I can't offer any advice on the company, but I can tell you the mistakes I've made.

#1 is not understanding how I carry knives. I have several beautiful, expensive knives which I never use, because it turns out I prefer to carry small knives. For example, I havea both a UTX-85 and a UTX-70, and the 70 gets far more pocket time. I really only carry the 85 around the house. My favorite knife may be my ZT0350 - it feels great, it's a smooth flipper (assisted, so duh), and the steel is fantastic... but it's a relative monster in my pocket, so it lives in a drawer. Then I have a cheapish higonakami knock-off that I carry almost everywhere, because it disappears in my pocket, and should anything stupid happen with cops, no-one is going to feel threatened or offended by its tiny blade, basic operation, and it doesn't even lock!

You can't go wrong with a Benchmade (although, you're taking about a knock-off?). One of my favorite knifes, ever, it used to be my EDC (until the UTX70). I have lost multiple Griptillions to the TSA simply because of muscle memory. I've gifted Griptillions. I have two, right now, in my drawer. I love that they come in a variety of qualities, with different steels. They're just good, well-made knives, and are the perfect size for me.

I think quality matters a lot, so if you can at all afford it, if I were you I'd skip the knock-off and go directly for the Benchmade brand. There's a lot that goes into a flipper beyond the steel - the quality of the bearings, the grips, the locking mechanism - that all affect how much you'll enjoy the knife.

But most importantly, IMO, for a first knife, understand what you're going to be willing to carry in your pocket. A nice beefy blade is a great thing, but does you no good if it just sits in a drawer because it's too much bulk for your pocket. Seriously. Some knives are like carrying a second wallet. If you're the kind of person who doesn't mind having their pockets bulging with stuff, then go for it. Or if you carry a purse, heck yeah: get the biggest your local laws allow. Otherwise, get one you know you'll carry and use: experience will greatly affect your choice of your second knife.