Knife Brand Impressions from a New Collector

M

Mitch H

Joined
Nov 20, 2005
Messages
24
Spyderco (based on ownership and use of a Navigator 2, Kiwi, and Mini-Persian): Super excellent sharpness and ergonomics. All knives are incredibly useable and fit the hand like a glove. Not technically innovative, but great bang for the buck. Would definitely purchase other models.

Kershaw (based on ownership of an ET and MiniMojo): Excellent sharpness out of the box; innovative designs and mechanisms; ergonomics (eg hand fit) good, but not great. Good value; will purchase more.

Benchmade (based on ownership and use of a MiniGrip Pardue-designed blade): Excellent sharpness out of box; Axis lock is reasonably innovative and very useful for lefties like myself; good hand feel. Good value; might purchase other models.

CRKT (based on ownership and use of VanHoy Snap Lock): Poor sharpness out of box; innovative mechanism; mediocre hand feel and ergonomics; fun to play with but not one I use very often. Sort of disappointing; not likely to buy others

For me, the surprises thus far are how much I like to use the Kershaws and how disappointing the CRKT is despite the "fun" mechanism.

More impressions later....

Mitch
 
CRKT (based on ownership and use of VanHoy Snap Lock):
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CRKT sells such a wide variety of products that it would be difficult to judge them from a single knife, particulalry one as unique as the Snap Lock. The mechanism of that knife, IMO, is the primary attraction, and CRKT is famous for bringing such unique designs to production. They also have a large selection of knives designed more for actual use.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Welcome to the forums!

It is always good to hear a fresh perspective from new members.

I would disagree on your assessment of Spyderco's lack of technical innovation though. They popularized serrations, introduced the pocket clip, and the round hole opening is a trademark of theirs. Also, they have the ball lock, the compression lock, I have a Meercat with a phantom lock that is awesome, and Spyderco is coming up with some new locks. Oh, and the removable waving Pikal folder is due out this year too. Innovation is what keeps Spyderco ticking!

So what will be your next knife purchase?
 
I guess I could have been clearer in my "relative technology assessment". It's not that Spyderco is not innovative at all, it's that when I think Spyderco, I think ergonomically excellent lockback folders. When I think of Kershaw/CRKT, for example, I think of "assistedopeningstudlockLAWKStoggleselfsharpening...."

Next purchase...hmmm...could be a Spydie Dodo, Spydie Adventura, Spydie Ocelot or Kershaw Offset (If I can find one ;-). On the custom front, I am thinking of saving the shekels for another multiblade slipjoint from Chamblin, Shadley, or Moore to keep my Ruple mammoth ivory stockman company.

Mitch
 
Boy, you don't go second best on your slipjoints, do you?

How 'bout a Murray Sterling dual liner lock. Combine the interests.
 
I really like Murray's work as well. I think I am going to focus my custom collecting on slipjoints/multiblades. There is something about the classical design that reminds me of my childhood. Oh, that nostalgia....

Mitch
 
Mitch H said:
Kershaw (based on ownership of an ET and MiniMojo): Excellent sharpness out of the box; innovative designs and mechanisms; ergonomics (eg hand fit) good, but not great. Good value; will purchase more.
Click to expand...

Good idea.
You'll probably find the Bump one of the best-handling knives you've ever held in your hand (according to a recent survey here, and my view too.)
While I buy Spydies and BM and MTs and CRKs as well,
my collection is mainly Kershaw Onions.
Have fun finding out,
t.
 
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