How objective are people's advice on this forum?

The general biases on this forum are well documented.

Spyderco and Busse rule - Cold Steel sucks.

More recently Gerber sucks as well. And if we go back to the early years of the forum Cold Steel didn't suck.

My experience with Spyderco - nicely made Japanese knives. But, I've liked most of the Japanese knives I've owned. That goes for autos, electronics and bicycles I've owned also. For me the one thing about Spyderco that stands out is that some of the knives are funny looking.

My experience with Busse is that the edges are too thick. The one thing that stands out about Busse is the aesthetics of the knives, very good looking knives. But, a lot of knives are good looking.

My experience with Cold Steel is that they are nicely made Japanese knives. The American made models were stout and thick like Busse models. The one thing that stands out is that there seems to be a lot of Kraton and the huge range in their line-up.

If I were to endorse any of these it would be the Cold Steel knives. I have had good experience with these and I take comfort that they have been the most widely used knife by outdoorsmen and military personnel over the last two decades - at least on this side of the pond.
 
thedawg said:
If I asked for a tough knife and someone suggested a spyderco then fine.

If I ask and they gave me a list of 10 spydercos, then something is wrong. As is giving a spyderco for every inquiry.
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I think you read too much into it, dawg. People are always going to recommend what they like themselves and Spyderco has a lot of fans (myself included) so you will naturally get a lot of positive feedback about them. Ask for recommendations for a new truck and you'll get answers like "Ford F-150 or 250. For heavy duty use get the F-350 -- the F-350 diesel has amazing low-end torque." It only reflects that person's experiences and preferences, and just becase a lot of people will agree doesn't necessarily mean they're some kind of cult with a secret handshake. :)

I've found folks' recommendations on Bladeforums to be honest and well intentioned. The best way to handle them is not to count them like votes but look at each suggestion and weigh the merits of each recommended piece. It's nice to post a follow-up too, so you can let everyone know what choice you made and why and thank them for taking the time to share their own experiences with you. I've made some purchases that brought me a lot of satisfaction and the choices were made based on recommendations by Bladeforumites.

Oh - and if you're looking for a sharpener for your new knives: Sharpmaker, hands down. ;)
 
It all depends on what you get to like is what you recommend. I am new to learning about quality knives for good prices. For myself I like Bucks, but I also am interested in others that catch my eye.

I don't think Spderco is over represented, it just happens to be what many people like. I would agree that they are good quality, but I wouldn't recommend them because I personally have no xp with them and I am not overly fond of the designs, but that doesn't mean they aren't good.
 
thedawg said:
In a recent thread a guy asks for a (long lasting knife) and that he is willing to pay 300 to 400 dollars for it. He explains that he is tired of knives that
develop problems after a while of use.

A member of this esteemed forum tells him to buy (a spyderco military) along with three or four other SPYDERCO suggestions.

This is very consistent here. ALL THE TIME. Spyderco is over represented on this forum. I think that every employee in spyderco posts here. Maybe even their family members and people in the neighborhood.

Ask for a knife that will increase your sex drive, someone will say Spyderco.

Shame.
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I gave the guy some good examples so and if you don't like it tough. You keep posting your idiotic crap all over these forums then complain when you don't like what you read. Now you want to cry about it. Build a bridge and get the heck over it.
 
thedawg said:
In a recent thread a guy asks for a (long lasting knife) and that he is willing to pay 300 to 400 dollars for it. He explains that he is tired of knives that
develop problems after a while of use.

A member of this esteemed forum tells him to buy (a spyderco military) along with three or four other SPYDERCO suggestions.

This is very consistent here. ALL THE TIME.
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Well, yes. If you're looking for a dependable, well-made knife, Spyderco will always be on the short list. If you're looking for a life-sustaining vapor to inhale several times on an hourly basis, air makes the short list, too. Most of us here; some people excepted; are biased towards breathing air. You can mistrust our bias towards breathing air, too, if suggesting Spyderco for a good knife is so non-objective.

If it makes you happy (and don't cave in to peer-pressure and remove the helium/oxygen mask to reply out loud), Volk seems to have been steered towards Busse for his needs and desires.
 
thedawg said:
If I asked for a tough knife and someone suggested a spyderco then fine.

If I ask and they gave me a list of 10 spydercos, then something is wrong. As is giving a spyderco for every inquiry.
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No the problem is your total bias against anyone and anything that has to do with spyderco.

One guy suggested 4 spyderco's, another person in the same thread recommended 5 Benchmades. Um there is a problem when people recommend a list of 5 benchmades:jerkit:. The problem is you over-exaggerate.

You have a vendetta against spyderco, why didnt you say anything about the guy who posted 5 benchmades? You obviously had no problem with that.

I noticed very few people recommended anything in the price range the guy mentioned. Which is fine, you dont think spyderco holds up good, which is fine too.

But instead of bashing it and taking away from the thread. Just say your other suggestions and let the person read, do the research and learn themselves.
 
I think there is a self selected or inbuilt bias on all internet knife forums. My reasoning is that if people go to the trouble to register and participate they feel passionately about knives.

The major divide is people who feel strongly about the knives themselves, call them fanboys if you want they have their reasons both logical and emotional. These knives are more expensive generally because they have the unique features people care about, whatever they happen to be. I think many of this kind of category, and I count myself in here, may tend to reply with a flip answer about inexpensive "generic" knives. Yeah they get the job done but where's the passion?

The other side might be summarized by knives that get the job done, less in love with the knife, more in love with what they can do. Opinels for example, love the job they do, but how many love the knife itself?

Spyderco is unique because it appeals to both sides, great knife with great unique features, yet also does a great job generally an many models with relatively low cost. That's why Spyderco gets reccommended so often.

Some companies gets dissed because of their marketing, poor quality, rip off designs etc. Both of the above groups will not tend to reccomend them.
 
The original poster would not have made his comment about any other company than Spyderco. This topic was started so that we could discuss why members have a habit of not paying attention to what someone is looking for when they request recommendations. This topic was started to once again attack Spyderco.

People will always recommend what they are acquainted with. You will always find folks that totally ignore the criteria set forth by the original poster. People will recommend their favorite knives no matter what no matter what the OP is looking for.

"I am looking for a good knife For daily chores, with the need for it to occasionally handle some tougher stuff. It should not have a blade over 3 inches. I prefer a lockback and would like the price to be under $100.00".

"Hey man, you should take a look at the Sebenza."

There are folks that pay attention to the Op and give appropriate recommendations, and there are folks that ignore the OP completely.
 
I agree that the original Poster worded his opening post more like an opening shot than an inquiry.

I honestly feel that the reason the people recommend Spyderco has more to do with how well the knives perform and how popular they are than just a fanboy attitiude.

I do also agree that if someone asks for an opinion on a high priced folder and has made it very clear that they are looking for a semi-custom or custom, people that use those higher priced knives should give their impressions of knives in that category.

Conversely, there are far more prople here that use mid-priced knives. It is inevitable that they will post and give their opinions on why the high priced customs are not what a person should be looking for.

I think this is natural thread drift and is as valid as impressions of the higher priced knives.

It is nice to be a purist and want only the answers you requested but this is an open platform for all opinions.

If Spyderco is truly overrepresented here I'm sure it has more to do with how great those knives are.

Jim
 
Well, I think when people ask for opinions, you could argue that they are asking for subjective experience. I would rather someone talk about what their experience is and what they know than what they have read or vomitted from another thread written by a guy they know whose third cousin is married to a high speed super secret operator.
 
I see this chucklehead walking the plank eventually. Even with Spark warning him about the 2nd part of his post, he still feels the need to take another shot at Spyderco. Somehow I'm thinking this trend will continue. He's posting personal preference & opinion like they are facts, then gets defensive when someone else's personal opinions & preferences don't agree with his.

That said, my personal preference in knives runs the gamut from Spyderco, Kershaw, Benchmade, Emerson, Strider, Helle, Mora, Zero Tolerance, Fallkniven, and a few custom makers. My Mora 2000 will do just as well as my Fallkniven F1, and even my more expensive custom knives, out on a dayhike. Where the more expensive, especially custom made, knives shine is that they have personalized features tailored to the owner's choice. Steel type, handle material, edge profile, dimensions, all can be changed to suit the buyer.

My choice regarding Spyderco knives is based on my personal preference, and confidence in them. My 1st Spyderco knife was bought in 1987-88, and I've owned numerous different models since. All have served me well, so I tend to favor their products because of my good history with them.

As far as Cold Steel, well bad customer service ruined it for me. Add in their drama, and I just won't buy anymore of their product and I've sold all but 1 item of Cold Steel. That said, if someone chooses to buy their knives it is their choice. I don't see any reason to bash someone because they've chosen a knife I don't like.

And hopefully your questions are answered enough so you don't feel the need to drag this into another Spyderco bashing post.
 
but some people are trolls and want to start a ruckus by posting things just like this and cry foul when they dont get the response they want. over the years of sharpening knives, i have sharpened just about every brand out there including spyderco knives. i think they make a good knife.
 
IF someone wants to talk about higher end custom folders..... $500, then IMO changing the subject like that is just rude. I don't know the specifics, but I've seen people ask for help on finding good $100 knives, and then some knucklehead will say "YOU NEED A SEBENZA".... IMO that is just rude, ignorant, and off topic.
(If I just had $1 for every time that happened!)
I don't thread this thread is about Spyderco, it's more about the frustration this gentlemen has for lack of respect of discussing a certain topic.
And yes, I believe that knife advertised as a "using knife" for $500 should work at least as well as a military. I know this is not always the case, but if it is, the maker should make it right.
Oh, and BTW..... YOU NEED A SEBENZA! (not!) :p
(I have the utmost respect for Mr. Reeve, just not the Sebbie extremists)
Yes, there are A LOT of great things about Spyderco, but GET OVER IT! Keep the topics, well.... topical! Thanks.
I can understand this man's frustration. He's just pissed off. He probably let his anger get the better of him, and was issued a warning. I'm sure that's happened to ALL of us at one time or another.
Added:
Try posting in the custom forum, you'll probably get more info that you're looking for over there. Good Luck!
 
One of the truths about internet forums in general is that they are inhabited by a lot of "fanboys." That isn't a problem. The problem occurs when the fanboys gain more credibility than they should. It results in a flock of people aping their opinions. "If I read it on internet forum, it must be true." "Since common opinion thinks this is right, then something else must be wrong."

There is no question that many great knives receive none to very little discussion on this forum and others like it. It is also true that some knives that don't deserve it get discussion way beyond what would be considered appropriate for what they are. This is just an example of "fanboyism" at work and is perfectly normal.

You have to understand that what makes an expensive knife expensive is not necessarily performance. It is usually the country of origin, the amount of hand work involved in its production, the popularity of the manufacturer (or cost of marketing) and, to a lesser extent, the materials from which it is made.

Spyderco knives, in my own experience perform with the best of them. I don't consider them attractive. But I consider them great performers. I can say that about a lot of knives. As an example, Beretta has some very nicely designed Japanese made models that also perform with the best of them. I rarely see a mention of Beretta knives. Cold Steel has quite a few high performance products in the line. So many people dislike the corporate personality and culture, however, the posts are often very negative. Certainly more negative than the products themselves deserve. I see a lot of discussion about popular and very expensive tactical knives (won't mention names) that are really poorly designed and worth only a fraction of their asking price. The makers have been successful at building a brand. They get credit for that but, from me, they don't get so much credit for the products themselves.

What you read in the forums is almost all opinion, not dogma. Don't let it get you down. Get opinions but view them for what they are. Buy what you like, not what someone else likes.
 
Walking Man said:
IF someone wants to talk about higher end custom folders..... $500, then IMO changing the subject like that is just rude. I don't know the specifics, but I've seen people ask for help on finding good $100 knives, and then some knucklehead will say "YOU NEED A SEBENZA".... IMO that is just rude, ignorant, and off topic.
(If I just had $1 for every time that happened!)
I don't thread this thread is about Spyderco, it's more about the frustration this gentlemen has for lack of respect of discussing a certain topic.
And yes, I believe that knife advertised as a "using knife" for $500 should work at least as well as a military. I know this is not always the case, but if it is, the maker should make it right.
Oh, and BTW..... YOU NEED A SEBENZA! (not!) :p
(I have the utmost respect for Mr. Reeve, just not the Sebbie extremists)
Yes, there are A LOT of great things about Spyderco, but GET OVER IT! Keep the topics, well.... topical! Thanks.
I can understand this man's frustration. He's just pissed off. He probably let his anger get the better of him, and was issued a warning. I'm sure that's happened to ALL of us at one time or another.
Added:
Try posting in the custom forum, you'll probably get more info that you're looking for over there. Good Luck!
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Hmm, you must have missed his first thread.

He has an anti-Spyderco agenda for whatever reason (their popularity on this forum, I guess) and is trolling. He's simply doing it with just enough etiquette and filler to get by.
 
The OP in the thread under discussion said

...I'm willing to pay 3-4 hundred dollars....
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(emphasis mine)

If someone recommends a knife that fulfills his needs for under 3-4 hundred dollars...whats the problem?

If he said "I have 3 to 4 hundred dollars buring a hole in my pocket...what knife should I spend it on"...that's a different thread entirely.

As for thedawg....a lot of people like Spyderco...you don't...get over it.

I hate olives. A lot of people love them. I don't go on foodie sites bellyaching about the "vast olive conspiracy." Sheesh.
 
marcinek said:
I hate olives. A lot of people love them. I don't go on foodie sites bellyaching about the "vast olive conspiracy." Sheesh.
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rofl.gif
 
Just for the record... Im not a Spyderco employee or related to one....

But I love Spydercos!

Hate me if you like!!!
 
As Spark suggested, there is a valid complaint - staying on topic and limiting answers to the OP's question.

I don't reply to a lot of questions precisely because of that - and the knowledge that many just don't want to hear my pearls of wisdom that would immediately correct the numerous misperceptions inherent in their ignorance, just as many of you could do. I just stopped myself from answering a question about 1/4" folders precisely because I really don't know if any are made at all - the answer to the OP's question.

Three paragraphs about the obvious uselessness of an actual 1/4" folder in EDC isn't necessary, or on topic, and they sure don't want to hear it from me, or any of us.

When someone asks about a $400 dollar folder, obviously Spyderco isn't the answer, and other recommendations in that vein are just as much troll baiting as the poster's. I suppose that when someone asks which Spyderco to get I should load up the thread with a recommendation of what cheap chinese import would do the same job?

Just suggesting that could get ugly - which shows why it's a bad practice. It's just an arrogant insertion in someone else's conversation that adds nothing the subject. Being that much of a fanboy is the problem - not the knifemaker - and certainly does nothing to help his reputation, or the OP.

Think twice, post once, if at all.
 
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