Overlooked: What knives have missed?

[Spark]

There have to be a few good designs out there that simply failed for one stupid reason or another, like lack of exposure or marketing.
Likewise, there are more than a few that were hyped immensely, but still failed because they, for lack of a better term, suck.

Any come to mind with you guys? Let's hear about them!

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here

 

[Jim March]

The AlMar QuicksilverV, also known as the "Jumbo". At 5.5", the biggest linerlock I'm aware of. Problem #1 IMHO was lack of sheath, followed by "too weird". The lock isn't the strongest either, but as a fast-access slasher folder it's unrivaled.

It's the fastest opening folder I've ever owned...long out of production, when I spotted a second I snapped it up at the $90 asking price.

Jim March

 

[Bill McWilliams]

I have a small liner lock manufactured by Koncept ASA. It is a very well made knife with an ATS-34 drop point blade, black anodized aluminum frame and a walker-type liner lock.
The knife's blade resembles that of the Spyderco Tim Wegner Jr without the hole or associated hump.
The frame, liner lock and blade thickness are all more massive than the Wegner.
Its a no-frills, heavy-duty utility folder that begs to be used.
I have heard that Spyderco purchased Koncept for their US manufacturing facility. I have no facts to substantiate this other than it makes sense as the quality of the Koncept is right up there with Spyderco.
Wish I had another one.
Later, Bill

 

[booshank]

The Spyderco Renegade. OK its only a lock-back (not a liner lock--thats been the rage these days), the cutting edge to handle length ratio isn't the best, the blade remains a bit fragile at the tip, its not made out of a fadish steel (gin-1 as opposed to ATS34 or 55, etc) and it never got the hype of the AFCK or similar ilk. Still its very slim, relatively inexpensive, ergonomoic handle, good cutting belly on the blade and it makes a great travel knife.

Brian

 

[Sid Post]

In the "Likewise, there are more than a few that were hyped immensely, but still failed because they, for lack of a better term, suck." group I will nominate one that is apt to be controversial.

The Benchmade 975SBT. While I don't own the others in this family I'm sure they probably have the same traits that I dislike about this knife.

It doesn't cut well for me in "normal" usuage. Maybe if I was a southpaw things would be different but, I'm right handed and not very ambidextrous. Couldn't they at least grind the blade for right handers? I know, I know...it wouldn't photograph nice if they did.

It's chisel ground. Sure it's great for very shallow cuts but, that is a very small percentage of my cuts and it just doesn't work well for the majority of my usage.

It's tanto profile may be great for punching through things like car doors and oil drums but, a card board box, airline bagel, and the like really don't pose a threat to the tip of any knife of reasonable quality. It won't spread peanut butter or jelly very well when scraped out of those little plastic-tin foil individual serving pieces you find at breakfast buffets and similar places and spreading mustard at a picnic is pretty marginal.

The serrations on this combo blade. Why? In general I have grown a dis-taste for all 50-50 combo blades. If I want a serrated blade, I want the whole thing serrated. The vast majority of the time I need a straight edge and the serrations mean I loose half the useful length of my blade. I think I can make up my mind most of the time whether I want serrated blade or not. 50-50 combo blades I guess work if I can't make up my mind.

A liner lock Tanto format folder seems like an oxymoron at this point in time. A fixed blade Tanto like the Cold Steel mini-Magnum or similar, okay, but a folder? .... serrated? .... liner lock .... yep, I fell for the hype with that purchase.

There are a couple good things about it though. It has traditional good Benchmade quality and is Black-T coated.

What have I learned? Don't believe everything you read. Ask around before you spend your hard earned money, after all the hype dies down a bit. As mentioned by our "FAQ" guru, a straight edge sharpened very well with a piece done to a rougher grit does not destroy the benefits of a straight edge and retains the combo edge type performance for many things when it is needed (rarely in my case). Something with belly in it works better - Sebenza and EDI come to mind off the top my head. At least now, I have a much better understanding of what I need in a knife.

Sid

 

[brian w edginton]

I am kinda partial to Lakota folders. I have the ProHawk model and it works great. The style is a bit odd, I suppose but it grows on you. The AUS8 steel is not state of the art but is low maintenance....comes up nicely with a few wipes on the Gerber steel.
Standard of manufacture is excellent(made by Moki). Seems exceptionally strong and the backlock is solid. The most ergonomically friendly large folder I own.
Brunton do not seem to have bothered with promotion it would seem....their Lakota page on the website has been under construction for 18 months at least.
Next time I see one of the smaller models I will probably grab it.....if my credit card ever recovers .

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Brian W E
ICQ #21525343

 

[thaddeus]

One knife that not only has *great* handle ergonomics, but is also really under-rated is the Gerber EZ-Out. I have one of these that has been kicking around forever (wish mine were plainedge instead of 50/50...) and everytime I pick it up, I am impressed with the great comfort out of a cheap plastic handle with unique rubber "flaps". What a great design, very much overlooked because it doesn't have that "coolness" facter, IMHO.

One of these days I will get one in plain edge ATS-34 (wonder if it is heat treated well?).
The Gerber EZ-Out has got to be my favorite lightweight (Zytel handled) folder.


thaddeus

 

[Gus Kalanzis]

Great to see another Lakota fan. I agree that they are an extreamly well made factory knife. There is little if any demand for them in my area, so the few I have are now relagated to my collection.

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 03 December 1998).]