For all your Knife Knut questions/fantasies...
www.bladeforums.com
It's TFL's sister site.
A few comments on the selections already named:
Columbia River: I have zero experience with them. I think I heard that they make 'knockoffs,' but darned GOOD knockoffs. Dunno if there is any truth to that or not.
Gerber: Decent, priced right. Their quality is lower than the others mentioned, but...well...how much knife do you need, really? My dad is a scoutmaster and used his Gerber a lot, for years, and its still cutting stuff.
Spyderco: on the price/quality curve, its hard to beat Spyderco. Sure, others might make better stuff, but it costs WAAAAY more. they have a nice selection. Sal Glesser is just an all-around nice guy, too. If you have a problem, Spydie's customer service department will fix it.
Benchmade: I find them to be overshadowed by Spyderco. Their quality is about the same, but Spydercos can be had for less. Usually a lot less if you shop around. ALSO: if you like keeping the finish on your knives, avoid the Benchmade black-ti finish. It flakes off ENTIRELY too easily. Plus, their customer service department seems to be run by former DMV flunkies.
Emerson: no experience with them, but word is they're top shelf (and priced accordingly)
Kershaw: no experience, heard mixed reviews.
Cold Steel: *sigh* Their advertising seems to be done by PT Barnum with a health dose of National Inquirer. Seriously mind-bogglingly bizare stupid overblown hype. I mean...wow. Insanely grandiose posturing about how their products are The Best and Revolutionary and Nobody Else Comes Close. Sorry...utter crap. However, they make a decent product at a decent price. I just wish they'd have the humility to say the truth: "Hey, we know others out there make better stuff...but ours is pretty darned good too and it costs 1/4 as much. You do the math."
One not mentioned:
REKAT (Round Eye Knife and Tool)
They make some seriously tough knives. SERIOUSLY tough. If you want big, look at the 'Carnivour' I have one, it's incredible. If you want smaller, try the Pioneer. If you want Jumbo, think Sifu.
www.rekat.com ... and don't let the MSRP fool you, they can be had for less...though they're above $100, usually.
My votes?
Spyderco Endura or Delica if you're on a budget or the REKAT Pioneer or Carnie if you want to drop some loot, or need a knife that can take a LOT of abuse.
Mike
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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein