The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Getting Into Knives

The knife world is incredibly confusing. In this video, I outline many of the mistakes I made in the past, and some simple ways you can avoid doing the same.
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**DISCLAIMER** This channel's content is meant for educational purposes only, and encourages the proper/safe use, handling, and understanding of tools.

[@metal_complex]

My Amazon page! The gear I use here on the channel! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex Thanks so much for watching! You can support my channel on Patreon here - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex

[@roberttaylor6030]

I just started and I'm doing it right the first time. So far I've gone to 12 truck stops and bought 2 of everything, one to use one to never touch. I've got some wild stuff and I gotta think these Pakistani knives are really going to appreciate in value, at least I hope, I think it's going to be my retirement fund.

[@jerrygleeson4780]

55

[@NickShabazz]

I feel called out by this thumbnail 🤣

[@gabrielschenck6847]

Should’ve been a Z hunter lmao

[@714milky]

Sup Nick!

[@kennymason3518]

I love your channel but I am sure you're also guilty of being a steel snob 😂 what with your Praxis review and you trashed 9CR18MOV and then everyone else found out it is comparable to VG10 and similar to 14C28N 😂

[@little2826]

@@kennymason3518 the praxis is a great knife for sure. Certainly not my favorite steel but the price reflects the value and you could do alot worse.

[@marclipska1991]

I mean, if the itty bitty glove fits...

[@maxrez74]

After About 6-7 years being a bit into knives, two years getting more into knives and over one year of self-diagnosed “knife guy” I really appreciate the advice. I “only” have about 20 knives and I really appreciate your daily content and opinions.

[@jky1771]

Dude really said he "only" has 20 knives

[@maxrez74]

@@jky1771 About half of mine are fixed blades that i can’t/don’t EDC, so it feels like I have less, plus some people have “only 50+” (yes I’m trying to justify my small addiction, please don’t help me 😵‍💫)

[@F0XRunner]

Been trying really hard to keep my collection under a dozen, and yeah I'm at 14 knives

[@RexApplegate]

If it's not an impulse buy but a purposeful acquisition, and within a well balanced budget that includes a good retirement investment portfolio, who cares how many it ends up being? Setting shiney object syndrome and being a feature geek completely aside, if you are a historian and/or a maker putting together a reference collection, or if you live an active lifestyle and are a decent cook, 20 knives is simply not very many. I'm an auto mechanic. I own about 70 screwdrivers, and that number isn't excessive. Knives aren't all that different.

[@MotorCityEDC]

This is a straight up addiction for me, at this point. I started my collection about 18 months ago. I'm at 115 knives at this point. I would put a rough figure of $6000-$7000 spent. 95% of purchases worth every penny 👍

[@FlumpW0bbler]

Great video. I’m into balisongs, and a lot/all of this advice fits for that community. Some people are just crazy spending 200% on the secondary instead of waiting another month.

[@TheMillieSmalls]

I have a personal rule that after a new purchase I must carry it exclusively, and wait at least 1 Month before taking it out of my pocket or buying another. It slows down my itching, and gives me time to really get to know the one I just bought. I spent 3 weeks disliking my sebenza 31 and on the 4th week it clicked. I wouldn’t have had the click if I had rushed on to the next

[@earlcox5896]

22:35 Very good video I am in the Autumn of my life over many years I have collected guns of all kinds some generational and very pleasing and believe me I have used them all. I am 71 now a war behind me and a life time of wonders in the woods and a wonderful family and unfortunately a body that is giving way not giving up but giving in. I’ve carried a pocket knife of one kind or another sense I was six. My shoulders can NO longer handle my long rifles and my hands the weight of my pistols so after bumping into your channel and then others. I have now set my visions to the beauty of cold steal. I would like to say thank you for your knowledge and your compassion it shows brother ,I look forward to watching and learning more from you and others as I start a new journey. Blessings

[@manifestgtr]

I have that exact same praxis and it never fails to make me happy. My shamans, etc are great but they’d *better* be great….micarta and high end steels. But the praxis has no business being as good as it is for under $50. Big, well built, comfortable, easy to carry and ridiculously functional…

[@manifestgtr]

@@Old_School69 Yeah for sure. Civivi’s a great option when you wanna carry something nice but don’t feel like breaking out the $400+ big guns.

[@manifestgtr]

@@Old_School69 I gotta get me a qsp. I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about them…just haven’t ever pulled the trigger on one for whatever reason.

[@Deibodese]

Regarding your first point: I had a pretty big realization about life in general a couple of years ago. A big part of the concept of ownership is using what you own. If you’ve got yourself some classic muscle car that you never drive anywhere for fear of getting it damaged or dirty, and all it ever does is sit in a garage under a protective wrap, do you truly have a classic car? For me, the more I like a knife, the more I use it. And the more I get good use out of it, the more I like it. It’s a self-creating thing. I have five or six knives that are in my collection purely because they were gifted to me and I don’t want to be rude by throwing them out. Not one of those knives gives me any tickle of pleasure when I see them or handle them. But the knives I actually carry and use, just looking at them is enough to lighten my mood at least a little. That’s part of the reason I intentionally keep my collection small. I’ve turned down chances to buy knives just to avoid diluting my collection, since I strictly own to use.

[@iceman5117]

There should be only one exception to the "don't buy clones rule," the plastic piece of fisher price crapola that is the bugout. At best, it's a $40 knife

[@msc_2253]

In my 40+ year knife journey, I've only bought two knives I feel that I shouldn't have bought. The first was an Eddie Bauer branded liner-lock knife from Target that I bought 20 or so years ago. I had only had slip joints to that point and thought I would try out a more modern knife with a pocket clip and thumbstud, but it was complete garbage. The second was a Microtech Ultratech i picked-up last year. There's nothing wrong with the knife, it's exactly what it should be, just not for me. I don't like using it as much as most of my other knives and I feel that I spent too much on something that I don't really use. I like the advice in this video - buy what you like.

[@ranger5281]

... then you simply haven't bought enough knives! 😀

[@sueschenosky9079]

Related to the mistake of rushing and trying to collect too much too soon, I overestimated my sharpening abilities and screwed up an expensive Maxamet knife freehand sharpening without putting in enough time on cheaper knives. I now own a KME and will use it for a while and put in the time practicing freehand on cheaper knives before returning to the bench stones.

[@SammTC]

The editing in this was hilarious MC. Top tier 😂

[@Khrenan]

My biggest issue is that most knives are not legal to carry in germany. And as soon as the manufacturers make ONE slipjoint between all their other knives it all of a sudden looks like a grandpa knife that i dont even wanna have. Yes there are some like the UKPK and a handful others but nothing like the AD-10 that just looks rediculous (in a good way). Im not evne talking about Balisongs and such, just linerlock folders are illegal already. People say you can run around with an illegal knife and no one will know anyway but if they find out, they gonna trash your 800€ knife and fine you 800€ -10k€ ontop too. To be on topic, i wasted money on cool knives that i regret not because i hate them but because its illegal for me to carry them. Basicly i bought hundreds of €/$ worth of desktop decoration. 99% of good knives are onehanded locking folders. Im currently trying to slipjoint a 4-max (scout) but i think the play in the lockbar of the triad lock wont allow it that easily. Gonna grind away more on it this weekend prob. If anyone has succeeded in taming a triad lock pls let me know how you did it.

[@TristateEDC]

Covid Compounded that "collecting too quickly" issue for me. I took a Really DEEP dive Last January...next thing I knew, I had a jacked-up credit card bill, and 70 knives. Slowing Down is definitely rule No. 1!

[@danieldewald3713]

"Tanto Karambit Balisong" got me dead

[@GBall_Vision]

I'm weird I bought a benchmade and then bought several more. Bought a Civivi and bought 5 or 6 more. Bought a Spyderco Para3 maxamet and then bought 7 more Spydercos. Spyderco is one of my favorite brands. I just got a pm2 in 20cv with green G10 scales. The spyopera is awesome too. I got the Delica in 20cv. I got both smocks. Manix 2 in bd1n. And a few others. I have a super freek showing up today. I'm waiting at the window for FedEx lol

[@1allspub]

Your comments about steels are spot on. I’ve come to really appreciate the non-stainless tool steels. *Usually, you have to sacrifice so much in way of toughness and edge retention to get a steel to the stainless level, but IME, I’ve found I just don’t require that level of stainless-ness. My 3v, CruWear, M4, Rex 45, and even D2 blades never rust. Worst case scenario is, over time, they *may begin to develop a mild patina... which I find actually kinda cool. But I’ll take the exceptional combination of toughness & edge retention of these non-stainless tool steels at over steels that are forced to sacrifice these attributes in order to get to stainless. MagnaCut is truly an anomaly in this regard (and why it’s so highly regarded). But even its toughness isn’t what 3V’s or CruWear’s is. And it’s edge retention is only “as good” as, say, CruWear or even good D2 (but isn’t as good as M4). Don’t get me wrong, I love the edge retention of M390/20CV/204P, but to be totally honest, it can be kinda chippy. Seems I am always sharpening notches out of blades with those steels. Anyway, I have learned over the years that corrosion resistance is last on my steel checklist, thus I really dig what the non-stainless tool steels bring to the table. Just my 2 cents... YMMV! Great vid!

[@cytherians]

Thanks for making this video. I'm not a serious knife collector, but I've picked up a few nice examples along the way due to great channels like yours that do useful deep dives into knife design and usability. My FAVORITE part is the assessment of what's good and what's not so good. Or as Nick Shabazz likes to say, "the good, the bad, and the ugly." And then, decide if the negatives resonate with me. I've tossed out of consideration many knives that I *almost* bought, but certain negatives from reviewers didn't sit well with me (e.g. Kansept Reedus--small flipper hole and thumb stud).

[@donvietnguyen]

Biggest mistake is getting into knives because it’s an ADDICTION

[@johnkizzlr9071]

I have the Knive Gun and Watch addictions..ugh!!

[@johnkizzlr9071]

@BB omg yep//!😆

[@kaylera1]

@@johnkizzlr9071 Hope you're not into motorcycles! 🤣

[@johnkizzlr9071]

@@kaylera1 Unfortunately I am.. Had a 74 Ironhead I wrecked when the Tripple Chain snapped and locked up th trans hub,, Had a 2012 APC HIgh Roller beautiful bike but leaked oil bad SOld it.. still have a 04 Superglide,, BEst Bike Ive ever owned..and I just Picked up my second Old Corvette.. UGH!! Selling My C3 and Upgraded to a C5

[@johngarza424]

@SK dude for real and as an electrician all the german brand tools are expensive

[@brocksamson4250]

It sucks when you miss something you may have really wanted, but there's always something else that will come along. Always. Really like that Rockstead!

[@brianeaton5258]

It's videos like this that really make this community imo. Just really comfy and supportive. Really enjoy watching your stuff. I only found this channel because I was looking into buying a leatherman surge and you reviewed it. I bought a civi imperium off your review and it makes me so happy just to pick it up and mess with it. Thank you for introducing me to the knife weirdo collective, it feels good.

[@eagles7235]

I know it’s a cheesy line everyone that owns a Surge (myself included) says, but the Surge is King. In the heavyweight MT category, not much can come close to how much versatility it offers for the weight and price. I will say that SOG’s PowerAccess Assist is one to look out for, since it’s not bad either. I own both, and they both are really awesome. Surge actually saved my life, so there’s that too. Sorry for rambling, but welcome to our weird knife world!

[@XrayMike17plus1]

LOL, like buying knives on Amazon... To be fair a lot of people start this way. It's a learning experience.

[@Equinox051256]

I collect fountain pens and have followed this concept of collecting for years. I own pens made in many different countries including Germany, Japan, and China. The value of the pens runs from the very inexpensive to the very expensive and everywhere in between. I never would have collected the variety of pens I have, had I locked myself into a particular brand or country of manufacture. I've applied this same philosophy to collecting knives, of which I have recently begun doing. My knife collection has a very nice cross-section of knives from vintage Buck, Morakniv, Victorinox, along with a mixture of Civivi, Monterey Bay, Kershaw, Gerber, Benchmade and CRKT models. Enjoy your channel very much.

[@pete6705]

As someone who’s just really got into knives in the past few months, I think I made the mistake of buying too fast. I’m embarrassed to say how many I’ve bought in a short period of time. And there are several more I’m itching to buy

[@wellhattedgent4253]

I literally did your final point today about the hinderers. I just got my first one in yesterday after drooling over them for several weeks, I love how they look, I love the customizability, but I opened the box and flipped it and said nope. It ships out to its new home today. I didn’t like the flipper tab and how sharp the jumping is on the xm skinny so maybe if they make an eklipse skinny I’ll get another hinderer. All in all great video 😂

[@bwunger]

Love all the subtitles and overlays in this one. Nicely done!

[@sethadams4856]

Great video. Probably one of my favorite videos of yours I’ve watched. I have fallen for some of these mistakes myself (mostly the collecting too soon and brand loyalty 😂).

[@samurairider5063]

Bravo Metal Complex the video is exactly what a lot of us go through in the knife world and other collecting materials.

[@ryanh6378]

Not realizing that the law of diminishing returns definitely applies to knives. There's definitely tiers where you can get a certain lvl of performance and/or fit and finish. In general when you step up a tier you pay a lot more for something slightly better. I like to stick to a certain price range then venture a bit both above and below that "tier" to see what's out there.

[@jimwalters8657]

I’m so glad I watched this! I’m well acquainted with slip joints, but a total noob to everything else. Lately I’ve purchased two sub $50 dollar flippers (button lock / liner lock) to learn what’s for me. I could see myself making everyone of those mistakes!! I still may (heavy sigh) but at least I’ll know it’s a mistake, before it becomes chronic.

[@Will-W]

I started with 3 spydercos. So many options! And threw in a benchmade aluminum/m4 bailout, am currently diving into Ciwiwi, am glancing at a CRK Large Sebenza that is batting it's eyelashes and smirking at me when we make eye contact...

[@adammunger2288]

Truth bomb starting at 19:30. When you were like “NEAT!” I felt that in my soul 🤣

[@RobNC-OG]

"Putting the Steel above all else" Yes, I can relate to that awful trap. I do like to experience different steels and see how they perform. What I have found is that it can vary a lot, even from the same company using same steel. Out of all the steels I've messed with If I had to pick a favorite it would be 14C28N. Easy to get along with and will get very sharp and hold that for a reasonable amount of time. I've been surprised with 9cr18mov from Civivi also. It's easy to work with also and takes a good edge. Right now my most HATED steel is Magnacut that comes in the form of a Hogue Deka. Worst crap I've ever had the displeasure of dealing with. No amount of sharpening nor tediousness and taking very good care will equal an edge that I deem workable for myself. May be fine for others but just something I hate(Yes, I can sharpen other steels like S30V, 4V, 3V, D2, even junk butter knives, etc. but not this particular one). Kick myself every time I look at the knife. I'm convinced that steel is soft. Even sent it back to Hogue and it came back worse than when it left. Big mistake buying that one.

[@marcmole3727]

Complex I watched part of your video on the ad20.... then I went to demkos site and Instagram. Then I watched it multiple more times. Then I proceeded to watch nearly every video on the ad 20 on KZbin. Then the ad20.5 came out. Then I watched all of those videos..... And I absolutely love it. I haven't bought it but I definitely love it

[@Derpymech]

I've always been ashamed of my gear addiction..... I am glad I've stumbled upon your channel!

[@rodriark]

I’ve only bought one clone, years ago very early on in my relationship with knives. Even then I didn’t buy it thinking it was “just as good” as the knife it was imitating. I bought a gonzo firebird once upon a time because benchmade had discontinued the bedlam and I couldn’t buy the real thing. It was a pale imitation of the genuine article in 440c but for a 20 dollar knife it was centered, the action was smooth enough and the fit and finish was passable. It was enough to let me get an idea of what a genuine Bedlam must be like and to know I wanted one. So years later when the bedlam got revived as an auto and found its way into my local knife shop I snapped it up on sight. Naturally my auto infidel blows the firebird out of the water but I still like the little piece of junk well enough for what it was. After all if I never bought it the real Bedlam probably never would have found it’s way into my collection either.

[@rodriark]

Edited because I’m a dumbass and meant the bedlam. I own both and unlike my infidel that I bought blind & honestly dislike & never use I love my bedlam even though it’s pretty far outside my usual aesthetic.

[@Roscoe_357]

1ST Knife Spyderco Delica 4, Just Got A Spyderco Endura & I'm Waiting On A Manix 2 Lightweight.. 😬

[@mcsquirgle]

Good choices

[@AngryCarMechanic]

I got my first knife on Christmas when I was 8 and it was a Gerber Multi-tool. I just recently bought my first true pocket knife the other day and I got a little $15 S&W pocket knife. I've now recently bought a $100 bowie knife. I'm looking through the options and I'm liking them. I'm looking at getting a Ka-Bar and a Buck 119 Special and Buck 110 here soon. I'll stop there for a bit and maybe keep going to expand into also getting guns.

[@kirkland0074]

Love the Lamella just got it and it feels just like my Shiro for $700-$900 less, thanks MC!!!

[@steverodgers8035]

1Find a steel you like 2find a good lock mechanism 3look at the handle material 4 find a brand that is consistent with all 3 cough cough cold steel engage s35vn atlas lock 900lb max hold

[@jimsheppard910]

Where was this video a year ago when I started my collection? Having asked that question I realized that I have a few ( wish I hadn't bought these knives ) in my collection but I must say that thankfully they are also good little knives that are sharp and will do everything asked of them. I have narrowed it down to Two Sun's which I collect more of but I also just bought the Artisan Cutlery Arion and the Kizer Horn because the itch was there. You sir, have a lot of " knife wisdom " at 34 years of age that some will never acquire. I watch all of your vids a ND learn something from each one. Thankyou for another learning experience. From 🇨🇦...stay safe and sharp.

[@MetalHead1965]

Good tips. I'm a total newbie to knives and just got my first one yesterday which is the Carbon fiber Zero Tolerance 450 flipper. Really gonna take your advise on going slow cause I'm already eyeing like 20 knives lol.

[@davidnalls8628]

That’s such a great knife. One of my favorites.

[@MetalHead1965]

@@davidnalls8628 It is. Still love it.

[@StuRacer78]

I have 2 of the Ti 0450’s, honestly i love it so much i bought the 2nd one so i have a mint one for the collection. The first one i bought as a beater

[@justinwhite1236]

So I am brand new to this knife world. It's a little bit overwhelming lol. I bought a Civivi Praxis and a CRKT fossil. I took the crkt back and got the Kershaw Blur, which I am a lot happier with. But I am loving it. Saving up for that "high end" purchase lol. Great videos btw

[@whalehands]

Your first tip is very well said and thought out. A very overlooked tip.

[@kevinbargmeyer2141]

Great video and good advice MC. Glad to see I'm not the only one getting bit by the knife bug and then wanting to buy everything all at once. I'll have to stop and enjoy the 20 knives I've purchased over the last few months before I buy more lol.

[@invisibleshit8479]

There's always be another "the one" Agree with you there, and also stop watching knife reviewers, they're the reason why you have so many expensive knives laying around unused, and no money on your wallet LOL

[@NickShabazz]

Amen to that.

[@adamgable4346]

Excellent list. Wish this out there like 5 years ago !$$$👍

[@JacquelineBrowning2077]

So true! I purchased the Benchmade bugout because it was trendy, but once I held it my hands, I was not happy with it at all. Felt like a was holding a toy knife in my hand. So now I need to buy aftermarket scales to add a little weight to it. I like a heavy knife because it has a solid feeling and feels like a extension of my arm and hand.

[@iceman5117]

The best Benchmade bugout is the $20 one from wish.

[@TheMillieSmalls]

I don’t get the bugout at all. Completely agree that it feels cheap, and also cheesy and flimsy.

[@shadowcastyt]

16:38 love that slysz Bowie name drop under the breath..... personally still hope to snag one someday (hopefully the knife joy exclusive variant) but there is no way I’m paying the 3rd party prices for it

[@scottrader4593]

Great video! I totally agree with everything that you mentioned.

[@northcode_1229]

Very happy that you have been around all these years sir. Good videos and great information. I believe you help steer the “Knife World” in the right direction. THANK YOU COMPLEX!!

[@harrismahaffey201]

When I heard him say rainbow-coated idiocy I had to pause I was laughing so hard

[@steverodgers8035]

My biggest mistake was buying $100 to $300 dollar knives before I knew what I wanted know I have a $180 edc Spyderco

[@stroudrollyat3708]

Nice. We want a video of you showing us clones of your real higher end knives. I know the thought of spending money on that junk makes your skin crawl, but you should prove the difference in quality. Great video, love your channel!

[@metal_complex]

The problem is that it will end up bringing the clones to the attention of people who don't care one way or another. No matter how insistent I am, and no matter how much proof of quality I offer in favor of the real thing, all I'll REALLY be doing is promoting clones to the bottom feeders. I'd rather not even give them a chance.

[@RippinBlastinSlashin]

Thank you, this helped me so much! I was doing at least half of these things. When you said don't spend too much on the secondary market and pulled out a Shaman, it's like you were talking directly to me! On my other monitor I have a Shaman Micarta in coated M4 that is taunting me on Ebay (BladeHQ exclusive)! Too funny!

[@RippinBlastinSlashin]

Fantastic video, thanks!

[@Daniel.Liddicoat]

My first knife was the KA-BAR fighting knife. Bought it years ago. I liked it, hardly used it. Second knife was the SOG Tech Bowie. Bought it last year. I like it, I will hardly use it. The steel is AUS-8 and I decided to get a better one for use. Third knife was the SOG Pillar in S35VN steel. It's the beater I will use instead of the Tech Bowie. Fourth knife was the ESEE-4 in S35VN steel and orange G10. A knife for life. Bright orange so I wont lose it. Fifth knife I bought was the Survive! Knives GSO-5.1 . I'm getting it eventually... Sixth knife was the SOG Terminus XR in D2. EDC, cheap and fidget. Notice I like the SOG swedge. Seventh knife was the Ontario RAT II in D2. EDC, cheap and I need it. The sickness.

[@adir_i]

I agree with you about everything! I am years in the market and the only one I am looking for after so many is the Marfione Custom Socom Elite DLC Tanto Hellhound (forget about it, looking for this one for years). I don't buy anymore since I many so many of each mistake you mentioned multiple time (lol). I have a very nice and small collection, high end, inspiring and one (currently) is missing.

[@theknifeguy9513]

I see that production quality on the vids going up

[@Pourage_art]

I'm a newb & have a handful of descent budget knives, kershaw, qsp, etc. The beginner mistake I'm trying not to make is buying a blade sharpening system too soon. I haven't handled knives for very long & if I get these thangs razor sharp I'm for sure losing some digits 🔪 👋🏼 😆. Thanks for the content, suuuuuuuper helpful man.

[@craigrj232323]

Fellow knife collector in Kansas. Guilty of all but buying clones. Was hung up on Benchmade and didn't like much else. Got rid of almost all of my early collection. Now collecting lots of other brands. Sadly, I still get on a kick and will buy several of a brand before moving on to another brand.

[@CloudyShinobi]

My advice would be to give spiderco a chance. For so long I was put off by the look of it but it’ll all make perfect sense when you handle it first hand

[@jacobcordero8569]

Definitely don't put too much stock into expensive knives for utility work. I have two knives that are worth over $100 each. They work well, they're plenty sharp and are built well but I also have a $26 SOG that I reach for 9 times out of 10 to cut something. Does the job just as well as my other knives.

[@ChristopherKnN]

Truth!! You buy that beautiful knife with the super steel that can penetrate a tank. Then don't want to scratch it. I'm beating up a $46 Spyderco Tenacious lightweight, and it asks for more. Although I have several knives, l use them, so l guess im not considered a "collector". I don't "collect" firearms or tools either. Just different ones for different jobs.

[@ItsSniccs]

SOGs are some great knives, I recently got a $38 SOG knife

[@TheKnifeRaven]

I am currently dealing with No.7. I want a GEC. But sadly, the only one left is almost twice the price. I still want it though.

[@mychipsnow]

Very well put together and informative video. Thanks

[@andrewhall5264]

Completely nailed it. I need to slow down

[@joshuacuster3356]

My biggest mistake was being a snob about steel. When you’re a beginner and you see other people bashing different steels it makes it hard to get into the knife life.

[@Lancealot3553]

Great video, my set I have about 20 maybe, but my first modern knife I made the mistake of listening to everyone and just bought and elementum and eh, not a fan, don’t like the grind, but the point is do your research and watch reviews to make sure you will like something especially if it’s a higher end knife.

[@dickelstephen]

Buy what you like! That’s so honest and good

[@tyrant6647]

Always been a Gucci gun guy but last year I unintentionally ventured into EDC knives. Told myself I wasn't going to do this. Started on a Boker Strike then a Boker Kalash Damascus. Just bought a Spyderco Para 3 LT with M4 blade today and I'm already looking at various Zero Tolerance models on KZbin. Damn it.

[@cytherians]

I think everyone has to go through the "cycle"... buying low, the mid, and eventually high. The trouble today is... there are SO MANY good manufacturers out there. Excellent steels are becoming more affordable, especially on the discount side. If you look hard enough, you can at times get a well produced M390 bladed folder for $50~60 USD. Like 5 years ago, you'd pay triple for that. I think the best way to get into the arena is to buy used. There's several forums where people buy/sell/trade knives with success and you can trim off a lot of depreciation this way.

[@jps2989]

The “Nick” had me wanting a new knife every week. Being financially responsible I took it slow. Have really fallen for “cheaper” knifes para3 LW & BW 550. If you told me I would spend 250 on a BM I would have Laughed. Next month ordering a custom 550. Then maxamet Para3. Buy going slow I have found my little corner the knife world.

[@KudoYoung]

I'd argue a big reason not to buy clones is a more sense of security with durability and quality in regards to safety, with the proper retailers. Clones could (and do) skip some necessary safety implementations

[@dangreb8257]

I’m totally new here; kinda returning to knife collecting / enjoying. Your videos are fun to listen to! Have you been told before that you sound a lot like Tom Hanks?? Like a lot! Methinks 😎 Good content re tips for newbies like me - I’m trying to slow down on purchases…

[@mikoyanig5512]

That shaman with the tan blade is a dream knife for me

[@chinnzzillanoochie2613]

Very late to this but this is why I will defend my utterly shagged with use Boker Kalashnikov until I die when I have access to M4 and S30V. I just love it and goddamn it works for me

[@michaelstinson8047]

I just bought my 1st spyderco its a Para 3 I really wanted one and lots of the reviewers use it for a size comparison knife So I don't know if that counts as a fad or not. Right now I'm in the process of customizing it hardware and scales

[@henryfeige8596]

I remember that you made a review on the paragon warlock. I remember that you hated it. I eventually bought it and I still love it. There are a lot of things that you like that I don't. I have found that I don't like hinderer flippers or many hinderers in general. I really enjoy Striders and demkos along side liking different knives like gravity knives and otfs. Form you own opinion and do research because you will know that types of knives that you like.

[@tallica4life81]

Another problem I have is I customize everything that I can every time and buy everything at the same time so I don’t get experience knives for a long time in their stock form. I just put the g10 scales back on a hinderer and am starting to enjoy hinderers g10. I love micarta but I just wanted to change up my Bowie and like the blue/black g10 so I put it back on and like I said enjoy it.

[@allison_in_canada]

"tanto, karambit, ballisong"! RAA HAA HAAA! 🤣🤣🤣

[@donttalktome4696]

Buying an OTF and expecting it to be as tough, reliable and as a high quality as a button/liner lock was a mistake of mine.

[@metal_complex]

Depends on the OTF. Guardian Tactical makes an extremely reliable product

[@seizod]

I started collecting Civivis because of the quality and value. Then I realized they come out with a new must-have knife like every month. No way I can keep up.

[@kimchifriedric]

These tips were very helpful and well said, especially the second one! I still see all the time many individuals in the knife community (even so called “connoisseurs”) stay extremely reserved when purchasing items from various countries of origin. Diversity in knife collecting is key people! Go buy knives from all over the place! Anyways great video MC :)

[@zackphy]

You forgot a big one that personally happened to me. Just because your dad showed you how to sharpen a Case knife once as a kid doesn't mean you are a master sharpener and can sharpen a crazy expensive knife with exotic steel on a cheap whetstone(or those stupid metal diamond sharperners). Now my dad could get his Case knives(all he would ever use and had a massive collection of them which is now mine) EXTREMLY sharp and he did have some really expensive whetstones(something I also didn't know as I figured they were all the same) and he sat me down once as a kid and showed me how he did it. Well I took that as me being able to sharpen anything and I proceeded to absolutely ruin the edge on my 1st expensive folding knife. Case's stainless steel isn't m390 or anything like that and a cheap $20 sharpener also isn't the same as the $100+ whetstones my dad used either(and they were over $100 30+ years ago), but me being new to knives as a young adult thought I knew it all. All it took was me ruining an expensive blade once to understand I knew NOTHING about sharpening. It then took me a long time to research and aquire the right sharpening tools and learn angles and techniques before I felt comfortable sharpening my own expensive knives again, and even now I wouldn't call myself an expert or anywhere close to it. So if you're new to knives and your father/grandfather or somebody showed you how to sharpen a Case or Buck 112 or something as a kid, don't assume you can sharpen a modern expensive knife and I would recommend sending them in to be sharpened until you learn the proper way, most higher end knife companies offer free sharpening for a reason so use it. The worst that will happen is you'll be without your knife for a few weeks instead of ruining a blade and it needing a full reprofile.

[@matthewhebbert9712]

Instructions unclear. Immediately bought a double blade assisted open American Flag themed Batman knife for $12 because it exists. (please send help)

[@joeloliver2279]

So uuummm I checked... he’s right it exists.....on Amazon

[@konnie3334]

It exits I am shocked and not shocked

[@mitchwells4990]

Thank you thank you thank you for this video and here I thought there was something wrong with me I've been telling myself for a year now if I could just find the perfect EDC I would quit

[@michaelmiles8740]

Brand loyalty is the worst trap you can fall into (think Ford vs Chevy). Brands compete amongst themselves, therefore they are pretty much all on the same playing field. A few may shine, a few may suck, but find the few or several you like and go to town!

[@Paintballerz100]

I’ve definitely been collecting too quickly but also I seem to find knives I really like and then learn they’re discontinued and scour eBay haha

[@TheKnifeRaven]

In my early knife days, I didn't buy clones. I didn't give a flying frick about steel types. I didn't care about countries of manufacter. Instead, I bought cheap, Chinese Stiletto folders. I still have them. And still like them. I have just elevated my taste. So now it takes more to truly impress me.

[@MattSinz]

More than a bit late but it's worth mentioning, there's a big difference between tactical and tacticool.

[@mfrank3518]

I started out with cheap knives. Worked my way up and have even sent some back. I still buy inexpensive knives. My last one is the kershaw with the bottle opener for 15$

[@alpine1600s]

Knife collecting is like any other "collecting." Collect what you like and within your means.

[@GreatGabriel11]

I missed my "the one". a year and a half later it got restocked. Brous Enforcer import. The OG may have had a better lock, but the import has some good improvements. Now i feel like I need to replace the knock-off knife I have with the real thing. The CRKT provoke

[@tallica4life81]

One problem I have right now is ore orders. I have 2 pre ordered knives and then 2 custom fixed blades and a custom axe all being made and have no idea when they will all be completed. Some are fully paid for some only a small portion paid. Let’s just hope they aren’t all done on the same week. That will be expensive.

[@isaiahjs6701]

I like how for the clones you used a Medford because when I was just getting started I was looking at the clones you didn’t want to mention😂😂😂

[@3minuteknives]

I can't tell you how many times I've found "The One" Great vid. 👍

[@HeyItsCoates]

I decided one day to take the plunge and get a Benchmade at a local gun shop, terrible mistake, pretty much pushed myself off the cliff of casual into knife nut. Everyone knows me for my love of knives now, and the constant orders I place on Blade HQ.

[@HeyItsCoates]

Haha the tactical anatomy bit got me, MT and Nutnfancy are at the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to tactical.

[@danielmccabe6559]

Thank you mr complex for the Facts great information. Great content.great line up of knives. And most of all thank you for sharing and helping the community .I ALOMST got another clone I don’t even want to give the ones I have out as a gift now haha.Thank you. Thank you for the laughs aswell. I buy what I buy I like what I like. Hope all is good and well.

[@Snarlacc]

The easier a steel is to heat treat and the wider spread it is, the more you can trust cheaper makers. Something like 1060 with a good heat treat is better than a "supersteel" with a bad one.

[@metal_complex]

"Better" is super subjective when you consider the environment, the task, and the goemtry of the blade, but yes. That's correct in a roundabout way.

[@macnitro902]

I spent a year just buying 40-150$ knives. Been on a 300+ kick as of late. Being Canadian helps push that dollar amount up.

[@ianstiehl1994]

One note on clones...GearBest's Sinkevich clone: actually fantastic. D2 instead of S35 Vn, but that's plenty enough knife for me. And the milled handles are very different from the ZT 0452 cf. Enough distinction for me