Getting the Best CUT for your dollar, What do you look for??

A

Allen Blade

BANNED
Joined
Oct 29, 1999
Messages
498
Hello and Merry Ho Ho,


I was just wondering , since most of you I think buy knives on a Semi-regular basis,

When you go to Buy a Knife do you judge its Quality unseen just because of a Maker or Companys name on it, Or ,

do you, even though you know the company or maker Inspect the knife when you get one, and if all is not straight and right for fit, and symetrics, return or exchange it,

or do you just settle for what ya got??

Also if its a low priced knife from the maker or company are you satisfied with living with Bad grind lines , symetry,
Gaps in handle Junctures, Solder Gaps,,Ect...

And if its a high priced knife if you find these problems,,does that make it worse than on the low priced model??

I guess the question is ,, if its lower cost even from a Master Bladesmith, Well known Maker, or Famous company , makes it alright for the Lesser priced versions to be finished with less care???

And what do you look at in a knife, i mean how do you judge if it is made well , Fit and finish wise, or do you??

Thanks,
Allen blade
 
Hi Allen,

I like to look every knife over. Even the best makers can have a bad day. Minor imperfections generally don't bother me - that's part of the fun of dealing with "handmade" products.

Sloppy and careless work would be a different story, I find low quality work disrespectful and would probably avoid any further purchases from the maker/vendor.

 
My criteria are probably different than most. I look for a good design for the intended purpose (often the so called tactical) and then look at the carry system which is rarely well done. Then depending upon the money spent and other factures I look at workmanship. For me a blade has to capture the imagination and be durable and most of all reliable for its intended use. There are different levels of perfection based on expectations. I just got a kukhri from Gurka house its fit and finish are not perfect but I am already thrilled with the blade.
 
It all depends on what I'm in the market for. The last couple of knive I've purchased have been sight unseen. The first one was the Busse Combat #9 that I purchased through the BF store. I've been looking for a utility/chopper/survival, last ditch fighting knife to replace the Randall #14 that is TDY.

After reading/researching the Combat#9 and knowing Jerry Busse's reputation Took the jump and purchased never seeing one before. The reputation of the maker was important but so was all the feedback from this forum.

I've also purchased my first real Kukri from GH. I've always wanted a real Kukri and reading about the develoupement of the WWIII was enough for me to jump on th band wagon and get one. Now I'm eggerly awating pictures of the prototype. Who knows when they will be done but who cares as long as it's everything I'm dreaming about
smile.gif
smile.gif


My last purchase was a Woo neck knife from Newt Livesy and I'm awating this one to come in the mail!!!!! I've read about Newt and his reputation along with playing with his knives at gun shows. Been in the market for a neck knife for quite some time now and just finally settled on a cord wraped Woo.

My next purchase will most likely be a Livesy Air Assualt or US Marshall depending on my mood next year when ordering the knife. I need somthing in between the Busse #9 and Spyderco Endura that I can take with me on military deployments along with keeping in my survival bag. The knife needs to be somthing that can take all kinds of abuse and misuese while the same time keeping me happy happy
smile.gif
smile.gif
smile.gif
smile.gif


[This message has been edited by Shrike9 (edited 10 December 1999).]
 
well I look for something that works really nice, has a good lock up, and actually has a blade ground the way I want it. or I will find an old "beater" as a project knife to fix and restore
 
As a knifemaker myself, I know what it takes to get good fits, finishes and overall quality. When I buy another makers knife, I look at the areas that give me a hard time with my own knives. Many of my custom knives have a Rockwell "ding" somewhere on the blade just to check the heat treat!! I would return a knife very quickly if the heat treat was way off!
Although it hasn't happened to me, I would discuss any dissatisfaction with a maker I purchased from and try to get it resolved. The same as I would expect someone to do with me.
Neil


------------------
Update in process! New knives, pictures, Sheaths!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html


 
The value of a knife for me is based on its performance and the amount of work it took the maker to achieve this level of ability. I don't generally care much for fit and finish -however- I don't like to see problems in this area as I am paying for a finished product. If this is not the case then the blade should be discounted.

For example, lets say I order a knife from you and when I get it the blade has been sharpened poorly. Lets say the bevels are off and vary from side to side and along the width of the blade. Well now function wise this is of no importance as one of the first things I do with a blade is see how fragile the edge is and I usually do this by cutting something very abrasive with it (like dirt). After this is done I usually have to recut the whole bevel anyway so what difference does it make how the knife came.

However, since I am paying for the blade I expect it to be sharpened properly because I payed for it regardless of the impact that it makes on the blades usefulness.

-Cliff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top