when ordering the chef's knife for my nephew, I needed $10 more for free shipping and this Kershaw Dividend was on sale for $19.99 about half off at the time, so why not
made in USA, 3" 420HC steel blade, speed safe opening, liner lock.  for $19.99 it's a bargain.   

I bought a Talibong for a family friend for Christmas.  Traditional Fillipino sword from 1500-1800.  Used as a Machete, chopping wood, dressing game and for self defense of course.  It was so nice I'll be getting one myself.  ( this is real steel, 5160/D2 high carbon steel tempered to HRC 58-60)

I bought a Talibong for a family friend for Christmas.  Traditional Fillipino sword from 1500-1800.  Used as a Machete, chopping wood, dressing game and for self defense of course.  It was so nice I'll be getting one myself.  ( this is real steel, 5160/D2 high carbon steel tempered to HRC 58-60)

nice, never seen that before   

when ordering the chef's knife for my nephew, I needed $10 more for free shipping and this Kershaw Dividend was on sale for $19.99 about half off at the time, so why not
made in USA, 3" 420HC steel blade, speed safe opening, liner lock.  for $19.99 it's a bargain.   

Nice! They get my like that all the time. Just need to add $X.Xx for free shipping. End up spending more than the shipping savings. 

I have a couple Benchmades with 420HC. Good stuff.

I bought a Talibong for a family friend for Christmas.  Traditional Fillipino sword from 1500-1800.  Used as a Machete, chopping wood, dressing game and for self defense of course.  It was so nice I'll be getting one myself.  ( this is real steel, 5160/D2 high carbon steel tempered to HRC 58-60)

Nice EDC. Haha. Looks like would be great for yard work.

got the ZT 0350 over the weekend
it is really nice!   
fit and finish is great, steel liners are thick, G10 grips are very grippy with the checkering which I really like, speed safe opening is what i'm used to fast and locks up solidly, better steel than what i'm used to but didn't really test it at all since its going to my nephew
what I really like and what struck me first about this knife is the G10 grips and how sticky it is in the hand and its big enough to fill my hand, fits great
I tested how the blade would work in my sharpener, and the recurve isn't too bad of an angle.  seems like I can maintain contact with my stones. 
but I mailed it out the next day for my nephew bc he doesn't live here
just have to wait for mine to arrive

Ordered a few more blades to test different steels/brands as well as a fixed blade that I've been wanting for a while.  I've actually been wanting a few different fixed blades, but the rest will have to wait.  Since I have the Wicked Edge system coming in, I figured I would round out the collection with blades in steels that I didn't have or wanted a cheaper one to test (and not be testing on a more expensive blade).  So I ordered a knife in M390, VG-10 and S30V.  I already have a few with S35VN, and one with 20CV and 204p, so have plenty to be testing.  I also got a Henckels set of kitchen knives on Amazon as well.  Been on a bit of a buying spree recently, but I THINK this will be it for a while. . .   

I think the S30V and S35VN are my favorites so far, but I wanted more time with the harder steels, like M390, 20CV, 240p, etc.  Out of the knives that I do have, I think D2 is out as there are other steels in the price range with equal or better edge retention and ease of sharpening, but much better corrosion resistance.  The three D2 blades that I have so far, they work well, but are a PITA to sharpen and have signs of corrosion without careful wipedown with some oil after use. 

nice, you're getting the wicked edge.  is that the top end wicked edge system?  I know all are pretty pricey.

after using my D2 blade more over the past couple weekends for yard work I've learned that they are very difficult to get super sharp.  I can get them working sharp, but not shaving sharp or as sharp as my other blades.  and cutting a lot of wood and plants and trees with the D2, it got stained pretty bad and couldn't just wipe off, I had to use a steel polish to get the stains off.  so maybe I wont be getting too much of the D2 in the future.  since I don't do that much hard use of my smaller blades, i'll look to get better corrosion resistance and better ease of sharpening.

I also been buying some knives and other knife related gear like a Lansky rod sharpener which is like the Spyderco sharpener, a guided sharpener, and a leather strop.  I really like the rod sharpener, easy to use and works pretty fast

Ordered a few more blades to test different steels/brands as well as a fixed blade that I've been wanting for a while.  I've actually been wanting a few different fixed blades, but the rest will have to wait.  Since I have the Wicked Edge system coming in, I figured I would round out the collection with blades in steels that I didn't have or wanted a cheaper one to test (and not be testing on a more expensive blade).  So I ordered a knife in M390, VG-10 and S30V.  I already have a few with S35VN, and one with 20CV and 204p, so have plenty to be testing.  I also got a Henckels set of kitchen knives on Amazon as well.  Been on a bit of a buying spree recently, but I THINK this will be it for a while. . .   

I think the S30V and S35VN are my favorites so far, but I wanted more time with the harder steels, like M390, 20CV, 240p, etc.  Out of the knives that I do have, I think D2 is out as there are other steels in the price range with equal or better edge retention and ease of sharpening, but much better corrosion resistance.  The three D2 blades that I have so far, they work well, but are a PITA to sharpen and have signs of corrosion without careful wipedown with some oil after use.

what knives did you get?  would love to see some pics.   

nice, you're getting the wicked edge.  is that the top end wicked edge system?  I know all are pretty pricey.

after using my D2 blade more over the past couple weekends for yard work I've learned that they are very difficult to get super sharp.  I can get them working sharp, but not shaving sharp or as sharp as my other blades.  and cutting a lot of wood and plants and trees with the D2, it got stained pretty bad and couldn't just wipe off, I had to use a steel polish to get the stains off.  so maybe I wont be getting too much of the D2 in the future.  since I don't do that much hard use of my smaller blades, i'll look to get better corrosion resistance and better ease of sharpening.

I also been buying some knives and other knife related gear like a Lansky rod sharpener which is like the Spyderco sharpener, a guided sharpener, and a leather strop.  I really like the rod sharpener, easy to use and works pretty fast

I ordered the WE-130, so little pricey. . .   

I hear ya on the D2.  I have tried sharpening a Benchmade knife with the D2 with the Spyderco and stones and I have had the same experience.  I can get them working sharp, which to me is cutting up boxes and the basic fingernail test, but yeah, not sharp enough to shave like some other steels.  Since S30V and S35VN offer better edge retention and corrosion resistance at about the same or better ease of sharpening (will see if that changes as I get better with my own technique on the harder steels), I don't see D2 as offering much that I'd want over other steels.  That's why I'm trying VG-10, which seems to be about the same price range as D2. 

And I don't care that much if blades that I used get stained or have a patina, but I do wonder if how easy D2 gets that way, how they will be if say I get it wet and forget to dry it out.  Will it result in rust in say about a week.  Once I test the Benchmade with D2 with sharpening, I might have to test it with corrosion resistance.  But again, the higher maintenance of the D2 is not something I really want to have to think about. 

I have a Lansky rod sharpener that I got a long time ago.  I used to use it mostly for kitchen knives, but now I mostly use stones for kitchen knives. 

what knives did you get?  would love to see some pics.   

 

Will post pics when they come in. 

Preview:
Kershaw M390
Kizer VG-10
Spyderco S30V
Benchmade Fixed S30V

  

Will post pics when they come in. 

Preview:
Kershaw M390
Kizer VG-10
Spyderco S30V
Benchmade Fixed S30V

  

Kershaw Link?
if so, I really like mine.  but mine is 420HC steel.  but I like how the knife is designed, great for EDC.  I was even thinking of picking up the M390 steel too

Kershaw Link?
if so, I really like mine.  but mine is 420HC steel.  but I like how the knife is designed, great for EDC.  I was even thinking of picking up the M390 steel too

Yeah, that's the one!  I was going to try a We knife in M390, both for the steel and to try the We brand.  But at twice the price, decided to go with the Kershaw, esp since this one will be purposely beaten up to test edge retention and then sharpening.   

just when you thought you have enough blades...………….

Test knives have arrived!

Top to bottom:
Spyderco Amalgam
Kershaw Link
Kizer Barbosa

Spyderco Amalgam (S30V)

This is my first Spyderco blade.  It's on the larger side, but not heavy of bulky since both the blade and handle are pretty thin.  This is also my first with the compression lock, which my first impression is that I don't like it.  It seems solid but maybe just awkward as most of my other blades are liner of frame lock.  The flipper opening is ok smooth and I hope that it will smooth out with some wearing in.  Definitely not as smooth as the ZTs that I have.  The blade was pretty sharp out of the box.  I could see this knife becoming part of my EDC rotation.  I actually would like to find a fixed blade that is about the same length, but with a slightly thicker blade.

Kerwhaw Link (M390)

This is an assisted flipper opening with a pretty strong assist.  It's actually on the heavier side compared to the rest of the folders that I have.  The grip is pretty smooth and I actually would like it to have a little more texture.  This one wasn't as sharp as my ZT M390 out of the box, but sharp enough.  This will be one of the first to be tested for edge retention and then sharpening.  I have a lot of cardboard boxes that need to be cut up this weekend.

Kizer Barbosa (VG-10)

My first Kizer knife.  I've been sticking to mostly US made knives, but I've also been wanting to try one of these Chinese produced brands that have gotten good reviews (Civivi, We, and others).  This knife is on the smaller side and smaller than I envisioned.  I probably should have paid more attention to the specs, but I was mostly interested in this one for the VG-10 steel to test.  The flipper opening isn't as smooth and snappy to open as I would like.  Overall it seems pretty well made and doesn't seem "cheap".  The spine on this one is actually pretty thick, but has a nice secondary bevel to the cutting edge.  This one was ok sharp out of the box, but wasn't super sharp compared to other brands that I have.  This one is probably a little small for EDC, but would be a good utility sized knife. 

Spyderco Amalgam (S30V)

This is my first Spyderco blade.  It's on the larger side, but not heavy of bulky since both the blade and handle are pretty thin.  This is also my first with the compression lock, which my first impression is that I don't like it.  It seems solid but maybe just awkward as most of my other blades are liner of frame lock.  The flipper opening is ok smooth and I hope that it will smooth out with some wearing in.  Definitely not as smooth as the ZTs that I have.  The blade was pretty sharp out of the box.  I could see this knife becoming part of my EDC rotation.  I actually would like to find a fixed blade that is about the same length, but with a slightly thicker blade.

Kerwhaw Link (M390)

This is an assisted flipper opening with a pretty strong assist.  It's actually on the heavier side compared to the rest of the folders that I have.  The grip is pretty smooth and I actually would like it to have a little more texture.  This one wasn't as sharp as my ZT M390 out of the box, but sharp enough.  This will be one of the first to be tested for edge retention and then sharpening.  I have a lot of cardboard boxes that need to be cut up this weekend.

Kizer Barbosa (VG-10)

My first Kizer knife.  I've been sticking to mostly US made knives, but I've also been wanting to try one of these Chinese produced brands that have gotten good reviews (Civivi, We, and others).  This knife is on the smaller side and smaller than I envisioned.  I probably should have paid more attention to the specs, but I was mostly interested in this one for the VG-10 steel to test.  The flipper opening isn't as smooth and snappy to open as I would like.  Overall it seems pretty well made and doesn't seem "cheap".  The spine on this one is actually pretty thick, but has a nice secondary bevel to the cutting edge.  This one was ok sharp out of the box, but wasn't super sharp compared to other brands that I have.  This one is probably a little small for EDC, but would be a good utility sized knife.

let me know how all those work out
i'm interested in the M390 especially how it is to sharpen

I also ordered my first Kizer.  its the Intrepid with S35vn.  also my first order from BladeHQ, it shipped the same day.  should have it by early next week.  heard really good things about Kizer, so hope it is good.

now I'm thinking about that Ken Onion Work sharp belt sharpening system.  now i'm doing more yard work so I want to get my machete and other tools nice and sharp.  would be nice to try on my knives too

let me know how all those work out
i'm interested in the M390 especially how it is to sharpen

I also ordered my first Kizer.  its the Intrepid with S35vn.  also my first order from BladeHQ, it shipped the same day.  should have it by early next week.  heard really good things about Kizer, so hope it is good.

now I'm thinking about that Ken Onion Work sharp belt sharpening system.  now i'm doing more yard work so I want to get my machete and other tools nice and sharp.  would be nice to try on my knives too

Will do. Used the Kershaw M390 to break down and cut up a bunch of boxes today. Probably one of the usual tasks for my folding knives. I did cut them up into smaller pieces than I normally would to test the edge retention. It went though even the thicker cardboard with ease. I normally just use the knife tip to score the sections. This time, I also used the main belly of the knife to both slice and push cut and the knife went right through. After I was done, I cleaned off some of the adhesive and tested the edge. Still felt pretty sharp and was still able to shave hair, but not as close as some of my super sharp knives.

So overall good first test on edge retention. Will use it some more before moving onto sharpening.

I was looking at the Kizer Intrepid as well. The G-10 version i was looking at had a VG-10 blade. Now I wish I went with that one as the one that I got is much smaller than I would normally buy. But ok for a test blade.

got the Kizer Intrepid yesterday
came in a very nice box, with a cleaning cloth and a very nice knife storage pouch.  those are a nice touch.
3.6" S35VN steel .16" thick, 4.6" titanium handles with rounded smooth edges, manual ceramic bearing with flipper opening, frame lock, tip up right hand carry only
at first opening was smooth but not great, wiped it down and just shot some oil in the pivot and its much better.  opening is very smooth.  although I still prefer the assisted opening, this manual is still very good.  detent could be a little stronger but its still very good.
quality , fit and finish is very good.  maybe on par with my only ZT.  I only have 1 of each brand so that's not really a fair comparison, and both are really good quality.
overall I am really pleased with this Kizer blade. 

got the Kizer Intrepid yesterday
came in a very nice box, with a cleaning cloth and a very nice knife storage pouch.  those are a nice touch.
3.6" S35VN steel .16" thick, 4.6" titanium handles with rounded smooth edges, manual ceramic bearing with flipper opening, frame lock, tip up right hand carry only
at first opening was smooth but not great, wiped it down and just shot some oil in the pivot and its much better.  opening is very smooth.  although I still prefer the assisted opening, this manual is still very good.  detent could be a little stronger but its still very good.
quality , fit and finish is very good.  maybe on par with my only ZT.  I only have 1 of each brand so that's not really a fair comparison, and both are really good quality.
overall I am really pleased with this Kizer blade. 

NICE!

Made in USA, s30v steel, for $99