Opposite of most disappointing knife purchase, the pleasant surprises.

[Gary W. Graley]

While I don't like to put down knives that have disappointed me, as you don't ever know if you just got a lemon while others rave about it, so the old mother saying holds true 'if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything'

But I've been pleasantly surprised by a few knives. In my pointy little head I THINK I know what I like and what I need to buy, but when I depart from that and try something new, sometimes it works out, often the walnut rattling around in my skull really does know what I prefer

So, long story a little longer, I gave the Real Steel Stella a try, at a bit higher price than I think it should be, it was worth the try as I reach for this most times to part things that need parting by a very sharp edge. It has VG-10 blade and an unusual half stop that is more like 45 degree stop, which provides you a little more protection than the half way point would.

A slip joint, I can open one handed in a pinch...get it? pinch as in I pinch grip the blade and pull it clear of the handle. The pull is on par with a Swiss Army main blade, not too strong but strong enough to stay open during use.

I did sharpen it up, as I am often want to do and it cuts a bit better now in doing so.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Here it is shown at it's 'half stop'

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

The knife is quite light and the clip holds securely, even more so since the knife is light weight. I was worried that the thinness of the handle would be an issue but at 3/4" wide with a handle thickness about 3/8" it just works right for me and I would highly recommend it to others as well. There are several different colours to choose from if this red isn't for you.

G2

edited to add, it had me at hidden lanyard hole I'm such a sucker for one of those !

 

[mmyron1]

These might seem a little surprising because they are all top notch and have very few bad reviews. For me though I was surprised at how much they fit my needs...

1. Spyderco PM in D2. Hated D2 until this knife and was surprised at how well it fit me. Carried it as an edc for 10 or so years

2. ZT 0350. Torched by many for its weight and assisted open but it is exactly what I want my edc to be.

3. Emerson Mini CQC 15. Emerson is polarizing so I wasn't sure I would like it but I am pleasantly surprised at how well it fits me and how solid it has been.

 

[bdcochran]

Pleasant surprises. Up until 2019, I was buying used/abused Spyderco Enduras off eBay. No one seemed to want a Spyderco with a broken plastic clip or an abused blade. Able to get them for as low as $21 delivered. Goals were: 1. obtain backup quality knives that could be lost or stolen without too much pain; 2. to have shtf valuable trade goods that would appreciate in value. Now the prices on used Enduras have nearly tripled.

 

[Burke]

I grabbed a Grivory AD20 off knifecenter a month or two ago. I can’t get it out of my pocket.

 

[Shorttime]

Alox Electrician. Put it on my Christmas list when I changed departments. Didn't expect to find it so useful.

 

[Shorttime]

Kershaw Strobe. For less than twenty dollars, the flipper action is smoother than you would ever expect. It's an interframe too, so you don't get that awkward finger hold that you need to do on some framelock flippers.

The plastic scales aren't very grippy, the blade shape is of very little use to me, and the clip catches my shirt. But as a fidget toy, it's great value for the money.

 

[tacos3]

I was hesitant to buy it, even after reading ad nauseam about it, but I have to say the Shirogorov F95NL in Crazy Micarta. It’s everything I read about and more. Recon 1 made it a flawless transaction.

I got mine a couple of days ago and it’s all what people say it is and more. Build quality is better than my Sabenza and sumo. The action must be felt to be appreciated.

 

[Stahlmann]

I think it would have to be my Condor Undertaker Bowie Knife. I had long admired "coffin-gripped" big knives. When a vendor finally had them for a price I couldn't walk away from, I bought one. I was a bit concerned, but once I had it in hand, it turned out to be great! The design and workmanship are both outstanding, the leather sheath is great and it already got me out of what could have been a difficult situation.

 

[Lee D]

 

[oldmanwilly]

One recent surprise is the Police 4 LW. I got one in K390 earlier this year and expected to find it too big to carry comfortably and to be too long and thin to be sturdy. I was absolutely wrong and have had a real tough time convincing myself to carry anything else. It was made more enjoyable after I tried out the zip-tie wave feature and realized I could draw and open it faster than I could with one of my autos. Now I hate the thought of breaking/losing it so much i bought a spare for peace of mind. Now I understand why this model has been around so long.

 

[jaypowell0185]

For me the Sog Seal XR. This thing is large and heavy, but there is just something about it that I love carrying it all the time.

 

[Booba1000]

I'd heard a lot about Civivi, and had experience with WE Knives, owning the Deacon and the Massdrop Gent Select. However, I was not prepared for how awesome the little McKenna is. The Damascus is gorgeous and perfect, the action is amazing, perfect detent. One of the best out of box experiences I've had. Thus far the 9Cr based Damascus is good edge retention, though the size of the knife does not dictate heavy duty use.

I've purchased a lot of knives off of the exchange. Spyderco Manix 2 foliage green CTS-XHP was probably the BEST I've purchased off of the exchange. The steel spoiled me. I love XHP. The ergonomics, style, etc made it the first knife I customized. I'm actually carrying it today for Manix Monday.

Now, here is an interesting twist on this topic and the topic of most disappointing.

The first Spyderco Southard I bought I was very disappointed with. Probably did not give it enough of a chance. For years I hemmed and hawed over whether I should give it another chance. I still hadn't made a decision and then it was discontinued. THis past March while perusing the forums, one came up for sale with a custom scale. I decided to try again, knowing I could sell it no problem. Well, its fantastic. I really really like it. Going from extreme disappointment six years prior to elation made it even more sweet.

Get you some bearings & steel washers & you’ll like even more

 

[upnorth]

I think it would have to be my Condor Undertaker Bowie Knife. I had long admired "coffin-gripped" big knives. When a vendor finally had them for a price I couldn't walk away from, I bought one. I was a bit concerned, but once I had it in hand, it turned out to be great! The design and workmanship are both outstanding, the leather sheath is great and it already got me out of what could have been a difficult situation.

I love my undertakers. I was going to put something other than para through the tang hole for retention...... I forgot about that project...... Para is great but snags brush.

 

[SpaceGhost88]

Hoback Sumo

I had never seen nor held a Hoback in person, but this blade hit all the boxes on paper and it has really impressed me in-hand. Super smooth to open... smooth drop shut on the close. All my preferred materials too. Very impressed.

 

[DMG]

I think it would have to be my Condor Undertaker Bowie Knife. I had long admired "coffin-gripped" big knives. When a vendor finally had them for a price I couldn't walk away from, I bought one. I was a bit concerned, but once I had it in hand, it turned out to be great! The design and workmanship are both outstanding, the leather sheath is great and it already got me out of what could have been a difficult situation.

​

Details on the difficult situation?