Do you have any dealbreakers?

Absolute deal breaker..... if I don't like the knife.

Preferences: No partial serrations, No metal sides (scales), No 440A except on an inexpensive slip joint (Rough Rider), No "thick" steel on normal fixed blades. No autos, bali's, or switch blades..... No painted blades.
 
Not saying I don't have these in my collection, I bought a fair share of mistakes, but wont buy any more of

No name steel.
Steel scales.
Tanto blade.
 
Assisted is the big one for me. Which is a shame, because there is a lot of knives I would buy if they weren't assisted.

And I also make a conscience effort not to buy China, in anything really. But i slip up at times with that one. It takes some time to get out of that habit (for me anyway). Really gets me on my impulse buys.

'If I don't like how it looks' and 'overpriced imo', are a couple deal breakers.
 
Well now that I saw this I remember I forgot to add:
Overpriced knives.
Chisel grinds.
Recurve knives (how the hell do I sharpen it?).
 
jpm2 said:
metal handles
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Most nice knives have Ti handles though.
eveled said:
Recurve blades...
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Oh come on neh, those are functional!
irons said:
...Tanto blade.
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Yep these are so cringey. I don't know why every company has to make a tanto version too.

Hey I'm not even going to reference other posts because most people say they hate recurves! Explain this too me as I love recurves and will go for a knife if it has it.

To stay on topic I gotta say the dealbreaker for me is mystery steel and made in china.
 
I have at least one of each of the these, in most cases one of the following is usually a deal breaker, two or more kills it for sure.
Chisel grinds
Fat sabre grinds
Blade stock thicker than 3mm
Bearings
Flippers
Funky colours
Two hand opening
Made in China
Blade in excess of 3.25 inches
Pocket shredder clips
Anything destined to be a safe queen (or "part of the collection") rather than a user
 
For me it’s the.....

COMPRESSION LOCK! I hate it! It might be the best lock ever designed but it looks so cheap and crappy on the knife. I will immediately sell or trade any knife I get that has it.

For you guys that say Chinese or “overseas built” is that just a *USA all the way* thing (which I understand) or fear of quality? Because you are missing out! WE and Reate are killing it!
 
Made in China or Pakistan are deal killers for me.

So many of the items posted here certainly have the detractors and detriments but are not deal killers for me.

I am not a fan of recurve blades but have a few and they do serve a purpose, as does chisel grinds - neither are favorites of mine, but they have a place.
Likewise with partially serrated blades; I went though a time where I didn't like them but on days where I just want to carry one folder (please don't ban me for suggesting such ridiculousness!) a partially serrated blade has its place - but I much prefer a plain edge coupled with a fully serrated Spyderco Salt in another pocket. In other words, for specific tasks or for a knife I really otherwise would want, I will accept certain traits that might be deal killers for some but merely design compromises in my book.
 
MyLegsAreOk MyLegsAreOk to me a recurve blade is from poor sharpening by the factory or previous owner. Something that has to be fixed. To buy a brand new knife with a deliberate and exaggerated recurve is insane to me.

I’m not talking about hawk bills, hook, mushroom knives or Kukris. Those are useful designs even those should not get narrow after the ricasso.

My OCD needs the blade to be perfectly straight from the Ricasso (very small choil) to the transition to either the hook or the sweep to the point.

Just my pet peeve, your mileage will vary.
 
As European, I have no issues with either "Made in China" or Taiwan... and I never saw "Made in Pakistan".

And Kukri is only recurve blade I'd consider buying. Even tho I'm still not sure how would I sharpen it...
 
In most cases, the following features are dealbreakers for folders for me (but there are some exceptions):
-bearings (especially when they run directly on titanium or Aluminium)
-weak detent
-unreliable lock/lock-up
-button locks
-assisted opening
-short blades (<3 inches)
-long blades (>4.5 inches)
-sheepfoot blades
-extreme thin blade stock
-short handle; for my hands I want 4.5/4.75 inches or more on a folder, depending on design and shape
-low traction on handle
-handle not covering the blade with some extra space
-handle materials like wood, mother of pearl, Lapislazuli and so on
-carelessly designed/made clip
-no finger guard (at least some slight curvature protecting my index finger)
-materials and workmanship not up to the price point
-price point under ~50 USD or above ~600 USD

For fixed blades:
-short handle; for my hands I want 5 inches or more on a fixed, depending on design and shape
-ridiculous designs and shapes (very subjective, I know)
-blade length under 4 inches or over 7.5 inches
-no full tang
-saw on spine
-carelessly designed/made sheaths
-scales made from metal, leather, wood,...
 
For the most part, 3cr13,420j2 steel,and weird wacky outlandish blade shapes with goofy cutouts in the blade,sheepfoot wharncliff,1 arm razor and hatchet style blades,and finger choils like im seeing a lot lately with many Chinese brands.Spydercos are the only knives w finger choils I accept.
 
Tanto
Serrations
Recurve
Mystery steel
OTF autos
Karambit
Non-locking folders
Made in China
 
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