- Joined
- Mar 26, 2002
- Messages
- 2,845
I had the opportunity to watch someone knife shopping this weekend, and thought it would be interesting to post, since a good bit of discussion here relates to why someone lays out the cash for a particular blade.
The short summary:
An average ELU, with some knowledge of knives (enough to keep them sharp and some preference for serrated vs. nonserrated), but without much knowledge of brands, steels, or materials goes into a decent, but not spectacular, knife shop with about 100-200 different models to choose from. Her decision is made on (1) price, (2) edge type - plain or 50/50, but no fully serrated blades, and (3) comfort in the hand.
The winners were a Benchmade mini-ascent, something by Gerber (one of the Walmart models, about 2.5 inch blade, aluminum and rubber handles, similar in design to the Benchmade with a pronounced divot for the index finger) and something by Buck.
They had a fully serrated, stainless handled Delica in the case. She said that the size of the handle was perfect, but didn't want the full serrations and the stainless handle put it out of the price range. I suggested the Native, but she didn't handle it because it was above the target price. (Feel free to kick me for not carrying my FRN Delica, I was lugging around a Benchmade AFCK Axis.
Incidentally, I can draw the Delica much quicker than the AFCK because it's shorter and puts the hole right under my finger. Clip is smoother, too.)
Profile of the buyer:
Female, mid 30's
Previously owned a swiss army knife, which she kept sharpened
Among other uses, occasionally cut rope and stripped heavy wire with her knife.
Didn't want a full serrated blade, but was trying to decide between a plain edge and a 50/50.
Looking to upgrade her SAK to a "real knife"
Price range of about $50
Someone else was going to buy her the knife as a birthday present.
Profile of the store:
Knife counter in a large NYC sporting goods store. They have a good range of production models, including the popular spydies, Gerber, Buck, SAKs, and a few Benchmades, Emersons, Kershaws, CRKT etc. They also have a selection of customs from many well known makers (Terzola, Reeves, Centofante, etc.) damascus, etc. etc. up to about $5000. The guy making the sale knew his stock pretty well. He kinetically opened a live Gunting on his arm with no mishaps, and knew that the Shaberia had been discontinued. Unfortunately, the right spydie was not on hand - so we see a problem with having all possible variations. The store, even one that has an excellent selection of spydies, doesn't always replenish the best sellers because they still have lots of others to sell.
The short summary:
An average ELU, with some knowledge of knives (enough to keep them sharp and some preference for serrated vs. nonserrated), but without much knowledge of brands, steels, or materials goes into a decent, but not spectacular, knife shop with about 100-200 different models to choose from. Her decision is made on (1) price, (2) edge type - plain or 50/50, but no fully serrated blades, and (3) comfort in the hand.
The winners were a Benchmade mini-ascent, something by Gerber (one of the Walmart models, about 2.5 inch blade, aluminum and rubber handles, similar in design to the Benchmade with a pronounced divot for the index finger) and something by Buck.
They had a fully serrated, stainless handled Delica in the case. She said that the size of the handle was perfect, but didn't want the full serrations and the stainless handle put it out of the price range. I suggested the Native, but she didn't handle it because it was above the target price. (Feel free to kick me for not carrying my FRN Delica, I was lugging around a Benchmade AFCK Axis.
Incidentally, I can draw the Delica much quicker than the AFCK because it's shorter and puts the hole right under my finger. Clip is smoother, too.)Profile of the buyer:
Female, mid 30's
Previously owned a swiss army knife, which she kept sharpened
Among other uses, occasionally cut rope and stripped heavy wire with her knife.
Didn't want a full serrated blade, but was trying to decide between a plain edge and a 50/50.
Looking to upgrade her SAK to a "real knife"
Price range of about $50
Someone else was going to buy her the knife as a birthday present.
Profile of the store:
Knife counter in a large NYC sporting goods store. They have a good range of production models, including the popular spydies, Gerber, Buck, SAKs, and a few Benchmades, Emersons, Kershaws, CRKT etc. They also have a selection of customs from many well known makers (Terzola, Reeves, Centofante, etc.) damascus, etc. etc. up to about $5000. The guy making the sale knew his stock pretty well. He kinetically opened a live Gunting on his arm with no mishaps, and knew that the Shaberia had been discontinued. Unfortunately, the right spydie was not on hand - so we see a problem with having all possible variations. The store, even one that has an excellent selection of spydies, doesn't always replenish the best sellers because they still have lots of others to sell.
I conducted a similar one, with strikingly similar results. The Gerber you speak of is most likely the Gerber International AR 3.0 model, which for some reason everyone with me that day found appealing. Delica II got exactly the same response, and FRN Delica was also serrated, and was rejected because of the difficulties in sharpening the serrations without a sharpmaker. Native was fondled extensively, and everyone liked the ergonomics, and bought one. Another person picked up a Ladybug and a Jester (both PE), just because he loved the little knives and found them sufficient.
