Most Overrated Folder

I know for sure I am going to need to put a fire suit on for this one, the Spyderco Southard. Not because I think its a bad product but because it is the ugliest folder I have seen in a very long time.
 
A lot of the Spydercos. They seem to have a cult status, especially the discontinued ones. Oh and yes, a lot of them are quite ugly and painful to look at.
 
Aesthetics are a personal thing. Titanium framelock, custom knife maker design, bearing pivot, top-tier steel. I think the Southard is underrated, actually.
 
Mine was the SOG Trident...I know, I know. It was when I first got into knives and was not educated. That was back in the day when I would just read the manufacturer's website about the product. Bottom line, super disapointed.
 
I'd say lots of Spyderco. Sure they're nice knives and the compression lock is nifty but they all look the same and I don't like the Spyder hole. Zero Tolerance as well. IMO they are mostly over sized and clunky. Also Hinderer. Now this one I'm mixed on. They are GREAT knives, but the prices they bring on the used market is just silly.
 
I would say Hinderers. I have to chuckle a little bit when people say they're worth "every penny" of the $800-1200 price tag - it may be to someone that can swing $800 on a cutting tool, but the same steels / lockup / strength are available in much cheaper folders. There's a point of diminishing returns on price:performance, and there can be no doubt that Hinderers skipped right past that point and kept going a long, long way.

Not to say they're bad knives, but they're really more status symbols and collectibles than tools.
 
I'd have to say the PM2 is easily the most overrated knife on this forum, in my opinion. Underwhelming knife with an over-sized handle that makes it bigger in the pocket than it needs to be (it's a big in the pocket as Benchmade 710, a knife with a half inch more blade). Still have no idea why so many folks love this knife.

And like the last time I contributed to one of these threads, I'll be the one to do it again. CRK Sebenza. Great knife, but buying one was a big let down. Expensive, and not prettier than my pretty knives, not more useful than my useful knives, and not more fun than my fun knives. Great fit and finish? Yes. Outstanding materials and construction? Yes. Overrated? Yes again.

As far as the Southard goes:

PatrickKnight said:
I know for sure I am going to need to put a fire suit on for this one, the Spyderco Southard. Not because I think its a bad product but because it is the ugliest folder I have seen in a very long time.
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I couldn't agree with you more. Every time I saw this knife it seemed to be uglier than the last. From the goofy pointless hole in the blade to the baby poo colored scales, it's fugly. I carry one every day, but I had to customize it to make it visually acceptable to my requirements.

gooeytek said:
Aesthetics are a personal thing. Titanium framelock, custom knife maker design, bearing pivot, top-tier steel. I think the Southard is underrated, actually.
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+1 to this. Great ergos (for me at least), fantastic construction, fit and finish for the money. Great knife. Too bad it's so ugly, though ;)
 
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evilgreg said:
And like the last time I contributed to one of these threads, I'll be the one to do it again. CRK Sebenza. Great knife, but buying one was a big let down. Expensive, and not prettier than my pretty knives, not more useful than my useful knives, and not more fun than my fun knives. Great fit and finish? Yes. Outstanding materials and construction? Yes. Overrated? Yes again.
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thanks for going first, I couldn't agree with you more on this. :-)
 
evilgreg said:
I'd have to say the PM2 is easily the most overrated knife on this forum, in my opinion. Underwhelming knife with an over-sized handle that makes it bigger in the pocket than it needs to be (it's a big in the pocket as Benchmade 710, a knife with a half inch more blade). Still have no idea why so many folks love this knife.

And like the last time I contributed to one of these threads, I'll be the one to do it again. CRK Sebenza. Great knife, but buying one was a big let down. Expensive, and not prettier than my pretty knives, not more useful than my useful knives, and not more fun than my fun knives. Great fit and finish? Yes. Outstanding materials and construction? Yes. Overrated? Yes again.

As far as the Southard goes:



I couldn't agree with you more. Every time I saw this knife it seemed to be uglier than the last. From the goofy pointless hole in the blade to the baby poo colored scales, it's fugly. I carry one every day, but I had to customize it to make it visually acceptable to my requirements.



+1 to this. Great ergos (for me at least), fantastic construction, fit and finish for the money. Great knife. Too bad it's so ugly, though ;)
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I kinda have to agree with you on the sebenza. Keep in mind I have only ever owened a 25 it just didnt do anything for me at all. And i was so pumped to get it. I know ill get blasted for this lol. I am not however saying it is a bad knife because it is definitly a well made knife with tight tolerances.
 
+1 on the pm2, while I like the knife a lot, I don't think its all that and a bag of chips. Hands down I would take manix 2xl over it if I HAD to choose. I think the hype is a bit much on the pm2. Especially when people are trying to sell them for way more than they are worth!
 
If it costs more than a RAT-1, but doesn't work any better in practical use...........

If you have other criteria, that's fine. They just aren't mine.
 
I don't think there are any overrated folders... That's talking about quality products here and not gas station or flea market knives.

They are all good, just designed different with different uses in mind.

Overhyped, overpriced?

Yes, but that's another thread topic. ;)
 
Comeuppance said:
I would say Hinderers. I have to chuckle a little bit when people say they're worth "every penny" of the $800-1200 price tag - it may be to someone that can swing $800 on a cutting tool, but the same steels / lockup / strength are available in much cheaper folders. There's a point of diminishing returns on price:performance, and there can be no doubt that Hinderers skipped right past that point and kept going a long, long way.

Not to say they're bad knives, but they're really more status symbols and collectibles than tools.
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This^^^^. I'm simply not dumb enough to pay twice as much for a knife as the manufacturer says its worth, especially when I know what else is out there for that kind of money.
 
I understand what you are saying at the $1200 level but if you buy one direct from Rick at a show his XM18 is only $450.00 . At that retail table price I would say that is a very exceptional value in my opinion. I have bought a XM24 from Rick off his table and it was only $550.00 Not much better value/Quality out there IMHO. Comparing thevalue of a knife at secondary prices isnt really fair. Those prices are that high because enough people desire to own that knife.

Comeuppance said:
I would say Hinderers. I have to chuckle a little bit when people say they're worth "every penny" of the $800-1200 price tag - it may be to someone that can swing $800 on a cutting tool, but the same steels / lockup / strength are available in much cheaper folders. There's a point of diminishing returns on price:performance, and there can be no doubt that Hinderers skipped right past that point and kept going a long, long way.

Not to say they're bad knives, but they're really more status symbols and collectibles than tools.
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I guess overrated is not about quality or value for money: it is about being mentioned in every topic like it is the only knife worth buying... In this regard that is probably PM2 or ZT (I am not clear about exact model though, something starting with 055...)
 
I had one of the original Paramilitary folders, even worse on blade to handle ratio but I knew it ahead of time and it was a test of the concept. Outside of cardboard it didn't really cut any better than a 90's Endura, extra leverage at the tip was negligible. I would still rather have a 3" blade with 4.5" handle than 4" handle...but would rather have a 3.5" blade in its place all together.
 
I don't feel any knives are overrated. If people are buying them its because they like the knife.
Doesn't matter what others think. Just buy what you want.

I see no reason to say bad things about knives I don't happen to like, and I don't see why others feel the need to either.


bld522 said:
I'm simply not dumb enough to pay twice as much for a knife
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I'm not a fan of the XM either, but I see no reason to infer people may be dumb for paying aftermarket price for one.
 
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