Knives you weren't expecting to like so much until you had them in hand

BM Rukus2 Auto. I tried a Protech TR4 and I wasn't crazy about the feel and finish on the aluminum handle. A couple months later I gave the Rukus2 a try and I was pleasantly surprised how solid the knife feels in hand. Not to mention a tough anodized coating on the very comfortable handle and super snappy opening action. My favorite Auto as of this post.

Spyderco Military. Before I got hooked on it , I thought the Military always looked nice but was too big for me to carry. Then I ended up getting one and it just felt perfect fur my hand. Now it is one of my favorite knives of all time. I still carry my S30V/black G10 all the time.
 
RBid said:
i expected to like the Keen, but not so much that I’d buy two and irritate everyone around me by talking about it incessantly.

Also, my bad.
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I’ve never been so anxious to buy a second (3d, 4th...?!) example of a knife. Can’t wait ‘til the next drop.
 
Freeman 451 button lock flipper. I wasn't sure I'd like the handle but after using it for a bit it is one of my go to folders.
 
Manix 2. I became addicted to it. Love the action, how easy it is to fingerflick, the ball bearing lock, the freedropping and the ergonomics.
 
940. Just assumed it would be overpriced and underwhelming. I only bought one because I really liked a regrind job the seller did himself. It is in my pocket more than anything else these days.
 
Spyderco Brouwer - Didn't get it until I held it, Fantastic workhorse for me now.

A. Purvis Progeny - Saw the value, wasn't sure on ergos until I held it. Melts into my hand, perfect blade shape for my tasks too. My favorite new knife of 2019 so far.

Sog Kiku - I don't personally like most SOG designs, but this one intrigued me with the micarta and negative angle blade, I had my doubts about the ergos however. Once I got it in hand I was really happy with it, its a common user in my rotation now.
 
Let me know when the topics turns to "Knives you weren't expecting to like so much until you had them in hand"
 
Three Sisters Forge Gorgon.
I was immediately drawn to the blade shape but had reservations about the handle. It didn’t look bad I just wasn’t sure about the fit and comfort in hand as well as overall usability.
I got a chance to hold one during a trip to Knivesshipfree while they were still in Oregon. It took all of a minute or less to admit I was wrong and realize it was extremely comfortable and well thought out.
I immediately bought one and a week later bought a second.
I’ve used it extensively for general edc tasks and lots of general wood carving and have noticed zero hot spots. I like the adjustable lock-up and the stonewash finish is amazingly durable.

Hinderer Half Track.
As small as it is I figured it would feel like a toy and be awkward to use or hold. I liked the design but had serious reservations.
My wife picked one up when we were dating and let me try it out. Needless to say it surprised me and she eventually gave it to me when she picked up a full Ti version.
I like how easy it is to carry and that the size makes it more public friendly.
 
Cold Steel Tuff Lite. I bought my first basically as a throw-in on an order. Probably to get over the edge for free shipping, it was inexpensive and because a member here whose opinion I’ve learned to respect had it rated highly, so why not. Turned out to be one of the best edc choices I’ve made so far. In-hand it feels great and has proved useful beyond its size. If they were ever offered in G10 and XHP I would buy 10 no joke.
 
SuckSqueezeBangBlow said:
Gayle Bradley Folder by Spyderco.

Looks a bit odd but is such a tough working knife.
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Opened this thread to post pretty much this ^

As for the KEEN, I had positive expectations, but no where near matching how great they truly are.

A third for my greatly pleasantly surprised list would be the Emerson CQC-13. Might just be my favorite Emerson model.
 
I have 2 and both surprised me for roughly the same reason. I think they're less pretty than many of the knives I prefer, especially not caring for spear points or drop points that are nearly spearpoints.

The LT wright bushcrafter Mark II is one of my favorite knives. Love that knife, but the design is pretty basic. I sold my ratmandu and kept the Mark II and I like the RMD's looks a lot more. I was also surprised on how much I liked the basic handle design. It's not an ugly knife but it's far from a super sexy knife, had I not used it and found the appeal is in how nice it is to the kinesthetic senses.
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The 2nd one is the native 5. I still find this one ugly but it's just such a great EDC. A lot of hand space with the 50/50 choil and plenty of bade for most of my cutting tasks. I tried a lot of EDC sized folders before settling on the Native 5 and mini-grip as my favorites, and I no longer own the mini-grip though I plan to get another eventually in an upgraded steel.
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Blue Sky said:
Cold Steel Tuff Lite. I bought my first basically as a throw-in on an order. Probably to get over the edge for free shipping, it was inexpensive and because a member here whose opinion I’ve learned to respect had it rated highly, so why not. Turned out to be one of the best edc choices I’ve made so far. In-hand it feels great and has proved useful beyond its size. If they were ever offered in G10 and XHP I would buy 10 no joke.
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Agree 100%.
If it had those upgrades in handle material and steel, it would go everywhere with me.
Now it pretty much lives in my sweat pants/gym shorts pocket
 
Blue Sky said:
Cold Steel Tuff Lite. I bought my first basically as a throw-in on an order. Probably to get over the edge for free shipping, it was inexpensive and because a member here whose opinion I’ve learned to respect had it rated highly, so why not. Turned out to be one of the best edc choices I’ve made so far. In-hand it feels great and has proved useful beyond its size. If they were ever offered in G10 and XHP I would buy 10 no joke.
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Good call, I forgot about this one despite it being my most used knife. I had mine modified to a tip up carry and rounded the scale edges a bit, but its a fantastic working knife, especially for boxes and cardboard. Mine lives on my desk at work for returns and cardboard processing.
 
I lost my Tuff Lite, it was my second knife ever. It was great for general utility, like an improved box cutter.
 
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