Brand Loyalty

I currently have less than 20 knives.

I have 11 different brands.

The only brand I have multiples of is Spyderco, which only happened because I go to the factory blem sale and buy multiples (it's the only time I buy multiples of knives).

Edit:

Brands that I regularly want are a more confined list. While I'm not opposed to trying new brands/makers, the stand-outs from my point of view (and reason) are (no particular ordering of opinion, and only knives I have personal experience with, so there are other brands that I want to try, but have not yet had firsthand experience with):

1) Spyderco (great value, good knife, I like the company, collaborations, I live pretty close to their golden factory: perks)

2) ZT/kershaw/KAI (again, good value in relation to feature-set, quality build, good CS, lots of collaborations)

3) ESEE (Value, customer support, warranty)

4) Becker knives (Value, customer support, warranty, can talk directly to Ethan which is bad-ass).

5) Busse (and kin). (I like their products, I like their steel, and I really like their warranty considering my purpose for their knives......hard use in the woods)

6) Morakniv (extreme value to quality ratio)

7) DPx. (I like their fixed blade knives build quality. I'm not really sure how well I like RYP himself, but that's on him. Still respect his product for what it is.)

8) Gravelle knives. (Awesome product. Even more awesome maker. My first, and only true custom knife to date. Highly highly impressed. I like his newer designs even better, but the one I have is 100% awesome. Great balance, good size, great handle. Easily my favorite knife, ever).
 
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I don't have a "favorite brand" or anything. Some companies I am particularly enthusiastic about include:

Benchmade
Case
Cold steel
Kizer
Spyderco
KAI

OK, who am I kidding, I do like spyderco the most and can't even explain why, I just feel like I identify with the company. Kinda like how I believe I lived a life as a jaguar. I just know. Let your spirit guide you maaan.
 
In the last year I've bought 5 knives---4 are Benchmades (2 Cabela's Mini Grips and 2 HK AXIS locks) --the other is a Walmart cheapie to try it out and I don't have any great expectations for it.

The HK line doesn't suffer from Benchmade's MAP pricing-----so you can get a great knife for a good price still.

In the last 7 or 8 years, I've only purchased like 3 knives until this year---two 154CM Gerber Gators(which are decent knives BTW) and a Victorinox SAK ----a Benchmade rode in my pocket the whole time.

I grew up with Buck but their almost exclusive use of 420HC steel prevents me from buying anything new from them. Already have a few custom 110's and bunch of other folders and fixed blades.

I own a few Spyderco's but nothing new interests me--also I have ZERO interest in anything Kershaw

I already have an extensive collection of SAKs--so there's no point in buying another one. Maybe a kitchen knife---maybe

Own a few Bark River's ---again no point in getting something else

I'm no fan of liner or frame locks----my new Walmart cheapie has reminded me why.

So basically that leaves me a Benchmade fan---but its not even that---I'm AXIS lock fan more like----there are some angular, strange shaped Benchmade's I have no interest in either---I like clean simple lines
 
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Of my small collection, I have the most money in DDR folders.

 
Fan of many knives...not any particular brands. If any brand makes a good tool for the money.... im a fan of that tool. Too each their own though.....
 
Charlie Mike said:
It's hands down my favorite.

... and then I have my beater:

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I'd happily take that beater as my baby, XD

While I am yet to own one for myself, I really like Farid Mehr's knives, in my eyes they're artwork. I am also fairly partial to Spyderco's knives.
 
I have been carrying Benchmades for a long time and I still carry them. More recently I have been carrying a lot of Spydercos. I've owned Spyderco for a long time but back then I liked Benchmade designs better than Spyderco. Both companies have evolved their designs and these days I like Spyderco designs more than Benchmades. I have other brands in my collection but the only other knife in my EDC rotation is a ZT 0561.
 
mqqn said:
What exactly are you trying to get at? Arguing the semantics of what constitutes brand loyalty?

Picking the fly specks out of the pepper is a speciality for some

best

mqqn
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Well, your initial response was essentially a complete non sequitur, so I was trying to puzzle that out.
 
I was Old Timer only till they went out of business. Until then I only had a callimus electrical knife.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Well, your initial response was essentially a complete non sequitur, so I was trying to puzzle that out.
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The original question was "are you a fanboy, do you buy one brand and why" in it's essence, although not posted in a clear way.

My answer was on point. Perhaps you need to brush up on your latin. ;P

If it makes you feel any better, I am a Kai/ZT/Kershaw fanboy. I would buy their products and even if they sell an occasional clinker, I would not throw them under the bus.

best

mqqn
 
I'm betting that a lot of brand loyalty comes from how many 'ohhs' and 'ahhhs' a fan boy gets when they post their latest unused NIB prize on the manufacturer's forum.
 
mqqn said:
The original question was "are you a fanboy, do you buy one brand and why" in it's essence, although not posted in a clear way.

My answer was on point. Perhaps you need to brush up on your latin. ;P

If it makes you feel any better, I am a Kai/ZT/Kershaw fanboy. I would buy their products and even if they sell an occasional clinker, I would not throw them under the bus.

best

mqqn
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Sorry, didn't make that clear, your initial response to me was a non sequitur.
 
Victorinox: consistent quality, affordable, ubiquitous.

Hey, anyone who uses a company logo in their avatar or sig line is an advocate of the brand, imo...:)

-Brett
 
Brand loyalty for me comes with experience over time. If a product consistently meet my requirements, I will favor that brand. I also feel that way about merchants that offer consistently good service over time. In knives, the brands that have consistently met my requirements over time are Spyderco, Benchmade, Kai/Kershaw/ZT, Case and Buck. That doesn't mean every single knife they make is something I want. It means that, of the models that appeal to me within these brands, I've found these companies have consistently met my expectations.
 
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