An answer in search of a question?

ebidis

ebidis

Joined
Jun 23, 2012
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Just out of curiosity, what seemingly indispensable features on modern knives do you think (in your opinion before anyone gets their feelings hurt) are more of a trend or fashion feature than an actual needed feature. In other words, what currently popular features do you feel may be "an answer in search of a question"?

I'll start. Lockbar over travel stops: an answer in search of a question (IMO).

Discuss.
 
Locks in general.
But seriously I'd say super steels. As they become more and more common people will be less inclined to learn how to sharpen.
 
I agree with the first two. But I love my better steels...
:)
I don't like plastic backspacers either; particularly when you can use standoffs for about the same money...and have a flow-thru design.
 
asdf12345 said:
Bearing pivots.
Click to expand...

I think I can agree with this, I have many examples of well executed washer pivots which are just as smooth as my knives with ball bearings. I think there are a few knife makers out there who have shown that washers can be unbelievably smooth. One example is the ZT 0620 which I own. It is one of the smoothest action folders I have ever experienced. Bronze washers, as smooth as ice on glass. Even smoother than my 0562cf, and a couple of knives I have with IKBS. Also, solid lockup, zero play in any direction. Truly one of the best I have owned.

I'm not saying this is always the case, in every example, from every maker, just one example that shows what is possible, but hey, if people like ball bearings, that's ok too. Vive le difference.
 
The answers to your questions are going to be as varied as the knife buyer's individual tastes. I think
trends change over time as new technologies, materials and techniques develop. From traditional knives
to lockbacks to axis locks and frame locks, from inferior metals to super steels and leather pouches to
felt lined kydex sheaths.

I don't mind lock bar stabelizers but I also think that steel inserts on the lockbar un-necessary. My oldest
Ti framelock hasn't moved a bit, nor has it developed any late lockup due to not having a steel insert.

I don't think every fixed blade needs a sawback. One is fine, but if I'm near the house I'm using a real saw.

I don't think all OTF's from a certain manufacturer need to have glass breakers on the end. I understand maybe
certain users want it available, but all knives of a particular model shouldn't have to suffer their existence.

I think that the idea that a knife should have to pass a test that is unrelated to it's intended use is silly. My
knife doesn't need to pass heavy spinewhack tests any more than it needs to go through a metal detector or
act as a throwing knife.

Some guys don't mind sharpening a knife frequently or how rust resistant their knife is, so the question of
flavor of the month steels is also viable.
 
Leftytwogunz said:
The answers to your questions are going to be as varied as the knife buyer's individual tastes. I think
trends change over time as new technologies, materials and techniques develop. From traditional knives
to lockbacks to axis locks and frame locks, from inferior metals to super steels and leather pouches to
felt lined kydex sheaths.

I don't mind lock bar stabelizers but I also think that steel inserts on the lockbar un-necessary. My oldest
Ti framelock hasn't moved a bit, nor has it developed any late lockup due to not having a steel insert.

I don't think every fixed blade needs a sawback. One is fine, but if I'm near the house I'm using a real saw.

I don't think all OTF's from a certain manufacturer need to have glass breakers on the end. I understand maybe
certain users want it available, but all knives of a particular model shouldn't have to suffer their existence.

I think that the idea that a knife should have to pass a test that is unrelated to it's intended use is silly. My
knife doesn't need to pass heavy spinewhack tests any more than it needs to go through a metal detector or
act as a throwing knife.

Some guys don't mind sharpening a knife frequently or how rust resistant their knife is, so the question of
flavor of the month steels is also viable.
Click to expand...

I figured I would get varied responses, but I was curious as to what answers I would get. It's just interesting to me which particular features some people see as essential, and which they see as superfluous.

I am in agreement on the steel insert, if a ti LockbarLockbar is done correctly, it is definitely "an answer in search of a question".

Also don't get me wrong, I'm not really against any of these features, I just think that some are unnecessary.
 
Flippers, bearing pivots, overly heavy tanker constructions, ...
 
way to heavy overbuilt designs. The guy who owns my local knife shop owns over $30,000 in custom Hinderers. So whenever I am in there I get to handle his $3-5,000 each Hinderers. They suck! The Hinderer flippers just dont flip! Unless you put a lot of wrist into it the blade makes it about 60% of the way only. The knives themselves are way to heavy. The G10 is to thick, the titanium is to thick etc. Carrying one is like having a brick in your pocket. I must say the exotic grinds I have seen, done by Rick himself, are pretty damn impressive. The knife shop owner is so into the blade game he goes to Blade show every year, goes to Hinderers house twice a year and is on a first name basis with Mick Strider. He is trying to sell off his Hinderers now which is funny.

ZT's are pretty perfect when it comes to heavily built. Past that is just overkill. Also need to mention that all the Hinderers I have handled really were not all that sharp which was just flat disappointing. Love flippers, love my ZT's, love BEARINGS, love high end blade steels esp. Elmax. Agree that I greatly prefer stand offs to back spacers.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I agree with the first two. But I love my better steels...
:)
I don't like plastic backspacers either; particularly when you can use standoffs for about the same money...and have a flow-thru design.
Click to expand...

And a greater chance of a knife that won't center. Go ask RJ Martin why he doesn't use standoffs.
 
I'll nominate that ridiculous Lionsteel knife with the removable thumb disk and flipper.

Also, any of the 'extra tools' DPX tries to incorporate on their knives (eg. The differently sized jimping to use as wire strippers).
 
I wouldn't but flippers on the list. They may seem flashy to some but they really are a sure fire way to get the blade open, especially if you need it open fast. I also think we don't realize how playing wth our knives improves our dexterity much greater than the average person. I'm one to always ask my non knife friends and family questions like "which of these is more intimidating?" "Which of there looks more utilitarian?". Far and away a flipper knife is the easiest for people to use when I ask them. Thumbstuds usually result in a two handed opening.
 
SadSappySucker said:
Locks in general.
Click to expand...

Locks have been around since folding knives were invented. What do you think the spring is doing? It is keeping the knife open. Try taking off the spring on a slippie and see if the blade doesn't flop around.

There's the balisong too. It's been here a long time. Simple and strong and not about to go out of style.
 
singularity35 said:
Locks have been around since folding knives were invented. What do you think the spring is doing? It is keeping the knife open. Try taking off the spring on a slippie and see if the blade doesn't flop around.

There's the balisong too. It's been here a long time. Simple and strong and not about to go out of style.
Click to expand...

I was joking hence the "but seriously" right below it.
And regarding my super steel post, I'm all for innovation, and I don't believe it will go out of style per se. I just wish we would worry more about proper blade maintenance then extra long edge holding/ corrosion resistance.
I also liked the post about glass breakers.
 
Almost every feature on modern knives is unnecessary. Locks, flippers, thumb studs, fancy pivots, etc. A very basic knife generally functions just as well for almost every task. That said, I'm glad we get to choose all of this unnecessary stuff.
 
SadSappySucker said:
I was joking hence the "but seriously" right below it.
And regarding my super steel post, I'm all for innovation, and I don't believe it will go out of style per se. I just wish we would worry more about proper blade maintenance then extra long edge holding/ corrosion resistance.
I also liked the post about glass breakers.
Click to expand...

If you say so. :)
 
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