Most over-rated production knife brand?

[shqxk]

Which brand that hyped too much or the price does not meet quality in your opinion?

 

[shinyedges]

For me Emerson asks to much for what they are, that said many dudes pay their price and feel satisfied with their purchase. Key words are for ME they are priced too high, I get Emerson fans like supporting Ernest Emerson and I sympathize with his opinion as well but it doesn't change the fact his liner lock "hard use" knives aren't exactly "hard use" knives. Hopefully this thread doesn't killed with butt hurt people.

 

[RX-79G]

I hear so much about Zero Tolerance, yet their lock angle looks all wrong. And despite so many designs, I haven't seen a single one I find really attractive. Maybe it's all the curves, tiger stripe and texture. The line just seems strangely amateurish.

Every other brand that I can think of and could be a contender gets enough flack already that it would be hard to call them overrated.

 

[ebidis]

This thread is gonna go down hill quick.

 

[shinyedges]

Way to not contribute to the thread and add a post that does absolutely nothing for the topic. Reported so as not to allow further derailment of this thread. Contribute or don't post.. Simple.

This thread is gonna go down hill quick.

 

[ugaarguy]

I have to agree with Emerson. I also never went past handling a Southern Grind at Blade Show. The fit and finish was impeccable, but I didn't see the value of $200+ liner lock with a 14C28N blade. Southern Grind seemed to me like pretty Emersons with lower grade blades.

 

[shqxk]

I used to think Emerson is overrated until I realize that most of their "design" are very well invented, the blade shape, the handle, the angle... and their ergonomic is just unbeatable. The downside of them are poor fit and finish and should made from better steel.

Same goes for CRK, their fit and finish and tolerance is like no others... you won't find a knife than lock up like a bank vault and feel solid like CRK with very simple design construction.


Both CRK and Emerson are often accuse for being overprice but if you look closely with some cogitate you will understand that they are very reasonable.


For me, the overrated blade are powdered coat production fixed blade that cost more than a custom... it just don't make sense.

 

[RX-79G]

Emerson didn't invent that blade shape. He got it, with permission, from Phill Harsfield.

 

[shinyedges]

I agree, Emerson designs are a plus, many of them appeal to me. I'm just not a fan of thin liner locks for "hard use".

Haven't had a crk yet but I will definitely give them a try eventually. I actually think I would like the simplicity of the sebenza pivot.

I used to think Emerson is overrated until I realize that most of their "design" are very well invented, the blade shape, the handle, the angle... and their ergonomic is just unbeatable. The downside of them are poor fit and finish and should made from better steel.

Same goes for CRK, their fit and finish and tolerance is like no others... you won't find a knife than lock up like a bank vault and feel solid like CRK with very simple design construction.


Both CRK and Emerson are often accuse for being overprice but if you look closely with some cogitate you will understand that they are very reasonable.


For me, the overrated blade are powdered coat production fixed blade that cost more than a custom... it just don't make sense.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

This thread is gonna go down hill quick.

Way to not contribute to the thread and add a post that does absolutely nothing for the topic. Reported so as not to allow further derailment of this thread. Contribute or don't post.. Simple.

I agree with ebidis. The original post asked for griping. Not a real positive outlook.
shinyedges response ended by insulting people who might disagree with him.

But the thread's not dead yet. There is still room for specific technical crticism. Stay classy.

 

[shinyedges]

Not sure how you came to that conclusion but I respect your opinion. In any case I think my original post contributed to the topic and was honest about hoping people who's favorite knife brand was brought up didn't throw a tantrum.

I agree with ebidis. The original post asked for griping. Not a real positive outlook.
shinyedges response ended by insulting people who might disagree with him.

But the thread's not dead yet. There is still room for specific technical crticism. Stay classy.

 

[petah]

The plethora of custom makers who are using simple steels to make thick coated prybars and the companies that also produce these types of blades. I feel that these really lack any inovation and don't expand the industry. I see very little inovation.

Some say Emerson but the designs look, feel and perform amazing well.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Medfords and Emerson. I honestly feel Mr. Emerson is one of the top folding knife designers in the industry, but no matter how sublime the design, it's difficult to justify a $150 premium for it above and beyond the materials. Handling one of the ZT Emerson collabs was basically the nail in the coffin for EKI from me. I honestly think ZTs pricing is a bit much, but even taking that into account they're making a nicer knife with better materials and the same designer, often for less money than a comparable Emerson. When they can pull that off I just can't find any way to justify a purchase from Emerson.

Medfords are kind of the other side of that equation. Fit and finish are good and, while the materials aren't insanely cutting edge, they use such vast quantities of them that I get the pricing, but the designs are simply laughable. I can put up with a bit of a sacrifice in cutting efficiency for increased durability, but to carry it to that degree is simply absurd. I'm sure they cut, but so can a brick if you sharpen the corner enough. When a knife, by its very design, fails so spectacularly at the one thing it's really made to do, then it just has to be overrated.

 

[KoNki21]

Emerson. For sure emerson.

 

[Cutlover]

Wow, Emerson is getting the edge in this one lol

I can't speak for the whole brand, but Marfione and Munroe's Sigil seems like an overpriced product. The tech specs are great (elmax, 3.5" blade, titanium handle, a sick framelock design (never thought I'd say that but it really is innovative), awesome looking pocket clip, blade shape...just a futuristic badass knife). But I watched numerous reviews, and what relly surprised me was that the blade was more often than not off center noticeably, and the pocket clip doesn't work effectively. Innovation is one thing, but if it doesn't work then what's the point?

For a $1k knife, all of that should be perfectly in place. I really wanted to like the knife because it could take a beating and look the same (the stonewashed version), but too many QC flaws. Also, the apocalyptic finish looked kind of cool, but that turns out to be just marketing BS according to one review (its just fancy stonewash and acid etch). I also noticed Skelton's review didn't show the blade centering, though at certain points you could tell it was pretty off. And he usually shows that.

All in all, if this knife was $500, it would be unbeatable. $800 would be it's max value I think, but $1k+ is just too much to ask for a knife that has blade centering issues. Also, the microtech hardware prevents most people from servicing it themselves. One review also said some models had lock stick issues..... Really, really wanted to like the knife, looked so badass. If I do come across one with the blade centered and a decent lock, I might consider it even then since it is such a cool design, but probably not since it is still unjustifiably overpriced.

 

[ebidis]

Way to not contribute to the thread and add a post that does absolutely nothing for the topic. Reported so as not to allow further derailment of this thread. Contribute or don't post.. Simple.

Sorry you feel that way, and had to go tattle on me, but this thread is nothing but an invitation to bash the maker of your choice, and I wont take the bait.

With that, I'm outa here. Have a nice day.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I've had two Hinderer XM-18's: a 3 inch slicer and a 3.5 inch spanto. About 1500 for the pair. Sold them two wks later. The 3-inch was heavy and too short for my hand...like a very heavy CRK small Sebbie, and the 3.5 inch blade kept flopping open in my pocket. Not too fond of that. Very poor blade retention. I don't need stuff like that in my house. Hinderer may work fine for First Response guys...

 

[HappyDaddy]

None. They all appeal, for whatever reason, to a constituency in the community. I have my favorites. You have your favorites. Some makers have yet to offer a product I'd consider buying. Same is likely true for you. That doesn't make any of them overrated, or, for that matter, underrated.

 

[Knave]

I agree with the guys who think Emersons are overpriced for what they are. I love some of his designs, such as the Commander, but the steel and liner lock are pretty basic and underwhelming. I definitely think he's charging a significant premium for his name. That's his right, of course, but when the ZT-Emerson collaborations come with his designs and better materials and fit and finish, I just can't justify his prices.

 

[shinyedges]

I feel ya, this topic pops up from time to time.

Not every knife topic or discussion will be glowing praise. Don't like the topic? Back button works, that's what I do.

Good day to you as well.

Sorry you feel that way, and had to go tattle on me, but this thread is nothing but an invitation to bash the maker of your choice, and I wont take the bait.

With that, I'm outa here. Have a nice day.