Do you buy into the hype?

Hype: the word has a bad spin. I'd substitute the word 'enthusiasm', and yes, I do pay attention to that. I investigate. Weigh it against my own needs and take it from there. I don't fall for hype. I have purchased one or two knives that, without the 'hype' or rather enthusiastic following, I never would've known about. A few others, despite their cheering section I've deliberately passed by.
 
The hype or recommendations here may effect what I look at and consider buying BUT Price always dictates the final outcome, I won't be hyped into paying more than I can afford to spend.

That said, I do value the opinion of many here and that has a lot to do with my choices. I do need to get one of Walters knives though.
 
Also, hype sometimes comes with elitism and snobbiness towards anything that isn't the product in question.

Sometimes even to the point of turning me off to that product.
 
I've honestly never bought a knife solely because of the "hype" (as you call it) here. Although I certainly have researched others' opinions before buying. And I've definitely not bought knives because of negative things that have been said here.

Mostly I just buy Randalls any more, so I don't pay too much attention to the "hip knife of the week" these days.
 
I've certainly purchased knives based on recommendations here (with no regrets.) As for "hype," I did buy into the super steel thing for a while. I think hype applies more to steel than it does to particular knife models.
 
There are so many knives out there that I am not familiar with, so I do pay a lot of attention to what is said about knives on this forum.

If someone goes overboard about a particular knife there are usually plenty of other folks who will correct any misconceptions/hyperbole.

Generally speaking, I have found that the knives that are most positively perceived by the members are very good knives. The most expensive ones, however, are not on my shopping list. Otherwise, the knives I see and read about here are the ones that I will usually check out to see if they meet my needs/expectations.
 
Being stubborn, A lot of negative Hype will often cause me to buy a product just to see if the Hyper's are Full of it.:D
 
Yes I rely on the hype! I am glad the hype is around. Without it I would never have experienced such intelligently designed, well manufactured, joys to behold knives!
 
In the movie business, we call this "word of mouth. When someone you respect recommends something they are "promoting," a product with positive intentions. These positive reviews or sales pitches have convinced me to spend my hard earned money on two Spyderco Tenacious and one mixed reviewed SOG Fusion Bowie. I'm happy on all accounts.
 
I wouldn't say that I buy into the hype, but it gets my attention when I read so many posters consistently raving about the Benchmade 710, Buck 110, Chris Reeve Sebenza, Spyderco Military, etc. I've found that the advice is usually good.

I mentioned the above knives because they are world class items I wouldn't have found without the advice of others here. There have been a few I tried on bladeforums.com advice that weren't as a good a fit for me, but they were easily sold on the exchange.
 
i find hype is often a very good thing. in almost all of my hobbies throughout the years, i have always tried an alternate route than recommended, and never once has it payed off. for the sake of being complete, i wrap myself up with details and fail to see what 'the hype' is trying to convey. i dont have money to spend on knives, but if you gave me 400 bucks to spend only on one knife and i didnt any rollover, what would i buy? not a sebenza. id spend the extra 100 of my own to get a class-a custom. yet i know someday i will own a sebenza and feel the same feeling that ive felt time and time again; why didnt i just start here? i guess someday i might wise up
 
I bought into the hype on one knife, and that was a Busse.

I finally received the knife after a few months, but I wasn't all that turned on by it. I honestly don't know what I was expecting, but as much as INFI is talked about, I wanted it to be some miracle steel. In reality, it wasn't obviously. Add in the terrible experience I had trying to get a sheath made, it just left a sour taste in my mouth. I didn't have it very long.

Nothing against Busse, so please don't call out the Hogs :p.

So I lived and learned.
 
knarfeng said:
Hype: no. Positive reviews: yes.
Click to expand...

I really just used the word “hype” because it made for a good thread title. In the sence of my OP you it could be used interchangeably with “positive reviews”, “good press”, “well regarded” and a myriad of others.

Also as mentioned by others it does make a difference at least for me who it is recommending the knife. There are some people who’s thoughts I’ve came to respect.
 
Personally I do go by "word of mouth" when searching for a new knife, as the quality of a knife can only be judged by experience from using one. And so a certain brand/model is getting a lot of attention and positive reviews? Then I'll have more faith in my purchase choice. This has led me to many great buys that otherwise I would not have given a second thought to, such as my Mora, Opinels, Rough Riders, BHKs, ect.
 
I wouldn't say I buy hype, as much as I trust reputation when 20 guys buy the same knife and all say it's good. That being said, I'm not going to buy a knife I don't like the look or practicality(or lack there of) of, no matter how well it's been built up online.
News flash, I am probably never going to buy a Sebenza, I believe you all when you say it's amazing, but I just don't think I'll ever put out the cash for one. The same can be said of Zero Tolerance for me. I just don't like how their knives look, so I won't buy them, despite the reputation or hype.
 
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