A Little Rant (Or Some Likes And dislikes)

Blade Lab said:
"I'm not crazy about [...] S45VN [...]

I really like [...] S35VN..."

I can't say I've seen a whole lot of difference between the two. I doubt you could tell one from the other in a blind test. Of course that's true of a lot of steels, so...
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You may be right.

it’s just that in my experience (admittedly limited) so far with S45VN I have found that it has chipped easily in circumstances where I have not had S35VN chip.

It could just be that the particular manufacturer’s heat treat is not all that it should be.
 
ebidis said:
You may be right.

it’s just that in my experience (admittedly limited) so far with S45VN I have found that it has chipped easily in circumstances where I have not had S35VN chip.

It could just be that the particular manufacturer’s heat treat is not all that it should be.
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S45vn is a little less tough, according to Larrin, but probably not enough of a difference to where you'd see a big contrast. As you said, it's more likely to be variation in how the blades were heat treated and/or sharpened.
 
The whole concept of tactical knives is idiotic, idiotic squared for tactical folders. Tactical is defined as a carefully planned action to achieve a specific goal. What carefully planned action would ever result in needing a sharpened prybar that cuts poorly and for which goal would this be optimal? I would be fine if we stopped calling these fidget toys knives.

Deep carry clips are great because they make the grip more comfortable vs regular clip in most cases.

CPM-D2 is a significant and worthy improvement over ingot D2, but with existence of 154CM, XHP and CPM-Cruwear it is not clear why use it instead of the other ones.
 
Opinions?! Oh boy! I have some!

I like Tri-Ad locks, lockbacks, and AXIS/Crossbar locks.

Not a fan of frame- and liner-locks, after I had one try to unlock on me. It was completely my fault for trying to use the wrong tool for the job rather than taking the time to find the right tool. Still though, this takes my "git 'er done" attitude out of the mix.

I don't like thumb ramps anymore, or the jimping that usually goes with them. For my practical cutting requirements (as opposed to the occasional Mall ninja indulgence I allow myself), they just get in the way.

I like a more "neutral' handle shape, instead of something with curvaceous curves that are made to do some high-speed secure gripping thing.

I like modified wharncliffe blades, or something with a less pronounced belly. Think of Fiddleback Forge's work, and you'll see what I mean. For most of my cutting work, something with a steep belly (like a Ka-bar) just slips out of the intended cut.

G-10 and Micarta. Wood slabs for some knives.

Not a fan of bone, celluloid, the more traditional plastic choices, or this new Ultem trend. Big 'ol meh.

I have a 4-Max Scout, so I'm not totally against big folding knives for fun, but for most practical everydays, something around a 3" blade is the right size for me.

Pocket clips. Easy to pull, easy to clip, and needs to stay in my pocket, even if I fall out of an airplane. A difficult balance, as you might imagine. Cold Steel of all places, does it well.

Pocket clip screws. Yes, I have opinions about pocket clip screws. See, I've had clips come loose, just from walking around. A triangle-shaped screw pattern, like the Cold Steel Recon series, causes problems. I think the third screw acts as a fulcrum point against the other two, allowing them to eventually escape. So, I should really say that Cold Steel does it well, sometimes. Or maybe I just haven't carried my 4-Max enough to have this happen.

Not big on full flat grinds, or really thin blade tips. I'm a bit of a gorilla, and I don't trust myself with blade grinds toward the "high performance" end of matter seperation geometry.

Serrations. No thanks. I've tried and tried to like them, but I'm a town boy, and I don't cut much rope, or jungle vines, depending on how hardcore you want to be with your survival scenario. I would rather have a sharp blade to a serrated one.

I'm not interested in chasing the latest super steel.

I want companies to put Rc numbers in the information they send to retailers. At least, "target hardness" numbers.
 
I love drop points, some wharncliffs. I avoid clip points... Cause I break things that are delicate. I like flat grinds, can't stand scandi grinds... I tried a mora for two years and couldn't stand it.
I like micarta and can live with G10, but straight plasticky handles and bone/antler are a no go for me. I like wood handles.
I tried liking Spyderco but every one I've touched has been meh for me. I gave away the one I bought myself.
My $.02....
 
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Sharp & Fiery said:
I agree on the deep carry pocket clips. I’m not a huge fan either. I like to not fight with my knife to remove it from my pocket.

I do love a great lockback. 😁
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I actually don't like pocket clips of any kind. For some reason they'll take a chunk outa my hand at the oddest times, when I am NOT reaching for the knife.... :confused:
 
I do like deep carry clips, but they must be a matte black and unobtrusive, because it does defeat the purpose if they are colorful. I have a great 5x5 deep carry clip/glass breaker that replaces the backspacer on my Endura, it is very invisible when that is needed. No buying bright chrome looking ones for me. I really only have it on the one knife.

I don't like when a knife rides insanely high, Cold Steel pocket clips could be better too... My Rajah II clip goes back and forth across the handle in use, and I misplaced two of my Wihas.

Am a very limited fan of frame/liner locks, due to the propensity to close when held tightly. I do like the RAT series, Spyderco Advocate, and Cricket.

I like Wharncliffes, backlocks, compression lock, Shark lock, bolsters, classic 60+ yr history folders, clip points and upswept blades for aesthetic reasons, David Mary, Spyderco in general, and the inclusion of beautiful wood in a folder.
 
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strong dislikes:
combo edges
lockbacks (and backlocks if you're trying to make lockbacks sound better)
hammered flats on a blade
ineffective thumb studs
steels underappreciated even if they have good qualities

mild dislikes:
tip up
deep carry clips
framelocks where one side looks significantly worse than the other side
overhyping of steels beyond their actual properties
 
I'm apparently not as fussy about my knives, as some people are about theirs. 🤔

The only thing I don't like are blades that use thumb studs/discs because I can not open a knife with them well.

I prefer flippers or holes for the opening device for my folders; auto & balis are another matter. I also prefer knives with blades between 3.75 - 4" long but still own knives with blades that are both longer & shorter.

I only carry a few of the knives in my collection and all the clip has to do is keep the knife that I carry securely attached to & in my pocket.

The type of steel & shape of the blade doesn't matter because I don't use any of the knives in my collection to do more than cut open an envelope. I also don't care what kind of lock a knife has as long as it does the job of locking the blade in place when it's opened.

I lean towards smooth metal & CF scales but also have many knives using G10 and FRN.

Otherwise, my only criteria for my buying & keeping a knife is simply whether I like the way it looks and how it feels in my hand. I've made a few mistakes along the way but I've returned/sold very few of the knives I've ever purchased, which is why my collection is so large.

LOL! 🤷‍♂️
 
I don’t like button locks that are easy to accidentally depress while using the knife.
Not a fan of deep carry clips overall, but I’ve had a few that were done right.
And I’ve stayed away from big bulky titanium frame locks. Just not my thing.

I like to carry 2 blades - one 3.5”-4” and one traditional in the watch pocket
Everything else I find interesting and makes this hobby fun. Over the past 25+ years I’ve narrowed down what I prefer, but I still enjoy seeing all the different variations.
 
Terry M. said:
I have a serious dislike for receiving a brand new blade that is dull. That drives me up a wall and ruins the new knife experience for me (I’m talking to you Spartan Blades)
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What do Makers do at shows?
With my group/circles of friends, when I hand them a knife I Warn them that it's sharp... They inevitably cut themselves, and look at my like I'm evil, because it was So Sharp....(too sharp?)


One of my goals, is to someday go to a show....
I just assume all those knives are dull? For liability reasons?
Idk
 
I have a bunch of “don’t like” rules, but every rule needs to be broken. For example:

- i don’t like thumb studs for opening .... my CRKs are fine though
- i don’t like recurves .... just got this really cool Kukri though
- i don’t like fixed blades below 4.5” blade ... except my two Lorien Arnold knives
- no lanyards in this household ... well, except the matching one on my beautiful navman navman
- no serrations ... except the ones Josh made.

Etc. You get the point :)
 
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