Knives you won't buy (and why)

shinyedges said:
What Marci said. Probably thinking of the same companies/manufacturers/people.
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You might be surprised!

But I don't know if it was the OPs intent to discuss makers/manufaturers.

But I do think the character of a maker/manufacturer (as well as the "style" a maker/manufacturer's fans) is a feature that is a legitimate deal breaker for some people (including myself) .... as legitimate as "Made in 'wherever'" is for other people.

There are way more than enough knives out there to allow one to be an opinionated, obstinate, contrary old fart.
 
Spyderco in general. Don't like the big hump where the hole is. Just aesthetics for me as I know there are a ton of Spyderco fans and I'm sure they are quality pieces...
 
Fighting knives or all the other waves bullshit. I use knives when I go in the woods or cut stuff and not to self-defense.. defense against whom? :D
 
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I'm not worried about rocking the boat. I'll be honest and polite.

I'm a fan of high performance, designs practical for the intended use and high value. This means I tend to gravitate towards knives which offer those things in spades, and tend to ignore those which do not. One without the others (as I perceive it, as per my own opinions) is of no interest to me. I tend to ignore Quartermaster, Rockstead, Mantis, Chris Reeve, SOG, Emerson, Gerber, Strider and most of what Benchmade produces (though I do have a special place in my little black heart for the Griptilian and I think the Adamas blades are awesome) because of this. I don't mind paying a pretty penny, but I want my money's worth, and if I don't feel I'm getting it, I'm not interested. I'm also not interested in pocket jewellery, though I do love a knife with top notch performance (in the role I perceive it as being made for) and good looks.

Some specific features that, generally speaking, will keep me from buying a knife:

-gaudy designs
-fake hamons
-"speed holes"
-swedges on tanto points
-poor ergonomics, handles I can't get a good grip on
-blade steel that won't hold an edge as long as AUS8A or is too difficult to sharpen for an idiot like me
-liner or frame locks on knives advertised as "hard use"
-compound grinds
-chisel grinds
-poor sheaths or no sheaths for fixed blades (I prefer to not have to go out of my way and have a custom sheath made, though one day I'd like to make an exception for a Mule Team)
-maker with poor character
-blunt tips

I also refuse to buy from a maker that will only sell certain products to government (except when this is required by law).

Just one enthusiast's entirely subjective opinion.
 
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Anything from Kizlyar Supreme (not regular Kizlyar or Kizer, mind you) and a few other companies I'd rather not name. Any knife that has more than one thumb stud. Any knife that has "speed holes". [edit: That doesn't include Rockstead. Mm, Rockstead... *drools*] No karambits or sub-hilt fighters for me either.
 
A +1 on serrations here. For most EDC obstacles, I want a great slicer. Serrations take up clean cutting edge and get in the way. Plus F trying to sharpen the dang things, no thanks.
 
Buck Knives customized by David or Brian Yellowhorse. IMHO, the "artwork" they apply to the scales is just plain gaudy. Obviously many people like the highly colorful, primitive, native american look as witnessed by the high prices these knives seem to command. It's just not doing it for me.
 
Oh yeah and no combo blades for me. That's a big one. I have a few fully-serrated knives and I do find a use for them once in a while, the Ladybug Hawkbill Salt is always on me when I'm fishing, great for cutting line, rope, etc.
 
Anything overbuilt to the point of.....really??? Never found myself in the position needing to break up a sidewalk with my knife.
Anything needing 2 hands to deploy.
Joe
 
Tip up only folders, all black folders, chisel ground blades, 3cr13mov blade steel, cold steel, anything over about~$60.
 
I don't think it was his intent to discuss makers/manufacturers given the track record of feces that ensues in the aftermath.

But I agree on the maker/manufacturer and the ravenous enthusiasts that follows said maker/manufacturer being a factor in whether or not to purchase a knife or any product for that matter.

Some guys factor that kind of stuff in and others don't give a flying fart about anything but what is in their hand. To each their own i guess.

marcinek said:
You might be surprised!

But I don't know if it was the OPs intent to discuss makers/manufaturers.

But I do think the character of a maker/manufacturer (as well as the "style" a maker/manufacturer's fans) is a feature that is a legitimate deal breaker for some people (including myself) .... as legitimate as "Made in 'wherever'" is for other people.

There are way more than enough knives out there to allow one to be an opinionated, obstinate, contrary old fart.
Click to expand...
 
For me it's Assisted Openers without a secondary method to keep them closed (Looking at you, Kershaw, but you're getting better). I've had a few torsion bars break on me during the work day and had them opening themselves in my pocket. They were useless until torsion bars came in to replace them. It wouldn't cost that much to drill a hole in the blade, would it? While GOOD assisted openers are acceptable, give me a flipper any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Other than that I just can't bring myself to buy a knife over about $250 on my current income and situation. It's too much money to break, lose, or have confiscated when I can have something cheaper that works just as well.
 
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