Online knife stores, do you expect/appreciate more than just the specs?

dave_last

dave_last

Joined
Nov 7, 2007
Messages
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Many knife customers know exactly which production blade they are looking for, right down to the model number, long before it has even become available and hit the stores. This is especially true for many here at Blade Forums.

In addition there is much excellent information available online here on Blade Forums and there is also some quality information on manufacturers' websites and on some of the older online knife sites.

So, beyond the obvious, such as the model number, description, specs and a graphic just how important is additional information on an online knife site to you? Was it ever a buying factor for you in the past?

Do you find yourself saying "Just the specs, Ma'am"?
 
The trivia information and how many elk I'll dress with the knife is pure hyperbole, BUT, the problem I have with many retail sites is their lack of specifications. Whether or not I'm familiar with the knife, I want to see:
- overall length
- blade length
- blade profile
- blade thickness
- Steel type
- edge grind
- scale material
- lock type (folders)
- sheath material and design
 
dave_last said:
how important is additional information on an online knife site to you? Was it ever a buying factor for you in the past?
Click to expand...
I agree with StretchNM, that the lack of specs is an issue for me when buying.

When I first started buying online, I didn't have much of an idea about steel types, blade styles, handle materials, well, pretty much anything other than the fact that I wanted to buy knives that would suit my needs/wants. I guess I'm the first knife nut in my family :o
So those that aren't familiar with the specs and what they mean would benefit from a more descriptive approach, as I once did. And I'm sure that dealers who take the time to provide a little extra detail, without too much embellishment, would find more customers relying on his/her site for products and product information.
 
Agree with more info being helpful. Multiple pictures is a plus. Can't handle the knife. Good to see it from different angles.
 
Show the clip of a folder in the pics- clip placement and design is important and often missed.
More info is definately better.
 
One thing missing from Stretch's list that is a must for me, and that is country of origin. Maybe just cause I'm new to the knife world, but I try and stay away from China made knives.
 
I agree with most of the guys here, the more information the better. It never hurts to have it available even if we already know it all.

Stretch and Dinkum hit all the most important specs that every website should have. Good pics are a must.
 
StretchNM said:
The trivia information and how many elk I'll dress with the knife is pure hyperbole, BUT, the problem I have with many retail sites is their lack of specifications. Whether or not I'm familiar with the knife, I want to see:
- overall length
- blade length
- blade profile
- blade thickness
- Steel type
- edge grind
- scale material
- lock type (folders)
- sheath material and design
Click to expand...

Agreed! Precise specs and preferably pictures are important.
 
There are usually multiple sites where you can get pics and info on production knives. To me I'll look around if the site I'm on doesn't give me enough info.

The thing that bothers me is the custom knife sites that don't give enough info. If the knife is handmade I want to see all the specs on it. Including additional pics and if it's a fixed blade, pics of the sheath. It's the only info I have to base a decision on and if there's not enough I'll more then likely move on. If I'm really interested I'll email or call with questions. If I'm on the fence I'll forget about it and surf to another site.
 
I'm also in Stretch's camp. I want all the specs I can get AND at least a front and back picture of the knife showing clip placement. A picture showing lockup would also be nice, but not vital for me. I definately want blade thickness and weight of a knife as those are two bits of info not commonly given the consumer.
 
In addition to all the specs and good, clear pictures from different angles, I think there should be at least some more info or description, especially if there's something unusual about it. By now I usually know more about a knife than the website will tell, but I didn't always, and most online knife buyers are not BFC members, so the info would be very helpful to them. I've left sites before because I wanted more info before making a purchase and they didn't offer it, but some other site did. Yes, you can call/email for more info, but most people won't bother when there are so many other sites to shop from.

I'm sure it takes a long time to write up descriptions for the hundreds or thousands of items that each web site offers, but customers often want something to read before buying.
 
Being Canadian, the big issue for me with all online stores is SHIPPING. Places that won't ship USPS get panned immediately. (Courier companies charge outlandish "brokerage fees" just because they can.) Places that have different procedures for international customers (like having to place phone orders) aren't disqualified, but they definitely get pushed down the list. Places that just plain won't ship to Canada obviously lose my business, but then they knew that when they chose to only ship to the US.

(The ones that will ship to AK/HI and APO/FPOs but not foreign countries especially piss me off.)
 
DaveinNY said:
One thing missing from Stretch's list that is a must for me, and that is country of origin. Maybe just cause I'm new to the knife world, but I try and stay away from China made knives.
Click to expand...

That's a good point and it's important to me too. I don;t think it's because you may be new to knives, I think it's a valid concern.

NOTE TO SELF: Add to list "Country of Origin"

The Chinese can do well... but it's the "blood" that permeats everything they do and stand for that bothers me. Right now I've got a high interest in some knives from worldknives.com, featuring knives from Japan, Sveden, Germany, Spain, France (cough) and elsewhere. I don't necessarily have to have U.S. made knives (though I do like to stay "in house"), but I sure like to know where they're made before UPS brings them to my house. :D

ON EDIT: Oh, and add to list "Photos - lots of them", everybody's right on that one.
 
IMO even if are given a lot words about the knife specs, at least one decent picture has to be present!
 
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