Most over-rated production knife brand?

I don't really see how cold Steel can be considered over rated. I feel like performance and materials for the price is pretty good.
 
EricV said:
Haven't paid much attention since the AUS 8 days, hence the "since when" part. That is interesting and will definitely make me take a second look at their knives.
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I figured that might be the case. I think they make decent knives with above average cutting geometry and passable F&F, but I've started to avoid their products because of their legal shenanigans.
 
EricV said:
Since when is AUS-8 a high end steel? Also when did CS start putting knives together with even good fit and finish? I've had a voyager and a lawman now and both were pretty much OK at best. They're not priced all that cheaply either, but I would still say they are a value for the price if you want something to be beat on.
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As another has posted previously, you may not have noticed they've upgraded blade steel to XHP/BD1. They've really stepped up their game now days. Every knife I've received since the upgrades have been centered, perfect angle edge grinds on both sides (which is more than can be said for most knife companies) and just overall great finish. If they never did the marketing and took a more tame approach to the ads, i think they would have been seen in a whole different light. Honestly they don't need the marketing, as far as legit hard use reliable knives go at a great price point their knives are the real deal and speak for themselves.
 
^^ I too appreciate CS's steel upgrade. I have a recon tanto in 3v that is quite nice. They also upgraded their coating from that cheap paint-like stuff to DLC. The only thing that bothers me is the fact that the vast majority of their knives are made in Taiwan. (including my recon tanto. I bought it b/c an older version I had was made in Japan so I assumed this would be as well)
 
Microtech. I have a few, manual LCC, CMT-X5, Mini SOCOM, all older stuff. After looking at the current prices and reading all the complaints @ customer service I've decided they are simply not worth the
grief. Love the ones I have, though...
 
I bought a Strider knife, is not easy (and cheap) to find it in Europe. Great disappointment, the worst value for price that i ever found in a pocket knife. Really.
I have most of the great knives brand in the world (CRK, Hinderer, ZT, Spyder, Buck, Benchmade, Fallkniven, Fantoni, Extrema Ratio, etc...) all are better, by far.
Comparing it with a Sacha Thiel (in Europe 35/40% less the price) is embarassing. But for sure USA has other great brand.
P.S: The Stryder is a SMF (original).
 
Mick_1KRR said:
How is a company that uses a high end blade steel with the strongest lock on the planet, with great fit/finish, and that actually cut better than most high end knives while being the cheapest out there over-rated? Given those facts plus a lot of peoples general dislike of the company due to their marketing style (silly videos) i would honestly say they are the definition of UNDER-rated in the knife world.
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+1

5.5 inches od CTS-XHP, strongest lock, DLC coating and excellent cutting geometry, plus great ergonomics, at $80 shipped

CAM06162_zpszn6y0xoo.jpg
 
ThePeacent said:
+1

5.5 inches od CTS-XHP, strongest lock, DLC coating and excellent cutting geometry, plus great ergonomics, at $80 shipped

CAM06162_zpszn6y0xoo.jpg
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Nice combo there...:thumbup:



I think cs is one of the best valued and under rated companies.

AS for what I have owned that is way over rated, I owned Emersons and found them not to be worth any where near their price. Same goes for my microtechs. Though I think Microtech produces a much better product than emerson, the prices are just about 40% to high.

But there is one king on this thread. Mad Dog Knives. The most overpriced and over rated knives ever. As bad as the original prices were, the resale prices are moronic. Yet, someone out there pays it. Take a piece of O1 steel, hard chrome it and add a G10 handle and bam charge $1500 for it.
 
"Most over rated production brand?"
If and when a brand achieves cult status
(Either created artificially, by means of paid professional help;
or as a result of a genuinely formed - positive public opinion)
It automatically becomes targeted over its seemingly high level of popularity
appearing to be somewhat well over hyped
To a bunch of non-believers.
Perhaps its just a case of
Highly charged over protectiveness
Seen In statements made by its very vocal and most loyal fans
That by default implies that such brands
As being far more superior to its contemporaries.
Nothing can be further than the truth,
It takes hard work to stay at the very top.
If it shows cracks, even the most loyal of consumers will jump ship.
No offence, but imo
The state of being over rated is not so much about the actual state of any one brand,
But rather a sign of disinformation at work.
There can be no over rated brands,
Without the actual existence of great products.
 
I suppose this is somewhat off topic but i'll risk it..
I've always been amused at how similar the arguments for/against Strider and Cold Steel are. Both are controversial in their own way, both have owners that inspire criticism, both have legions
of supporters and detractors.
I've never owned an example of either brand, although I did have an opportunity to examine a few Striders some years ago and found them not to my taste. Neither Thompson or Strider (Berger?) will ever
really get beyond their personal reputations, so once again it is a question of voting with your wallet and buying what you like.
Overrated? You decide.
 
It has always seemed to me that much of the hype surrounding certain brands or specific knives (sebenzas come to my mind) is a result of fans who must constantly say how great they are to justify having spent so much money on them. :confused: :rolleyes:
 
I think I just found the most overrated knife ever!

Dan Tracker Bloodshark

Post HT finish with lousy grind paracord wrapped at $500 + :eek::confused:

edited : Sorry just noticed that this is not production knife :P properly be too much beer



image
 
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Ratman79 said:
^^ I too appreciate CS's steel upgrade. I have a recon tanto in 3v that is quite nice. They also upgraded their coating from that cheap paint-like stuff to DLC. The only thing that bothers me is the fact that the vast majority of their knives are made in Taiwan. (including my recon tanto. I bought it b/c an older version I had was made in Japan so I assumed this would be as well)
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What bothers you about knives made in Taiwan (vs. those made in Japan)?

Regards,
 
Not including this one rediculous looking close combat knife whose name escapes me at the moment; I have a BM 940 that came with two microchips in the blade and a pivot that you have to choose between blade play or super stiff opening.

I have actually been quite happy with my Emersons despite that I have to send my super roadhouse in for lock slip one of these days. I love their rugged design.

*edit* on second thought maybe some of the sog knives they have been putting out. They have some good stuff too. There are some hideously garbage buck knives in circulation too. Buck can truely be called overrated because no one says a bad thing about them for some reason. Not denying buck has some outstanding knives. The KABAR maybe too, an ok knife, but overrated.
 
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Darrel Ralph HTM Knives way over price for the low quality fit and finish.
 
Spey said:
What bothers you about knives made in Taiwan (vs. those made in Japan)?

Regards,
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Well, it's just that for the older models I have, the san mai versions and others, they were all made in Seki City and are excellent. Seki is known the world over for the quality of its steels. And its legendary quality control. To switch production to Taiwan from Japan seems like a huge fall from grace. I am not sure of all the reasons behind the switch but obviously it would be cheaper to produce in Taiwan for one. It seems like a shortcut. Not to mention that in the very beginning, CS was made in the USA--Ventura, CA I think? That was a golden era for CS imo. For me it is just a disappointment to have a very nice tool in your hand only to find it was made in Taiwan.
 
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