Knives that taught you “bad design?”

[DangerZone98]

It’s great to learn from the best knifemakers, whoever they are for you, but sometimes we also gain wisdom from designs that we don’t connect with. Have you ever encountered or owned a knife that made you go, “I don’t like these features, so my future purchases shouldn’t have them.”

Take note that we’re using “bad design” here rather subjectively. It could be a knife that simply did not work for you, or maybe it’s something that a large number of people collectively agree is terrible. It could even be an unpopular opinion. Our main purpose here is to learn and have fun doing so. Better if you share pics!

For me, over time, I grew to not like oversized guards that dig into the hand, and ricassos/finger choils/any other crap that reduces muh cutting edge. Might add some more later!

 

[Dogdrawz]

ricassos/finger choils/any other crap that reduces muh cutting edge

Agreed. Also, can all lockbar relief cutouts be on the inside?

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Folders with finger choils.

 

[Wasty]

+1 on finger choils. Reduces cutting length, stuff gets snagged.
When i cut up a lot of boxes and you hit the choil, it will just not cut any further.
Choils do not work for me, as I won't put my finger on the blade, even if it is unsharpened.

 

[Lee D]

Chisel grinds, titanium liners that end up walking across the tang when repeatedly waved…another design feature I don’t like.

*edited for clarification

 

[NG VI]

Chisel grinds, titanium liners that end up walking across the tang when repeatedly waved (another design feature I don’t like) hard.

An Ernie customer, eh?

 

[Docscoot]

Folders with finger choils.

Have to disagree, I like having options for grip position and a well done choil can do that. Also as a fairly amateur sharpener I don't mind a bit of a sharpening choil to keep from screwing up that ricasso area. I guess if the knife is really fit to your hand and you're better at sharpening than I am than I can see not liking a choil

 

[Lee D]

An Ernie customer, eh?

Many years ago I fell for the marketing, decided to give ‘em a try and threw just under 2000 at his knives. It was an expensive lesson.

 

[NG VI]

Many years ago I fell for the marketing, decided to give ‘em a try and threw just under 2000 at his knives. It was an expensive lesson.

Sounds it, I remember liking a couple of his designs (commander or something?) that were more rounded, but I'm glad I never threw any money at them.

 

[Lee D]

glad I never threw any money at them.

Not a big fan of “gentlemen clubs” but I’d sooner throw my money at the dancers.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Have to disagree, I like having options for grip position and a well done choil can do that. Also as a fairly amateur sharpener I don't mind a bit of a sharpening choil to keep from screwing up that ricasso area. I guess if the knife is really fit to your hand and you're better at sharpening than I am than I can see not liking a choil

A sharpening choil is totally fine with me, but a huge notch for a finger just takes away usable blade length. In my opinion, the handle should be ergonomic enough where an extra space for a finger is unnecessary. I know people do like them, they just don’t work for me.

 

[Lee D]

One thing that I will give EKI credit for, their grinds (in my experience) are always spot on, and I’ve never owned one that didn’t have excellent ergos.

 

[Docscoot]

Recently it broke my heart to let a knife go due to what I perceived as a pretty serious safety concern. It was a design I just loved the looks and ergos of, really beautiful knife that was a grail of mine for quite a while. But it had what I considered to be one major flaw which was that the sharpened edge was too close to the back of the handle when closed, if you pressed down on the back just a tad and slid your finger you could slice yourself pretty badly. I never carried it for that reason, was really scared of rubbing the side of my hand against that edge inside my pocket. Just let it go for a bit of a loss. Bummer.

 

[Docscoot]

A sharpening choil is totally fine with me, but a huge notch for a finger just takes away usable blade length. In my opinion, the handle should be ergonomic enough where an extra space for a finger is unnecessary. I know people do like them, they just don’t work for me.

Fair enough. I'm guessing Striders really aren't your thing!

 

[Dergyll]

The Peña X knives with their (micarta in my case) scales separating from the framelock when locking up.

No problem. But when I put my thumb in to unlock the knife to close, my skin will get snagged in between the scale and liner, especially since the scale cutout is precisely made and quite sharp.

~300$ knife, I think it's a little lame. Especially with the so-so flipping and strong detent. I won't buy another with the same scale design.

Just a minority I'm sure, because "reviewers" put it on a pedestal.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Just a minority I'm sure, because "reviewers" put it on a pedestal.

I think the average guy's experience is just as valid as any reviewer.

I second The Duck's comment about finger choils, but extend it to small/medium fixed blades.
I love the ESEE 3, but the only feature I don't care for is the choil, which has been more of a nuisance than a benefit. I appreciate the intent, but when your blade real estate is already so small, it just reduces it even more in a particularly useful location.

 

[Dogdrawz]

But when I put my thumb in to unlock the knife to close, my skin will get snagged in between the scale and liner

Pretty much any liner lock that does this. Just booo.

 

[Dergyll]

I think the average guy's experience is just as valid as any reviewer.

I second The Duck's comment about finger choils, but extend it to small/medium fixed blades.
I love the ESEE 3, but the only feature I don't care for is the choil, which has been more of a nuisance than a benefit. I appreciate the intent, but when your blade real estate is already so small, it just reduces it even more in a particularly useful location.

Average? But mom said I was special...

Choils are okay on folding knives, but not that great on fixed blades.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Average? But mom said I was special...

Momma Dergyll is a lady of above average intelligence.

 

[NG VI]

Average? But mom said I was special...

Choils are okay on folding knives, but not that great on fixed blades.

It's fantastic on the Guardian 3 Sheepsfoot