looking for a new knife.

[MoeMag]

I used to stock Cold Steel at my shop... and I got to say their stuff just feels cheap.

Sorry.

[DeTrevni]

https://www.eknifeworks.com

Amazing prices, HUGE selection, reliable, I highly recommend them.

As for which one, I'm quite partial to Boker and Case. For affordability, Gerbers are nice.

Rough Rider is Smoky Mountain Knife Works' (eknifeworks) house brand. They're cheap as sin, but quite decent knives. Stay away from Frost Cutlery, period, but their sister company, Hen and Rooster are quite nice. Good luck!

[Will Wood]

Ka-bar

[wetwrks]

Spyderco. It is what a lot of the police carry.

[drg]

I can't believe it took that long for someone to say Spyderco. Honestly you can't get much better quality out of mass-produced knives than spydercos, plus they are real workers.

My current EDC knife is actually an Atwood Skeeter, tiny little fixed blade, but I would really recommend a folder for your uses.

Former/alternate carry knives include a Spyderco Manix (which is too large for most people), a Spyderco Endura (again a tad large) and an Emerson CQC-10 which I "lost" in some baggage at the airport (I loved that knife but don't really recommend it as a utility/user).

I also have a Spyderco mini Persian, which would make a great carrier/user knife if you like the style. I used to have a Spyderco Viele, which is a sweet looking knife but unfortunately is not very well suited as a user due to its shape/design.

For Spydercos, I'd recommend looking at a Delica (GREAT value), Native (available at some Wal-marts!) or Caly3 if you can afford it (IMO close to the perfect pocket knife). Or maybe even one of the smaller knives like the Cricket if it really is going to be used a lot for cutting boxes (short blade with hook works very well for that purpose).

Benchmades are terriffic knives that are commonly available. I'd recommend something like a mini Griptilian or mini AFCK if you can afford it.

I'd go with either Spyderco or Benchmade before Gerber, SOG, Kershaw (although they do made some sweet knives, this is personal preference; they don't really do "hard" use knives), CRKT, etc.

How about a Swiss Army Knife? Those are terrific users. Not very tacti-cool though.

Perhaps a Leatherman such as a Wave?

I have a few comments on blade steels, but I'll get into them later.

See anything you like above? I can recommend a bunch more depending on what catches your eye.

Oh and make sure you know your local knife carry laws. And think long and hard about a knife as a self-defense tool.

[behemoth]

I got funny looks when i pulled out my italian stiletto switchblade to open boxes and cut ropes. so i bought a kershaw

They're nice knives.

[Paint-Fool]

I know it's already been mentioned but Spyderco is a damn good knife. I have two currently and both are excellent! I've used them for purposes they weren't intended for like prying and the back of the blade as a screwdriver. I wouldn't recommend this though lol One is a Delica and the other is an older model but it doesn't say the name.

I also have several Kershaws and they are very tough and razor sharp out of the box. I wish I could sharpen a knife like they do. Heck I suck at sharpening a knife. Maybe I'll learn the proper method someday.

Cold Steel are also excellent. I currently have a full size Voyager and the mini Voyager. The full size is freaking huge though. I've also done the prying thing with them and so far so good.

I would stay away from Gerber. The quality seems to be lacking in the past few years. I picked one up at Bass Pro about a year. Got home and really looked it over and found out it wasn't made in the USA. I think it was China or Taiwan!

[Will Wood]

Can you sharpen utility knives the same way you sharpen kitchen knives? Or does the difference between cutting food and other stuff need a different method?

Because sharpening isn't that hard IMO. Me having worked in kitchens for years and years it's easy, but it doesn't take long to do. It's all about the angle.

[DeTrevni]

I love stilettos, but traditionally designed ones (Kissing Crane) are useless without a spring. The long, thin blade is cumbersome to use, and difficult to open quickly. They are useless in self-defense for that reason. Since the blade is long and thin, I don't see it making a very good utility knife either. I've got one, and I love it, but I've got no reason to carry it.

I personally prefer quality butterfly knives, (read: Benchmade or Cold Steel). A properly balanced butterfly is good for everything, provided you know how to use it properly, and aren't just some punk who thinks they are cool. Heck, if they're balanced right, they even make good throwers.

Too bad they're illegal to carry. Man, the Switchblade Act of 1956 is useles...

[drg]

Can you sharpen utility knives the same way you sharpen kitchen knives? Or does the difference between cutting food and other stuff need a different method?

Because sharpening isn't that hard IMO. Me having worked in kitchens for years and years it's easy, but it doesn't take long to do. It's all about the angle.

It depends what you mean by "sharpen" ... The general answer is yes, most knife care that applies to kitchen knives can be applied to pocket knives. But many people use somewhat different approaches with pocket knives.

With a kitchen knife, most of the time you are just steeling it, which is a quick way to realign the edge on a relatively large blade. You can steel a pocket knife but many people prefer to strop or hone with a fine stone. There is some disagreement over the efficacy of steeling vs stropping for edge maintenance.

Real sharpening is done with stones, sandpaper or similar material and is the same between kitchen knives and pocket knives.

[Target Practice]

I've got nothing but Benchmades after havin nothing but Kershaws and I'm more happy with the Benchmades.

[maxama10]

I have a similar CRKT to the one above, its a great knife and i love having a knob on the back that lets me flip it open quick. (not spring loaded)

Unfortunately the screw backed out and it still works but not as well. I just leave it in my truck for back up.


I love my Benchmade, hands down. Expensive but very much worth it.

Also, my Gerber is a good knife.


Or get a giant ka-bar and get that attitude of don't mess with me buddy or I'll chop your freakin' arm off!

I keep one of those under my seat in my truck.


Edit: Look into the <b>Boker</b> knives. I've never owned one but I have heard good things about them and I still want one.

[Steelrat]

Spyderco. It is what a lot of the police carry.

+1, Spyderco knives are good. I prefer Microtech, but they are very expensive, and honestly a lot more than what you need. Work just issued me a Smith and Wesson knife, it's not bad, but compared to the microtech...meh.

[AirAssault]

Spyderco. It is what a lot of the police carry.

Wow it took 19 posts for someone to put what IMHO is the best knife. They have many slim boot style knives that freakin rock. Stupid sharp and Wet is correct, many leo's carry them.

[Draken]

CRKT, Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, and SOG...all very good knives. CRKT are seen in the knife community as a cheap knife and not as well made, but they get the job done. Spyderco...well I don't recommend them much for every day use they are good blades, just very brittle. My daily carry knife is a Benchmade, both of my Kershaws and my SOG just stay in the case anymore...

The biggest thing to finding a knife to carry every day is to go find what fits your hand, and is going to fit your use the best. You don't have to buy the "best" knife out there if its not as comfy as something a little cheaper.

Also, I highly recommend getting a good honing kit if you are going to buy a good knife, I use several stones and have a Lansky kit also, and I could shave right now with any knife (other then collectibles) that's in my case.