Favorite non blade features on a knife

RousingRabbles

RousingRabbles

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Mar 2, 2021
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Many knives come with all kinds of extra non-cutting related features that seem to range from gimmicky to super useful, such as bottle openers, hex bit holes, bow drill divots, glass breakers, etc. I often feel enticed for a moment by these elements, but then dismiss them as not necessary. This got me wondering if I was overlooking anything, and what you all thought about such features on a knife? Are there specific features that draw you in? Have you ever been in a situation where one of them has been extremely handy? or are they mostly gimmicky to appeal to a broader audience in your eyes?
 
The scales, especially on traditionals. Not particularly how they function, but how they feel to the touch and please the eye.

As far as knives with additional features, I can't think of any that I own that have something like that, besides SAK or a multi-tool.

For multi-tools, I like the pliers.
 
In the interest of responding in the spirit of the thread:

RousingRabbles said:
I often feel enticed for a moment by these elements, but then dismiss them as not necessary.
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I also dismiss them, but with no prior enticement. However, purpose built tools, such as a search and rescue knife should have features specific to the intended use. A glass breaker, in this case would make sense, I think.
 
David Mary said:
I always like a handle on my knife. Makes cutting things other than myself a lot easier.

Sorry but you know someone was going to do it. ;)
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Pfft, who needs handles? Just grip the spine and the flats of the blade. This affords you approximately 1000% more cutting control.

Kidding aside, for me it’s simple ergos. I don’t mind finger grooves and palm swells, but there’s such a thing as going overboard. The SRK has excellent ergos for me. It allows for a strong grip and indexes edge alignment with no problem.
 
DangerZone98 said:
Kidding aside, for me it’s simple ergos. I don’t mind finger grooves and palm swells, but there’s such a thing as going overboard. The SRK has excellent ergos for me. It allows for a strong grip and indexes edge alignment with no problem.
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This. An ergonomic handle which places your hand in a safe comfortable position with full control of the blade, and the knife feels as if it were an extension of your hand.
I have knives that I love and which get carried a lot, simply because the designer got the handle right,
The SRK is one of them. (I'd carry it even more if it were not a 4" blade.)
 
I don't know if this qualifies, but I'd say a pocket clip.

I remember when there were no pocket clips on knives. And my choices were- a belt sheath, or the knife loose in a pocket. Although I no longer use a clip, they really came in handy for me at work for several years. As simple a thing as it is, it's hard to believe that someone didn't come up with the idea sooner.

Same goes for the thumb stud.
 
The sheath. I have excellent knives that I don't carry because they came with either a poor quality sheath or one that is made well but generally uncomfortable (makes the pommel ride too high, is too rigid and gets hooked on everything I walk past, requires too much effort to draw the knife easily, etc.). I know the obvious answer is to get a custom sheath or make my own, but time and resources are finite and do not yet permit me to procure one for each knife with this issue.
 
Growing up, I'd lap up all the 'super duper must have' innovation hype like TOW missile ranging holes and 100% jimping or bottle opener choils with firesteel striking pommels.
Now, it's the simpler things as someone has already mentioned - a handle done well, or well executed grinds.
I think marketing wise, companies include some odd things to drive a 'multi-function' tool - who doesn't see the appeal of value for for money and a tool that does more than one thing?
But as we mostly know these days, get a proper tool for each job or accept that it will do most things well, but never shine at all.
Edited to add that the thing I do like (if it's a gimmick) is a thumb ramp.
 
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I kind of like it when the can figure out how to pay for itself...

Oh! And a set of scales that offer up a lot of grippiness!
 
I would say properly done jimping - that is to say jimping that isn't aggressive for the sake of looks or just because you can. However jimping on the spine done right, i.e. CRK makes for a much more comfortable knife.
 
Handle is important. I don't like too many finger grooves and finger guards incorporated into the handle. They get in the way more than help with comfort for me. A simple handle works better for me. I filed down the finger guard on my Cold Steel American Lawman to give me more hand positions and it feels much better in the hand for me now.

On multitools, a small hacksaw blade would be a nice common addition. I can happily live without the things like fish scalers and package openers, but a hacksaw blade would be very handy for me. I was going to replace the package opener on my Leatherman Wingman with a shortened hacksaw blade, but the Wingman broke before I got round to it.
 
Off the top of my head.....?

A sharp spine is about the only add-on feature I kinda like for scraping.
I don't like majorly exposed pommels, but a tiny bit is ok for some butt pounding.

all sturdy knives are bottle openers, I Never want that crap added to my knife. and aren't all knives glass breakers? I never understood that feature?

If I'm wanting a one tool for everything multi tool, I'm leaning towards a hatchet..... lots of added benefits, besides being sharp.

I agree about handle & sheath design being more important than what most people realize.
 
Handle scales with non-flashy colors. For folders I prefer steel liners of some sort ad well. I will agree pocket clip bit also positioning of the clip on the scale. My least favorite part of one of my favorite Benchmades, the mini Rukus, is the pocket clip.
 
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I always liked the presto lite keys found on old pocket knives, from the days of acetylene head lights on cars and bikes.
 
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On fixed blades ? Of course the handle, but I can’t emphasize enough how important a good sheath is for me. Plus i like handle butts that can be used to open bottles, punch something, etc.

On folders ? I wish some of my knives had a cork screw. I’ve often considered to add one to a Manix 2, for instance :)
 
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