***- OK Guys, here is your chance to tell us what you want to see in knives -***

M

Mike Turber

Joined
Oct 2, 1998
Messages
5,461
We will be launching a brand new company in August with full scale launch at the Shot Show in 2003. Here is your chance to tell us what you would like to see in a new knife company that will be built 100% from scratch. Visit the Dragon Forge thread to submit design ideas. This thread is for all other aspects of what you would like to see in a knife company.

So let's hear it! Any and all ideas are welcome and other manufacturers are more than welcome to cull the results from this thread.

Note: Please do not ask about any details of this new company I am launching. You will all find out soon enough and you WILL be in for a few cool suprizes.
 
Look good, feel good, and cut.

Preferably designed by me. (is self promotion allowed?)

I dont exactly understand the other manufactures can use this thread part.

If you keep posting stuff like this i am going to start designing again, and your mailbox will be in so much trouble.
 
Well...

To start, I'd like to see an open acceptance of the need/ability to strip a folder down to its pieces, clean it, and reassemble it, WITHOUT "voiding the warranty". Kind of like CRK and EKI. Even if it's verboten in the paperwork, I'd like to see an internal acceptance that it's ok. I mean, honestly, how well can you clean a knife if you don't strip it and scrub it !?

An aftermarket choice of Torx or conventional hardware. (Fat chance, eh?)

Tiered lines, including a hi-tech line that encourages the use of new technologies and steels (Boron Carbide & S30V, or bronze phosphor washers and ceramide detent balls.)

Swappable faceplates (ahem, scales or inlays) of different materials and colors.

Correctly scaled size versions (like watches, not all knives need to be the same size. Like watches, you need to redesign certain parts, not just scale everything equally proportionately. /me looks at the BM 705/710)

Sanitized, sterile versions. (Fat chance.)

Swappable blade styles (heheheeh, now that'll make your handle impossible to design)

Ok that's enough for now ;) Hope this helps.

-Jon
 
Originally posted by biogon
Well...

To start, I'd like to see an open acceptance of the need/ability to strip a folder down to its pieces, clean it, and reassemble it, WITHOUT "voiding the warranty". Kind of like CRK and EKI. Even if it's verboten in the paperwork, I'd like to see an internal acceptance that it's ok. I mean, honestly, how well can you clean a knife if you don't strip it and scrub it !?
Click to expand...
I think biogon's got an important one here. To further that, I also think that customer service/support is an area where there should be much emphasis. But you're already on the right path because you're asking the users what they want to see in a knife which I think is great.
 
Swappable faceplates (ahem, scales or inlays) of different materials and colors.
Click to expand...


see mike, my ideas are not all screwy (i used the cell phone analogy).

Swappable blade styles (heheheeh, now that'll make your handle impossible to design)
Click to expand...

yee of little faith, i now have a project for tomorrow
 
Mr. Turber,
I don't know what type of knives you are going to be making, but if they will be along the lines of Busse/Strider/Mad Dog style combat/utility knives then PLEASE keep the prices as low as you possibly can without lowering the quality of your product.

I'm tired of seeing the knives I want, advertised for combat grunts no less, costing 300-700 dollars or at other yuppie prices.
 
I am staring to become attracted to tactical designs with alternative coloring to the standard black. Plus, to quote LizardKing
Preferably designed by me.
Click to expand...
:D I may not have sent as many designs as LK, but I sent quite a few.
 
As biogone said, good customer service and interaction with the customers is one of if not the most important aim..

A large variety of blade styles (please, not just all clip points and a single tanto, they get so boring).

Anything but plastic handles. G10, micarta, zytel, carbon fibre, whatever you use, it's still man made polymers. So keep the plastics for those that complain about the wieght (Please, as if 1-2oz makes any difference), but please make them available with steel or aluminium or whatever for those of us that like metal.

I'm not personally interested in warranties, if I void the warranty then I'm not bothered, I've never sent anything for a warranty repair in my life, but I can see why other people would like to be able to strip and clean thier knives without voiding it.

Affordable prices, that one's a gimme ;)

Available in other parts of the world than just the USA. And preferably without 1sks's BS $85 international shipping price.
 
I would like to see the use of good steel (cpm 30v) and good cuting performance. So thin edges and well though out bevels.

Comfortable handles a offcoarse also very important. And Folders need to be comfortable in the pocked

I am looking forward to te results!

JD
 
Yeah.
Customer service is probably one of the most expensive aspects of running a business, but oddly, one where management seems to find it justifiable to cut corners (!).

ObTopicItem: Rounded edges, especially where they might be pushed up against the fabric in a pocket when clipped. I have a number of knives that like to eat holes because of the handle design.

Oh, one more thing -- tip up/tip down/lefty friendly adjustable clip placement. I know, this one is TOUGH, but... it's a nice touch too.

Rant on...
Customer service is one reason I use my Amex card far more than my First USA Visa. Whenever I have a problem, the Amex reps say, "Ok, I'll take care of it." When my bill to FirstUSA was a little late (they sent it to the wrong address) the response I got was, "Sorry, your account does not have a grace period, and we're charging you a $25 late fee."

I like my EKI knives because they're durable, cut well, and, best of all, customer service has been prompt, courteous, and in general, pleasant to work with.

Shortgoth,
It's not so much the "voiding of the warranty" but the particular approach of management that would think it was acceptable to consider that a company policy.

I've done some nasty things to my knives involving an airborne detent ball bearing ;) and both companies replaced the ball at no charge. I like that. It's a nice touch. How many people would have this problem? Probably not too many. How many other things can go wrong with disassembling a knife? I dunno? Maybe a lot?

I suspect very few (if any) current production companies would have said, "Hey, you took apart our knife. Guess we won't put it back for you." However, it's all in the attitude.

I understand a company saying, "If you abuse it, we can't fix it under warranty." Sure, there's a ton of things you can do to a knife that's not fair and not what it's meant for. However, disassembly should NOT be one of these things.

Anyhow... rant off. ;)

-Jon
 
Spyderco is doing everything I want.

Other than that, custom collaborations that produce a relatively inexpensive knife with Quality and innovation the goals. From what I recall that’s what you’re trying to do! Good Luck!
 
Pretty much wholeheartedly agree with all of the above.

A similar question was asked on the Benchmade Forum. There was a 'nice' discussion about it...;)

'ne way...

I had suggested that BM make alternative scale and blade configurations for their AFCK handle pattern. Basically I said I would like to see them offer the AFCK\TSEK with choice of blades and scales. It was explainded to me that it would be difficult, if not impossible to offer so wide a range of options. It took me awhile to agree with that-heheh. But to have the option of a very well designed and comfortable (to me atleast) handle pattern like the AFCK in SS, Micarta, Carbon fiber, or wood, would have been great. Why not even an AFCK in stag? And the choice of Spydie hole or stud?

Well, if you are starting from the ground up I suggest going with three or four very well designed handle patterns and offer them in many different configurations-WITHIN REASON. Allow the customer to chose between say two blade shapes, in two or three steels, with maybe 4 or 5 scale options. Seems to me you could really save a bundle in tooling (+ liners, locks, pins etc.), by staying with say 3 or 4 popular designs and make your money on the options. Just a thought...

And hey, if you want a reasonable folder that you can disasemble, buy a Greco folder! Heck, they even sell the rebuild kits for them at cqcknives.com. I've had mine less than a week and already took it apart. They ENCOURAGE you to take it apart! It's FUN to take it apart!

just a dogs two cents....

Mongrel
 
Good steel: at least 154CM, but S30V would be better

Swiss cheese all folders, and ambi opening device, that way you've pretty much got the left hand market covered w/o having to make separate knives.

No liner locks. If you can't find someone to invent a new lock that beats the Axis, then at least use a framelock.

Options: offer plain, combo, and full serrations on all knives.
Offer each knife in 2.9", 3.5", 3.9", & 6" versions
Offer each knife with a variety of handle materials
Let damascus and stag be options.

Lateral strength is a weak point for a lot of knives, fix this and you're one step ahead of most others.

Something on the order of PCKS.

Same handle with different blade shapes.
Same blade with different handle shapes.

Definitely offer everything in black, but also offer it in other colors.

Look at BM & Spyderco internet prices, and beat them for comparable or higher quality knives.
 
1. real satin-finished and/or high-polished blades. (no bead blasts or stonewashing)

2. knives that come sharp right out of the box (like Spyderco)

3. better to have fewer models, that work very well, and to make them very well (like CRK)

4. a cohesive, focused identity. ie. EKI -- tactical/combat, CRK --utility, etc.

5. tip-UP as the gods intended

6. customer service!

7. thin handles (~10mm): the key to comfortable pocket carry is thinness, rather than weight.

8. steel rather than titanium for locks.

9. plan for a "custom shop" ab initio

10. shorter bladed knives should have handles that actually provide grip for an adult hand

11. target typical model MSRP under $200

12. fine-grained blade steel
 
I just want to pipe up and say that weight DOES matter. I do not spend my life in jeans. Not even half my life. Wearing dress slacks, dockers, or lightwight shorts - an ounce or two can make a big difference in pocket drag, pocket profile, and banging on things as you walk past (I don't use the pocket clip in an office environment).

Realistic price points. What I mean is, most of us don't mind paying for quality, but not when we see the same knife 6 months later dumped on a website or Smoky Mountain at a fraction of the price. Delta Z made that mistake - knives that sold (not too well, I guess) for $80 you can now get for $30. They probably would have sold them all a lot quicker if they were $50 from the get-go.
 
No sharpened prybars, knives that are designed to cut.
No corners or sharp edges on the handles or guards.
3 to 5 in. fixed blades with single guard and light weight.
As the blade length goes up and down, my hands stay the same size, so please, no itty bitty handles.
Oh No! Not black again! Medical (and Police)blue, and FD red.
Ambidextrous
 
Good Steel.....I know S30V is really taking the spotlight but BG42 has always impressed me with edge retention and would be something I'd buy without a doubt.


biogon's comment about a folder that can be broken down for service is excellent! This would be my number one request as well.


Tip down/up carry options, I guess holes drilled on both ends?


Congrats on the new company, can't wait to see the products! :)
 
what I hate more than anything is salivating over a site and then reading that automatic knives are for sale only to LE<Firemen,,or others deemed responsible.LE<,EMS(thats the biggest joke.An ems guy can legally buy and carry a switchblade,but I can't),or others deemed responsible.I would like to see microtech,protech quality;how about what they do at the buck custom shop?Choice of blades,bolsters and scales? Throw in a forum site
 
Strongly suggest the following, mostly said above,

No liner-locks on folders
Tip up carry on folders, at least swiss cheese so it's an option
Bend-over-backwards customer service
Warranty which allows for dissasembly
No ill-conceived coatings like bead-blast, teflon etc.
Knives sharpened to 30-40 degrees inclusive (no higher)
Blade steels which are appropriate for the knife's intended use
Blade profiles suited to knife's intended use
Clips which look funky and don't eat pockets
Option to have knives customised
Tight quality control
Well-thought-out and executed sheaths, maybe some sheath options
Reasonable pricing
Innovative and new designs by different custom makers

If a company could cover all of the above it would leave almost all other production companies in the dust in my book.
 
...a folder or fixed-blade fabricated from parts made right here in the U.S., without support of any other country's labor or manufacturing facilities. Everybody seems to hate us, so why not keep it in the family?

Professor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top