Looking for a well made knife

[osan]

I've heard that under scientific scrutiny, the baddest knife geeks on the planet cannot get a super good edge by simply eyeballing it with a whetstone.

That is not true in the least. I can get a knife shaving sharp without fixtures. I do it with the kitchen knives all the time and my wife proceeds to dull them in short order doing things with them I will not repeat here for the shame of it. A sharpening guide certainly makes the job easier, but they are not required. There is a feel that a knife gives when it is being dragged across a stone at the right angle. It just takes practice and a little craft knowledge about how sharp edges are generated.

Knowing how to get a knife goodly sharp by hand is definitely a worthwhile skill to acquire, but there is nothing wrong with using guides and the sort. Spyderco's "triangle sharp maker" actually works VERY well, especially if you have not allowed the blade to become too far gone. Spyderco also makes diamond sleeves for more aggressive removal if an edge is too far gone.

 

[oyarde]

I sharpen all of my fine knives with an Arkansas fine stone that came from a shop in Madison In. , I have half , it cost $4 and my day shift Leadman bought it and broke it in half and gave me half.They will shave hair when done .I sharpen my axes, mauls, tomawawks with files. I have never owned an expensive sharpener , but have seen them, that is just money saved for ammo....

 

[KrokHead]

Looking for a Good Knife

You got a good point, everything hear is talking about their arsenals and hell knows what the gun confiscations occur they may track your IP address and go get them. Saying "knife" is a good starting point.

 

[abacabb]

You got a good point, everything hear is talking about their arsenals and hell knows what the gun confiscations occur they may track your IP address and go get them. Saying "knife" is a good starting point.

Now you're just paranoid.

 

[mortepa]

These are my to three top recommendatioins for an everyday fixed blade for a decent value.

1. Buck 119 - My "value" choice. One of the best bargains out there! You can get it on sale for less than $40 bucks too. Why spend more if you don't need to?
http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3051

2. Ontario Knife Company - Rat 5 or 7 is a great all around knife. Another great bang for the buck knives. RAT5 - $80 RAT7 - $100
http://www.ontarioknife.com/catalog/item/103

3. Cold Steel - The SRK is a great all-around knife from another well known brand. Can get the 6" SRK in san-mai steel if you desire,
which I did. $ 70.00 standard model or San Mai is about $125.00. If you are looking for a little more heft, try the Recon
Scout or even the really hefty Trail Master. Also, there are several hunting models that are excellent too.
They are all excellent. http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/38CSM/SRK_SAN_MAI_III.aspx

Rat Knife Works - Ratmandu would be an awesome knife, perhaps a Rodent 4 or 6. Expect to pay 2-300 bucks or so with a nice sheath, if you can find one. I don't own these, but have always wanted a few from this company. http://swampratknifeworks.com/rodent.html Starting to get into higher end stuff here. If you really want to go all out, take a look at Busse Knives too, but all these knives I consider equally as collectable as they are useful. In other words, I personally would rather have them in my case holding their collector value. LOL

Folding knife preference would be a Benchmade Griptillian. You can custom build them to how you want them, and they will last forever. http://www.benchmade.com/customize/default.aspx

 

[TaftFan]

Thought the title read "wife" at first.....

 

[oyarde]

Thought the title read "wife" at first.....

I have one of those as well.