Important knife Traits

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Kingcollin

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Aug 4, 2012
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What is the most important thing you look for in a knife? For me made in america is a must. And what is your favorite thing about the knife you currently have on you? I like the weight of my kershaw skyline
 
Fairly light and slim. Decent steel. Smooth solid action (preferably one-hand opening and closing). Sharp edge (my own).
 
Good design and materials are probably the first things I look at. Consistent quality control is something I value a lot as well. I live far away from the US, so I can't just return a knife to the manufacturer if I get a lemon. So I tend not to buy new models as soon as they come out, I wait for a few months or a year to see how they do before ordering them.

For some stupid unfathomable reason I don't buy knives made in China or Taiwan. The very few exceptions in my collection usually came as part of a trade or something like that, and I rarely carry them.
 
Feature I expect from all my knives is an ability to cut.
 
A trait would for me would have to be the knife has to be heavy because I some knives that are just too light feel really cheap to me and I like to have something in my hand that feels strong and heavy other than that after getting into more expensive cutlery I like to have all my knives produced in America. For the knife on me it is a Strider SMF so it fits all the traits I like American made, heavy, and just a large knife.
 
Design first. It must be able to perform its intended function, be it EDC, camping, tactical, etc. The form MUST fit the function. Quality of materials and workmanship should also be appropriate to the price point.
 
Only one. That it stays razor sharp for as long as possible. The secondary traits are use specific (i.e. hunting, camp, edc, etc.).
 
Planetcat said:
Only one. That it stays razor sharp for as long as possible. The secondary traits are use specific (i.e. hunting, camp, edc, etc.).
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What do you mean by "razor sharp"? Do you really want a shaving edge that sharp & thin for EDC? I think of this as more of a sales term than fact.

(Sales) people use the term "razor sharp" all the time when alluding to knives, but most of them are far from being close to a "razor" in sharpness & performance. Many of these knives can barely pop hair off your arm, no way you'd want to drag that across your face.
 
Everything my Sebenza has is what I look for in a knife. Stays sharp, strong blade and lock, slim profile and good slicing ability.
 
It definitely needs to be able to cut appropriately to its purpose. I also like smooth opening in folders, whether it be one handed or not depends on the knife. Consistent quality control is definitely a must as I want to know what I'm buying, and I also want a good warranty because if what I'm buying turns out to be a lemon I at least want the manufacturer to take care of it. Materials appropriate to (Or even above) the price point is a huge factor, and a good overall fit and finish is a must.

So basically: Cutting performance, smooth operation, consistent quality control, good warranty, value, and fit and finish. In no particular order really.
 
Kingcollin said:
What is the most important thing you look for in a knife?
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Most important to me is smooth, clean lines. So "design" is most important.
Second-most important, quality.
Other factors: Materials. Size. Priced appropriately.

And what is your favorite thing about the knife you currently have on you?
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The knife in my pocket is a Victorinox Recruit. Love the 'hefty' durable feel, attractive red handles, and the fact that it cost $13.
 
Other than all the obvious things like being able to cut and weight. I think coolness factor is kind of important to me. I mean, we dont wear ear rings and a bunch of other jewlery so i think of our watches, knives and wallets as out "jewlery". At least this is how i explain it to my girlfriend because she wears diamonds which justifies knife purchases pretty freakin easy.
 
jdm61 said:
First, it must cut.
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A knife, by definition, is a cutting implement, i.e. it cuts (something). If an implement is incapable of cutting (something), it cannot be a "knife" strictly speaking.

So assuming that this implement is capable of cutting...

1) "What does it cut?" This is knife design and performance, i.e. intended or informed function - an implement can only achieve the functions allowed by its form. The form of the knife allows it to cut a range of media...

2) But for how long / how many cuts or a specified medium? How 'clean' are the cuts? How much force is required to complete the cuts?

Closely involved with these questions is ergonomy (still part of knife design/form).
3) How difficult/comfortable for the user is the application of force for each cut and for repeated cuts? How does the knife feel in use?

If the knife is capable of cutting a sufficient amount of my target media with sufficient efficiency and comfort, my next concern is maintenance:
4) How durable is the knife, what level of maintenance is required to keep it at optimal performance (in my intended use) over an extended period of time, and what is the cost of that maintenance (time spent, materials required, etc.)?

5) How durable is the knife against unintended but common sources of stress in my use of it?

Then there are concerns of safety and convenience, then aesthetics beyond those speaking to the knife's intended function, and finally the price point - are the advantages worth the cost (to me)?
 
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