Favorite knife brands and why

In no particular order....

Spyderco. Because it makes more knives that interest me than any other company. And, honestly, their designs fit my hands better than anyone else's.

Case. Because I like tradition and their traditional knives meet all expectations at a fair price.

Queen. Not only because of tradition but because they're some of the prettiest slipjoints around.

Zero Tolerance. Because its knives are so overbuilt I know they'll handle all I throw at them. I also like the industrial look of their designs.

Kershaw. Because they have the nicest low priced Chinese-built and moderate priced American made modern folders around despite that damn Speed Safe feature.

Of course I don't own knives made by every company in existence. And I also own single models from various companies that I consider favorites. But of all companies represented in my accumulation of cutting tools, these companies consistently make knives I like.
 
Previous to owning a sebenza I would of said spyderco, benchmade etc. But nothing compares to CRK..

Other than that.. Victorinox..

And probably my all time favourite.. Opinel. From the modern stainless ones I own to the one my father gave me. That his father gage him that dates from the late 1940s you can't beat them for there simplicity and beauty.
 
Victorinox - Amazing quality and consistency, cheap, useful

Buck - Great customer service and warranty, great cheap beater knives

Kershaw - Same as Buck.

Chris Reeve - The large Sebenza 21 is hands down the best EDC that I've ever had. Well worth the price tag.

ESEE - Jeff Randall is a cool down to earth guy and their warranty is the best.
 
Benchmade- Not much more can be said about them. Some absolutely fantastic designs. While they're not exactly cheap, you get one hell of a knife for your money.

Victorinox- Unparalleled quality; there probably isn't another manufacturer in the world that can match their consistency. Easily the most useful item that can be put in your pocket. Beyond just their product, the company itself is ran at a very innovative and ethical ("green") level. If all large scale companies operated like them, the world would probably be a better place.

Opinel- They're light, thin, comfortable, and priced just a hair above what most would consider "disposable." Takes an edge like a thirsty man takes a drink. Will gladly perform whatever task you don't want to subject your $100+ EDC folder to and likely make a mockery out of it in the process. Without question the best value folding knife in existence.

Mora- Everything I said about Opinel basically applies to Mora, only with fixed blades instead of folding. Hair splitting edge straight from the box. The Scandi grind just loves making curly little remnants out of any material. The only reason they're not my personal favorite is merely due to the fact that I can't carry one with me 24/7.
 
Chris Reeve Knives - Incredible knives with clean designs and the best fit and finish I've ever seen in a production knife. They're not cheap, but you get what you pay for. You can buy with confidence that the knife outlast you and retain a large portion of its value.

ZT - Really hit the value sweet spot. Interesting designs, high tech materials, and excellent fit and finish without breaking the bank. Limited editions are some of the coolest production knives ever produced, if you can get your hands on them.

Those two are really my only "favorite" brands. I'm quite fond of Spyderco, Benchmade, and Emerson as well but they just don't do it for me the way that CRK and ZT do.
 
Spyderco: top quality, steels and variety at a decent price. I love 'em.
CRK: top quality of anything under $500, and one will last you a lifetime...or more.
 
Busse kin: Toughest knives, excellent steels, handle materials, and the hardest focus on heat treat and made to order quality! I dig 90% of the designs as well.
ZT folders: Robust and cool.
 
powernoodle said:
Kershaw is probably my favorite because of their budget lineup. They make awesome knives for under $20 shipped - that, like magic, cut stuff pretty much just like the spendy stuff. Many of the other makers are just pricing themselves into the stratosphere. Honorable mention to Cold Steel for making killer knives at decent prices, and the huge, sick blades that no one else will make.


Kershaw Shuffle: $18.32 shipped.
Click to expand...

Same point I was trying to convey but you put it out there much better, thank you.
Kershaw is awesome.
 
Spyderco for sure, I've never gotten a bad one.
Kershaw gets a lot of respect for putting out good blades for dirt cheap at walmart and the like.
 
I really like Zero Tolerance a lot. You get good materials, warranty and made in the USA at a reasonable price...almost forgot - they are built like tanks too! For fixed knives I like ESEE: good quality and warranty.
 
Busse Knives, toughest knives made, best guantee no guestions asked, great service. Fallkniven, great design and fit and finish, sharpens pretty easy and holds their edge.
 
I have had excellent experience with both the products and services of the following companies:
Chris Reeve
Spyderco
Benchmade
Bark River
Victorinox

I am still testing and evaluating (but everything looks good so far!):
Zero Tolerance

I have had the worst experience with:
SOG folders (fixed have been Ok)
 
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