Knive test and reviews - what do you want?

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Feb 23, 2002
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What do you like to see in the review and testing of a knife?

Such as what kind of test should be done to the knife and what kind of photo's do you like to have taken of a knife that is being test?

Just thinking about how I should go about testing a knife and posting the results on BF.

Looking for some idea's.
 
Please fire 300 rounds of .45 ACP FMJ into the lock of any folder you test ;) In fact, get a photo of someone holding the knife while you perform this test :D
 
What I want to know is how well a knife will stand up to the tasks it was designed to perform. I also want to know how easy it is to sharpen and how well it holds an edge. How sharp was the knife when it first arrived? If it is a folder, how smooth is the action and how tight are the tolerances? Is the handle comfortable to hold? If the knife is designed to chop and clear brush will the handle be comfortable to hold through hours of work or will it tend to cause blisters or does it have any sharp edges? Does it come with a good sheath? if the blade has a coating, how well does that coating stand up to use.
 
Hello John!

As far as pics go, I really love comparative pics, and "odd" pics. Comparative pics are loke the knife in review beside other knives, and/or in a person's hand. You get a great idea about how large a Strider AR/GB folder is when you see it in someone's hand, or you see it beside other knives.

Staying on the Strider theme here, some of the ebst pics I have seen are of Striders done my Shelby. He's taken pics of things like close-ups of the engaged lock, etc. I can go online to get side profile pcis of a knife. Other pics that tell me more details are very welcome :)
 
I want reviews as thorough as Cliff's, except for one point: when it comes time to rank the knives, the brand name should count closer to 0% than 100%.
 
pictures speak a thousand words. some comparison pics would be nice for others to gauge size and such, lock strength is important but for me as long as it passes a simple spine whack test it is good enough, handle ergonomics are important and so is cutting ability
 
In regards to the write up of what is done, read what you have wrote and see if it would make sense to someone who didn't watch you do the work. A lot of times you can describe something in a sloppy way because since you were there, it can make sense to you, but to someone who wasn't, it tells next to nothing as it was either far too subjective, or critical details were left out.

What is critical is to enjoy what you are doing. If you are working for a magazine then obviously you have to write in the style they want and cover the aspects they want to see covered, as otherwise you won't be working for them for long. However if you are just doing it as a hobby and constrain yourself to work that you really don't like to do, you won't be doing it for long. So of course be open to suggestions, but don't let them dictate the work 100% .

The best way is to mainly stick to what you like best and have the most experience with. You can present the most sound performance of this area. Then find friends who can offer complementary opinions on the other aspects. This way you can still present a decently whole overview, while mainly just concentrating on the use that comes natural to you. It will also maximize your experience as by passing around blades you will get to use more than just the ones that you would buy.

-Cliff
 
All great idea's (all except the 300 rounds of .45 ACP FMJ :) ) and it has given me somethings to think about.

Anyone else:
 
Aww, c'mon, my post was the best ;) Lol. Sorry to be the only guy to post something so annoying and stupid.

Anyway, I really like it when someone can tell me something about a knife that is weird. You know what I mean? Like, "The compression lock will sometimes pinch you on opening." Weird little details like these really make me appreciate a review more. They tell me that the user has really become familiar with the knife and gives me a heads up as to what kind of odd behavior I might expect.
 
I like “real world” tests. In other words, the testing should reflect the intended use of the knife, and even some unintended uses that might fall within the realm of reason. Chopping concrete blocks means little to me, but cardboard and blister plastic are very realistic substrates for a utility blade. If the knife is intended for use in the outdoors, then wood, hide and rope are very appropriate cutting mediums. I can learn, and possibly make comparisons with my own knives, if the substrates are similar.

Speaking of comparisons, I love them. Two knives don’t necessarily need to be pitted against one another, but comparisons between certain aspects of knives are greatly helpful. One doesn’t need to directly pit a small Sebenza against a Camillus EDC to expound upon the nuances of each design, but an understanding of the differences and similarities would make it all that much easier for people the decide if the Seb is right for them.

I also value comments that only come though extended testing. I knife can seem quite good during the first couple weeks of use, but time reveals those small weaknesses in design. What is just a minor annoyance at first can turn into a major drawback through extended testing. Some pocket clips wear through my blue jeans over a coarse of months. “Hot spots” are often revealed only after very long days of use. Scale materials are affected by the most unlikely substances. I’ve been using my Spyderco Military for over a year now, and have yet to discover everything about it, good and bad.

And always remember that a review is about communication. You don’t have to use fancy words or lofty statements, but you do have to keep the reader from falling asleep. Keep things interesting, and try to use a grammar and spell checker. You can’t pick out all the mistakes, but you’ll get the majority of them. Now if the magazines would only use a grammar and spell checker.
 
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