Knives that "grow" on you....

eschwebach

eschwebach

Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Messages
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Have you guys experienced a knife that when you first got it didn't do much for you? So much so you almost sold it, gave it away, or packed it away somewhere? Then after carrying for a while you really started to appreciate it and now LOVE it?

For me it was the Spyderco Southard. The ugly brown g10 scale, the sharp pocket clip, the somewhat ugly lines... After having new scales put on it, a new pocket clip and carrying it a bunch it is now one of my favorite knives. I love the flipping action, sooooo smooth... I love the blade shape and how it feels in the hand... Just a great knife. Can the be attributed to changing tastes, or maybe more experience with other knives?

On the flip side, I also have a knife that I really liked when I first got it and now can't stand... The AG Russel Acies 2. Loved the super sharp zdp-189 blade, the all Ti frame lock and deep pocket clip. I even had it anodized a beautiful blue color. Now I hate it.... Go figure.

How about you folks?
 
Protech TR-3 manual folder, love at first sight, then faded away.

The Military is one that I bought a couple times and never really carried and then I started carrying one and it kind of clicked. I really want to get a fluted ti one but that will be a while.

And funnily enough, the large Sebenza was one I never understood until I carried one for a period of time, I miss it.
 
Spyderco Military, hate tip down but started carrying my Ti Millie in my left pocket as my secondary blade and now I love it and carry it alot.
 
Benchmade 300SN. It's thick and heavy, doesn't have a great flipping action, and it's fairly ugly to me. After carrying it a lot, it's one of my favorite knives for actual use. It's a real workhorse, and Benchmade's 154CM is one of my favorite steels.
 
Once upon a time, I bought a Case Small Texas Jack CV just to add an order. The more I carry it, the more I like it. Fantastic little folder! It's now one of my favourites... :thumbup:

texasjack01.jpg


-Brett
 
Paramilitary 2.

The day I got it, the lock was "meh", the handle was larger than I though it was going to be, and blade deployment was rough and sticky.

Many months of carry later, the knife remains in my pocket and has become one of my all-time favorites. It'd be the best knife I own if the S30V wasn't so delicate. I'm holding my metaphoric breath for the next M390 sprint.
 
I'd say the Case Peanut. I bought one at a close out sale for 5 dollars and it sat around for years unused. Too small for the hands, and when closing it, it can be a mouse trap for the fingers. After trying it out for pocket watch pocket carry, it grew on me. I carry larger folders and fixed blades, the option of having small blades to use grew on me.
 
Before I lost mine, it was the Griptilian, i wasn't too fond of it but I kept on carrying the thing and before I knew it, I fell in love with it. I sure do miss that knife.
 
Strider SnG lego. I got it and looked at it, and though boy is this ugly. Why did I spend so much money on this knife? I immediately thought of selling it, but gave it a week. The heat treat on the steel (S30V) is great, cuts great, ergos are great for my big hands. Now I love it. Its still ugly, but function>form.

Brian Tighe Mini Tighe-Rod--Took a bit to get used to flipping, given the small size and all, but I really like it.

Benchmade Grip/Mini-grip--For several years I went back and forth trying to decide if it was really worth $100 (before I discovered online knife retailers :( ). I didn't like the clip as it wasn't a low carry, but I finally broke down and bought one, like it so much I bought the full size grip to compliment it.
 
Emerson CQC-7.
Such an ugly knife with an odd blade / handle ratio, but it "grew" on me as soon as I put it in my hand. Perfect size, weight, and ergo's for me.
On the flip side, there are quite a few Spyderco's, ZT's, and Benchmade's that I liked at first but was glad to get rid of.
 
ALL SPYDERCO's

at first glance I was very turned off by the huge hole in the blade. and the choil to me wasted perfectly good edge space. But I have grown fond of many spydercos and the quality cannot be argued. Choil is still on the fence for me, but I love my Sage 2, so its not a deal breaker.
 
Spyderco stretch (that i lost at my old job working at the zoo). It was my first good knife and at the time the most expenaive knife I owned, I carried it cause it was so expensive vs. my CRKT's and kershaw's but I never relly liked it, it was ok and it was the best blade steel I had but it just didnt do it for me.
After loosing it I slowly started to miss it, then I got another spyderco and it made me miss it even more and more and now (literally years later) its made its way back to the top of my list.
 
Spyderco military for me too. Bought one and thought the handle was too large and awkward. Sold it without giving it a chance. After picking up and carrying/using a cruwear military it has become my favorite by a longshot. Can't wait to get it reassembled.
EDIT
Micarta scales are done and I like it even more now.
A5A3FE01-8F58-40A9-AF09-892B03FAF0B7-24049-00000BBD0FD52ACA_zps5cab0146.jpg
 
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At first I used to carry a ZT 0700 for my primary knife and a Spyderco Manix 2 as a secondary knife. Now I carry the Spyderco Manix 2 over the ZT and the ZT is gathering dust now. Funny how that works out.
 
I used to think Kershaw were better than Spyderco. Now I can't stop carry a Spyderco knife or two and my Kershaws tend to get left behind.
 
I almost won't buy a knife without knowing about it beforehand.

yesterday I received a 'konosuke f gyuto w2' instead of a sujihiki. I could have returned it, but opted to keep it because it is just too nice. The sebenzas of gyutos in my opinion. I was like 'NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!' When I opened the fedex box, but after touching some food I fell in love.
 
eschwebach said:
Have you guys experienced a knife that when you first got it didn't do much for you? So much so you almost sold it, gave it away, or packed it away somewhere? Then after carrying for a while you really started to appreciate it and now LOVE it?

For me it was the Spyderco Southard. The ugly brown g10 scale, the sharp pocket clip, the somewhat ugly lines... After having new scales put on it, a new pocket clip and carrying it a bunch it is now one of my favorite knives. I love the flipping action, sooooo smooth... I love the blade shape and how it feels in the hand... Just a great knife. Can the be attributed to changing tastes, or maybe more experience with other knives?

On the flip side, I also have a knife that I really liked when I first got it and now can't stand... The AG Russel Acies 2. Loved the super sharp zdp-189 blade, the all Ti frame lock and deep pocket clip. I even had it anodized a beautiful blue color. Now I hate it.... Go figure.

How about you folks?
Click to expand...

Sir, I would be happy to take that Acies off of your hands... ;-)
 
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