Most over-rated production knife brand?

[Danke42]

Anything except Cold Steel is over rated; in fact if you use anything else for EDC your fingers are chopped off by lock failure and you can't post here.

if you use anything else as a self defense tool you will surely die when the lock fails!

 

[ebidis]

Well there's not much more to say that what has already been said time and time again, but it isnt less true for that.

I speak from experience (not just from two famous tests) when I state I dont think their steel matches their name. For such a big name in the industry I wisn they used a better steel or just a better treatment, because my Chris Reeves dont perform as well as other knives I own under stress, which leaves at least one of them (my Pacific) behind other similar knives in its category, which is a shame because it's a solid design.

Quite honestly, if I didnt like them so much I wouldnt comment on them because I wouldnt care.

Relative to this thread though, I honestly think Chris Reeve knives are not as overpriced as other brands in relation with what you get, because finish is perfect and Gunkote excellent.

I was only referring to the almost certainty that whenever any criticism is leveled toward CRK, a knife fight will ensue.

 

[stonproject]

In that case a knife doesn't even need a lock, does it?

Slip joints are used for cutting(what knives are used for) and require no lock at all.

Liner locks, especially thin ones slip under shock more than other lock types. When a company markets a knife as a self defense tool more than just cutting comes in to play, and the stronger the lock the better your fingers will be.

While scuffling with an attacker negative pressure may come from a variety of ways. The ability of the lock to take these unforseen pressures is key.

I'm assuming you're referencing emerson, in that regard, they use titanium for even further strength in a defensive scenario, and they build their knives very well so lock slip is not something I would worry about with an Emerson liner. To be frank though, I would pull my. 45 before my Emerson.

 

[115Italian]

Since this turned into a liner lock thread, I only see liner locks fail in a knife that has a lot of frame flex. When a knife is made of low grade or flexible handles the lock slips. An Emerson has no flex in the handle. The steel and titanium liners and lock are high quality and strong.

 

[ebidis]

I'm assuming you're referencing emerson, in that regard, they use titanium for even further strength in a defensive scenario, and they build their knives very well so lock slip is not something I would worry about with an Emerson liner. To be frank though, I would pull my. 45 before my Emerson.

Let me begin by saying that I love Emerson knives, and own, and regularly carry/use many. More than any other brand as a matter of fact, so this is in no way a slight on Emerson, or any other maker, or you for that matter.

That being said, I just wanted to address the common fallacy that titanium is stronger than steel. It is not.

Titanium has a greater strength to weight ratio than steel. In other words; if you have two liners of the same weight, one of steel, and one of titanium, then the titanium liner, being a lighter weight than steel, will be thicker, and therefore stiffer/stronger. However, a steel liner of the same thickness as the titanium will actually be stronger, although heavier.

Titanium is used for two reasons:

1. corrosion resistance
2. weight savings.

If Emerson were to use a steel lock bar of the same weight as their ti lock bars, it would be so thin that it would be useless.

One added bonus of the ti lock bar is the galling, or lock stick that everyone hates. It actually makes the lockup more solid, and less likely to slip. I believe this characteristic of ti might even be one of the reasons Emerson purposefully chose to use ti in his liner locks.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[stonproject]

Let me begin by saying that I love Emerson knives, and own, and regularly carry/use many. More than any other brand as a matter of fact, so this is in no way a slight on Emerson, or any other maker, or you for that matter.

That being said, I just wanted to address the common fallacy that titanium is stronger than steel. It is not.

Titanium has a greater strength to weight ratio than steel. In other words; if you have two liners of the same weight, one of steel, and one of titanium, then the titanium liner, being a lighter weight than steel, will be thicker, and therefore stiffer/stronger. However, a steel liner of the same thickness as the titanium will actually be stronger, although heavier.

Titanium is used for two reasons:

1. corrosion resistance
2. weight savings.

If Emerson were to use a steel lock bar of the same weight as their ti lock bars, it would be so thin that it would be useless.

One added bonus of the ti lock bar is the galling, or lock stick that everyone hates. It actually makes the lockup more solid, and less likely to slip. I believe this characteristic of ti might even be one of the reasons Emerson purposefully chose to use ti in his liner locks.

Sorry for the rant.

I only have one emerson but my titanium liners don't stick at all, whether that be good or bad in different situations is debatable

 

[115Italian]

I took the bait... Again

 

[stonproject]

I took the bait... Again

Stop taking the bait and just go 'bate..!

 

[ebidis]

I only have one emerson but my titanium liners don't stick at all, whether that be good or bad in different situations is debatable

I have 9, and all of mine have worn in so they have no, or very close to no lock stick, but they all definitely had it during the break in period.

I'm not sure if Emerson chose ti purposefully for that reason or not, but I've read/heard others speculate about it.

 

[DangCat]

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.

x2 ^^^^

 

[VermontEdge]

IMO, the problem with threads like this is that there isn't typically any differentiation from objective or subjective answers.

I wouldn't come in and say that, objectively, one brand is overrated. I can only speak from experience.

That being said, for me, it would be benchmade. I hear great things, tons of great things in fact. And I've owned several. However, every time there's just something that doesn't quite live up to the positives that I hear about. Every time I just find that they're not for me.

 

[robgmn]

Give clues then

I can think of at least 10 brands that do that.

Also bear in mind knives in general have gone up in price in recent years.

Then you should make a list and post it.
Any list I make will have someone misunderstanding my post and wanting to be at war with me for insulting their favorite brand.
Ain't happenin'...

 

[CARRERA50]

I have 5 Emersons and the only one that had a lock-rock problem was my Raven; returned it to the factory where it was fixed and I still carry it to this day.
That being said, I probably won't buy another Emerson until they are available in something other than 154cm. I think the price point demands a more
premium steel.

 

[Gaston444]

I would say:

1-Chris Reeves. I have the Jereboam of the one-piece range, and while I understand why they rate highly, the blade is narrow in height, the grind is fairly thick, and because of this combination it performs poorly and can bounce unpredictably... They seem like a good idea, but other similar knives feel much better for being less minimalist. Sometimes less is less...

2-Busse: Thick edges and so-so fine edge-holding... I'm sure they are hard to break. Not sure that is what knives are all about... Did not own this, but that is the general impression I get...

3-Fallkniven Northern lights (Odin): Not crazy about low-performing convex edges. Sheath does not hold knife tight, and scratches the blade to hell (may have gotten better with the new black sheath?)... Handle feels narrow -poor force transfer- and dangerous and slippery to hold... I hated mine and sold it.

4-Mora. Most overrated knife in the world I think. If I want to bring kitchen knives in the field I'll rummage through my kitchen drawers... Did not own this, but I hate even looking at them...

5-Becker BK-9. I did not hate the overall edge geometry of this knife, or even the stippled paint finish, but the sideway heat curved blade is common and shows indifferent care or quality, and the skeletal full tang vibrates like an ancient dentist drill...

Gaston

 

[Cutlover]

I have 9, and all of mine have worn in so they have no, or very close to no lock stick, but they all definitely had it during the break in period.

I'm not sure if Emerson chose ti purposefully for that reason or not, but I've read/heard others speculate about it.

Titanium retains its original shape better than steel after many cycles of flexing. It is also less brittle than steel due to its relatively low HRC (around 45 or so). This would mainly come into effect in cold weather though.

And to make sure people don't think I am pulling facts out of my backside, I found a reliable source:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/466215-Frame-Liner-locks-Steel-vs-Titanium

 

[CookieRawwr]

I really like my five Emersons, I'm going to cool it on the acquiring of more for awhile. If they would do a steel upgrade I would be even happier with them.

 

[ebidis]

I have 5 Emersons and the only one that had a lock-rock problem was my Raven; returned it to the factory where it was fixed and I still carry it to this day.
That being said, I probably won't buy another Emerson until they are available in something other than 154cm. I think the price point demands a more
premium steel.

I really like my five Emersons, I'm going to cool it on the acquiring of more for awhile. If they would do a steel upgrade I would be even happier with them.

Just FYI, Emerson has 3 NEW models: the CQC-7 Flipper, the Sig Saur Allegiance Flipper, and the limited edition (60 pieces) Hummwv (Humvee), all in CPM S35VN.

Also, what's so bad about 154CM? I know it's not the flavor of the week, but it's not exactly crap either. It's been used for yaears on a lot of expensive knives, including customs.

 

[lemonslush]

Are you seriously that ignorant or are you trolling?

First of all, it's Reeve, not Reeves. More to the point, he never said flicking will break them. What he said was, if you send one in for warranty work and he sees the knife has been repeatedly slammed open, with hard inertial force, to the point it damages the metal, he won't consider it covered. If you can't tell the difference, you have a lot to learn.

Why is that not allowed? BM and esee both cover all issues with their knives. They are much less expensive as well. I see little value in a knife company like that. Also this is a Over-Rated thread, I am not trolling. You are doing the trolling with that reply.

 

[Ccc]

No kidding, and the Chris Reeve unboxing threads!

Look, look, I have a new Sebenza; it's grey too but a different new grey than the others that doesn't show up in pictures.

It's like a live stream of a convention of Ned Flanders cosplayers with around table on drinking warm water thrown in for good measure.

I am about as much of a CRK fan-boy as you can find, but the Ned Flanders thing is really funny. I think it is the greatest, and possibly even underrated user knife. Some people seem to get upset when it turns out to just be a pocketknife and nothing more.

As far as overrated knives? I think I have gotten about what I have expected with most knives, but I bought a Boker kitchen knife that I loved until the handle liners disintegrated. It has been in a box as a project to make new liners for about a year now. Good knife, but disappointing handle materials.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

IMO, the problem with threads like this is that there isn't typically any differentiation from objective or subjective answers.

I wouldn't come in and say that, objectively, one brand is overrated. I can only speak from experience.

That being said, for me, it would be benchmade. I hear great things, tons of great things in fact. And I've owned several. However, every time there's just something that doesn't quite live up to the positives that I hear about. Every time I just find that they're not for me.

The vast majority of discussion on the forums is subjective. It's hard for me to see it as a problem. A number of people in this thread have named brands that I vehemently disagree with, and I might even chime in and say why if I think there's an interesting conversation to be had.