Knives you did not like in pics but loved in person

whitty

whitty

Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Aug 25, 2005
Messages
6,065
Have you folks had knives that you saw pics of online or in magazines and you just knew it was never going to be the knife for you, then turned around and held it in person and instantly fell in love?
 
I am probably in the minority on this but it has happened to me more times than I can count. Some of the biggest examples of this for me have been the Hinderer Half Track, ZT0456 and ZT0301.

My first Blade Show many years ago I had seen pics of the ZT0301 and just thought there was no way I would ever own one. I get to blade show and the first one I held I bought. The 456 was the same way. ZT released photos of it and I thought they had lost their minds. They show up at the shop and the first one I took out of a box went in my pocket. The Hinderer Half Track was even crazier. I saw pics of it and thought it looked OK but was too small for a Hinderer. I even messed with a prototype that year at Blade Show and it did not appeal to me. Then we started stocking them and I would check them out before putting them online. Next thing you know I have one in my pocket, and am known well for my love of this knife.
 
The Spyderco Military is the one for me. I thought they looked ridiculous in pictures until I got one. Now I have three and am always looking for more.
 
whitty said:
That would actually be another good thread to start! Knives you loved in pics and hated in person?
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That thread would be too long and too contentious, I think :). Tons of cool looking knives out there that have horrid action and ergos.

On topic, I agree on the Hinderer comments. To me they look kinda meh, but in hand they feel great.

The PM2 is kind of the same, to me. It looks blocky and uncomfortable, but melts in my hand.
 
The ZT0456 didn’t appeal to me at all for the longest. Then I saw the one with the skulls and said “what the hell “, if I don’t like it, it should sell with no problems. I knew it wasn’t going anywhere after a few flips.
 
This happened to me. ZT0909. Looks like another boring brutish knife in the catalog. Saw it in person and was blown away. The grind and finish on the blade are spectacular. The finish on the liners is also great.
 
Ya,The Ontario RAT 2 did that to me. Turned out to be a great knife with tons of value for the buck!

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Spyderco PM2.
I can't say i hated the look but it looks better irl than in pictures.

whitty said:
That would actually be another good thread to start! Knives you loved in pics and hated in person?
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That would be the benchmade grip.
 
vanadium said:
This happened to me. ZT0909. Looks like another boring brutish knife in the catalog. Saw it in person and was blown away. The grind and finish on the blade are spectacular. The finish on the liners is also great.
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You beat me to it! The knife is so deceptively simple looking compared to all the 3d machined scaled knives with peacock colored titanium frames and strange blade features these days that it doesn't seem like much when you see it.

I was so surprised when holding in my hand and it feels like the most solid folder I've ever owned. I use as a work knife, and absolutely love it. The fit and finish is excellent and unlike most I like the little pocket clip on it as it doesn't give away the fact that I have a large work knife in my pocket. Blade steel is great, too. Just about perfect for me.

Robert
 
whitty said:
Have you folks had knives that you saw pics of online or in magazines and you just knew it was never going to be the knife for you, then turned around and held it in person and instantly fell in love?
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A benefit of having your own knife store, I guess...
 
If I don’t like it in pics I would never buy it so no knife to respond with. I have experienced FAR more of the opposite - like them in pics only to despise them in hand.
 
Most of my CS knives. I even regretted the purchase after receiving them but after few days I started to like it. And after few personal mods they're special for me. I know many people here don't like CS but for me Talwar is one of the best big folding knives with wave feature.

I had some mixed feelings also after buying BM 585-2, now it's my favourite small BM folder.
 
Planterz said:
A benefit of having your own knife store, I guess...
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Exactly my thought. I’d bet Whitt handles knives all the time after seeing the promo pics, because they all come through the shop.
I do 95% of my knife buying online so pics are all I have. If I don’t think I’ll like it based on the pic, it never makes it to my door. I don’t have a bunch of knife buddies where I’d be gaining experience with the knives of others. Long story short- nope. I have no idea how many great knives I’m missing out on because I don’t think I’ll like it based on pics.
 
19-3ben said:
Exactly my thought. I’d bet Whitt handles knives all the time after seeing the promo pics, because they all come through the shop.
I do 95% of my knife buying online so pics are all I have. If I don’t think I’ll like it based on the pic, it never makes it to my door. I don’t have a bunch of knife buddies where I’d be gaining experience with the knives of others. Long story short- nope. I have no idea how many great knives I’m missing out on because I don’t think I’ll like it based on pics.
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yea i've only once been to a knife store, and there's only a few in the entire country.
i buy 100% of my knives online.
 
Spyderco Domino.
ZT 0095Blk.
 
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