Knives you overestimated

[redman2006]

In keeping with the thread of underestimated knives, what are some that disappointed you because you overestimated them or bought into the hype?
(I searched and did not find a thread like this)

For me, there are several
The first and most recent was my nmsfno. I wanted to like it so badly, but it really was a chopper and nothing else. Before I get jumped by the Busse guys, I do like the steel, the handle, the size and heft, but it just did not cut. I sent it out for a regrind, and it is much more like I had hoped.

One of my very first knives, a Schrade lookalike of the Buck 110. It just would not take or hold an edge. It also loosened up very quickly.

Both of the Gerber knives I bought years ago. Dad remembered them as a solid company, but they were horrible.

Lastly, a custom. It was no fault of the maker, it was all me. I was new to knives and we had serious miscommunications about what I thought I wanted and asked for and what I was actually saying.

So how about it, what have you over estimated?

 

[miltmaldo]

Don't believe the hype .... large sebenza with micarta inlay .

 

[jill jackson]

Buck 110 from Walmart. Came loose in all 4 directions with about 10 min of easy use.

 

[Cereal_killer]

PM2, I've tried it in several flavors, the only one I still own today is the camo/dlc one I was given by my wife/kids (they picked it out on their own as a surprise without any hints so I do love it) but other than that nothing about them does anything for me

Kabar Bob dozer, I know it's a super budget knife but before the Rat's and Utilitacs came out it was all the rage, I've bought several and every time I end up leaving them in places other people need knives cause again they just don't do anything for me... I guess I do still own a few; there's one on a lanyard on the keys to my horse trailer and there's one in the feed room at our boarding barn for anyone to use, I trust them as a good user I just don't find them able to compete with any of my usual EDC's...

 

[K.O.D.]

Large Sebenza 21
Lionsteel SR1A
ZT 0801, 0561, 0350
Spyderco Southard, Nilakka, PM2, Caly 3
Benchmade
ESEE 5
Anything with S30V
Emerson
Heavy, "hard use" knives

 

[Bladegunner]

Nothing has measured up since I got my Shiro Neon, Yes there that good at least for me. Latest catch and release was a WE 707 from MD.

 

[photoman12001]

Despite some flaws I still own most of these. Honestly, I can find something good about most knives that entices me to keep them.

• Emerson: Very much Emerson. I tried about a dozen and finally bailed on them. The made-in-China Multitasker Emerson EDC-1 is the best "Emerson" I've had. I still own and carry a couple of those but the others I sold, except a karambit trainer that I got cheap.
• Spyderco PM2: This knife has never grabbed me like it does so many other folks. I am not fond of the compression lock and the overall form of the knife doesn't appeal to me.
• Spyderco Southard: Mediocre flipper and it hangs strangely in the pocket due to its curvature.
• Spyderco Techno: I just can't seem to get a good, comfortable grip on that thing.
• Benchmade Infidel: I think any out-the-front auto would have been disappointing for me. That format is just not for me. I sold it with intentions of buying a Microtech but never did.
• TOPS Tom Brown Tracker: Jack of all trades, master of none. I sold it and bought a TOPS Tahoma.
• Lionsteel SR-1A: I like the SR2-A but the SR1 is too large and slick. If it had some G10 inserts in the handle I think I'd like it more.
• Southern Grind Spyder Monkey: The pocket clip creates a bad hot spot and my blade/pivot has some weird play issues.
• Benchmade Crooked River: I really like the form of this knife but to me it's too big. I wish it was about 3/4 its current size. I don't mind other knives of that size or larger (see the 710 below it) but the Crooked River just doesn't fit my hand well for some reason. I know others really like it though.
• Sebenza...at first: After using one for a while I grew to appreciate it and have several CRKs now. The ceramic lock interface in the 25 is what hooked me.

Some Emersons I tried.

 

[Napthrix]

If anything, I over-research, so no. I bought three CRKs knowing full well that they were overpriced.

 

[redman2006]

It is funny how people differ. I have a tops tahoma. Had I picked it up in person, I would not have laid out the cash, yet someone likes it, or it would not sell. I would not say it disappointed me, but it is not for me. I need to send it down the road.

I forgot one, the brk bravo 1. Love the feel, shape etc, but the steel is so soft it rolls and chips out when processing our homegrown rabbits. When I called brk, I was told I was abusing it by splitting the pelvis of a 3 or 4 month old rabbit. It is still cartilage at that point.

 

[redman2006]

Photo, I see several of your knives have a thumb disk. When I had that Schrade 110 lookalike I thought I wanted to make it 1 hand opener. Well, they sold disks like that that clamed in the fingernail notch. What a pain in the butt. Every time you actually tried to cut, that disc was in the way. I now like flippers or holes, or anything but a obstruction right in the way of cutting.

 

[redman2006]

Kod, why s30v? I am a steel idiot, but I thought that was supposed to be a decent everyday steel?

 

[photoman12001]

It is funny how people differ. I have a tops tahoma. Had I picked it up in person, I would not have laid out the cash, yet someone likes it, or it would not sell. I would not say it disappointed me, but it is not for me. I need to send it down the road.

I forgot one, the brk bravo 1. Love the feel, shape etc, but the steel is so soft it rolls and chips out when processing our homegrown rabbits. When I called brk, I was told I was abusing it by splitting the pelvis of a 3 or 4 month old rabbit. It is still cartilage at that point.

My Tahoma will most likely go up for sale. It's probably a good knife for its intended purpose, I just really don't have a use for a knife like that.

 

[jill jackson]

The reason the Schrade, loosened up with use was the same reason my Buck did. Mainly due to both having a tiny un-threaded pivot pin. There's a reason folders today have large threaded pivots.

 

[Bladegunner]

@photoman, Great collection and photo's really like the 627 8 shot !!

 

[photoman12001]

@photoman, Great collection and photo's really like the 627 8 shot !!

Thanks. I thought that 627 and the Tahoma would make a great hiking combo. Then I remembered that I don't own a mule and I have to carry all that crap.

 

[sabre cat]

Despite some flaws I still own most of these. Honestly, I can find something good about most knives that entices me to keep them.

• Emerson: Very much Emerson. I tried about a dozen and finally bailed on them. The made-in-China Multitasker Emerson EDC-1 is the best "Emerson" I've had. I still own and carry a couple of those but the others I sold, except a karambit trainer that I got cheap.
• Spyderco PM2: This knife has never grabbed me like it does so many other folks. I not fond of the compression lock and the overall form of the knife doesn't appeal to me.
• Spyderco Southard: Mediocre flipper and it hangs strangely in the pocket due to its curvature.
• Spyderco Techno: I just can't seem to get a good, comfortable grip on that thing.
• Benchmade Infidel: I think any out-the-front auto would have been disappointing for me. That format is just not for me. I sold it with intentions of buying a Microtech but never did.
• TOPS Tom Browm Tracker: Jack of all trades, master of none. I sold it and bought a TOPS Tahoma.
• Lionsteel SR-1A: I like the SR2-A but the SR1 is too large and slick. If it had some G10 inserts in the handle I think I'd like it more.
• Southern Grind Spyder Monkey: The pocket clip creates a bad hot spot and my blade/pivot has some weird play issues.
• Benchmade Crooked River: I really like the form of this knife but to me it's too big. I wish it was about 3/4 its current size. I don't mind other knives of that size or larger (see the 710 below it) but the Crooked River just doesn't fit my hand well for some reason. I know others really like it though.
• Sebenza...at first: After using one for a while I grew to appreciate it and have several CRKs now. The ceramic lock interface in the 25 is what hooked me.

Some Emersons I tried.

What is the red handled Benchmade? Do you like it?

I have found the few Spyderco knives I have owned to be overrated. They are decent knives but I carry more than I cut and they just don't work in my pocket. I am sure that I will buy another at some point, though.

The Benchmade Volli. I love the knife. It looks great, feels great but, I just don't use it. I grab the Griptilian before the Volli, 98% of the time.

 

[photoman12001]

What is the red handled Benchmade? Do you like it?

I do: http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/benchmade-319-proper-i-like-it.1494355/

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Emerson Super CQC-8. Lots of money for knife mediocrity.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I've overestimated Mora.
I still love mine and it works fine for edc, but the scandi grind is pretty steep and I prefer a real thin and slicy blade ( would prefer if it had a Sabre grind )

I also greatly overestimated assisted opening knives. I thought they were the coolest thing because they flicked open so fast, but then I got one and realized that they're actually pretty stupid. They're noisy, and have some resistance to close them that I don't like.

Lastly the Kershaw select fire was a big disappointment. I saw it and instantly had to have it, but the handle was horribly uncomfortable, and it developed blade play on my though a barely used it at all.
I've realized that I'm not a big fan of adjustable pivots on high value knives because they loosen up, my Buck 110 is 4yrs old and is as solid as the day I got it. ( my cousin and uncle both received Kershaw cryo's for Christmas and both of the loosened up to the point that the blade was about to spring off )

 

[mbkryan]

The G 10 Dragonfly. Thought I was going to absolutely love it. Purchased it with a lot of enthusiasm, and sold it a month later. Something about the G 10 making it feel more bulky and overbuilt than it actually was. Would have been nice if they paired it with a thicker blade with a lower grind, like on the old Dragonfly with gen 6.