Are you taken in by "overbuilt" marketing?

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

RedLynx

Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
11,445
Hi guys,

Something else I've been wondering similar to my SHTF thread.

Are any of you attracted to knives that are overbuilt tanks, simply because they are marketed as such?

Although I have never purchased any knife solely on that sort of marketing, making sure to look at everything else first, I would by lying if I said I was never sort of impressed by "we just dropped a building on this knife and it cut the building in half, yeah, that's right" sort of marketing. Thing is, I know it's ridiculous marketing that caters to at least somewhat ridiculous scenarios, but I'm sure some of us, let's be honest, have once or twice thought about buying that tank knife because we like to know it's some sort of indestructible piece of awesome sauce.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts. Are you a regular buyer of the overbuilt bomb-proof knives? Do you avoid them like the plague? Do you avoid or buy them primarily because of those features that make them stronger than you'd ever need? Just plain turned off by the marketing on an otherwise well-built tool? I'm not leaning either way, would just like to get some thoughts on these sorts of knives and their markets. Thanks guys.

I guess a sort of simplified question: Has marketing ever turned you off from a knife you would have otherwise bought?
 
The only knife I have that would fit the description of overbuilt is my ZT 0121. I didn't buy it because of the marketing, I loved the design.
 
Personally, I never saw the point of silly big overbuilt FOLDERS.

Maybe some people have misunderstood the concept of a POCKET knife.

Just buy a fixed blade instead, if you want a behemoth of a knife.

Especially, if you cant sit down with the knife in your pocket.

But thats just my opinion.

There is currently a market for these huge folders, so they will be made.....
 
Eh, I just want a knife that locks up solidly and that I have no concerns about failing under heavy use. I'm also big on blade steels, and overbuilt seems to go hand in hand with fancy steels and tight tolerances.

I like overbuilt knives, but that is tempered by ergonomics and weight requirements. I would never carry a Praetorian or 0888 just based on the weight alone. The Adamas has a handle that is really just too damned thick.

It also depends on where you draw the line on overbuilt. Is Cold Steel a producer of overbuilt knives? I certainly don't mind their marketing, but I don't really care for it either. Emerson says they are the toughest knives in the world, which acts actually does bother me as it is blatantly untrue.

In any case, marketing isn't as important to me as price, materials, and performance. I don't care how a knife is marketed as long as I personally like the knife.
 
Folders I definitely don't need overbuilt. Solidly built yes, but no bricks in the pocket for me. The last one I had was a 0550, just a little too thick in the pocket and a little too thick blade stock. 0566 is better choice for my needs. If I want a tank I'll grab my 0121 or BK7 for that matter.
 
BladeScout said:
Personally, I never saw the point of silly big overbuilt FOLDERS.

Maybe some people have misunderstood the concept of a POCKET knife.

Just buy a fixed blade instead, if you want a behemoth of a knife.

Especially, if you cant sit down with the knife in your pocket.

But thats just my opinion.

There is currently a market for these huge folders, so they will be made.....
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better myself.

About the toughest I can see a point for would be like xm or zt 0550. I agree, get a fixed blade. Less cost and inherently stronger by far.

Things like the praetorian, I look at and just laugh.
 
Kind of but not really.

When I saw them here, I thought 'I must own one!', then when I visited a shop that carries hinderers zt's strider etc, I clipped them to my pants and realized it's like pocketing a brick.

No thanks!
 
Time to Google this Praetorian you speak of, it seems. Is it bad I picture a folding Roman broadsword? :P

SVTFreak said:
Couldn't have said it better myself.

About the toughest I can see a point for would be like xm or zt 0550. I agree, get a fixed blade. Less cost and inherently stronger by far.

Things like the praetorian, I look at and just laugh.
Click to expand...
 
No. I want my folders to slice, not to chop, so I don't put a premium on "overbuilt."

But, people seem to love them...the ZT line is clear evidence of that. De gustibus...
 
I do tend to like big overbuilt knives and have bought one and have a few on order because they are suppose tanks. I just like big knives though, I like a wide variety and the overbuilt knives do have a place in my collection.
 
I just buy what I like.
However, I also like my knives to cut things...
So, the SmF and SnG just got the old silicon carbide treatment till they cut the way I wanted. :)
The edge they came with was more of the "Let's dig rocks!" variety.
But that was just the edge, and easily remedied.

The Tuff did not suffer from that issue, so I left it alone.

As for pocket carry, maybe if I were shorter or wore tight emo-style pants it would be an issue, but I never felt any of my knives to be brick-like in carry.
I've always found them to feel better in a pocket than a stupid cellphone...hate those things.
 
Now ugly knives, I have no time for.
Strong, sure.
Ugly, nope.

Life is too short for ugly knives.
 
I tend to prefer larger, stronger folders. I think it might be overcompensation for carrying compact handguns. Either way, I just prefer the heft and feel of an overbuilt folder. It's no more a marketing ploy than marketing any other knife as a flipper/lightweight/folder/neck/whatever knife. If you have a preference, you have a preference. I prefer the overbuilt ones. The thinnest knife I have is a ZT 0801, and carrying my larger knives makes it feel minuscule, even though it probably isn't.
 
As a Busse fan and owner, I for sure like overbuilt.

Thier marketing had zero influence on my decision, Noss did.

Before I even knew what a Busse was, back in my KaBar's are the best thing ever days, I watched Noss beat on a FFBM (what's an FFBM I thought) for what equated to a couple of hours. That is when I knew that I had to have something that could withstand more than anything I would ever use a knife for. Not that I don't enjoy thinner knives for certian tasks, but there is something to be said about a knife that just won't break no matter how stupid you get with it.
 
I'll chime in. I like "well built" knives. Yes I use them for cutting. Never as a pry bar or such. I am a big CRK fan due to USA made and mfg tolerances but several weeks ago purchased an xm-18 ( direct prices) and I would say it is overbuilt for most things I would ever use it for. I am a SHTF fan kinda guy and also every tool has it's place person as well. However in my line of work carrying a fixed blade is just not feasible in my flight suit and having a folder that is "overbuilt" gives me peace of mind. This does have limitations. I would never drop the cash on a praetorian.... Ever. I like hard use knives more on worst case scenario from user reviews and not on "sales hype." Sales gimmicks work, just not on me...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top