Most Overrated Folder

[bld522]

Yes, I saw the "I'm".
When you say "I'm simply not dumb enough", it kinda makes it sound like you think people that do are, though you may not really mean it that way.

Yep. Perception is everything. Of course, it's always safe to ask me what I mean if you're not sure.

 

[evilgreg]

I think that many of the people posting in this thread have no clue of the definition of "overrated" as most are spouting out BS about attractiveness. Sal has never claimed the PM2 to be the most attractive knife ever created. It will do its job every time, though: S30V, comp lock, FFG. You may get a bigger blade with a 710, but you are paying for lesser materials and blade geometry that isn't even comparable.

Agree to disagree, I guess. I bought both of these knives and find the 710 more useful. I liked it so much in D2 that I bought it again in M390. I'm really not sure what you're talking about on the materials--how is my 710 in M390 with an axis lock so inferior to a PM2 that you'd say it has lesser materials?

Also, I never said the PM2 was ugly; I did say that about the Southard, though. I carry one everyday (it's a pocket toy with sentimental value) but still think the pointless hole in the blade and brown scales are ugly. There's a knife you could knock for utility, incidentally. I love my Southard, but the thick spine makes in a pretty inefficient slicer in some uses.

If you look around, you'll find 710s in various blade steels for good prices. Have one in M390 that cost about 170$.

And yeah the blade geometry is different. The 710 is the better slicer (first hand experience), because it's thinner at the edge and thinner at the spine. Also my M390 one chips less despite having the thinner edge.

Agreed. Not that I ever had any particular issue with the D2 version either--I just used that knife so much that buying a second one in a trendy super-steel was a no-brainer. Can't hurt to have two of a knife you use regularly and love . . .

 

[Murdamook]

If you look around, you'll find 710s in various blade steels for good prices. Have one in M390 that cost about 170$.

And yeah the blade geometry is different. The 710 is the better slicer (first hand experience), because it's thinner at the edge and thinner at the spine. Also my M390 one chips less despite having the thinner edge.

It's thinner at the spine because it has a swedge. The thickest part of the blade is right in the center of it. I don't know what you were slicing, but my PM2 outperforms my 710 every day of the week that ends in 'y'. I actually dislike the PM2 and like the 710, but I am not going to pretend that my PM2 doesn't slice circles around the 710. By the way, you can get sprint run PM2s in higher end steel as well but the base product uses better materials and is-typically-cheaper than the 710. Currently, it is probably just as expensive because of supply-demand, but I paid 85$ for my PM2 from a well-known seller about 2 years ago. I also hate the axis lock. I have never handled a knife with an axis lock that didn't have blade play that was unfixable.

 

[phillipsted]

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.

I'm with you, Ken. Well said.

TedP

 

[FCM415]

I own multiples of both the PM2 and the 710. The 710 may be ground thinner at the edge actually, not 100% sure. Either that or the slight recurve makes it a better slicer for me compared with the Para.

 

[Oakengroves]

1. Hinderer XM-18 (excessive hype caused by "tactical hard use" LEO mania and distasteful marketing/pricing practices);

2. SOG Flash II (excessive hype caused by "tactical" knife reviewers);

3. Kershaw Skyline (excessive hype caused by "tactical" knife reviewer);

4. Spyderco PM 2 (great knife but not as great as the hype leads people to believe);

5. Spyderco Tenacious (spend $15-$20 more for multiple superior US, European, Taiwan, or Japanese blades).

 

[steff27]

It's thinner at the spine because it has a swedge.

At the thickest point, my PM2 is 3.6 mm, whereas the 710 is 2.9 mm. That's towards the handle of course, not where the swedge is.

I have never handled a knife with an axis lock that didn't have blade play

I can easily adjust the pivot of all my Axis lock knives so that there is zero blade play in any direction and they're still smoothly operable one handed.

 

[FCM415]

I used the crap out of my Tenacious. Solid performer and built really well. Not overated in my experience. I find it as capable as knives priced 50% higher and more. Got the 8cr at 40 degrees incl., razor edge all the time with my sharpmaker.

Hinderer, I never owned one... Im not gonna spend that kind of money when only half of it will actually go to Rick's pockets so I guess Ill never find out.

 

[Murdamook]

Agree to disagree, I guess. I bought both of these knives and find the 710 more useful. I liked it so much in D2 that I bought it again in M390. I'm really not sure what you're talking about on the materials--how is my 710 in M390 with an axis lock so inferior to a PM2 that you'd say it has lesser materials?

Also, I never said the PM2 was ugly; I did say that about the Southard, though. I carry one everyday (it's a pocket toy with sentimental value) but still think the pointless hole in the blade and brown scales are ugly. There's a knife you could knock for utility, incidentally. I love my Southard, but the thick spine makes in a pretty inefficient slicer in some uses.



Agreed. Not that I ever had any particular issue with the D2 version either--I just used that knife so much that buying a second one in a trendy super-steel was a no-brainer. Can't hurt to have two of a knife you use regularly and love . . .

Again, the m390 710 was a limited run. Last I checked there was a sprint run PM2 using the same exact steel; hence why I went back to the base model. If we want to look at Sprint run availability and steel quality, there are a significant amount of PM2 sprint runs that fit the bill.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I'd have to say the PM2 is easily the most overrated knife on this forum, in my opinion. CRK Sebenza. Yes. Overrated? Yes again.
As far as the Southard goes:
Every time I saw this knife it seemed to be uglier than the last.

In the eyes of the beholder...
But I say..."Wow."

 

[BlackKnight86]

I don't suppose any of you folks thought to ask the question "according to what criteria is the 'rating' of the knife?", such that one may then determine if and how it is "overrated".....

1. Hinderer XM-18 (excessive hype caused by "tactical hard use" LEO mania and distasteful marketing/pricing practices);

2. SOG Flash II (excessive hype caused by "tactical" knife reviewers);

3. Kershaw Skyline (excessive hype caused by "tactical" knife reviewer);

4. Spyderco PM 2 (great knife but not as great as the hype leads people to believe);

5. Spyderco Tenacious (spend $15-$20 more for multiple superior US, European, Taiwan, or Japanese blades).

"Overhyped" and "Overrated" are two different animals.

 

[Murdamook]

At the thickest point, my PM2 is 3.6 mm, whereas the 710 is 2.9 mm. That's towards the handle of course, not where the swedge is.



I can easily adjust the pivot of all my Axis lock knives so that there is zero blade play in any direction and they're still smoothly operable one handed.

Again, I have never had an axis lock that didn't have irreparable blade play.

To the individual discussing the glock/EKI comparison: there are few-if any-guns in the Glock price range that do anything innovative. As long as Gaston Glock is content in manufacturing affordable, polymer framed pistols with the ergonomics of a Glock and the reliability, people will purchase them in droves. The larger part of the gun buying public cares little for innovation, understands Glock is a quality firearm, and is willing to pay the price they are asking. No random individual looking to buy a pistol for home defense-the larger part of the gun buying public-is going to really care about the bells and whistles another pistol has to offer if it seems novelty and is priced 300$ higher.

 

[evilgreg]

In the eyes of the beholder...
But I say..."Wow."

Interesting how you selectively edited my comment. Here is what I actually wrote:

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

I have a PM2 and think it's overrated, and explained why. I bought a Sebenza and thought it didn't live up to the hype. I always thought the Southard was ugly, and still do. I also carry a Southard everyday, it's in my pocket right now, but mine is customized to be a little prettier.

I don't mind you saying I have bad taste, but I'd prefer you didn't selectively edit to make it sound like I was making some crazy, baseless statements.

 

[bld522]

1. Hinderer XM-18 (excessive hype caused by "tactical hard use" LEO mania and distasteful marketing/pricing practices)

Well you've got me on that one. I can track with you on the "tactical hard use" LEO mania aspect, but I'm not sure what you mean by "distasteful marketing/pricing practices". Based on what I've seen of Hinderer XM's, I'd say Rick prices them fairly. If that's not it, then what practices are you referring to?

 

[Bugout Bill]

Again, I have never had an axis lock that didn't have irreparable blade play.

To the individual discussing the glock/EKI comparison: there are few-if any-guns in the Glock price range that do anything innovative. As long as Gaston Glock is content in manufacturing affordable, polymer framed pistols with the ergonomics of a Glock and the reliability, people will purchase them in droves. The larger part of the gun buying public cares little for innovation, understands Glock is a quality firearm, and is willing to pay the price they are asking. No random individual looking to buy a pistol for home defense-the larger part of the gun buying public-is going to really care about the bells and whistles another pistol has to offer if it seems novelty and is priced 300$ higher.

There is very little innovation in handgun design period. But that is beside the point, I want to know about why EKI seems to be against innovation or improvement of their designs.

Well you've got me on that one. I can track with you on the "tactical hard use" LEO mania aspect, but I'm not sure what you mean by "distasteful marketing/pricing practices". Based on what I've seen of Hinderer XM's, I'd say Rick prices them fairly. If that's not it, then what practices are you referring to?

I think he means the fact that Rick Hinderer only sells to LEO/MIL, everyone else pays market price.

 

[egally08]

Xm-18 are priced cheaper then Sebenzas and striders. $385 to be exact.

Secondary pricing has nothing to do with marketing practices. In all honesty, I've never even seen Rick market his knives.

People know quality when they see it, and are willing to pay for it.

 

[egally08]

I think he means the fact that Rick Hinderer only sells to LEO/MIL, everyone else pays market price.

Doesn't matter who Rick Hinderer sells his knives too. Even if they were open to the public, they would still be at the exact same price on the secondary market. Supply Vs Demand. If he can't make enough for everyone that wants one, they rise in price.

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

There is very little innovation in handgun design period. But that is beside the point, I want to know about why EKI seems to be against innovation or improvement of their designs.



I think he means the fact that Rick Hinderer only sells to LEO/MIL, everyone else pays market price.

Emerson believes the basic formula works, no other explaination really. I would get a few with a different lock mech but not a liner-lock fan. I don't think he needs to play with different materials.

 

[FCM415]

Evilgreg, could you list the knivs that you do like? I am curious to see what your preferences are other than the 710 that I assume you do like.

 

[hardheart]

You do get more at the tip with a shorter blade but to me half inch is negligible. Same principle as gripping further or closer to the blade. The further you are from pressure area the more resistance you feel and less efficient your pressure. Its one extra reason I don't like knives with flippers.

But that isn't leverage involved with the tool, because the only pivots are at your joints. It's like saying a three foot pry bar allows you to lift more than a six foot pinch bar if it was actually about leverage. I agree on flippers, plus excessive guards, they just get in the way while a dropped edge or proper handle contouring gives excellent retention without as much interference.

Also, longer blades allow you to cut wider/thicker materials in fewer cuts. Blades of all lengths have a lot of advantages.

On BF, about every knife gets overrated at some point, when any number of posts deem it perfect.