How important is the shield in your purchasing?

[Ernie1980]

The shield doesn't matter at all to me, unless it is something odd like a dog head. In fact, the last two customs I had made were shield-less.

 

[SadSappySucker]

There are a very small handful of shields that have stopped me from purchasing a knife that is otherwise perfect. One example would be animal themed shields. They are just too busy for me.
I see shields as an enhancement. When I look at a knife I want to notice the covers THEN the shield, not the other way around.
But, for the most part I don't mind what the maker chooses.

 

[SCWillson]

The "UN-X-LD" shield has kept me from a few. Never liked it, think it's a little cheeseball and reminds me of XXX with Vin Diesel which is really cheesy.

Really?

I quite like most of the UN-X-LD and Tidioute shields; they make the knife seem more "old fashioned" to me. It would never be a deal-breaker (or maker) in and of itself, but if I like two knives almost the same then I might well opt for the one with one of those shields.

One man's cheese is another man's queso dip. Mmmm, nachos!

 

[supratentorial]

For me, traditional knives are all about the oldies. If it weren't for the oldies there wouldn't be any knives that were "traditional"! I want traditional shields on my traditional knives.

Queen did a great job putting appropriate shields on the "black box" Winchesters. I'm not sure if those choices were made by Queen or Bluegrass Cutlery but the shields were well chosen. Queen did use some classic shields on their "Queen Classics" and "Heritage" knives as well. In my opinion some of the worst shields are also from Queen-- I don't want a huge shield that has "S&M" in big bold letters!

Case has put an oval shield on their knives for so long that it is definitely traditional but even Case has done some runs with double bomb, federal and other classic shields.

In my opinion, some of the GEC knives that are still sitting in inventory would have sold quickly if they had classic shields. I know that I'd buy a lot more of their knives if they had pattern appropriate and historically appropriate shields. Occasionally, they'll use a classic shield but unfortunately it's mostly just on special orders. What's up with the hot dogs and cloud shields?! It's been like 8 years already!

 

[knarfeng]

How important is the shield in your purchasing?

It's of little consequence to me.

 

[mrknife]

not too big a deal to me, some of mine got em, some dont

 

[supratentorial]

The poll for the shield on the 2015 forum knife showed that some folks have strong preferences.

For me, the classics will always be best but I should say that price factors into the equation. Once the price gets near the $100 mark, things like shields and other embellishments become more important to my decision. I already have all the knives that I will ever *need*. Want is another thing. And I want classic trimmings on traditional knives.

Both these knives are the same pattern. But I definitely prefer the one with simpler bolsters and double bomb shield.

 

[stezann]

A shield is an element of the design.
It can make or break a knife's flow, it has to be perfectly inlayed and perfectly placed, nicely proportioned to the pattern.
If you look at the old catalogue pictures posted above you'll see a dogleg with the shield not centered... it just takes a few couple thousands to miss the sweet spot, but a perfect shield break the handle just the tad needed to enhance the blade/handle ratio impression.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I like shields, but they aren't required. Sometimes they enhance the look, sometimes they don't.

 

[wazu013]

I like shields, but they aren't required. Sometimes they enhance the look, sometimes they don't.

:thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

A shield would have to be really ugly or badly let to put me off purchasing a knife I otherwise liked.

 

[J Buck]

For me personally, it does not make much difference. If it's not too distracting that is. I like a little "classy look" to my pocket knives. What I can't stand is blade etching.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

If I like a knife, regardless of the shield, I'll buy it.

On the other hand, if it is a fake, I pass on it. Sometimes the shield is what keys me to it being a fake. An obvious example, if a knife was never made with an acorn shield by the original manufacturer, and one pops up with an acorn on it, pass. Sometimes the fake-ness is more subtle.

But to pass because of the shield alone, nah.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I've bought different varieties of a knife rather than get the GEC cloud shield. I'm glad that I'm not the only one turned off by it. Which is unfortunate as I love wood covers, but too many are marred by the shield. If it's a second hand/antique store find, then the shield is accepted as just part of the knife and is given little notice. That said my focus of the collection is diversity, so I want one of every shield type, at least.

But I do use the presence of a shield as a determination of quality when looking through glass display cases. Many times the shield will shout "quality" or conversely "cheap!" So I know if I should look again or keep looking.

Not enough pictures here:
MOP shield made me take a second look, and I don't mind the acorn either.

Round ones

Random shot:

I just realized I don't have a picture specifically of "name brand" shields, but this is close:

I just can't think of a frame shape that suits a cloud, the bumps disrupt flow, and double narrowing isn't congruent with the lines of the frames either. Plus look how much beautiful palm was taken away!! But then again I don't care for Acrylics in a knife either. I had one 1916 ish folder with beautiful green scales that I liked and currently one dogleg in grey that I don't mind, but other than that I will turn away from the material, and drool over the thought of a wharncliffe whittler with punch, so take my taste for what it's worth. 😉

 

[Ramrodmb]

The shields I cant tolerate are the plastic looking ones. Off color as well- anything other than silver.
Mark

 

[ptradeco]

So many thoughts...I see from the replies that many do not really care. I DO! The shield, or lack thereof, means much to me. It is like the frame to a fine painting. It is the first thing to meet the eye when showing or taking it from ones pocket. An appropriately sized, shaped, placed, pinned, etc. shield is as important to me as many other aspects of the knife. I have avoided many otherwise finely crafted knives due to poor shield usage. Kind of like wearing mismatched leather. Functionally fine, aesthetically lacking.

 

[shipwright]

One at best reminded me of the michelin or the staypuff marshmallow man at worst a big old steamy "log".

Did someone say Turd Shield?

I actually like the Cloud shield done in silver, but it doesn't look so hot here. It didn't keep me from buying the knife, because it is otherwise exceptional. The shields with the names or logos on them are usually the worst but still won't keep me from buying if i like everything else about it.

 

[shipwright]

I just realized I don't have a picture specifically of "name brand" shields, but this is close:

I actually think the Cloud suits that frame perfectly, being tapered on both ends and on relatively plain wood grain. Looks great to me. I have a few Northfields with the cloud on it and it's not my favorite, but i quite like it.

 

[Biggie_Robs]

+1 Well said sir.:thumbup: However I do like both Case and Buck Knives but both have a tendency for the shields to fall out with pocket carry and that really bugs me because you are left with an otherwise nice knife with an ugly indention on it.

I agree. I've only had one shield fall out--on a Case Brothers peanut--but I just filled the space with the rod finish I use when finishing fly rods and now it works just fine, even if it looks a little different. I had a Case fishing knife's hook sharpener fall out, too, but I was lucky enough to notice immediately and find it, so epoxying it back in fixed that problem (I assume).

Basically, I don't have a whole lot of confidence in Case shields these days.

 

[Biggie_Robs]

To answer the OP's question, the actual shield is not a big deal for me, although there are some shapes that I don't care for that much, but the shield being pinned or not does matter to me and seems to matter more and more as time goes by..