Manufacturers Ranked in Order of Producing Consistently High-Quality Knives

J

jffielde

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Jun 30, 2015
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As a noob looking through knife shows, I'm developing opinions of makers who produce consistently excellent quality vs those that are more hit-and-miss. I would be interested in others' impressions.

Consistently high-quality but pricey: Al Mar, Chris Reeve, Benchmade, Spyderco, ZT, ESEE, Fallkniven

Consistently high-quality and less expensive: Kershaw (very, very good), Swiss Army, Case, Buck

Inconsistent quality: Boker (all sub-brands including Tree), Queen, SOG, Cold Steel, Schrade

Torn: Emerson (consistently high performance, but somewhat crudely finished) - I like these knives, and I don't quite know how to classify them.
 
You could probably add Kabar and Kabar Becker to the "high quality and less expensive" category. There are some fairly pricey Queens out there, but then, what is pricey? It is a cost/value assessment. Looks like $100 is about your break point on "pricey".

I would personally add Bark River to the "high quality but pricey" category. GEC traditionals are probably in this catagory as well.
 
I just got my first GEC in a trade, it's pretty great, very nice.

I personally haven't had any QC consistency problems with Cold Steel, as far as the OP goes. But I suppose they are out there. Owned maybe 10 or so various over the years, all great.
 
Fit and finish on Emersons is too low for me to put them on the list, I will be honest I have a Custom Super Roadhouse and for a custom its still kinda shoddy fit and finish wise compared to other makers.
 
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