nice as

my Benchmades. I am very fond of the axis lock, but a Spderco lock up tight.

Spyderco makes a few fixed blades. I own one they stopped making, the Kumo:



It's made from VG10 steel, has a 4 1/8 blade and

The handle is wrapped with epoxy-saturated cord over an undercoat of pebbly black stingray skin that has a silver Spyderco bug Menuki peeking through the wrapping.
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=194

[Brucie Kibbutz]

9. That's one of *those* kinds of knives...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01NHcTM5IA4 :headbang:

I'm real impressed with my Para. The blade action was stiff at first but it's loosened up. It's not as good as my 710 but it's close enough that I can easily open and close it with one hand. Locks up solid, too. If I ever lost it, I'd go buy another one. Love the full size handle with the short blade.

I like this JD Smith knife they're doing a short run of. http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36785

The only thing I don't like is they outsource so much of their manufacturing to Japan, Taiwan and China. I'd like to see them bring some of that work back here to the US. They still make some good ones in Colorado so I'll just have to buy one of those for each of the Japanese knives I buy. Not going to buy those from China or Taiwan though.

[spin]

10. The JD Smith is a good looking knife...

I've considered buying a Spyderco Street Beat fixed blade.


I own a Bill Moran drop point fixed blade and found it to be a great knife. I really like VG-10 steel. It's fairly easy to sharpen with the Spyderco Sharpmaker and holds the edge for a good while.



Since I retired and my 401K turned into a 201K with the recession, I've had to back off from buying knives as often.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

11. Something like the Street Beat

or the RAT RC-3 is probably what I would get. Kevin Wilkins makes some cool looking fixed blades as well as folders.









He makes some aftermarket grips for the Griptilian that look fantastic but they're very expensive.







Spyderco is making a production version of his "Leaf Storm" knife. Sal said it will be in G10 and it might be out first half of 2009.

This is the Wilkins custom version:









Here's his website if you want to look it over. http://www.wilkins-knives.com/start_e.html

Oh,BTW, last time I talked to my mother she said her 401k is worth about half what it was this time last year. Working folks don't have a chance in this world anymore. It was all part of the plan, IMO.

[spin]

13. Beautiful knifes...

and the aftermarket scales make the Griptilian look very classy.

Yes, I too have wondered if the politics of fear have been used to push an agenda by the truly rich and powerful. If you had the money and were informed enough to pull it out the market at the beginning of this "recession", you would be in a position to make a fortune when the market goes up again.

But sometimes it's a bad idea to look for a conspiracy when the situation can be explained by sheer stupidity. We did have eight years of a clueless administration and little or no regulation over the financial markets.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

16. I'm not so sure they were as clueless as they were just plain

evil. Those sons of bitches hate a working man or woman or anyone that's not just like they are, for that matter.

It is encouraging to come here and see some gun and knife enthusiasts that have liberal/progressive values so not all hope is lost, I think.

BTW, the ultra fine rods for the Sharpmaker really put a nice polish on the Para's S30V blade. It's not quite as fine as that brand new factory Spyderco edge but it's pretty damn sharp.

[spin]

17. I have both the ultra fine rods and the diamond rods...

the ultra fine rods do indeed put a fine polish on the edge. I've only used the diamond rods a couple of times on knives in very bad shape. The results were also good. I read threads on knife forums where sandpaper was attached to the rods with binder clips or elastic bands. Have never tried this approach myself.

It would be nice if Obama would set up a web site to gather comments from citizens on the stimulus package. I don't believe Congress feels that the average person has the intelligence to come up with ideas that might help solve the problem, but they might be surprised.

As far as gun and knife enthusiasts holding progressive or liberal views, a journey to the gun section of this forum, often called the Gungeon is eyeopening. Many Democrats are strong gun rights supporters. Much depends on the area of the country you live in. Democrats in the liberal urban areas of the country such as New York, Chicago or San Fransisco are often very anti-gun. In other areas such as Florida, you will find a large number of pro-gun Democrats.

I lived in the Tampa Bay area for over 35 years and most of my co-workers and friends were gun owners and many had concealed carry permits. Now I live in a more rural area of north Florida. During the recent election campaign, I received a call from my local state representative urging me to vote to return him to office. I was told, "You know that we need to protect our firearm rights in Florida and this man will work to protect them." In fact the candidate had a high "A" rating from the NRA. Of course, he got my vote.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

18. I think we've read some of the same discussions about

the Sharpmaker. I've been meaning to get some really fine grit sandpaper and use it to polish like you mentioned.

I have the diamond rods as well. Didn't have much luck using them on a D2 blade but they seem to be working well on the 154CM blade that needed some back beveling. The factory edge on my Spyderco was perfect for honing on the medium and fine rods at 30 degrees.

Oh, BTW, I found a really good store for Spyderco: www.yourcornerstore.com Their prices are around $20 cheaper than New Graham for stuff like the G10 handle Delica and Endura.

This guy, "nutnfancy" on youtube does knife reviews and says he gets a lot of Spydercos there. http://www.youtube.com/user/nutnfancy

Another good one is "cutlerylover". He does a bunch of knife reviews too. http://www.youtube.com/user/cutlerylover

[spin]

19. Thanks for the links...

I've watched cutlerlover's reviews before. I don't believe I ever watched any reviews by nutnfancy. I'll enjoy watching them.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

20. nutnfancy is quite the character, IMO.

Look for his sniper training video. He's running around out in the wilderness somewhere with a ghillie suit on "engaging the enemy". :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVlLTxt4CFw

He likes to talk about his "tactical philosophy" a little too much but he always gets around to pointing out some interesting things about his knives.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

5. New Blade 550HG Griptilian

I got a pair of ultra fine sharpening rods for the Sharpmaker as well. They're supposed to put a pretty sharp edge on a blade. Time to see just how well they work... :freak:

[Brucie Kibbutz]

33. better Griptilian pics

[Brucie Kibbutz]

12. Desktop quality Benchmade 520 pics.

I got these off a Russian gun and knife forum. This thread in particular...

http://talks.guns.ru/forummessage/64/115794.html

[spin]

14. Top notch photography! (n/t)

[Brucie Kibbutz]

15. Stunning collection of Benchmade BaliSongs

Not mine, but I sure wish they were. :wow:

[tburnsten]

21. Anyone have Schrade/S&W OTF?

How are they? I ordered one, haven't gotten it yet, but it looks like a neat entry into the OTF field for me. Pretty cheap, $31, are they reasonably durable and well-made, or should I expect to save up for a Benchmade OTF?

[Brucie Kibbutz]

22. I don't have any experience with autos.

That's a good looking knife, though. Especially for $31! Congrats!

[tburnsten]

23. I've wanted an OTF since I had a folder close on me in high school

That sucked, three stitches, still can't really feel much on the outside of that finger, awful. This one looks like it is pretty solid, doesn't look too cheap or gimmicky, but at the same time I really, really want a Benchmade Infidel. I just can't justify paying $400 for a knife that I will just use for everyday purposes. Right now I've got an SOG Flash II assisted opener that I like quite a bit, it seems solid, I like the locking mechanism, and it is very light.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

24. Have you looked at

the Axis lock autos from Benchmade? It's a strong lock. I would be surprised if any of mine failed. The Auto Presidio is what I would get.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9MXrV5GnXg&feature=PlayList&p=4EF1CA080A6C47FE&index=17

For the cost of the Infidel, you could also get a Microtech. I've never had one but it's my understanding they make some really good knives.

http://www.notyourmamasknives.com/Manufacturers/Microtech

If I was going to spend $400 it would have to be a Strider or Sebenza.

[spin]

26. I own a Schrade OTF assisted knife...

I bought it mostly out of curiosity to add to my small knife collection.

I keep it on a stand next to my computer table and use it mostly as a letter opener.

For an inexpensive knife it's well made, sturdy and sharp. The knife is a little tricky to open. First I have to release the stiff safety on the side of the knife (if engaged). I then hold the knife in my right hand with my thumb near the glass breaker and trip the mechanism with my thumb.

I find I my Benchmade 710 axis lock faster to open and I feel more confident with the locking mechanism. I can open the Benchmade almost as fast as a OTF auto knife and it has a more useful blade for everyday use.



OTF auto knives are interesting but a good one will cost a small fortune. My son in law is fond of auto knives and carries one as his edc. (Since we live in Florida and have concealed weapons permits we can carry "switchblades" if we want). This is not true in all states as many states will allow you to carry a firearm concealed with a license, but will hassle you for an auto knife.)

My son in law is tough on his auto knife and uses it for everything including stripping and cutting electrical wire. For that reason he carries a cheap Micotech knockoff, but he has had few problems with it over the five years he's owned it. He did manage to break the tip once when prying but was able to use a grinder to restore it. He has also disassembled the knife several times when he managed to gum up the internal mechanism. Fortunately he's mechanically adept.

The cheap knife he owns is a clone of the Microtech Scarab and costs about $65. (Note different runs of this knife vary considerably in quality.) One web site that sells this knife is at http://www.directknifesales.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=70. I have never dealt with this dealer and my son in law bought his knife at a Florida flea market.




Miccotech Scarab (for comparison)
Price approx $450

My daughter who also has a concealed carry permit likes a cheap OTF single action auto knife. She usually carries this knife in her purse and uses it for light tasks. This knife is unsafe in the wrong hands as it will fire very easily. A friend who was a police officer noticed it laying on a table and out of curiosity picked it up and started playing with it. The result was a nasty cut when he pressed the firing button. If you carried this blade in your pants pocket, you might bump an object and have an accidental discharge.



I find out OTF knives interesting and fun to play with. For general everyday use, I prefer a quality Benchmade or Spyderco folding blade. Since I've retired I usually carry a Spyderco Endura with a fully serrated edge and a RAT Cutlery RC-3 fixed blade. I use the Spyderco for the tough jobs and the fixed blade RC-3 for food prep. (Fixed blades are easier to clean since there is no internal mechanism. Safer for food prep.





A lot depends on what you want to use your knife for. A folding knife is an excellent all purpose knife. A fixed blade is also all purpose but not quite as easy to carry. An assisted action folder is a neat knife, but with practice, a thumb hole or stud on the blade of a regular folder will allow you to open the knife just as fast.

To me, OTF assisted opening knives and auto knives are toys to play with and impress your friends.

If you plan on carrying a knife for self defense, your best choice is a fixed blade with a blade between 3 and 4 inches. A firearm is a better choice if you can legally carry it.

Be sure to check your local laws before you decide to buy either a assisted opening or auto OTF knife.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

29. I'd like to have an auto.

I just don't have the credentials for it. :cry:

You are right that the 710 deploys lightning fast. It really is a great design.

BTW, Benchmade is coming out with a limited run of the 806 AFCK that they discontinued in 2005. M4 blade steel and Ti liners, I hear. I'm saving up for two.

[tburnsten]

34. Got a permit, have several excellent carry items

and my normal knife is an SOG Flash II, it is an assisted opener but not really any different than a non-assisted opener. I mostly want an OTF for the curiousity factor, never had one before, and I love little mechanical objects. Probably the biggest reason I like firearms so much.

Good advice, I'll see if I can find one of these. How would you rate the Schrade against the Scarab knockoff your son has?

[spin]

40. The Scarab knockoff is way cooler...

as it is double action.

Far easier to fire and a lot of fun to play with. (Most switchblade owners I've known seem to enjoy sitting around opening and closing their knives.)

[benEzra]

25. I'm a latent knife fan...

as in, I own a couple, but can't afford to own many, or own really nice ones, but I might someday.

My wife did get me a Gil Hibben "artsy" knife for Christmas once (Silver Shadow), and I have a little Gerber folder and a Victorinox do-everything knive that are my EDC's. Nothing as nice as what's posted upthread, though.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

28. The sickness will take hold, eventually.

It always does. You will have a drawer full of them before long :crazy:

[Brucie Kibbutz]

27. New member of the family: HK14205 + a new camera!

Got this last week. HK14205 manufactured for Heckler & Koch by Benchmade. It is built like a tank! The steel liners and the blade tang are about twice as thick as my other knives.

The camera is a Canon A590IS. It's very much an entry level point and shoot but for $100, I'm pleased with the image quality.

[spin]

30. The camera really does a good job...

Nice looking knife and the Sig looks good too.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

31. thanks

I'm thinking about getting the slide refinished in black Cera-Hide. Maybe new sights as well.

http://www.ccrrefinishing.com/hg.htm

[spin]

32. Cera-Hide looks like a durable coating...

should make the weapon look great.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

35. Starting to get the hang of picture taking.

I made a light box so I could take some detailed pics indoors:



Here's some I took of the Mini Skirmish:

[spin]

36. All I can say is, "WOW!!!"

Great pictures.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

38. Thanks!

[spin]

37. Just got a new Bark River fixed blade...

The Classic Lite Hunter. It has a 4" stainless blade and weights only 3.8 ounces. Should be a great EDC.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

39. Nice!

You got yourself another Crocodile Dundee knife! I like it!

[spin]

42. self delete (replied to wrong post)

[Uben]

41. I have a bunch of knives.......

.....but they are all inherited from my dad. Nothing spectacular, just a bunch of old Cases, Uncle Henry, Schrades, Queens, and Brownings. There are a couple of WWII German knives in the lot and a bayonette that was my great grandads from one of the world wars. He collected everything, so I have 19 guns, including an 1887 Colt .44-40 six-shooter with stag handles. He bought it from my great uncle in 1960 for $50 and it came with the handtooled leather, quick-draw holster he had made for it. Trouble is, my great uncle weighed about 370 lbs, so I could fit about three of me in the darn thing! There is also a collection of arrowheads, around 1500 of them that we found back in the sixties. Hunting arrowheads didn't cost anything, so we did that a lot.

[SteveM]

43. Oh, I feel so inadequate...

I don't have any pictures of my old el cheapo Schrade Walden fix blade. Just as well. I've abused it by splitting the aiche bone of many deer with it (using an appropriate hammer -- like a rock). Nevertheless, after 45 years, it still does the job (I can easily split the rib cage of a deer). I use a Gerber locking blade to skin and do close work -- a very good knife for under $30.

Incidentally, I have a Ruger Police Service-Six (forerunner to the GP100) in .357. I changed the wooden grips to Hogue rubber grips and can now shoot full-house .357s without fracturing a hand (the guns can shoot 'em all day, however). Good, durable, accurate revolver -- and you can break it down and clean it yourself with few if any tools.