Hey everyone, David C. Andersen here coming at you from the KnifeCenter. And today, we're
taking a look at some knives that are built to last a lifetime. Let's check them out.
(KnifeCenter.com) So now more than ever, there are a lot of knives out there. And for folks out
there who like to collect and like getting some new things and like experimenting and
experiencing different shapes and different designs, it's awesome. But if you're not really
looking to do something like that, if you want to kind of cut through the chatter and find
something you know, is going to be ultra reliable. And something that is going to be a
lifetime investment, maybe even something you could hand down to your kids. Well, I've got a
few here, I think that are going to go that extra mile for you and are going to last and one
of the things you can do first, when you're trying to pick out one of these a knife that's
going to do that sort of thing is look to an established company that has a solid warranty,
which is going to bring us to our first knife, which I'm going to say has a bit of an asterisk
next to it, and I'll get to that in a minute. But that is the Buck 110, the folding Hunter,
the classic Buck knife, they started about 50 bucks, they're made in America, this particular
version has an extra finger grooves, it's about 70 bucks. So it's a little bit more of a premium
for that feature. But you're getting a solid product that's made, just almost exactly like it
was back in the 60s when it was introduced. Because it's a solid enduring design. Made in
America, nice clip point shape, solid handles enough to hold on to and you got that back lock
at the at the back there, as the name suggests, for some nice security. Now what Buck has going
for it, in addition to just this classic design is there forever warranty, they're gonna take
care of you. If this knife ever gets worn out, which depending on how much you use it, it may
happen. And this is where the asterisk comes in a little bit. Now it's got a few things going
for it that are going to help it to last. But the lock back mechanism here if you use it a lot
repeated openings and repeated use over many, many years, can introduce a little bit of play,
it might not lock up as solidly 50 years from now as it does today. And also unlike a lot of
more modern designs, you don't have any adjustable pivots here that you've got this
brass bolster and the pivot going through the the Tang of the knife itself. You can't tweak
that at all, there are some things you can do to kind of shore it up if it starts to get loose.
Or you can take through take advantage of that forever warranty. But still solid knife. And if
you're looking for something classic and budget oriented, that you're going to be able to rely
on, I still think this is a very good place to start. Of course even better than taking
advantage of a great warranty like this is a knife with a company that has a warranty like
that, but you may never have to take advantage of. And the next two knives I'm going to show
you take that that lock back mechanism and put their own spin on it to kind of address some of
those shortcomings I did just mentioned. And that's Cold Steel with their triad lock about
two knives here, the ultimate hunter here at the bottom. And the code four in the clip point
blade shape here at the top prices on these were about 114 for the ultimate hunter and about 90
for the code for which is a really nice deal aluminum handles on that knife nice and thin. So
it's going to be a nice classy looking carry over the years and something that's very easy to
pocket. Both of them have s 35 vn steel, but the ultimate hunter has a bit more girth in the
handle, you've got g 10 with a bit of a rounded feel. So you're going to have a more comfortable
feel in the hand a bit of a meteor grip. And this might make it a better choice for those
outdoor pursuits as well but it still makes a good EDC. Now, if you take a look at the back of
that book and the back of that Cold Steel, you can see right here, the Tang of the knife and
the leaf spring on that lock meet up together on the book,
we have a little bit of a gap on the Cold Steel. And that's because for one thing, there's a stop
pin in there, combined with kind of the angles of the interface between the walk and the steel,
it's supposed to be self adjusting over time. So any kind of play that may develop, it's going to
self correct, which is pretty nice. Now one difference here I will mention that I probably
could have just put the code for on here. And the main difference here is the grind on the
blade we've got a flat grind on the ultimate Hunter, but we've got a hollow grind on the code
for and personally I kind of prefer the the cutting characteristics of a good flat grind,
especially if it's a pretty thin one. But if we're talking about lifetime a lifetime of use,
the hollow grind actually does have some advantages because it's thinner behind the edge
because of that scooped out shape. The more you sharpen it, it's gonna stay thinner longer than
that flat ground knife will so it might cut a little better down the line if you if you don't
do something like use that warranty to maybe get a new blade installed or something like that.
And you've got that advantage like I said with the code for here and you've got a really nice
factory edge even right out of the box with Cold Steel. They do a really good job on folders like
this. Now, the price on These knives definitely a little bit more more than a little bit more in
some cases than that Buck 110. But this is the kind of a case if you're making an investment in
something, as with any kind of thing where you're buying good tools or the good thing
first, it's buy once cry once, that way, you're not making an excuse for the dollars you spent
yesterday for the condition of your tool today. Our next up is the Spyderco Caribbean. And this
is what I was talking about with a knife with a thin flat grind, you do have a flat grind here
as opposed to the hollow. But because it's a full flat and the blade stock isn't super thick,
you're still gonna have a lot of long life. When you go to sharpen this knife, whether you get
this full serrated one, or the standard plain edge version, which I would actually recommend
for the lifetime use in this case go with the plain edge it is going to be easier to maintain
over time. But the thing that this knife really has going for it is the stain resistance of the
materials. Here you've got lc 200 and steel, which not only does it perform exceptionally
well has really nice edge stability to edge last a long time. But it is just shy of being
completely rustproof, you're going to have no problem maintaining this blade. Over the years,
it's not going to get out get all rusty on you, it's going to look really good in years to come.
You've also got a nice solid g 10 handle here with plenty of grip and Spydercos compression
lock, which is one of the strongest in their lineup, you've got some really nice lock up from
the the tab on this liner that sticks into the blade itself. It's not just a flat liner, like
like most liner locks would be, you get that one hand operation keeping your billet your fingers
out of the blade path. Just overall a really solid usable design a bit unconventional
looking, but it is not going to quit on you. Now when we're talking about knives that are built to last for generations even, we've
got to talk about the Chris Reeve sebenza the current sebenza 30 ones, the large version
started about 450 gotten up to like 550 for the micarta versions. But this is my old 21 which
has served me for many many years and it is still rock solid. You can get a few different
blade shapes with the sebenza. This is their insingo pattern which is essentially just a
sheepsfoot modified sheepsfoot with a little bit of belly to the edge itself. And nice hollow
grind on these guys as well. So you've got that nice longevity built in. These knives are made
in America and the precision is palpable. As soon as you pick these knives up. A lot of folks
kind of complained that they aren't as fast and fidgety as some of the newer ball bearing
equipped flippers out there. But when you're going for a strong knife that just doesn't quit.
The sebenza really has it. Now there's a friend of mine, I think he said this really well.
really extensive user of knives and he's put the sebenza through things that he would not
recommend people doing with a fixed blade even. And it comes through with flying colors. You've
got nice thick slabs of titanium, just a few moving parts here to eliminate extra play. And
you can feel that in the opening action, maybe a little bit slower, but it is nice and smooth.
And the lock up. There's a reason the trope goes it has that bank vault lock up, it just feels
100% every time. And the strength of that lock up really comes down to two things. One, I
talked about it already it's the precision and two. It's the frame lock that you get here which
more appropriately called the Chris Reeve integral lock because they did come up with this
and you see it. Everyone does a frame lock these days because it's something that just plain
works and not just the sebenza in their lineup. You got a lot of great Chris Reeves with that
great lockup. So in a similar vein to the sebenza we've got a few more kind of frame
locking folders that are kind of overbuilt, but not chunky not too chunky anyways, but things
they're kind of engineered to the max and engineered to last. And another American made
knife is the Rick hinder x m 18. And this is another case where any of Rick's frame locks are
going to fit the same criteria here I just happen to pick the x m 18. Because it's it's
kind of like just the right size it's not the bigger knives it's not the too small is just a
fantastic all around tactical and EDC knife. Our prices on these vary depending on what steel and
what materials are used. I think one of our most recent batches were about 425 This one's a
slightly older one belongs to one of our buyers upstairs, we've got an S 35 vn blade about three
and a half inches, no hollow grind here but you've got that nice long wearing steel going
on. Same steel is that that's a Benz I had just a moment ago. In fact, we've got g 10 on the
front with a titanium liner and a nice thick slab of titanium on the back as well. Now
current versions of this knife come with the tri-way pivot so you have ball bearings as well
as some standard washers included. This is one of the older guys that doesn't have the ball
bearings, but it's nice and broken in and flips very nicely. Like the sebenza this is another
knife that you pick up Then you can just feel kind of that tank like solidity and that
longevity, as soon as you pick it up. One of the other things that's really nice about the
Hinderer stuff is you can kind of customize it a little bit too. I know this is not a not an
inexpensive knife by any stretch of the imagination. But you've got extra like filler
tabs, you can buy extra stuff on different hardware, different clips, to kind of really
make something your own to which is something you you do see on some lesser expensive knives,
but certainly hardly at all on the really cheap stuff out there these days. Our next step is an
Italian knife, the lion steel SR 11. flipper, and this guy goes a step further than the the
frame locking designs we've just seen. And that we've got a fully integral handle, we don't have
a separate piece front and back, it is a single piece of titanium on this model wrapped around
the spine leading in to that integral lock there on the back. Now the benefit of this obviously,
is you've got a ton of strength. In fact, like if you do something where you've really messed
up one of these lionsteels, I'd say you definitely gotten your money's worth out of the
slot, this lifetime knife, for sure. But you've got a lot of strength, a lot of rigidity in this
design as well. You've got a insert on the lock bar here up at the top, which is designed to
have a longer wearing interface between the lock bar and the steel since titanium can be a little
bit softer. Now the current sebenza 31s they have a ceramic interface, and the the more
current hinders have this as well. So even though these two that I just showed you don't
have it, they're constantly improving these designs. You also have Lion Steel's roto block
which you can twist down here to keep that lock bar for moving at all, which is a really nice
just extra feature. You've also got ball bearings in this particular knife I KBS ball
bearings, in fact, so if you're looking for something with kind of sort of that sebenza like
feel but you want that flipping action, this is going to be a really good option. You've got a
Sleipner steel drop point blade, 3.7 inches, got the SR 22 for a smaller version pack both of
these previous two knives have smaller versions as well. Just a really solid, no holds barred
design that you're going to be able to use for many many years to come. Our next step we're
going to go over to fixed blades and then talk about RMJ Tactical, I've got their Sparrow here,
which is one of their smaller knives comes in about 200 but pick anything in their lineup and
I'd be able to save the same things in terms of the quality then that I can with this particular
knife. They've got those big designs, nice big honkin tactical things but I actually really
really like this Sparrow design. It's nice and small, about 3.3 inches, got kind of a tactical
paring knife vibe going on. And as such, this is going to make a nice little EDC for self defense
little bit of food prep perhaps although you do have a hollow grind here, which may not be as
good for food prep, but it's good for the longevity like we talked about, but also just a
great utility knife overall. Also not a bad burden trout knife and you've got some nice
orange on the orange and black g 10 here which kind of helps it fit in with that vibe. That is
a KnifeCenter exclusive handle material by the way, just FYI. But those handle scales are
secured very tightly to the Tang, you've got some flared tubes along here nytro v stainless
steel on this particular knife so you've got the stainless qualities and you've got a high degree
of toughness as well. The knife is American made as is the sheath which is kydex and you've got
to Molle or tar to pull the dot straps here so you can carry it horizontally very easily. You
can take those off, throw something on to make a make it a pocket fixed blade. It's just gonna be
a really nice knife that's always there for you. Next up we're gonna go with one of the legacy
companies out there and that is the German made bokor knives and when it comes to their, the
stuff they make the Applegate Fairbairn combat dagger is phenomenal. It is built like a rock.
Now the materials that you're going to get here I will admit aren't necessarily the latest and
greatest. You've got 440 c steel and a Delrin handle fiberglass Delrin. But any of these
knives honestly if you bought the latest and greatest today, 50 years from now may look a
little old fashioned too. So you really want something that is going to last and is going to
satisfy and there the German made fixed blades from Boker like I said are top notch. You've got
that six inch double edged blade here. few different versions of this knife are available.
This one has the signatures of Colonel Rex Applegate and Lieutenant Colonel William
Fairbairn, they're at the bottom brass cross guard here and the handles really nice. You've
got a little bit of that wasp shaped kind of descended from the Fairbairn Sykes dagger, and
it feels really nice. You got a solid retention screw here right in the middle. Feels phenomenal
sheath is kydex so at least you get to be a more modern take right there. And you've got the
whole patterns here. You can use it with the the included Tek-Lok or a lot of other aftermarket
stuff as well. Right now we're going to transition a little bit from the tactical into
sort of the tactical survival outdoors style, kind of that kind of crossover genre. And it's a
company se, who's really famous for their warranty. All these guys so far have a very good
warranty, but se is very famous for their lifetime, no questions asked warranty. And on a
knife like this, their se five, this particular one comes in about 168 made here in America,
you have got something that is going to outlast your grandchildren, probably quarter inch thick,
1095 steel, super tough at with that material and that thickness. And if you ever were to
manage to break it, they take care of you no problem at all. But you just you've just got
that massive slab of steel, a fairly stout flat grind. So you're going to be able to power
through some things you probably shouldn't be powering through with a knife. But that's the
beauty of this particular design. Now the latest versions of this knife are really nice with
their contoured handle scales. This one is a black and blood red g 10 feels really nice in
the hand, it's got a perfect feel to it. And not too much texture from the ridges where it's
going to create hotspots got a little bit of space to choke back on that handle. Even though
this is not a long knife, there is enough weight here you could do some some rudimentary chopping
with it. And you get a nice point there at the pommel to concentrate your force for some of the
tactical applications this blade might see. The sheath for this knife is likewise very nicely
done kydex again, clicks in nicely. And we've got a nice slide lock here which when you you
cinch it back down and this position is designed to keep you from being able to pull this out of
the kydex sheath without like the the biggest of Yanks, perhaps, but even more security, which is
nice. You got some belt attachment hardware included and also some of that aftermarket stuff
like the Tek-Lok is going to work very well here. And last but not least, but maybe first in
my heart is lt right? Pick a knife. Same thing applies. You've got blades here that are
designed to last This is the gen five my one of my personal knives, in fact, coming in about 240
and you've got everything with lt right from the very basic handle construction here with just
standard natural micarta up to some really fancy stuff. And they've all got two things going for
them rock solid handcrafted construction and a lifetime warranty behind it as well. Now the
strength of their designs comes down to two things I'd say mainly one steel selection, they
always tend to use some really tough stuff. This Gen five has a to about five inches of it. I saw
flat ground saber grind here and the handles are finished by hand which feels really good. But
the strength comes down to not just these nice thick bolts that you have here but also a marine
grade two ton epoxy that they use they've got they liked like to talk about having mechanical
and chemical adhesion for their handle scales. That stuff is very strong that they use I've
actually seen micarta itself delaminate before that epoxy fails. It is really tough stuff. And
because of the hand finishing, no hot spots to worry about either just a completely comfortable
and hand filling grip. You don't get kydex with this knife, but that's cool if you prefer
something more traditional like leather, got a really nice JRE Industries made leather sheath
here. You can see mine has some of the battle scars on it, you get a dangler attachment which
you can fold out of the way if you like nice firesteel loop and rock solid as well. Alright,
that's all for the list today. And while certainly not the only knives you might be able
to purchase and expect to outlast you. This is a great place to start at least I think so. Let me
know what you thought of my picks. Let me know what your lifetime picks are down below as well.
If you want to get your hands on any of these guys, we will leave links in the description to
take you over to KnifeCenter comm make sure as well that you sign up for our knife rewards
program so that when you put your money down on one of these lifetime knives, you can earn some
free money to spend on your next one. Even if you're not going to need another knife to
replace one of these. I'm David C. Andersen from the KnifeCenter signing off. See you next time.