Ever pass on a traditional knife because of the way it looks closed?

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
2,154
So many designs out there that look great open but just look funky when closed.. any models you pass on because you don't like the looks when closed?
Example, I really like the wharncliffe or sheepsfoot blades open, but closed they sit up way to high for my tastes. Any you pass on?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hawk45 said:
So many designs out there that look great open but just look funky when closed.. any models you pass on because you don't like the looks when closed?
Example, I really like the warncliff or sheepsfoot blades open, but closed they sit up way to high for my tastes. Any you pass on?
Click to expand...

I have enough experience now, to know,there are as many reasons knife nuts pass on a knife,as there are reasons that make them not pass,on a knife.
 
When I first got my spyderco manix 2 I never carried it because it felt too wide in the pocket to me, but after carrying it finally and getting used to it Il oved the knife. As far as not buying one based on it's looks closed, unless I feel like it's too wide closed , or takes up too much pocket space for not enough knife, then that is when I will pass.
 
Traditional knives only please. The title will be edited to indicate that.
 
Yes. Often I look at how the other blades sit when one or the other is open. If I think it will be uncomfortable to use I will pass.
 
I dislike equal end patterns with a high riding sheepfoot blade. It throws off the symmetry of the knife, which is the most appealing part of the design to me. That's the only specific example I can think of at the moment, but generally speaking I would rather have a knife that is aesthetically appealing in both open and closed positions. There are so many different designs available that I can't see a good reason to buy one that isn't both functional and attractive to me.
 
Yes, to me it probably more important how the knife looks closed then open, because I don't much care for knives that have blades that sit too low, and are hard to open. I have always been that way. There are lots of knives that are beautiful in the open position, but closed they suck. They either have a square corner that wears out the pocket or the blade is too low to open.

One pet peeve I have is these online knife suppliers, that show pictures of the knives always open, but not closed so one can see how the blades set in the closed position.
 
Lastmohecken said:
One pet peeve I have is these online knife suppliers, that show pictures of the knives always open, but not closed so one can see how the blades set in the closed position.
Click to expand...

I totally agree! Thank goodness for the all the friendly, helpful people around here who love to take photos of their knives.:thumbup:
 
Lastmohecken said:
One pet peeve I have is these online knife suppliers, that show pictures of the knives always open, but not closed so one can see how the blades set in the closed position.
Click to expand...

Agreed.. would love to see open/closed/top views so you get the complete overall picture of the knife.
 
I have moved on many folders for a variety of reasons.Still searching for the grail.
 
For me, if the opened knife has a great feel ( and look ) to it I appreciate it.
When the the knife is closed and might look funky it is a reminder how great
it is open. If it doesn't feel or look good open and serves no mindful purpose
then I would pass on it. As far the wharncliff blade, I have a few and think
they are neat opened or closed.
 
Last edited:
Yeah - some multi-blade knives that look great in the "all blades open" shots and then you see them closed, or with only one blade open. Case's Sowbelly is one like that for me. Also like the OP mentioned, knives with blades that sit very proud like sheepsfoot or Wharncliffe blades on multiblade knives.
 
Absolutely! It's one of the main reasons I like the muskrat clip master stockmen so much, because it allows the sheepfoot to ride so much lower in the frame, and still have the nick on the mark side.

ElkCuban.jpg~original


MedStockMark.jpg~original
 
If the tang corner sticks out too far, that's a turn-off.

Aside from the useless shape, the aesthetics of massive amounts of exposed steel on many wharncliffe / sheepfoot blades is another reason I avoid them.
 
A large Spear blade, Wharncliffe, or Hawkbill. But it is more that I don't like the blades themselves, than it is they way they look closed. Although I don't like the way they look closed either lol...
 
I'm quirky, so lots of things could potentially cause me to pass. Poorly matched scales are probably the most common turn-offs for me.
 
Absolutely, the way a knife looks open and closed are both important to me, especially on multi-blade knives so you know how it'll be when one blade is open. I tried a wharncliffe trapper recently and loved the design in theory but not at all in practice. That wharncliffe blade sits so high closed that it just feels funky when using the clip blade. That pattern looks fine fully closed or with the wharncliffe open, but with the clip open and wharncliffe closed it just doesn't work for me in looks or feel.
 
How the sheep foot or wharncliff blade rests in the blade bed doesn't bother me, I'm bothered by too many blades on a single pocket knife. I do like a good old Hawkbill but don't care for the Weaver Jack that GEC came out with last year.
 
Due to a medical condition I have a very difficult time opening knives using only a/the nail nick. In general I pass on knives that look like I will not be able to open them easily. The only way to make that judgment visually is to see them closed. Typically knives with more than two blades are out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top