Hype?

Rhesus Feces

Rhesus Feces

bombastic simpleton
Joined
Jun 9, 2002
Messages
11,876
Lately there have been a few threads where various manufacturer's reputations have been called into question. Let's do something a little different. Rather than telling me what makers and manufacturers you dislike, tell me this:

What production companies and custom makers consistently live up to or far exceed your expectations?

In honor of my 500th post (woo-hoo) I would like to give my endorsement of several production companies and custom makers which I feel I've had enough experience with to offer my opinion.

This purpose of this post is to spread the word about makers and manufacturers who consistently meet or exceed your expectations.

BEFORE YOU HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON: please refrain from criticizing others or offering opinions of knives you have not personally owned and used, thank you.

My choices:

1)Chris Reeve Knives: their commitment to excellence is unrivaled in a production folder. The simplicity of construction and quality of both materials and execution simply blows my mind. The tolerances and attention to detail are the best in the business. The single biggest criticism of Reeve knives is the cost. A wise man once said "it's only expensive if it isn't worth what you paid for it", and in my experience, Chris Reeve Knives are worth every penny. They've also become well known for treating their customers like family, and in my personal experience, that is 100% accurate.

2)Bob Dozier: Bob Dozier's reputation is becoming legendary, and rightly so. The combination of a functional, ergonomic design in an undeniably tough steel with an excellent heat treat wrapped in a top-quality kydex sheath add up to one helluva value for the dollar spent. One thing you can count on: a Dozier earns it's keep.

3)Microtech: Microtech's have become my new addiction. After having owned my share of Reeve folders, I felt anything else was substandard and would only end up being sold for a loss here on the forums due to not living up to my jaded expectations. On a whim, I decided to order an Amphibian. When I opened the box and gave the Amphibian the once-over I was astounded to see such fit and finish in a knife under $200. The grinds were perfect, lockup rock-solid, wonderful ergonomics, and hair-splitting sharp. I've since used that knife HARD for several months and it is as solid as the day UPS knocked on my door. I've since purchased several others, and every one of them has rightfully earned it's position as a keeper. In my opinion there is very little competition in the price range.

4)GENE INGRAM: There was a time when I bought every knife Gene offered here because I was stunned at the quality to price ratio. As pretty as they are, they work for a living. I've tried my best to beat them up and failed miserably. :) Gene's knives are very well though out in regards to ergonomics. Even with a highly polished, relatively slender micarta handle, they lock into your hand like a dream. Both his D2 and 01 tool steel are superbly heat treated, flat ground to a RAZOR'S EDGE, and tough as nails. His leather sheaths are as tough as the knives, 8-9 oz leather, hot dipped and well formed to the knife. His dangler style is pretty remarkable in the fact that carries well loose in a back pocket, hung from the belt secured by the lip of a pocket, dangling freely from the belt, or IWB. With every knife Gene makes, he gets better, and one of these days, the demand might exceed the supply. He is also one of the finest gentlemen you'll ever have the pleasure of knowing.
 
Originally posted by Rhesus Feces 1)Chris Reeve Knives: their commitment to excellence is unrivaled in a production folder. The simplicity of construction and quality of both materials and execution simply blows my mind. The tolerances and attention to detail are the best in the business. The single biggest criticism of Reeve knives is the cost. A wise man once said "it's only expensive if it isn't worth what you paid for it", and in my experience, Chris Reeve Knives are worth every penny. They've also become well known for treating their customers like family, and in my personal experience, that is 100% accurate.
Click to expand...

You took the words out of my mouth. Which is only fair since CRK has taken a good bit of money out of my pocket. :D
 
I Agree with you on MT, i have a very small collection, but i own three Microtechs, i am having trouble finding other knives that i want to buy simply because MT has spoiled me. I just hope that they continue to make manual action knives. (owner of Socom Elite, LCC, and LCC d/a)

Benchmade has also impressed me, when i first came on to the forums i was interested in getting a BM as my first real knife and i was told that they have been having some CQ issues (late 2000), well they must have solved all of those since every BM i have handled has been excellent. I have owned a BM TSEK liner lock since easrly 2001 and it is still going strong (it is one of the better liner locks made and only cost $60). I also very much regrett trading away my 940. i hope to soon get a 520 axis.
 
For production knives, CRK should at the top of anybody's list, whether you like the design or not, the ultra consistant quality is undeniable. (So don't bother arguing the point. :) ) Microtech would be close behind for me. Yes, they let a few slip by, more than CRK, but most of them are extremely well made. William Henry is also good, trying to ignore design and fancy materials, ill say their QC is a little below MT. Spyderco makes a very good knife for the $$$. The Buck Mayo is definitely a knife that can exceed people's expectations, especially at its relatively low street price. I have heard this about the LW Harsey knife, seems to be impressing people at its price point.

Now, to be model specific, a Microtech LCC DA, with CF and S30V, for under $200 is definitely a knife that should exceed what any reasonable person thinks they should get for $200. Its a $500+ knife selling for $200 and IMO, the best bargain out there.

In customs, id have to say Obenauf, $500+ knives for $350, JW Smith, at $450, his tactical/utility folders are way underpriced. Aaron Frederick, you dont hear much about him, but his 3PS utility knives are a steal at $450, his workmanship is amazing.

Ive been impressed lately with some Striders i got, i have seen, heard of and experienced some issues with Strider folders in the past, but if you get a good one, it can be a very good, very well made knife and it looks like maybe their consistancy is improving.
 
I've been very impressed with the Buck Mayo and Buck service.

Another very pleasant surprise was the performance and quality of the Camillus CUDA Maxx bowie. I'm looking forward to a Dominator.

I reacquainted myself with Emerson knives and find the CQC-8 to be a great knife. Also have to say that Emerson service is superb.

The BM 5000 and the BM 940 D2CF are super.

I'm a big fan of Spyderco fixed blades, their best kept secret. You can't find a better light weight knife than the Perrin bowie.

In summary, I see all the American knife companies pushing the custom makers in design and quality. That's great for us knife nuts.
 
For me there is one production company with a substantial catalogue of knives which I find is the most impressive of the bunch. The one who always exceeds my expectations, Spyderco.

You don't hear much bragging and over-inflated hype from Spyderco. The name speaks for itself. When you hear the name Spyderco, you know you're getting a good knife. Some of them may just be inexpensive plain FRN handled folders like the Delica and Endura, but everyone of them performs. Their ever evolving selection of knives are both bold and functional. Just look at the variety of designs and materials they make available to the public. Spyderco offers something for everyone and they don't need to market themselves as suppliers to elite military forces in order to appeal to real knife users. In my opinion, Spyderco leads the way in innovation, quality and service.
 
Hmmmm. The names that first come to mind are Bob Dozier, Spyderco and Buck. They all produce knives of tremendous cutting efficiency, with no hype.

On the mention of Bob Dozier, he's the antithesis of hype. He’ll be the first to tell you what’ll ruin a Dozier knife, and admit that there is no “secret heat treatment” of is blades. He just makes terribly efficient, practical and comfortable designs, and puts every ounce of his energy and vast experience into making them. His knives are a steal for the price.

Chris Reeve’s Sebenza is a sensational design, but does get over-hyped. Not over-hyped by Chris, but by some users. They tend to impart mythical abilities to the Sebenza, which just isn’t so. The Sebenza is just an incredibly well designed knife, produced at the highest standards. It’s not magical or anything, but IMHO happens to be better than its competition. Others could learn a lot from Chris Reeve.
 
My favorite knives in this order...
1.Spyderco
2.Benchmade
3.Victorinox
4.Shrade
5.Buck
6.Case

As far as Multi tools go...
1.Gerber
2.Leatherman
3.Victorinox

Hatchets...
1.Estwing

You asked for it,You got it! YMMV.tom.:)
 
I totally agree with everything said about CRK. Those knives are awesome. I've never found better than the Sebenza. But...are we forgetting William Henry? They are right up there with CRK. I love the unique design and overall quality of them. Every knife by WH is a work of art.
 
Cutter Knife & Tool makes a dam fine auto and manual knife. every1 should check out if looking 4 a 4in folder. top notch and smoother than a Sebbie imo.
 
Himalayan Imports has always impressed me with their products and service. They're hand made at production prices, and the service that goes with them is phenomenal. I've only had trouble with their blades once, and a replacement was sent the day I told Uncle Bill I had trouble. It was in my hands in three days. Definitely can't go wrong with HI, I recommend them every chance I get.

Spyderco also has impressed me. As Cosmic Superchunk said, they don't feel the need to blow smoke, their products speak for themselves. They're also one of the very few production companies that understands the value of a thin cutting edge! In fact, I think they're the only ones who make sub-$100 knives that have sharp, thin edges from the factory, although Benchmade is getting better from what I've seen. Spyderco's blades also have some of the cleanest grinds I've seen on low-priced production knives.

I've also been impressed with my Al-Mar SERE 2000, it makes me want to check out the rest of their product line. (I think glockman99 likes his a little bit too :D ) I bought mine used, so it's got a few personality marks, but it's tough and well finished.
 
HI and Spyderco would be on my list, don't really have enugh experience to add anyone else to list, but they(and Uncle Bill and Sal personally) have always exceeded my expectations
 
Worth every penny..Protech...Severtech...Ken Onion..Camilius Cuda..Angelo Campolin Italian Stilettos..have always given me more than my moneys worth!
 
Spyderco, and recently I've come to admire the quality of the Al Mar SERE 2000, so I'll add Al Mar to my list.

For fixed-blade, I really like my Camillus CUDA CQB-1, my Gerber Yari, and my Fallkniven A1...All quality knives by quality makers.
 
Customs :

Neil Blackwood : Never anything less than perfect. Blades don't get much better than this .

One that really impressed me though I do not own but got to spend a bit of time fondling was :Rick Hinderer - sharp design , sharp blade , attention to details was just awesome . The knife was Burkstar's FIRETAC .

Trace Rinaldi : I think his work speaks volumes about the man behind the steel .

Productions :

Strider : SnG , this one was wicked sharp from the get go. Excellent fit n finish. Couldn't be happier ( unless I had 2 ;))

Chris Reeve : Sebenza ( large & small Regular )
excellent as usual !!

Buck collabs : Buck/Mayo & Buck / Strider ** heck my first knife was a buck crosslock and I tortured that poor thing and it never failed me **

Emerson : Have been happy with all the ones I have . This includes the Commander , Mini Comm , PSark , Karambit . No problems here .
 
I can't give any glowing reviews on customs or high end production pieces. But here goes anyway. Himalayan Imports, worth every penny, and then some. You wont find a tougher blade for twice the price. Gerber, I punished a first production run EZ-Out for five years and it never let me down. And my only complaint with the Gerber multi was the weight. CRKT, the M-16-03Z will take a beating without complaining. Buck, $30 at Wal-Mart will get you all the knife that most people will ever need. Camillus, from my carbon steel slip joints to my Campanion, they put out a lot of knife for the money. Opinel, a cutting demon for $10. Leatherman, very, very handy. Victorinox (and Wegner), also very handy. Kershaw, good knives for the money. Schrade, good slip joints that wont break the bank. Case, yellow handled CV makes a good office friendly user. Spyderco, FRN may not be pretty but it's tough as all he!!.

Frank
 
How did I forget Kershaw ??

For under $50 they are smokin sharp outta the box. My favorite is the Double Cross . This is my Paracord knife . It cuts clean day after day. The lil Vapor 2 I snagged from Wal MArt for $28 was a bargain as well.
 
Rob Simonich. I don't even have to praise him, because everyone who has dealt with Rob knows how good he is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top