Overrated Blades

Bucky, I bought a recon 1 a while back and the knife is fine. While the blade steel is 440A and the handle is zytel, it otherwise, is a very sturdy folder. i havent had any problems with it.

As far as the hype, the emreson's are good folders, Ive owned a few, but no better than benchmades, cuda's, or similar ones.
 
The Cliphanger was certainly not worthy of the full-page glossy color ads in all the outdoor-oriented magazines. But of course I figured that. Someone gave me one as a gift anyway...

I really like my Spyderco knives... Durable, inexpensive, well-made.

The knives that (to me anyway) don't live up to the hype are the $150-and-up high-tech 'tactical' knives. I haven't handled a lot of them, but for the money I'd rather have a classy knife - hunting or pocket - with natural handle materials and a purpose other than "deanimation."

DarkOps? Who's to say they don't live up to the hype? No one's ever seen their vapor-products.

-Bob
 
true, it is hard to see "vapor" products ;)

The clip hanger was a joke, at best. I had a few they were great for cutting open boxes, opening letters and the like.

I prefer a nice SJ myself.
 
I bought a Kabar Dozier Thorn when I was looking for a folder in D2.
When I opened it by flicking, the blade came around past the 180 degree mark to the point where it hit the back of my fingers. I called Kabar to complain, and they were most unhelpful, to say the least. Now I know that we shouldn't flick our knives, but I expect more from a folder that expensive. Upshot: based on customer service, or lack of same--I won't buy another Kabar. Fixed blade, folder--doesn't matter.
 
hmmmm....I like benchmade's, I would have to say, that although they arent cheap, they are worth the money.

Im surprised kabar would not help you, that's really strange.
 
Chris Reeve knives. I got a large Sebenza used at a fair price. But truthfully I expected more for all the hype these knives get. It doesn't seem to be any smoother to me than some of the standard Buck and Kershaw knives I got from Wal-Mart but I expect the parts used in this knife are on the higher end for quality and longevity.

Also, I am of the opinion that the Reeve Sebenza is ugly. This kind of made me wonder why all the hype over this one folder. Maybe it is the performance over time with tough use I don't know. Several people told me that this was the best engineered folder available, so I bought it even though I didn't really like the look of it. Seems to me that the Emerson, Strider, William Henry, and Benchmade knives are just as well engineered as this one and they are good looking to boot.

I have not taken my Sebenza apart and probably won't. I'll never know about it's EDC uses because carrying it is not an option where I live. I don't like the way it sits in my pocket and in my state and every state near me it is illegal because of the blade length. So, instead of keeping it I'm giving it to my son when he returns from Iraq. I'm sure he'll like it just fine.
 
I would say Emerson. The fit and finish is poor and they can't cut well. They are also way overpriced.
 
I like my Benchmade AFCK axis lock. In fact, I LOVE it!

I've handled the emersons, and yes I too feel the fit and finish were poor.

Haven't handled a sebbie, but from everything I've read and heard, it's a true performer. But I will admit, william henry knives look better.
 
Ok I like Benchmade and love Spyderco. The BM 710 (esp. HS),805,806D2, 940, and 690 are simply some of the finest folders money can buy. High-end Spydercos (Military, Chinook, Manix, Civilian, ATR, etc.) are some of the BEST knives out there period. And I forsee a Cuda Dominator and Aftermath in my future:) Also Buck Striders are awesome, any of these knives can be flicked or take practically any other kind of abuse they can be put through.

Most overrated knife, ANYTHING made by Cold Steel :( Also I am not a fan of Kershaws (quality is good, just don't like them esp use of 440A steel). Schrade Cliphangers did really suck, and I don't buy anything Gerber, Frost, or United either.
 
Embarrassed to say I bought a CRKT folding KISS a few years ago when they first hit the market. Thought it was a nifty design and might make a good, cheap beater for things I didn't want to use my better knives for... What I didn't realize is that the damn things are downright dangerous. After cutting a severe gash in a finger when the lock failed I threw the POS in the trash. (didn't want to take a chance on someone else cutting themselves by giving it away)
 
Boozoo Chavis said:
Embarrassed to say I bought a CRKT folding KISS a few years ago when they first hit the market. Thought it was a nifty design and might make a good, cheap beater for things I didn't want to use my better knives for... What I didn't realize is that the damn things are downright dangerous. After cutting a severe gash in a finger when the lock failed I threw the POS in the trash. (didn't want to take a chance on someone else cutting themselves by giving it away)
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I don't know, man. In fairness to CRKT they were once very promising (See Hammond Mirage) and even after they started beadblasting every blade they made they still had their moments (M-16) and I think the folding KISS was one of those moments. Heck, Gerber and one or two other companies came out with similar designs because so many KISSes were being sold.

As far as your experience goes, the KISS was never designed to be used as a beater or anything more, really, that a money clip that made a decent 'gentleman's' knife. That lock was definately not designed for work, but rather to hold the blade open long enough for you to cut an uncomfortable tag off your girlfriend's dress.
 
I had an older CRKT m-16 and the screws kept coming out to the point
that I lost some of them. And as far as emerson I have a srk that has
the same problem. I do own a crawford that fits my hand well, haven't
used it heavily yet but do carry a diamond rod for camping.
 
I agree, partially - The fit and finish is below par for the price range. But Strider really isn't selling fit and finish(other than their tiger stripe camo etc.). They are selling indestructability. And I have not been able to destroy my 4" EB-AC Airwing in S30V.

Now, when they were asking $250-350 for ATS-34 and BG-42 knives - I felt they weren't even on the edge as far as value(pun intended). But for the amount of metal and strength you get in an Strider S30V blade, it's nearly reasonable. Afterall, a Camillus Cuda S30V Dominator folder will run you about $140 street, and has a very poorly designed(or executed) liner lock, and the blade starts to get some play after a single day of using it for wrecking. $200 more got me 5X the knife in the Strider. It doesn't look as pretty as the Camillus, but it won't die, and it holds an edge rather well, and will still cut paper better than my Kershaw pocket razor will. I routinely use my Strider to pry doors away from car frames to sneak in lock-picking tools and it's never bent or warped or really taken much scratches.
If you want something more affordable, the Buck Strider and Tirani/SB.4T are an excellent value. BOS tempered blades in a solid design(assuming you have the most recent version of the tarani) often found for $100 or less on the street. My ATS-34 SB.4T keeps chuggin right along. It puts the Cuda Dominator to shame at $50 less cost.

WYK
 
biggest dissapointment to me was the kerambit, got a blade tech master model,too hard to open, handle didnt fit my hand, actually i thought the whole concept sucked.

#2 is the spyderco ATR, great design, great materials, BUT they open up in your pocket wayyyyy to easy imho, this one makes me sick, barring the opening in your pocket, an excellent knife imho.
 
I'll say something I gonna be burrned at stake for, but...

BM 705.
From what I heard of it, it sounded like Holy Grail of an EDC. I tried it and... Is it a toy? An Action Man accesory? No, it is a 705, nearly a BM's flagship. Great dissapointment...
 
Aside from the fact that the 705 is very well build, I agree with you. It's just too damn small. I prefer the grown-up version :)
 
WYK said:
I routinely use my Strider to pry doors away from car frames to sneak in lock-picking tools and it's never bent or warped or really taken much scratches.
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You routinely pry open car doors to use your lock-picking devices? What?
 
Smith and Wesson knives. Bad fit weak lock, sad to see (once) good firarm company tarninshing its image with these.

Jeremy
 
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