-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Most surprising / disappointing knife?
- Thread starter EdgeKit
- Start date
Well so far the knife I have seemed to hold onto the longest is a little BM 211 love that thing. My two disappointments were the regular Grip (hate the cheap handle feel) and the WAAAY too heavy ZT 300 series. Had good luck with the Striders I have had and am going to try and stick with the CRK Insingo, BRKT TUSK, and Case Congress for as long as I can for all my knife needs. May try the one year thing with those three
The most surprising is my ZT 301, I was afraid it would be a little to large and heavy, but it just disappears in my jeans pocket.:thumbup:
The most dissapointing was a SOG digital camo Aegis, what a piece of junk. I have never felt handles that felt so cheap and nun usable. The blade shape was ok but that was it.:thumbdn::thumbdn:
The most dissapointing was a SOG digital camo Aegis, what a piece of junk. I have never felt handles that felt so cheap and nun usable. The blade shape was ok but that was it.:thumbdn::thumbdn:
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2009
- Messages
- 1,861
I will firstly admit that I am a Spyderco fanboy....but the Chad Los Banos Spyderco Lava was primarily designed for self defense...that's it.
Of course not advertised that way for political correctness and would dampen sales knowing that it's a "weapon of self defense".
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2008
- Messages
- 3,654
Wait, isn't the Lava one of Spyderco's sub-2" bladed knives?
Forgive my ignorance, but who's idea was it to use a penknife-sized blade smaller than my thumb for a weapon?
Also, my most disappointing knife had to have been my Gerber Guardian. Don't know what kind of awful potmetal they used for the blade, but it wouldn't take any sort of edge at all. :barf:
- Joined
- Nov 27, 1998
- Messages
- 2,602
Most surprising high-end production knife: the Case/Bose Norfolk Wharncliffe. A timeless traditional design with that inimitable Tony Bose flair for flow and proportion, with excellent materials, construction and fit 'n' finish. This US-made mid-tech knife offers real custom-like quality that surpasses any production knife at its ~$275 price point in my experience.
Most surprising budget production knife: CRKT (Taiwan) Viele "Wasp" (small version). Solid ti handle, inset lock bar, Teflon plated clip, very decent AUS-118 blade steel, completely solid lockup, smooth action, above average F&F, nicely step-machined pivot, and dirt-cheap for this level of quality and materials (I paid under $40). Removing the G-10 scales improves both its ergos and pocket-ability.
Most disappointing: Emerson chisel-ground "tanto" CQC7 (made by Benchmade?) from the 1st production run. Boxy and uncomfortable, wobbly and very late lockup, relatively useless, easily chipped, trendy blade profile and edge geometry (for me, anyway, not to mention apparently being chisel-ground on the wrong side for a righty), and just dog ugly. Most disappointing hype-driven knife I've ever purchased.
Most surprising budget production knife: CRKT (Taiwan) Viele "Wasp" (small version). Solid ti handle, inset lock bar, Teflon plated clip, very decent AUS-118 blade steel, completely solid lockup, smooth action, above average F&F, nicely step-machined pivot, and dirt-cheap for this level of quality and materials (I paid under $40). Removing the G-10 scales improves both its ergos and pocket-ability.
Most disappointing: Emerson chisel-ground "tanto" CQC7 (made by Benchmade?) from the 1st production run. Boxy and uncomfortable, wobbly and very late lockup, relatively useless, easily chipped, trendy blade profile and edge geometry (for me, anyway, not to mention apparently being chisel-ground on the wrong side for a righty), and just dog ugly. Most disappointing hype-driven knife I've ever purchased.
shunsui
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2008
- Messages
- 5,853
The Spyderco Orange Military and the Busse Combat OJ SAR4 as a pair seemed most surprising. They are two great knives and go together remarkably well. Ontario Knives would get the honorable mention for disappointing fit and finish on two D2 Rat-7's. I'll keep them though, they still work even though they're knarly.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2008
- Messages
- 1,180
hmm...
Most surprising: is the Buck Vantage Avid I just got a couple weeks ago. for around the $30 dollar mark it's hard to beat IMO. Great feel in the hand, smooth opening and flipper, carries deep in the pocket, takes a good edge and holds it well, and looks good too IMO.
Most disappointing: this ones a little tough because I'm usually pretty sure of a knife before I buy it but I'd have to say my Kershaw Shallot. I LOVE all my other Kershaw's but this one I bought on a whim and I'm not a fan, really for no other reason than I think the blade shape is just plain ugly.
Most surprising: is the Buck Vantage Avid I just got a couple weeks ago. for around the $30 dollar mark it's hard to beat IMO. Great feel in the hand, smooth opening and flipper, carries deep in the pocket, takes a good edge and holds it well, and looks good too IMO.
Most disappointing: this ones a little tough because I'm usually pretty sure of a knife before I buy it but I'd have to say my Kershaw Shallot. I LOVE all my other Kershaw's but this one I bought on a whim and I'm not a fan, really for no other reason than I think the blade shape is just plain ugly.
My most surprising knife is my yellow CV Case Sodbuster Jr.
A local hardware store had it on sale and I liked the yellow handles so I picked it up.
Its so small and light in your pocket you forget about it, and it will cut anything you need to cut.
It also sharpens back up very fast and easy.
I drop it in my pocket for around the house, and will sometimes edc it with my yellow (hehe) 555 Mini-grip.
It feels very good in my hand.
I didnt expect much from it but for a $13 knife has been pretty dang good.
A local hardware store had it on sale and I liked the yellow handles so I picked it up.
Its so small and light in your pocket you forget about it, and it will cut anything you need to cut.
It also sharpens back up very fast and easy.
I drop it in my pocket for around the house, and will sometimes edc it with my yellow (hehe) 555 Mini-grip.
It feels very good in my hand.
I didnt expect much from it but for a $13 knife has been pretty dang good.
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2009
- Messages
- 283
Most surprising knife: Spyderco Lum Chinese, just a super nice folder. Both of the ones Ive had were great. Second place is mini grip; boy that is a TINY knife.
Most disappointing: SOG twitch II for sure. Peice of junk that belongs in the $5 dollar bin at the gas station.
Most disappointing: SOG twitch II for sure. Peice of junk that belongs in the $5 dollar bin at the gas station.
Just received my Boker Magnum Damascus Lady folder and its a bit of both.
Pro's-Damascus steel (Beautiful), Great Locking, Great looks, beautiful to use and hold. Real sharp.
Cons- Size (Didnt pay attention this thing is tiny)
I guess the size struck me as odd because my usual carry knife is about 4-5 inches and this knife is roughly 5 inches in total. When I have kids they will get this as their "First Knife" and I will go out and buy a large Damascus folder. Great looking knife.
Pro's-Damascus steel (Beautiful), Great Locking, Great looks, beautiful to use and hold. Real sharp.
Cons- Size (Didnt pay attention this thing is tiny)
I guess the size struck me as odd because my usual carry knife is about 4-5 inches and this knife is roughly 5 inches in total. When I have kids they will get this as their "First Knife" and I will go out and buy a large Damascus folder. Great looking knife.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2001
- Messages
- 2,450
I'll play. The most surprising knife would be split between two: Kershaw Sapphire and Benchmade 690. Both these knives have become regular carries for me. The knives carry extremely well and have served their purposes beyond my expectations. They sharpen up easily, have good ergonomics, and are solid but not heavy knives.
As far as the most disappointing, I would again have two knives. One was a custom I got off the forums here, directly from the maker. It was shoddy workmanship all around, and the blade was as dull as a butter knife. The sheath looked like something my 4th grade daughter had put together (actually, she probably could have done a better job!). As far productions go, the most disappointing has been the CRKT Montana Gentleman's Knife. It just weighs too much for its size and the handle has too many sharp points to be comfortable.
- Mark
As far as the most disappointing, I would again have two knives. One was a custom I got off the forums here, directly from the maker. It was shoddy workmanship all around, and the blade was as dull as a butter knife. The sheath looked like something my 4th grade daughter had put together (actually, she probably could have done a better job!). As far productions go, the most disappointing has been the CRKT Montana Gentleman's Knife. It just weighs too much for its size and the handle has too many sharp points to be comfortable.
- Mark
- Joined
- May 20, 2009
- Messages
- 648
Most suprising/disappointing, a USA made fixed blade Gerber Stag Freeman.
I loved the look of the knife (without the lanyard), USA made, stag handles, and S30V steel.
Once I got it, I cut the lanyard off. This improved the looks and feel of the knife 100%.
However, the quality of the grinds on every surface really bug me. They are not uniform dimensionally, side to side. The top grind on the blade is not even flat.
The blade shape works great for skinning large game (used it on a 7-point bull this last season) and S30V is a good steel.
In my eyes it looks great from a distance and it does feel good in the hands (modified-no lanyard). The little fit and finish items are anoying, but don't effect the functionality.
I loved the look of the knife (without the lanyard), USA made, stag handles, and S30V steel.
Once I got it, I cut the lanyard off. This improved the looks and feel of the knife 100%.
However, the quality of the grinds on every surface really bug me. They are not uniform dimensionally, side to side. The top grind on the blade is not even flat.
The blade shape works great for skinning large game (used it on a 7-point bull this last season) and S30V is a good steel.
In my eyes it looks great from a distance and it does feel good in the hands (modified-no lanyard). The little fit and finish items are anoying, but don't effect the functionality.
Strider PT came with a few issues/problems. I sent in the knife and Strider blew off my emails and calls for 2 1/2 months then when they did respond they told me the problems I mentioned had been fixed but then when I got the knife it was still messed up with some of the same problems they told me they fixed.
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2006
- Messages
- 4,090
Most disappointing? Probably the Kershaw Junkyard Dog titanium framelock. The ugliest pocket clip in the history of mankind, and the flipper requires a lot of wrist action to reliably open the blade. A knife without a thumb opener really should have a functional flipper. I replaced the pocket clip with a conventional Benchmade one, but there's no fixing the flipper without loosening the pivot way too much.
Most surprising? Possibly the Benchmade Pinnacle 750 (function and ergos WAY better than I expected when I bought it) or maybe the CF/S90V Manix 2 (light, smooth, ergonomic and strong).
Most surprising? Possibly the Benchmade Pinnacle 750 (function and ergos WAY better than I expected when I bought it) or maybe the CF/S90V Manix 2 (light, smooth, ergonomic and strong).
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
- Messages
- 625
The most suprising knives that I have found are the new line of Condor Knives.These nessmuk and the bushcraft acts as well as knives that cost a lot more.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2008
- Messages
- 905
My most disapointing knife was a Meyerco DDR 18-Xray. It had side to side and up and down blade play. I returned it and when it was sent back, the side to side blade play was gone, but it still has up and down blade play.
Update:
A few weeks ago, I mentioned a problem I had with my Meyerco 18XRAY. The next day, I received an email from Darrel Ralph. I gave Darrel a phone call and he told me to send the knife to him. I sent the knife to him and three days later, I received a package from Darrel. He sent me a brand new knife and a t-shirt. I know a lot of knife makers and knife companies have great customer service, but I appreciate Darrel responding to me from a post I made in thread on Blade Forums.
So my most surprising knife is my new Meyerco 18 XRAY. It fuctions flawlessly and it's fit and finish are excellent.
Update:
A few weeks ago, I mentioned a problem I had with my Meyerco 18XRAY. The next day, I received an email from Darrel Ralph. I gave Darrel a phone call and he told me to send the knife to him. I sent the knife to him and three days later, I received a package from Darrel. He sent me a brand new knife and a t-shirt. I know a lot of knife makers and knife companies have great customer service, but I appreciate Darrel responding to me from a post I made in thread on Blade Forums.
So my most surprising knife is my new Meyerco 18 XRAY. It fuctions flawlessly and it's fit and finish are excellent.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2006
- Messages
- 2,901
Thought of a couple more. First let me say that I am a huge Spyderco fan. I am almost mad because I can't make myself quit carrying my Benchmade full sized Grip. I love this knife beyond words. I will say that the handle feels cheaper on the large one over the mini but I got a mini too and it's just too small for my taste.
I have dropped it and rolled the edge. Put it on the Sharpmaker and it popped right back. It has really seen some hard use and takes it like a champ. Something about the knife just feels perfect in my hand.
Now the disappointment. Don't pile on but it's the Rat 1 folder. This knife is just about perfect in every way but it has a cut out on one side for ease of opening for a right handed person. Unfortunately I'm left handed which makes it just about impossible to get enough torque behind the thumb stud to open with my left hand. If you are a right hander though, this has to be one of the best bangs for your buck on the market.
Feels great in the hand. Blade is flat ground and sharp as hell. The G10 is a little smooth and doesn't give the grip I'd like to see on a knife but it truly is a good knife.
I have dropped it and rolled the edge. Put it on the Sharpmaker and it popped right back. It has really seen some hard use and takes it like a champ. Something about the knife just feels perfect in my hand.
Now the disappointment. Don't pile on but it's the Rat 1 folder. This knife is just about perfect in every way but it has a cut out on one side for ease of opening for a right handed person. Unfortunately I'm left handed which makes it just about impossible to get enough torque behind the thumb stud to open with my left hand. If you are a right hander though, this has to be one of the best bangs for your buck on the market.
Feels great in the hand. Blade is flat ground and sharp as hell. The G10 is a little smooth and doesn't give the grip I'd like to see on a knife but it truly is a good knife.