Knives with so much potential, and poor execution?

On paper, the 520 Presidio was the perfect knife for me. 154CM flat ground blade with clean lines and removable thumb studs so you didn't have to worry about scratching them while sharpening, and a great sharpening choil to boot, plus the single most comfortable handle I've seen on a folder to date in machined aluminium. It would have been perfect if it worked right, but the guts of the thing were so fragile that they needed to be sent back for repairs no less than three times in the short time I owned it. :thumbdn:
 
Bill1170 said:
Rounding the shoulder where the saber grind meets the full thickness part of the blade will make a big difference on your E4 wave. FFG would be too light to wave out easily, it needs the mass of that thicker blade to open right when wave drawn.
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I am going to try this. Thanks alot!
 
:IV: said:
SOG, no real model specifically. It's pretty much every knife they make.
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I don't think this applies to all of their models. Maybe half of them. I have two of their folders, a fixed blade, and a multi-tool that work pretty well, and I'm willing to bet there are at least a few others that are worthwhile.

CRKT seems to me like the equivalent of Dodge/Mopar: trying so hard to be cool that they end up falling flat on their face.
 
foxx said:
I think Ontario is up there. Ontario has reduced the quality of the Justin Gingrich's Ranger line. The knives have blocky handles, and my edges weren't even at all.
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I agree, I had an RD6(JG one) And I was not at all happy with it, especially for how much they cost(I think $100+). I ended up selling it and getting my money back for what I paid for it.
 
All those Blackie Collins designed Meyerco knives. He was a one man patent factory with what seemed to be largely sound designs. You'd never know from handling the designs as they were implemented.
 
Benchmade 741 Onslaught. The blade is way too thin for a knife that size. The tip is fragile. Mine is relegated to kitchen duty.
 
I agree 100% on the benchmade 741. It's a great slicer ..... But that's it. I'm afraid to do anything else with it in fear of breaking the blade. The blade is over 4 inches long and I believe, just over .070 at the thickest point.
 
like em sharp said:
Kershaw. So many awesome designs, and they go and beadblast the crap out of 14C28N steel making it a rust magnet. I've pretty well given up on uncoated Kershaws using that steel because no matter what I do (Tuf-Cloth, mineral oil, clean it every day, etc) every time I took one out my case to use there were new rust spots on it.
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My sentiments exactly. It wasn't so much a rust issue for me - I just absolutely despise a beadblast finish. Love their designs but I too have pretty much quit Kershaw until they dump the beadblast finish.
 
SOG's SEAL Pups and older Bowie models, say from 2005 to 2007 era, were great. Their new ones seem to be tactisexual mall ninja fodder. What was wrong with the old SEAL Pup? Why did they have to go and reprofile the handle and grind up the blade? I like the profile on the old Tridents and Flash II's but they needed to make their assisted action way stronger.

I see alot of Master-United-MTech-Taylor stuff that has alot of potential, but they are reduced to unnamed stainless and mass produced in some sweat shop in China.

This is one of the particular models that I just have to kick a wall at. Simple and effective survival knife design, but little more than a wasted burr of carbon and iron.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=mast...&w=750&h=750&ei=vKcGT_rUMo-JtweVzbDRBg&zoom=1
 
Most of SOG'S 100% reinforced plastic handled assisted knives, they are far too complex to function well without liners,
and the manufacturer they have chosen to produce them apparently can't handle the complexity of their designs.
 
Imagine a RAT 1 without a mile long goosenecked ricasso that doesn't offset the edge of the knife a quarter of an inch back from the handle... So much wasted space and a seemingly pointless reduction of ergonomics. Awesome blade profile, awesome action, but blah.
 
Dave Behrens said:
List some examples. The reason manuf.'s use cheaper materials it to keep cost low so they can sell more, quantity over quality, more expensive material/features=more expensive product=more exclusive market.
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i understand that concept, but i'm not talking about major changes. i'll use this as an example: someone posted earlier about the buck vantage having a thin liner lock. if buck just made the lock side liner thicker, it would make for a better, stronger knife and the price bump would be minimal. add in a small notch on the handle so that your thumb can more easily get in the hole in the blade and flick it open, and the knife would be even better. small changes to a very good knife would make it great.

here's another one, i really like my opinel 8 but i wonder to myself why they don't also offer their models with plastic handles? it wouldn't really effect the price much and it would make the knife operate better.
 
Parce qu'il est Français et du Français est à la mode. :thumbup: I think... Probably for fashion/class. I've seen some stained ones lately that are pretty cool.
 
nightman said:
Benchmade 741 Onslaught. The blade is way too thin for a knife that size. The tip is fragile. Mine is relegated to kitchen duty.
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I am with you on the 741. I handled one and didn't buy one b/c of the thin blade. Otherwise it would have made an excellent EDC


Also while we are on the subject of SOG folders, why do their zytel handers have to have so much give? I know they make them linerless to cut down on weight, but that squishy feeling does not convey confidence
 
Misanthropia said:
-Boker: A historic German company who pretty much only makes some horribly overpriced knives in the old country, whereas their excellent Chad Los Banos designs are forced to languish in China with 440C steel.
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Chad's designs are fantastic. I can live with 440C but the plastic washers (used at least in some models) ruin the folders. Loved my Böker Direkt until it delevoped a side-to-side wobble which of course couldn't be cured by tightening the pivot bolt. Damned plastic washers just kept deforming under the added load.

What I really would want to see is Chad and Kershaw making some non-beadblasted collaborations...
 
jimnolimit said:
i understand that concept, but i'm not talking about major changes. i'll use this as an example: someone posted earlier about the buck vantage having a thin liner lock. if buck just made the lock side liner thicker, it would make for a better, stronger knife and the price bump would be minimal. add in a small notch on the handle so that your thumb can more easily get in the hole in the blade and flick it open, and the knife would be even better. small changes to a very good knife would make it great.

here's another one, i really like my opinel 8 but i wonder to myself why they don't also offer their models with plastic handles? it wouldn't really effect the price much and it would make the knife operate better.
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Ok I getcha. You are talking more about simple things the manuf. may have overlooked. Were as, my bitchfest over the Kershaw Outcast would require a complete overhaul or just a new design entirely.
 
I dont have a 741 Onslaught but Ive noticed that the clip is huge but its not that big of a deal.
I love my Ritter Griptilian but hate the handles. It would be PERFECT if it had G10 handles. I just dont understand why they dont offer a version with G10 handles. Ive got my eye out for a set of Wilkins or Cuscadi scales being sold on here but I just cant bring myself to spend $100 dollars on new ones. I will get some eventually. Ive also noticed that where the edge ends it is square and leaves a good 1/4 to 1/2 inch of space between it and the handle. The edge could be brought down or the handle shaped to create a nice finger choil. It also has some side to side blade play.
 
Bear Ops (of Bear and Sons) B-200 (and B-201 trainer) balisongs.

The design is pretty ideal and has excellent weight and balance to it. However, the fit and finish isn't up to some tolerances for a knife made in the USA.
 
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