I've several knives from all of the above. Nothing on Earth has come close to the polished G10 Large Espada from Cold Steel. Their textured G10 knives are not on the same level. Taiwan Spydercos are pretty good too.
I'm surprised he didn't shout out Spyderco for having good edges. They have always been extremely sharp out of the box for me. They do have grind lines, but so what? The blades do too, and it's still a great edge.
Maybe it's just me, but I've always liked the edges on Cold Steel knives. The sharpest blade I've ever gotten in terms of slicing paper like going through warm butter was the Esee avispa. Budget blade but deviling sharp.
I had the larger version of the Avispa or maybe that is the larger one I can't remember, got it in SK5 and the edge was near polished I was very impressed because Esee doesn't even make those folders.
@user-io4kw4vx5d My SR1, Code4, Tuff-Lite and Finn Wolf all came scary sharp. With Cold Steel, make sure you are getting something that came out of the Taiwan factory and I can't speak to their quality since the GSM buyout since I got mine a few years ago.
Civivi, CJRB, Kershaw, and Spyderco have always had sharp edges out of the box for me. Shocked that Dave didn't break out his favorite Artisan Proponent for a big and loud option
After all the knives that I’ve ever owned. I have to say Spyderco makes the sharpest knives. I’ve owned probably over 600 knives. And every time I’ve gotten one of theirs that shaves and splits hair no problem.
One thing to add about hogue deca, mine, like yours has evidence of the blade being stropped (the stonewash is wiped shiny right next to the edge bevel).
Hey DCA and crew. Really enjoying these deep thoughts. For me the biggest problem with folding knives has always been losing them. Whether it's slippery pocket escape artists or some running and jumping, folding knives always seem to get away from me. Been a fixed blade and kydex guy for a while now but I have been recently inspired to stay on the lookout for a good folder since becoming a regular viewer of your show. Who has the best pocket clip design? Who's knife is going to be with me the longest? Best visibility, best scales? Thanks guys!
Sounds like retention is what you’re struggling with. You can increase it by removing the clip and bending it a bit further so there is even more tension against the scale. Also have you tried out a few premium/milled clips? They usually sit closer to the scale and are much thicker and stiffer than stamped deep carry clips, so they tend to have a lot more rentention.
Bought my hogue deka based on your review in an earlier video saying that it has one of the best factory edges and I absolutely love it. Super charp looking and cutting. I also have a kaiser cormorant with a hollow grind and man, you know what you're talking about, that thing is a slicer! Great video, thanks DCA and great editing!
100% - Hogue is the best factory edge for the price tier they are in. Plus they are very active in the 2A community and provide unbelievable customer support. Civivi’s are also ridiculously good imo and cold steel as well.
I bought the RUIKE P801 SB (Black coating) and after a month the RUIKE P801 SF (Stainles steel) and both came shaving sharp out of the box. Little bit of stropping gave them the additional scary sharpness :) Swiss army knives also come decently sharp out of the box, they need just some light stropping and that is it. Greetings from Bosnia and Herzegovina :)
My first thought was "WE Knife" which is the same company as the mentioned Sencut and Civivi, so I would say that company really does a good job at sharp factory edges.
still digging the Kershaw Dividend with the composite blade.... flipper, assisted opening, etc. a little pricey now and I did stick on some skateboard tape to help with the semi slippery aluminum handles...... super sharp & and just for the H E double hockey sticks I would like to have one of those Cold Steel Laredos ...... stay sharp everyone....
Wow, it's really pleasant to see how many people agree with me when I receive my Spyderco Police 4 with an over 4 inch blade VG10 steel. It was the sharpest knife I think I've ever gotten from the factory, and I'm a highly advanced knife sharpener. Although My Microtech Stitch had a great day on Tony Marfione's Burr King Wheels. One of his associates/co-workers must have had a good cup of coffee that day while sharpening and honing my Stitch (204p steel WAY harder the VG-10) the very small edge they put on and the geometry vs Spyderco's flat blade, might take the crown 👑. I remember just the weight of the blade popping hair off, unreal.
I’m an HVAC technician and am always looking for the next best pocket knife. It needs to have an acute tip, preferably wharncliffe or something similar that will be robust and will fit in the end of a copper pipe for reaming. Tough steel that holds and edge well, with geometry to support it. 3-4 inch blade, easy one hand open and close with something other than a frame or liner lock.
Spyderco Endura, go with the Wharncliffe blade in K390 steel. I wish I'd waited for the Wharncliffe to come out, but my K390 Endura I have is the next best thing to a light saber. It cuts like crazy, and I've abused my blade far beyond what a pocketknife should do with no blade damage. K390 is incredible stuff. I can't wait to see what Böhler's K890 will do.
I must have bad luck, all 4 spyderco that I own were nowhere near razor sharp. The Bow river I bought for my nephew needed to be sharpened right out of the box. Still my favorite knife maker though.
Since I invested in a Wicked Edge system, there isn’t a new knife, including my Chaves and Mordax, that hasn’t benefited from being sharpened. Most of my 40+ folders have come with sharp enough edges, but I don’t expect any new knife to be as sharp as I want it to be. With some lower cost knives, less then ten minutes on a Spyderco Sharpmaker brings the edges up to shaving sharpness. The point is, it almost doesn’t matter how sharp your new knife is because after using, no matter what the steel is, you’ll have to sharpen it anyway.
Dear DCA, My knife collection has expanded to knives worth my entire paycheck these days. But, the more knives I carry, the more my mind goes back to a knife I got a couple years ago from a little shop for just 15 bucks. It was the Browning Mountain Ti 2 small. It wasn't very durable and the frame lock bent the blade beyond repair and I tossed it, but it felt great in the hand despite being so small and felt good every time I opened it. There has never been a knife that I ACTUALLY used more. What dupe would you suggest with a higher quality and a price range of up to $150 that will feel just as nice in daily use? Thanks man
Hi DCA and Thomas love your work! I want to buy a folder knife and a fixed blade for my brother, his birthday is just round the corner. He goes hunting and fishing a lot so I’d like the knives to be high in corrosion resistance, toughness and able to keep a decent edge. The folder blade can be up to 4” and the fixed up to 6” budget is up to $400 USD thank you guys!
I reprofile all of my new knives to 20 degrees on the KME system with 140 grit. Then I keep everything sharp with 300, 600 then 1500 grit. Then I strop on a 1 by 30 belt sander with a leather belt and red compound. Shaving sharp every time.
I'm an avid runner who carries a folding knife on my waist band around the appendix area (1 o'clock). Must be under 3.5 oz with no more than a 3.5" and no less than 3" blade. Highly resistant to rust/sweat and american made only. Thank you in advance for your recommendations.
I'd recommend a Spyderco Manix 2 lw in s110v or a Hogue Deka in magnacut. Didn't look too deeply into specs but pretty sure both are in your blade length range. Both highly corrosion resistant steels, extremely lightweight (I often carry both in lightweight shorts).
Dude, my dad gifted me a Spyderco manix 2 light weight with CTS BD1N steel probably 7 years ago now. I also carry my knife inside my waist band all of the time, including running, at the beach, pool, etc. I have completely neglected it over the years, and there has been minimal surface rust on the blade. MINIMAL. I will say the steel is not as tough as I want it to be, it's got a few nicks in it. But the steel is 99.2 percent corrosion resistant. It may be a little larger than what you're looking for though, but a great knife overall.
I know a lot of folks will say Cold Steel knives come super sharp, but my Airlite and Pendleton Mini Hunter both were just OK out of the box. Super impressed with my Magnacut Deka, every QSP I've handled, Taiwan Spydercos, and Vosteed
My sharpest was Murray Carter, White River(some), MtKnives, Spyderco, Survive Knives, CRK and TRM. I sharpen all knives I buy right out of the box except Murray Carter, MT knives, Survive Knives and CRK.
I know a lot of people have had their gripes with Benchmade but every knife I’ve ever bought from them over the years- about 13 of them- was super sharp out of the box. Not all the grinds were even, but useable right away, nonetheless.
In relation to the reason for a large ricasso - there is another important reason. They serve as sharpening choils. In the 'early days' knives were often sharpened on a grinding wheel - a bit like a peddle powered Tormek. The grinding wheels weren't as smooth and precise as they are today - they were pretty much just shaped rocks. If your blade went all the way to the handle you couldn't sharpening it properly as the spinning stone would damage the handle. Sharpening choils can be much smaller today as the tools we use are far more precise & compact. Sharp blades all.
From my experience, Japanese manufacturers often have good edges out of the box. Mcusta is a brand with sharp edges; however, they usually use VG-10 blade steel.
That choil on the bowie also looks to be what gives the blade more broad width from the tang width, otherwise you’d have a blade as wide as a stiletto. Looks much better than if the width tapered out right from the top of the guard.
Best factory edge I've seen was on my Giant mouse Ace Biblio, legitimately hair whittling sharp. I handed it to friend to open a bag of chips and told her "careful it's scary sharp" her jaw dropped as it silently and effortlessly cut through the plastic. Even with my tsprof sharpener and fancy strops, I struggle to get an edge that sharp.
It costs a few bucks but a KME sharpening system with the diamond stones can make it pretty easy for even a beginner to get a mirror polished edge. Practice once on a cheap knife and you're gtg. Not the best for blades over 8-10 inches though. I used Norton tri-stone systems for around 30 years but the hands just aren't up for the big stones anymore so the KME saved my rear. Quick, easy and relatively painless.
I would have added the Honey Badger Medium Wharncleaver for the “fun” knife question. I love that thing. First, “Honey Badger”…that kind of speaks for itself. Second, that blade shape is probably my favorite of all my knives except the Pilar (which is also a fun knife). Third, there’s so many color options and the backspacers can be swapped. Lots of choices! I love the suggestion of the Spyderco Endura (classic!). And I will own that Hogue Deka very soon. Thanks for such great content!
Of the knives on your list I only own the Civivi Badlands & the Kershaw Leek, I can attest that they are razor sharp out of the box. I have also the Civivi Elementum & Ortis and both are IMO even sharper than the Badlands. The only time I have bought a new knife that arrived near enough blunt out of the box was the MIKOV - 115-NH-6AK, a Czech made copy of the Victorinox 111mm Forester costing around $31 and I had to have it sharpened at local cutlery store for $2.50.
Cheers! You can sort for steel type and price quite easily on our website. Here is a direct link: www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?a=folder&steel=MagnaCut&sortType=priceAs
Hey DCA and Thomas, I've recently started sharpening my knives with a Worksharp precision adjust elite and I am really enjoying it. I would like to get some of my knives to a mirror polish but need something to practice on. What should I get to practice on? What steels take a mirror polish best and why? Thanks and really enjoy the channel(and production...)
12C27 is a great one to practice on because it sharpens easily and takes a decent polish too. For the very best mirror edge, I would say VG-10 will give you the nicest finish of all.
Hey DCA and Thomas, I love the content. Thank you. A) For sharpened edge out of the box, Spyderco has never let me down. B) For a non-Tacticool knife that makes a statement, why not get a traditional Case knife with some beautiful jigged bone handles in whatever you favorite color may be, along with a leather slip?
Hey DCA, Seth, and disembodied voice who really likes reverse tantos. I have a pilot in my life and I’d really like to get him a pocket knife as a gift but I’m having difficulty finding plane-ish knives. It doesn’t have to be practical for flying, just plane themed. Budget around 200 bucks but I’m willing to go a little higher, thanks!
The sharpest blades out of the box I have encountered over the years ? For a folder , would be Benchmade . I purchased their Elishiwitz Striker in '04 I think . I once used it to sever 4/0 welding cable by standing on the end to put a strain and cut through with a pull ,not sawing mind you and the blade maintained the edge . I have two benchmade folders . The absolute sharpest blade I have ever purchased was/is a Gerber Mark II I purchased back in the early 70's while in the service, it was sharp enough that you could not touch the edge without cutting yourself , it would shave a layer of skin or shave a hair without actually cutting through , it was made for killing people . I still have that knife .
Frankly would be interesting if you have access to an Edge-on-Up testing setup, run a video where you actully test and report sharpness out of the box on a bunch of off the shelf knives John
Hey dca I just bought a motorcycle and I'm back on 2 wheels for the first time in 6 years. I want to get a new knife to go with the bike. It's all black/chrome looking for a budget option folder with a very secure pocket clip so I don't have to worry about it falling out. Also a strong detent so it won't open ( unless I want it to) any thoughts? Thanks as always love the videos
Hi DCA! Love you and your videos, love Thomas, and love that other guy with the mustache. KnifeCenter videos keep me going. Thank you! Anyway, here are few data points. By the way, I am not an expert. I own Buck, Case, Boker, Bark River, Benchmade, and Spyderco. In terms of sharpness out of the box, every Bark River that I have, from Bravo 1 to Crusader, has been ridiculously sharp. There are unmolested pieces of paper in my apartment that still haven't recovered from the trauma of seeing the delivery of a Bark River knife. But here is the interesting point: I have Spyderco knives in K390, VG-10 and LC200N. All of them are great knives and great steels, but my Police 4 in VG-10 was insanely sharp out of the box - a huge knife that cut like a surgeon's scalpel. I'm afraid to have cross words with a knife that sharp. VG-10 - who knew? P.S. My Benchmade in D2 was so sharp that, when the blade fell on my finger during closing, I thought I would have to go to the ER. Did I mention that the blade simply _fell_ on my finger? Thanks, again. Love you guys!
For budget knives, Vosteed's been putting out some of the sharpest blades that me or my BESS sharpness tester have seen. I've got an average of 150 grams on them across 10 models tested. It'd be quite a bit lower, but the Thunderbird in S35VN was an outlier. Makes sense, the steel requires more time to refine than ingot steels do. Time is money, especially in the budget segment. 's why there's so many companies running M390 too soft, so they can save machining time... I've been happy with Spyderco's grinds. They're very neat and consistent, at least across their US and Japanese knives that I've seen. Their sharpnesses do vary quite a bit though. I've had several that scored 230 grams or higher lately (Enuff 2 in K390, Shaman in S90V and Ladybug in S30V as examples). They all took quite a bit of time to get a crazy sharp edge on them as it feels like they run their super steels harder than most, or possibly their heat treats end up with a higher percentage of carbides. Digression aside, once they're sharp, they usually stay that way.
I have never owned a Spyderco but I can say that the edge on my Cold Steel Espada was sharp enough to effortlessly slice my finger to the bone. Never made that mistake again lmao
My qsp penguin in s35vn ($65 steal knifecenter exclusive) was a razor. My cold steel ad15 in s35vn also came in super super sharp. Neither of my benchmades (bugout and griptilian, both in s30v) were sharp. The griptilian was particularly bad. But once I sharpened, they’ve been great. Also, nice editing with the link to the sharpening vid. Timing was crisp.
Spyderco placed a screaming sharp edge on my PM2. My QSP Bison fixed blade is probably the sharpest out of the box I’ve ever seen. Can easily just push it through paper and shaves hair clean.
Hey DCA, big fan. I wanted you to do some budget lockbacks that are good quality too. I was looking into boker but I feel like their blade material is not the best Thanks!
It depends on Your budget. If You are not shitting money, try Mora. If You can spend - Esee and no questions ask guarantee policy will do the trick in the long run
I had a Sheepsfoot Mini-Griptillian. Although I have a few other pocket knives this one was in my pocket the vast majority of the time until it went missing. I was going to buy another one but I thought I should check in and see if you could recommend something similar. Thank you in advance for your sage advice. p.s. It has to be ambidextrous or left handed as I am a south paw.
I agree that Civivi, on the budget side, comes with excellent factory edge. For the price, you get sharp and even grinds. All my 3 spydercos are also great. Worse among my knives out of the box - Benchmade. 4 out of my 5 knives from BM have questionable factory sharpening. Only the mini-crooked river was acceptable.
Hey dca and Tomas. Love your content. I am looking for a folding "apple" knife under 100 dollars. The main use will be cutting apples and general light food prep. Because of local knife laws, the knife must be non locking and under 100 mm in blede length. I think that a friction folder would be easier to clean than a slip-joint. I am thinking of getting the Fox/Bestinelli slim Dragotac Any other suggestions?
Hey DCA! Question about Victorinox. I've been looking at the selection of Alox knives available and have noticed a pattern within the medium-sized SAK patterns: not a single medium Alox currently available has the Small Blade. There are a couple models where you get second blades: the model 7 Alox has the Hawkbill Blade next to the Large Blade, and the Electrician's Knife has the Electrician's Blade. Otherwise, all the other models have either an awl or the Combination Tool for the Bantams in that layer opposite the Large Blade. Why does the Small Blade get neglected, David? He's just a little guy!
The sharpest factory edges I’ve ever bought were from Helle and Martiini. To this day I have never re-sharpened them. Just stroped them. I use them both. Every pocket knife, even Spyderco I have had to sharpen. 🔪🎸
I have just purchased a Buck 112 Lite knife. This has made me wonder if there is a better knife than this for mainly cutting up cardboard cartons. I can keep this knife sharp with a sharpening steel but understand that many steels cannot be maintained this way. Can you recommend a few knives that are easily sharpened without needing stones. Folding knives with one handed opening but not assisted or automatic. Better edge retention than the Buck but not D2 steel. I could never sharpen a D2 steel knife that I also own.
Spyderco sitting right next to the Sebenza and you didn’t include it with the sharpest factory edges? 🤔 they come with better edges than all 3 on the table you listed today. 😅
Spyderco and Cold Steel are almost always sharpened superbly.
Civivi too. Every knife from them has come screamin sharp.
yessir. sharp and very even bevels
I've several knives from all of the above. Nothing on Earth has come close to the polished G10 Large Espada from Cold Steel. Their textured G10 knives are not on the same level.
Taiwan Spydercos are pretty good too.
Yes cold steel have come razor like
I'm surprised he didn't shout out Spyderco for having good edges. They have always been extremely sharp out of the box for me. They do have grind lines, but so what? The blades do too, and it's still a great edge.
Always had good results with sharpness out of the box from spyderco
For me, Cold Steel, Buck, Spyderco and Civivi always have very nice edges.
2nd this! Exactly my consensus.
Böker Atlas are great sharpened out of the box.
And Moras.
And Kizer Harpoons.
And Byrd Cara Cara 2s.
Maybe it's just me, but I've always liked the edges on Cold Steel knives. The sharpest blade I've ever gotten in terms of slicing paper like going through warm butter was the Esee avispa. Budget blade but deviling sharp.
100% agree about Cold Steel. I've bought 4 different models and every single one came screaming sharp.
I had the larger version of the Avispa or maybe that is the larger one I can't remember, got it in SK5 and the edge was near polished I was very impressed because Esee doesn't even make those folders.
@user-io4kw4vx5d My SR1, Code4, Tuff-Lite and Finn Wolf all came scary sharp. With Cold Steel, make sure you are getting something that came out of the Taiwan factory and I can't speak to their quality since the GSM buyout since I got mine a few years ago.
@@EnderPearlRs Yeah, the Taiwan stuff is really good. And in terms of value, one of, if not the best bangs for your buck.
@@Cadwallader38 Mine's in D2, but still insanely sharp.
The potato & leek soup - Just Brilliant.! Cheers DCA & Thomas from Australia.
Thanks for adding the link for how to sharpen!
Civivi, CJRB, Kershaw, and Spyderco have always had sharp edges out of the box for me. Shocked that Dave didn't break out his favorite Artisan Proponent for a big and loud option
After all the knives that I’ve ever owned. I have to say Spyderco makes the sharpest knives. I’ve owned probably over 600 knives. And every time I’ve gotten one of theirs that shaves and splits hair no problem.
I’ll second that, and add that their grind is slicey too. Most of them anyway
@@christ3831 Add another voice to the Spyderco list. Their factory edge can do almost anything up to splitting a helium atom.
I've never had a Mora that wasn't sharper than all the Spyderco's I own.
@@random_eskimo_in_the_rockies how sad. They could be the source of free energy
You accidentally added one extra 0 to that number. 600? Na.
For a sharp AF out of the box edc fixed blade, the Hogue Extrak.
One thing to add about hogue deca, mine, like yours has evidence of the blade being stropped (the stonewash is wiped shiny right next to the edge bevel).
Clearly you don't own one, because you didn't even spell it properly.
From my measurements, the narrowest thickness behind the edge are with Opinel (#6-#8)and We/Civivi hollow grinds, each around 0.40 mm/0.016".
Spyderco edges are scary sharp out the box.🦉
Hey DCA and crew. Really enjoying these deep thoughts. For me the biggest problem with folding knives has always been losing them. Whether it's slippery pocket escape artists or some running and jumping, folding knives always seem to get away from me. Been a fixed blade and kydex guy for a while now but I have been recently inspired to stay on the lookout for a good folder since becoming a regular viewer of your show. Who has the best pocket clip design? Who's knife is going to be with me the longest? Best visibility, best scales? Thanks guys!
Sounds like retention is what you’re struggling with. You can increase it by removing the clip and bending it a bit further so there is even more tension against the scale. Also have you tried out a few premium/milled clips? They usually sit closer to the scale and are much thicker and stiffer than stamped deep carry clips, so they tend to have a lot more rentention.
Bought my hogue deka based on your review in an earlier video saying that it has one of the best factory edges and I absolutely love it. Super charp looking and cutting. I also have a kaiser cormorant with a hollow grind and man, you know what you're talking about, that thing is a slicer! Great video, thanks DCA and great editing!
Bought a pm2 in maxamet. Amazing factory edge and a needle for a tip
agree civivi is great
also just got a TRC south pole that was almost razor smooth sharp, still cut my arm hair though you just felt a tiny resistance
100% - Hogue is the best factory edge for the price tier they are in. Plus they are very active in the 2A community and provide unbelievable customer support. Civivi’s are also ridiculously good imo and cold steel as well.
I bought the RUIKE P801 SB (Black coating) and after a month the RUIKE P801 SF (Stainles steel) and both came shaving sharp out of the box. Little bit of stropping gave them the additional scary sharpness :)
Swiss army knives also come decently sharp out of the box, they need just some light stropping and that is it. Greetings from Bosnia and Herzegovina :)
My first thought was "WE Knife" which is the same company as the mentioned Sencut and Civivi, so I would say that company really does a good job at sharp factory edges.
My choices for best factory edges, in my experience, are Shun, Fallkniven, and Rockstead.
Just got my first TOPS knife, bought the Fieldcraft 4.5 and its edge is amazing so far
still digging the Kershaw Dividend with the composite blade.... flipper, assisted opening, etc.
a little pricey now and I did stick on some skateboard tape to help with the semi slippery aluminum handles...... super sharp & and just for the H E double hockey sticks I would like to have one of those Cold Steel Laredos ...... stay sharp everyone....
Kubey Knives are always sharp out of the box. The Kubey Drake with M390, at knife Center, I highly recommend.
Best factory edge I've ever had would be TOPS and I have several of these and all razor sharp!
Wow, it's really pleasant to see how many people agree with me when I receive my Spyderco Police 4 with an over 4 inch blade VG10 steel. It was the sharpest knife I think I've ever gotten from the factory, and I'm a highly advanced knife sharpener. Although My Microtech Stitch had a great day on Tony Marfione's Burr King Wheels. One of his associates/co-workers must have had a good cup of coffee that day while sharpening and honing my Stitch (204p steel WAY harder the VG-10) the very small edge they put on and the geometry vs Spyderco's flat blade, might take the crown 👑. I remember just the weight of the blade popping hair off, unreal.
I’m an HVAC technician and am always looking for the next best pocket knife. It needs to have an acute tip, preferably wharncliffe or something similar that will be robust and will fit in the end of a copper pipe for reaming. Tough steel that holds and edge well, with geometry to support it. 3-4 inch blade, easy one hand open and close with something other than a frame or liner lock.
Spyderco Endura, go with the Wharncliffe blade in K390 steel. I wish I'd waited for the Wharncliffe to come out, but my K390 Endura I have is the next best thing to a light saber. It cuts like crazy, and I've abused my blade far beyond what a pocketknife should do with no blade damage. K390 is incredible stuff. I can't wait to see what Böhler's K890 will do.
I would also go with Spyderco. I have close to 30 Spydies and can think of 1, a mule, that didn't come razor sharp.
I must have bad luck, all 4 spyderco that I own were nowhere near razor sharp. The Bow river I bought for my nephew needed to be sharpened right out of the box. Still my favorite knife maker though.
Since I invested in a Wicked Edge system, there isn’t a new knife, including my Chaves and Mordax, that hasn’t benefited from being sharpened. Most of my 40+ folders have come with sharp enough edges, but I don’t expect any new knife to be as sharp as I want it to be. With some lower cost knives, less then ten minutes on a Spyderco Sharpmaker brings the edges up to shaving sharpness. The point is, it almost doesn’t matter how sharp your new knife is because after using, no matter what the steel is, you’ll have to sharpen it anyway.
The potatoe and leek soup looked amazing
Dear DCA, My knife collection has expanded to knives worth my entire paycheck these days. But, the more knives I carry, the more my mind goes back to a knife I got a couple years ago from a little shop for just 15 bucks. It was the Browning Mountain Ti 2 small. It wasn't very durable and the frame lock bent the blade beyond repair and I tossed it, but it felt great in the hand despite being so small and felt good every time I opened it. There has never been a knife that I ACTUALLY used more. What dupe would you suggest with a higher quality and a price range of up to $150 that will feel just as nice in daily use? Thanks man
It doesn't matter how sharp the factory edge is I always put my own edge on anyway the main thing is heat treatment and edge geometry.
I agree unless unless it's hair popping out the box.
Thanks for the answer 😁 Makes sense 👍
Hi DCA and Thomas love your work! I want to buy a folder knife and a fixed blade for my brother, his birthday is just round the corner.
He goes hunting and fishing a lot so I’d like the knives to be high in corrosion resistance, toughness and able to keep a decent edge.
The folder blade can be up to 4” and the fixed up to 6” budget is up to $400 USD thank you guys!
I reprofile all of my new knives to 20 degrees on the KME system with 140 grit. Then I keep everything sharp with 300, 600 then 1500 grit. Then I strop on a 1 by 30 belt sander with a leather belt and red compound. Shaving sharp every time.
I'm an avid runner who carries a folding knife on my waist band around the appendix area (1 o'clock). Must be under 3.5 oz with no more than a 3.5" and no less than 3" blade. Highly resistant to rust/sweat and american made only. Thank you in advance for your recommendations.
Protech SnG in Magnacut, it's an auto but it's matches your criteria. It's light and small and I love it, but like I said it's an automatic.
I'd recommend a Spyderco Manix 2 lw in s110v or a Hogue Deka in magnacut. Didn't look too deeply into specs but pretty sure both are in your blade length range. Both highly corrosion resistant steels, extremely lightweight (I often carry both in lightweight shorts).
Don't know the exact weight but try the Hogue deka with CPM Magnacut.
@@thorin693 the deka pretty much wins here, only 2.10oz! Perfect for a runner, you barely notice it in your pocket
Dude, my dad gifted me a Spyderco manix 2 light weight with CTS BD1N steel probably 7 years ago now. I also carry my knife inside my waist band all of the time, including running, at the beach, pool, etc. I have completely neglected it over the years, and there has been minimal surface rust on the blade. MINIMAL. I will say the steel is not as tough as I want it to be, it's got a few nicks in it. But the steel is 99.2 percent corrosion resistant. It may be a little larger than what you're looking for though, but a great knife overall.
I know a lot of folks will say Cold Steel knives come super sharp, but my Airlite and Pendleton Mini Hunter both were just OK out of the box. Super impressed with my Magnacut Deka, every QSP I've handled, Taiwan Spydercos, and Vosteed
My sharpest was Murray Carter, White River(some), MtKnives, Spyderco, Survive Knives, CRK and TRM. I sharpen all knives I buy right out of the box except Murray Carter, MT knives, Survive Knives and CRK.
I know a lot of people have had their gripes with Benchmade but every knife I’ve ever bought from them over the years- about 13 of them- was super sharp out of the box. Not all the grinds were even, but useable right away, nonetheless.
In relation to the reason for a large ricasso - there is another important reason. They serve as sharpening choils. In the 'early days' knives were often sharpened on a grinding wheel - a bit like a peddle powered Tormek. The grinding wheels weren't as smooth and precise as they are today - they were pretty much just shaped rocks. If your blade went all the way to the handle you couldn't sharpening it properly as the spinning stone would damage the handle. Sharpening choils can be much smaller today as the tools we use are far more precise & compact. Sharp blades all.
From my experience, Japanese manufacturers often have good edges out of the box. Mcusta is a brand with sharp edges; however, they usually use VG-10 blade steel.
I have always had good luck with Cold Steel for sharpness right out of the box.
That choil on the bowie also looks to be what gives the blade more broad width from the tang width, otherwise you’d have a blade as wide as a stiletto. Looks much better than if the width tapered out right from the top of the guard.
Just ordered that deka, look forward to it
Best factory edge I've seen was on my Giant mouse Ace Biblio, legitimately hair whittling sharp. I handed it to friend to open a bag of chips and told her "careful it's scary sharp" her jaw dropped as it silently and effortlessly cut through the plastic. Even with my tsprof sharpener and fancy strops, I struggle to get an edge that sharp.
It costs a few bucks but a KME sharpening system with the diamond stones can make it pretty easy for even a beginner to get a mirror polished edge. Practice once on a cheap knife and you're gtg. Not the best for blades over 8-10 inches though. I used Norton tri-stone systems for around 30 years but the hands just aren't up for the big stones anymore so the KME saved my rear. Quick, easy and relatively painless.
I would have added the Honey Badger Medium Wharncleaver for the “fun” knife question. I love that thing. First, “Honey Badger”…that kind of speaks for itself. Second, that blade shape is probably my favorite of all my knives except the Pilar (which is also a fun knife). Third, there’s so many color options and the backspacers can be swapped. Lots of choices! I love the suggestion of the Spyderco Endura (classic!). And I will own that Hogue Deka very soon. Thanks for such great content!
HB are rubbish.
TRM has some sharp edges out of the box. My Atom and Neutron 2 were both excellent. Spyderco is a close second.
Second that. My N2 was sharpest of any new knife ootb.
Of the knives on your list I only own the Civivi Badlands & the Kershaw Leek, I can attest that they are razor sharp out of the box. I have also the Civivi Elementum & Ortis and both are IMO even sharper than the Badlands. The only time I have bought a new knife that arrived near enough blunt out of the box was the MIKOV - 115-NH-6AK, a Czech made copy of the Victorinox 111mm Forester costing around $31 and I had to have it sharpened at local cutlery store for $2.50.
Hogue has very sharp edges from the factory. Their Extrak is my favorite knife, and with M4 steel it stays sharp.
Love the program ! David is the GOAT. Can you please list the most affordable MagnaCut, folder options? Thanks !
Cheers! You can sort for steel type and price quite easily on our website. Here is a direct link: www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?a=folder&steel=MagnaCut&sortType=priceAs
Kizer Towser K Serape series would also be a great loud, fun, non-tactical knife.
Kizer is where its at. I've got the Kizer Cabox for my edc and talk about hair popping sharp🤘🤘
The sharpest knife I've ever felt from its box, is a falkeniven f1 that my brother bought for his son. Scary sharp.
I think the crjb pyrite is a great budget bugout competitor too
Hey DCA and Thomas, I've recently started sharpening my knives with a Worksharp precision adjust elite and I am really enjoying it. I would like to get some of my knives to a mirror polish but need something to practice on. What should I get to practice on? What steels take a mirror polish best and why? Thanks and really enjoy the channel(and production...)
12C27 is a great one to practice on because it sharpens easily and takes a decent polish too. For the very best mirror edge, I would say VG-10 will give you the nicest finish of all.
Love my civivi came super sharp keep an edge for a while for what I use them for and super easy to sharpen. Good cheap knifes
Can you do a video over budget knives that come setup for horizontal carry please! I’ve been looking for weeks.
Hey DCA and Thomas, I love the content. Thank you. A) For sharpened edge out of the box, Spyderco has never let me down. B) For a non-Tacticool knife that makes a statement, why not get a traditional Case knife with some beautiful jigged bone handles in whatever you favorite color may be, along with a leather slip?
I cannot agree more to this
Hey DCA, Seth, and disembodied voice who really likes reverse tantos. I have a pilot in my life and I’d really like to get him a pocket knife as a gift but I’m having difficulty finding plane-ish knives. It doesn’t have to be practical for flying, just plane themed. Budget around 200 bucks but I’m willing to go a little higher, thanks!
Sharpnes of opinel just from factory is better than most knives even can reach with best possible sharpening so its a winner in my opinion....
Surprisingly my 2 Moraknivs are shockingly sharp out of the box.
I'm pretty sure that of all the knives I own, the two or three Moras were sharpest from the factory.
The cutout on Bowles is more of a sharpening choir or a Choke up point when the Choil is
Large enough
I suggest adding a few chives to that soup they provide a sharp contrast to the pointed flavor of a leek
The sharpest blades out of the box I have encountered over the years ? For a folder , would be Benchmade . I purchased their Elishiwitz Striker in '04 I think . I once used it to sever 4/0 welding cable by standing on the end to put a strain and cut through with a pull ,not sawing mind you and the blade maintained the edge . I have two benchmade folders . The absolute sharpest blade I have ever purchased was/is a Gerber Mark II I purchased back in the early 70's while in the service, it was sharp enough that you could not touch the edge without cutting yourself , it would shave a layer of skin or shave a hair without actually cutting through , it was made for killing people . I still have that knife .
Frankly would be interesting if you have access to an Edge-on-Up testing setup, run a video where you actully test and report sharpness out of the box on a bunch of off the shelf knives
John
Hey dca I just bought a motorcycle and I'm back on 2 wheels for the first time in 6 years. I want to get a new knife to go with the bike. It's all black/chrome looking for a budget option folder with a very secure pocket clip so I don't have to worry about it falling out. Also a strong detent so it won't open ( unless I want it to) any thoughts? Thanks as always love the videos
Hi DCA! Love you and your videos, love Thomas, and love that other guy with the mustache. KnifeCenter videos keep me going. Thank you! Anyway, here are few data points. By the way, I am not an expert. I own Buck, Case, Boker, Bark River, Benchmade, and Spyderco. In terms of sharpness out of the box, every Bark River that I have, from Bravo 1 to Crusader, has been ridiculously sharp. There are unmolested pieces of paper in my apartment that still haven't recovered from the trauma of seeing the delivery of a Bark River knife. But here is the interesting point: I have Spyderco knives in K390, VG-10 and LC200N. All of them are great knives and great steels, but my Police 4 in VG-10 was insanely sharp out of the box - a huge knife that cut like a surgeon's scalpel. I'm afraid to have cross words with a knife that sharp. VG-10 - who knew? P.S. My Benchmade in D2 was so sharp that, when the blade fell on my finger during closing, I thought I would have to go to the ER. Did I mention that the blade simply _fell_ on my finger? Thanks, again. Love you guys!
For budget knives, Vosteed's been putting out some of the sharpest blades that me or my BESS sharpness tester have seen. I've got an average of 150 grams on them across 10 models tested. It'd be quite a bit lower, but the Thunderbird in S35VN was an outlier. Makes sense, the steel requires more time to refine than ingot steels do. Time is money, especially in the budget segment. 's why there's so many companies running M390 too soft, so they can save machining time...
I've been happy with Spyderco's grinds. They're very neat and consistent, at least across their US and Japanese knives that I've seen. Their sharpnesses do vary quite a bit though. I've had several that scored 230 grams or higher lately (Enuff 2 in K390, Shaman in S90V and Ladybug in S30V as examples). They all took quite a bit of time to get a crazy sharp edge on them as it feels like they run their super steels harder than most, or possibly their heat treats end up with a higher percentage of carbides. Digression aside, once they're sharp, they usually stay that way.
I gotta say, that Opinel with the whistle is loud and fun indeed!
Come on down to the Knife Center! It's OUTRAGEOUS, It's CONTAGIOUS, IT'S BOoooDACIOUS!
No... It isn't
I have never owned a Spyderco but I can say that the edge on my Cold Steel Espada was sharp enough to effortlessly slice my finger to the bone. Never made that mistake again lmao
I've had good luck with Protech!
Hogue Deka, magnacut, Wharncliffe is the best I have ever seen.
My qsp penguin in s35vn ($65 steal knifecenter exclusive) was a razor. My cold steel ad15 in s35vn also came in super super sharp. Neither of my benchmades (bugout and griptilian, both in s30v) were sharp. The griptilian was particularly bad. But once I sharpened, they’ve been great.
Also, nice editing with the link to the sharpening vid. Timing was crisp.
Yes, my penguin was unreal. Hair popping right out the box.
Hogue and spyderco
I like Pro-Tech, TRM, and Vero for out of the box edge
Blackjack/Bark River convex grinds.
My buck 110 and microtech were both surgical sharp. My SOG Pentagon was dull
What knife OEM’s have the best fit and finish? My favorites are WE Knives and REATE.
Hogue has been the most impressive on my end, got a exo1 and just a few swipes on the strip got it near mirror polished
Spyderco placed a screaming sharp edge on my PM2. My QSP Bison fixed blade is probably the sharpest out of the box I’ve ever seen. Can easily just push it through paper and shaves hair clean.
Hey DCA, big fan.
I wanted you to do some budget lockbacks that are good quality too.
I was looking into boker but I feel like their blade material is not the best
Thanks!
Hey DCA and Thomas, ultimate debate question: What's a better "Beater Knife," cheap or expensive?
It depends on Your budget.
If You are not shitting money, try Mora. If You can spend - Esee and no questions ask guarantee policy will do the trick in the long run
Hey DCA, I have carried a Case Sodbuster for decades and am looking for a fixed blade with a similar blade and handle shape. What do you recommend?
I had a Sheepsfoot Mini-Griptillian. Although I have a few other pocket knives this one was in my pocket the vast majority of the time until it went missing. I was going to buy another one but I thought I should check in and see if you could recommend something similar. Thank you in advance for your sage advice. p.s. It has to be ambidextrous or left handed as I am a south paw.
I agree that Civivi, on the budget side, comes with excellent factory edge. For the price, you get sharp and even grinds. All my 3 spydercos are also great. Worse among my knives out of the box - Benchmade. 4 out of my 5 knives from BM have questionable factory sharpening. Only the mini-crooked river was acceptable.
The classic Buck 110 to date, so far...has the sharpest factory edge I PERSONALLY have ever experienced. If there is sharper...I haven't seen it
Hey dca and Tomas.
Love your content.
I am looking for a folding "apple" knife under 100 dollars. The main use will be cutting apples and general light food prep.
Because of local knife laws, the knife must be non locking and under 100 mm in blede length.
I think that a friction folder would be easier to clean than a slip-joint.
I am thinking of getting the Fox/Bestinelli slim Dragotac
Any other suggestions?
My spyderco manix blew my mind on how much sharper it was than my Kershaw and Civivi knives.
Spyderco Spydie Chef, Manix 2, PM2.
Which one do you fight with, go on a hike with, and spend the rest of your life with?
Hogue deka, most benchmade ones are good but absolute best edge i own is a cruwear PM2. The thing is like a scalpel!
Hey DCA! Question about Victorinox. I've been looking at the selection of Alox knives available and have noticed a pattern within the medium-sized SAK patterns: not a single medium Alox currently available has the Small Blade. There are a couple models where you get second blades: the model 7 Alox has the Hawkbill Blade next to the Large Blade, and the Electrician's Knife has the Electrician's Blade. Otherwise, all the other models have either an awl or the Combination Tool for the Bantams in that layer opposite the Large Blade. Why does the Small Blade get neglected, David? He's just a little guy!
The sharpest factory edges I’ve ever bought were from Helle and Martiini. To this day I have never re-sharpened them. Just stroped them. I use them both. Every pocket knife, even Spyderco I have had to sharpen. 🔪🎸
I have just purchased a Buck 112 Lite knife. This has made me wonder if there is a better knife than this for mainly cutting up cardboard cartons. I can keep this knife sharp with a sharpening steel but understand that many steels cannot be maintained this way.
Can you recommend a few knives that are easily sharpened without needing stones. Folding knives with one handed opening but not assisted or automatic. Better edge retention than the Buck but not D2 steel. I could never sharpen a D2 steel knife that I also own.
Best factory edge out of the box - Fallkniven and Lionsteel, no question.
Rockstead would be my guess
Spyderco sitting right next to the Sebenza and you didn’t include it with the sharpest factory edges? 🤔 they come with better edges than all 3 on the table you listed today. 😅
Hey DCA and crew, do you have a healthy work / knife balance?
Hey gang! Why haven't we seen the Fox CHNOPS reviewed/shown off?
It's sooooo good and damn classy in all its variants.