Automatic Knife Disqualifier

A

AlpacaWrangler

Joined
Aug 20, 2013
Messages
129
Hey Guys.
Do you have one or a list of things that disqualify you from purchasing a knife? Something that if they just changed one thing you would pull the trigger on it? I'll give you a few examples.

1)Country of origin
2) Weak detent
3) Non-standard bits.

I made a video about this.
Check it out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJPAGPds2ZI
 
My general rules are as follows, but occasionally a blade comes along that appeals to me enough to let them slide:

No Assisted
No Metal Handles
No S30V, 8cr or AUS-8 etc.
No chisel grinds
No overbuilt folders.

The exceptions have been--ZT0770CF, Benchmade 585 Orange D2 Mini-Barrage, ZT0801, Brous Bionic, and the TSF Beast sitting in my mailbox right now.
 
I like all sorts of knives, but there are a few things that are dealbreakers for me.

1) Blade play. I have absolutely no tolerance for this. Even if it's just "cosmetic" blade play, it goes right back to the manufacturer.
2) Off-center blades. I can tolerate small variances in centering especially in budget knives, but if a blade is 50% or more off center, it's a no-go. Or more than 10% or so in higher end knives.
3) Knives that I can't take down. I really enjoy taking my knives apart for maintenance. If I can't do that, I won't buy a knife. It bothers me when it's a custom screw setup, but I'll make do as long as the tools aren't overly expensive and there's nothing else that bothers me about the knife.
4) Poor or no warranty. This is why I won't buy a Microtech or Strider knife. I've had too many knives go back to the manufacturer for service over the years to roll the dice on companies with poor warranty track records.
 
Partial serrations.

The rest of the reasons that would disqualify a knife in my eyes are the same on any folder: blade play, bad lockup, fit and finish issues, etc. On all of those you either have to get them to hand pick you one, buy it in person, or rolls the dice and takes yer chances.
 
Tip down only clip. Never will buy one. EVER.
 
Chisel grind
7cr17 steel
Slipjoint/non locking
Less then 3" blade
Not full tang
Short handles on folders

Just generally won't tolerate these.

Some things I try to avoid and may disqualify in certain circumstances:

Blades with strong recurves, pita to sharpen, but I do like kukris etc.

Partially serrated. Don't hate partially serrated knives, but try to avoid them. Short serration parts on the blade (ie large fixed blades where most is fine) is okay.
 
Automatic knives without safeties, which disqualifies 99% of ProTech knives, sadly.

Then again, if they put safeties on their knives I would probably be in serious financial trouble.
 
For me, if a knife says "Gerber", "Cold Steel", or "SOG" on it, it's already in a hole and has to try extra hard to impress me.
 
One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the lack of a sharpening choil. I'm starting to see alot of hideousness where I never did before. An example is the spyderco pm2 and zt 801. I hate seeing that plunge line near the ricasso area where they ground in, and bascially leave a tiny recurve at the base of the blades. Over time, sharpening can increase the appearance of the recurve.

I much prefer the appearance of a clear cut sharpening choil. Like Chris Reeves or the newest zt's (0562 and 0620).

It's more noticeable on some blades than others. But it has become a pet peeve of mine.
 
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Anything with skulls or death-fetish crap written on it is immediately disqualified. :thumbdn:
 
amg137 said:
4) Poor or no warranty. This is why I won't buy a Microtech or Strider knife. I've had too many knives go back to the manufacturer for service over the years to roll the dice on companies with poor warranty track records.
Click to expand...

I respect your opinion, but I have personal experience with two "junk" Striders, Sng and PT, going to Strider and coming back as NEW, ...ZERO cost.
Even CRK will charge you for repairs, IF they will do them.
No "political" discussion is desired.
Sonnydaze
 
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If I can't carry it properly on the left side, I won't even consider it. It's the main reason I don't own a Curtiss, Strider or Hinderer.

It would have to be one hell of a deal for me to consider partially serrated.

Tip down is a must too.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I respect your opinion, but I have personal experience with two "junk" Striders, Sng and PT, going to Strider and coming back as NEW, ...ZERO cost.
No "political" discussion is desired.
Sonnydaze
Click to expand...

That's good to hear, I may give them another look at some point. I've heard a couple horror stories about people sending knives in to them and hearing nothing back for weeks or months. I don't know them well enough to know if they were just stirring up trouble due to their issues with Mick though. I don't really care about the background controversy - if the knife is good and the manufacturer will stand behind it, that's all that matters in my book.
 
I want to say partial serrations, because I really don't like it, but I thought about it, and I don't think I've ever been truly interested in any partially serrated knife that didn't come in a plan edge configuration anyways.
 
amg137 said:
That's good to hear, I may give them another look at some point. I don't really care about the background controversy - if the knife is good and the manufacturer will stand behind it, that's all that matters in my book.
Click to expand...

Their customer service is the best, IMO.
Ninety-six percent of anti-Strider sentiment is not based on the quality of their products. Ask any Marine or a LEO.
It is true, however, that Strider Customer Service can be slow to reply to emails, although some well-known knife-guys disagree...and their repair work will take weeks or months, but when you get it back, it's as new. The knife is warranted for the LIFE of the KNIFE...impressive.
Strider is the tactical equivalent of the "domestic" CRK Sebenza, IMO. (Yes, friends, I carry a Zaan so I know it's "tactical" also)...
Buy a barely-used Sng or SMF for $325-$350, and if you don't like it, sell it again for a similar price.
 
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