Automatic Knife Disqualifier

I'll look at most things, but I'd raise an eyebrow at something with something like AUS6/5Cr13MoV/420 steel. That said my most used EDC is a Stanley combination utility knife and half serrated pocket knife with "who-knows-what" steel in it. When someone borrowed it to open a pallet of bottles and put a series of dents in the edge I was able to smooth/polish them out with a small 3k stone, so I guess lower grade steel has its uses.

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The list of what I want is shorter.
I want USA only.
Tip up only.
No auto or assisted.
No Friging serrations.
 
combo edge, lockbacks, recurve blades are things that I don't like. I also don't like tip up carry but I will buy a knife like that if I really like it, such as the Manix 2 or Benchmade 581.
 
Recurve blades and combo edges really bug me, to the point that I will just skip by a knife that has them even if it's a nice knife otherwise.

I like being able to sharpen a blade in the field without having to bring a rod sharpener, the usability (or lack of) for the partial serrated blades just doesn't appeal to me at all.
 
1. Partial Serrations
2. Any knife with any combination of (A) China and (B) 440A (C) "Stainless" on the blade
3. Mystery Steel (looking at you Gerber)
4. Anything that looks like it would be on the $5 tactical knife table at the flea market
5. Any knife that is a direct, unlicensed copy of an existing design
6. Wire Pocket Clips
7. Knives marketed by celebs/groups/gun companies for quick cash
 
1)- Steel that's worse than VG-10 or AUS-8
2)- Made in China or Taiwan
3)- Serrations
4)- Hollow grinds in fixed blades

I make exceptions from time to time in very specific cases, but I usually end up not using those knives at all. For instance, I bough a couple of serrated H1 Spydies because I thought I ought to try out serrations and they just sit in a drawer collecting dust (I ended up buying plain edge versions of the same knives). I also have a few Cold Steel folders because I wanted to try out the Tri Ad lock, and it was either a Taiwanese CS or getting on Demko's waiting list.
 
Serrations are a deal breaker. Not a fan of recurve. No cheap pos.
For an edc role I'd prefer for it to be legal so: no blade over 5.5, no bowie, no doubled edge, ect.
 
1) Tip down only.
2) Made by Gerber.
3) "Made" by any gun company (aka Taylor Brands or similar in reality).
 
Yeah, I definitely have a few.

For one, knives that can't be adjusted or taken apart down to the screws. Pinned construction means I can't tweak it like I want it, and also limits modding. It's good to see that Spyderco SEEMS to be moving away from offering pinned versions.

Serrations. Partial or full, I just don't like them. I'm a plain edge guy, mainly because that's useful for most applications and easy to sharpen. I do have one serrated blade, a Spyderco Assist, but that's a purpose-built rescue knife, so I accept that.

Co-branded knives. Bear Grylls by Gerber, HK by Benchmade, This by that, etc. etc. When I buy a knife, I buy one from a knife company. I don't want a non-knife brand or person attached to it. I don't mine a designer/collaboration name on the blade, but co-branding really puts me off. This is also a thing in the watch world, where certain brands bring out limiteds to attach themselves to a person, event or organisation. It just feels like cheap marketing.

I'll also admit to being a bit of a snob regarding country of origin, though I'll immediately admit that's also a silly thing. I just like to have my blades made in countries with a high standard of workmanship, highly skilled, well fed, happy workers, etc. Not that Chinese knives are bad per se, but… I just feel a little better paying a bit more to have it made somewhere else.
 
I'm not a fan of flippers...the rest of the knife must exceed in all other characteristics in order for it to interest me.
 
In order:

  1. Serrations (The only time I use a serrated knife is when I slice bread)
  2. Poor Quality Control (I shouldn't have to "break it in")
  3. Cheap Materials/High Cost (I'm not paying $150+ for plastic)
  4. Fan-Boy Praise (Limited Edition doesn't mean squat to me)
 
1. Country of origin like China, or Putinville or any other non-friendly places.
2. Auto or assisted
3. Serrations (except kitchen knives)
4. cheap steel
 
In a folder, the lack of lefty clip mounting is a no-go for me. Unfortuantely, this keeps me away from almost all Kershaws, a company whose products I otherwise admire. My righty wife enjoys her Chive.
I'd love to find a lefty Strider some day, but I'd probably be reluctant to pay the premium for a user.
I would never pay money for a combo edge, but if I found one or was gifted one, I'd consider keeping it.

It's interesting to read the deal-killers for other forumites.
 
Tough crowd. No slipjoints? No metal handles? No S30V? Really? Tough crowd.

For me, pretty much just "mystery steel". I just want to know. I may or may not get jazzed up once I know...but I want to know.
 
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