Most Overrated Folder

para-frame said:
Strider. Why, you ask? they are made by a stolen valor, SF poser, convicted felon. They could be the best knives in the world (they aren't, IMHO) but with an owner/manufacturer like that, it doesn't matter.
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Interesting and serious statement, can you elaborate on this or PM me, just curious.

What is an SF poser?
 
motts said:
I don't think over-rated is the best way to word it. It's really about opinions and likes. You can say what you like and what you don't like and what your reasons are for liking or disliking knives or manufacturers. Obviously the ones in business are doing something right for enough people to keep staying in business.
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A rating has nothing to do with likes and dislikes. It's according to a scale. The question is, what scale is being used? That question has not been answered here.

I'll give an example: I don't like the Sebenza. However, I have no problem recognizing their high build quality...that's one scale. They're a bit too thin for my hands...egonomics, another scale; but one that is an individual subjective rather than objective. They are on the higher end of the price range for utility folders...another scale. They have specific functionality inherent in their blade profile, grind, and heat treat....more scales. They can be compared in terms of utility to any other knife as far as what they can do vs their price....another scale. The combination of all of these scales, and what is important to the individual, is what drives the purchase; but that in and of itself does not answer the OP's question. After all, if money is unlimited, than nothing is overpriced....if one wants it; so using "the market" as an indication of anything is not a good way to "rate" anything, other than to say "what product has the bigger market?" And you cannot evaluate the meaning of a product's "market" without analyzing ALL of the variables involved, most especially the human element (the knowledge of which one can never have completely). And that brings us back to my earlier question: if one asks whether or not a product is "overrated", one needs to give the scale or metric according the which the "rating" is assigned.

Having said that, my opinion is that Ankerson is correct (I believe it was him...) on the "ideal" price range for a production folder....once you get past that range, any additional "increase" in functionality is not enough to justify a corresponding "increase" in price if one is considering ONLY pure utility. After all, we are not talking about rocket science, here....knives are an ancient technology; and we haven't had a significant shift in that technology for a long time. So, absent the individual considerations such as "coolness" factors, "collectibility", or just plain "want" (which are governed more by "hype" than by "rating"); one can say that by the metric of utility all of the higher end folders are "over-rated".
 
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've had two; sold two. It has good blade-steel. However, I wish it were HEAVIER...which is kind of strange. I like a bit less than 5 ounces.
 
meanwhile said:
So what? Your almost-substantive point was that the PM2 was more awkward to carry because of the handle size. If you really think that more blade length is always better then you don't understand how leverage works. Again being able to generate leverage at the tip is something that matters to people who really use knives rather than knife-flippers. This isn't to say the 710 is a bad knife or a worse knife - just that declaring the PM2 is bad because it doesn't maximize blade length for the handle size is somewhat silly. I don't want to be too heavy about it - not getting this doesn't make you a Bad Person, and the PM2 may well be less useful to you than the 710, but there are good reasons for its design.

..Unlike the Southard.
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Exactly. The handle that many claim is oversized gives the user a tremendous amount of cutting. It may not look perfect, but it makes for a very functional blade. I dig mine.
 
redfeenix said:
Sounds like you got a lemon, for the money a Delica 4 is amazing value. Could you specify on how your D4 was of poor quality? Was it the materials? the worksmanship? Because its a fairly durable knife that can take a beating.
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Basically the fit was fine but the finish was the worst I'd seen on a factory knife. The bevel was cut at different angles on either side and one side of the bevel had tool marks deep enough to survive a reprofiling. The Spydie hole edges and inside were unpolished, left very sharp and loaded with tool marks. The machined areas where the lock bar falls into place and other nearby edges were also covered with tool marks. It seems like the blade was polished prior to machining rather than after.

The knife functions smoothly enough and even with the tool marks the blade is sharp enough after reprofiling it with an Edge Pro, I just expected a lot more attention to detail from a manufacturer based in Seki City. I have a number of Mcusta knives that are impeccably finished and I was expecting better. I have a few Chinese made sub $20 Kershaws that blow the Delica out of the water in terms of finish and I'm kind of amazed by that.

Anyway, I'm not really all that bothered by this because I bought the knife for a few reasons: I heard nice things about it on various forums and certain Youtube videos and wanted to try out a Spyderco (I don't care for their looks, but looks don't take away from the utility of a knife), it wasn't expensive and my main reason was that I wanted a VG10 blade to put on my Edge Pro Apex so I would know what to expect before putting my Mcustas on there.

It's been suggested that I send it back to Spyderco but why bother? It's sharp as heck after being reprofiled and is a really dynamite slicer. It'll just live out its life in the kitchen where it can do the most good.

Mark
 
Mark_42 said:
Basically the fit was fine but the finish was the worst I'd seen on a factory knife. The bevel was cut at different angles on either side and one side of the bevel had tool marks deep enough to survive a reprofiling. The Spydie hole edges and inside were unpolished, left very sharp and loaded with tool marks. The machined areas where the lock bar falls into place and other nearby edges were also covered with tool marks. It seems like the blade was polished prior to machining rather than after.

The knife functions smoothly enough and even with the tool marks the blade is sharp enough after reprofiling it with an Edge Pro, I just expected a lot more attention to detail from a manufacturer based in Seki City. I have a number of Mcusta knives that are impeccably finished and I was expecting better. I have a few Chinese made sub $20 Kershaws that blow the Delica out of the water in terms of finish and I'm kind of amazed by that.

Anyway, I'm not really all that bothered by this because I bought the knife for a few reasons: I heard nice things about it on various forums and certain Youtube videos and wanted to try out a Spyderco (I don't care for their looks, but looks don't take away from the utility of a knife), it wasn't expensive and my main reason was that I wanted a VG10 blade to put on my Edge Pro Apex so I would know what to expect before putting my Mcustas on there.

It's been suggested that I send it back to Spyderco but why bother? It's sharp as heck after being reprofiled and is a really dynamite slicer. It'll just live out its life in the kitchen where it can do the most good.

Mark
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Man that really sucks, because Spyderco have recently become extremely anal about their QC in their latest designs. This wasn't the case 5-6 years ago.

However, a few knives tend to slip through the cracks due to the large amount Spyderco produces, all I have to say is don't give up on Spyderco they will seriously impress you :)
 
Mark_42 said:
Basically the fit was fine but the finish was the worst I'd seen on a factory knife. The bevel was cut at different angles on either side and one side of the bevel had tool marks deep enough to survive a reprofiling. The Spydie hole edges and inside were unpolished, left very sharp and loaded with tool marks. The machined areas where the lock bar falls into place and other nearby edges were also covered with tool marks. It seems like the blade was polished prior to machining rather than after.

The knife functions smoothly enough and even with the tool marks the blade is sharp enough after reprofiling it with an Edge Pro, I just expected a lot more attention to detail from a manufacturer based in Seki City. I have a number of Mcusta knives that are impeccably finished and I was expecting better. I have a few Chinese made sub $20 Kershaws that blow the Delica out of the water in terms of finish and I'm kind of amazed by that.

Anyway, I'm not really all that bothered by this because I bought the knife for a few reasons: I heard nice things about it on various forums and certain Youtube videos and wanted to try out a Spyderco (I don't care for their looks, but looks don't take away from the utility of a knife), it wasn't expensive and my main reason was that I wanted a VG10 blade to put on my Edge Pro Apex so I would know what to expect before putting my Mcustas on there.

It's been suggested that I send it back to Spyderco but why bother? It's sharp as heck after being reprofiled and is a really dynamite slicer. It'll just live out its life in the kitchen where it can do the most good.

Mark
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I don't think anyone is doubting that you got a lemon. It's that you seem to be saying that knife is overrated simply because you got a lemon, which is pretty nonsensical.
 
goodeyesniper said:
I don't think anyone is doubting that you got a lemon. It's that you seem to be saying that knife is overrated simply because you got a lemon, which is pretty nonsensical.
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Maybe it is nonsensical but that's the bitch about poor QC, every product that slips through runs the risk of souring a customer agains't the company. Granted, the unevenly angled edge and even the tool marks in the edge could have slipped past QC because neither was apparent at a cursory glance, and only easily noticeable while sharpening, and how many people sharpen their knives brand-new out of the box? OTOH, the lousy condition of the hole and other parts of the blade could have been spotted at a number of points in the manufacturing process. That part, coupled with the fact that I'm not the only person to have complained about a sharp-edged hole, makes me think that while not ideal, a sharp edged thumb hole replete with tool marks wasn't a bad enough problem to kick it out as a defect. If I didn't have other blades with polished thumb holes for comparison I might not have considered it a problem. Did I really get a lemon that slipped past QC or are the QC standards low enough that this knife passed?

Mark
 
Spydercos because of their prices.Have a few ,have not bought any in yrs.But I am just about ready to get a Matriarch 2,go figure?
 
honestly my small sebenza. now don't get me wrong it was a very nice knife, but it didnt personally offer me anything a knife that costs half as much doesn't offer.
 
China knock offs. Even when they leave the name of the American brand off. No one should take one for free much less buy one.
 
Ken44 said:
China knock offs. Even when they leave the name of the American brand off. No one should take one for free much less buy one.
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You're right, of course, but I succumbed to curiosity and bought a few Ganzos. Three of them have the donut hole pivot I've seen used on some Gerbers and Bokers. Given the quality of some of their knives, I have to wonder if Ganzo is copying them or is actually the OEM. Does anyone know anything about this?

Mark
 
I agree that the Para2 and Sebenza are the two most overrated knives available today.

I own them both and I like them both. But not to the level where I feel each needs to be constantly praised.

I'm much happier with my Yojimbo2 and ZT0550.

But variety is the spice of life. And I'm glad we have so many different kinds of folders to choose from.
 
The bottom line is that we could all get away with using a Kershaw Blur for whatever task we are trying to accomplish. I would really like to see someone argue that point. However, premium materials, tight tolerances, and exceptional f&f are what make us knife nuts happy campers. You are going to pay more for all of that, period. That being said, sweet spot price points will be different for everyone. Some may like to pay between 150 to 225 for their most expensive knives. Their opinion or preference on price should make no difference to any of you. I for instance am a huge fan of CRK in general. After the Small Classic Seb my favorite knife is a CRKT Ken Onion Ripple 2. Go figure right? From 350 all the way down to 60 bucks. If it weren't for people like us that are willing to pay a premium price, there would be no high end custom shop knives. I am glad that there are people willing to pay huge amounts of money on knives. Some people pay up to 3 grand or more for a custom from the right maker. I applaud these folks. I want to see more 3 thousand dollar knives. I won't buy any but man do i love to look!
 
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