Hey knife collectors! I want to know more about this hobby of yours. What is it about knives that make you want to collect them? Is there something particular about a knife that you look for, like the construction or material it's made out of? Or a cool feature it can do? Do you ever use them or just store them away to admire? mFREE, you also mentioned flashlights.. can you elaborate on that?
I buy to use and collect as well. usually when i am looking into purchasing a new knife i look into the reviews of people who has used them already. mainly when i look for the type of steel, design and craftsman of the knife. Here is the chart to show the toughness of the steels and it's strenght to hold a sharp edge. The chart is provided by Crucible Steel.
For example - A2 steel which is a carbon steel but is not stainless is a tool steel that has been out for a very long time already. This steel when use to make knives can hold it's sharpness for quite some time without needing to sharpen it. A2 steel will rust if you do not put on a patina or oil it up.
CPM 3V is the toughest carbon steel out there today. it is semi-stainless. this steel can hold a edge longer then A2 as well as it's toughness. this steel will not roll but will chip unlike the A2 which will roll before chipping but is harder to sharpen because of it's tough steel.
1095 High Carbon Steel which ESEE/ROWEN uses to make their knives are a good steel as well but this steel will rust just like the A2, 01, and 3V if not properly taken care of. There is too much to explain but hopefully that chart up there will help any of you guys who are interested in knives and plan to make future purchases. my advice is stay away from stainless steel like
440C and CPM S30V. They are weak. CPM S35VN is the upgraded version of these stainless steel.
Anways back to the flashlight thing. here is a picture of the lights i currently own. i had way more but my wife was complaining so i sold 4 of them to some buddies co/worker.
LEFT to RIGHT: EagleTac T20C2, FENIX TK11 R5, FENIX TK11 R5, FENIX TK11 R5, FENIX TK11 R5.
These lights uses these type of batteries which are 18650 3100mAh rechargeable. these batteries cost a arm and leg for it. 23 bucks for one and i have 14 of them