Pictures can be deceiving

jmclfrsh

jmclfrsh

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Dec 1, 2012
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Ever see a knife in person, after looking at them forever online, and being shocked at their actual size?

I finally held a small Sebenza the other day after owning 8 large ones, mostly Umnumzaans. I could not believe how small it was!

When told a Mnandi was even smaller, I rethought my online viewing experience.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

Get something in the mail, or see it in person, only to realize the picture in your mind was watching another channel?
 
For sure. I bought a ZT0300 from another fellow on the forums, it's HUGE! Gave it to the old man, and he keeps it in his pack while hiking now.
 
Just got a Kershaw OD-2 in the mail... I knew it was small, but good lord. Love the OD mechanism though. Fun little toy.
 
There are multiple knives that this happened to me with. I bought a Zing and when it arrived, I was disappointed at how small it was. It'll probably go on the Exchange here soon.
 
I cannot hold onto a small; I carry a large and a Umnumzaan. I love Spyderco Sage series and Caly series...knives that have a 3" blade and a FULL-SIZED grip of 4.3-4.3" closed length. At least, I need that length.
The small Sebbie is actually just LESS than 4" closed length...too small for me...just right for lots of others, though.
Just check first...
 
Almost every knife I've ever bought has been like this. The size is always completely different in person.
But most of the time it's actually better, so I don't mind the deception.
 
Yes i was very surprised when i got my paramilitary 2. Alot bigger than i was expecting! Kinda funny that no matter how many videos and size comparisons you see it's always different in person
 
I was (unpleasantly) surprised at how small the Kershaw Emerson CQC4 was once mine arrived. Kept it about 3 days then decided to return it, just wasn't for me..
 
That why it's necessary to go over product specifications prior to buying online. Print out a page of product specifications on paper, and then compare the products that you're interested in getting. Also have a ruler ready, so you can get a good idea of what it will be like.
 
Spyderco Dragonfly. I knew it was a little knife but when it came in the mail I wasn't sure how much pocket time it would see. Then I put it in my hand. Rode with me every day after that haha.

Kershaw Thermite also surprised me. It seems really long. I suppose because of how thin it is. But I love that damn knife. I carry it constantly.
 
ZT0801. Was not prepared for how monstrous of a knife it is.
 
Ka-Bar Mini Dozier. When it came in the mail I was pretty surprised at how small it was. Nice little knife though for $12
 
Definitely done that before. That's why I've tried to rely more on actual specs than pics & vids to make the final decision. For example, I'm kinda with Sonny in the sense that I've come to realize I need at least 4" of handle space or its going to be too small for me. That can get tricky when factoring in finger choils etc. but it really helps in ruling out knives right off the bat.
 
I've only purchased one 'online' knife. :( It's a survival type knife (which I'm learning is 'snake oil') and I was really surprised by how large/heavy it is. For it's design/use though, I can't complain one bit about how large it is. :)
 
Well the first time this happened was when i finally had gotten my spyderco ladybug 3 in. I didnt look at the specs but i thought i would have been bigger. Second/ third was when i got the spyderco delica and endura in hand. Thought the delica was bigger and i also imagined the endura was smaller. Next up was my thoughts on the dragonfly :) i too thought that was bigger. Also to follow this trend my kershaw emerson cqc-1k. Its tiny, i thought it would be bigger i mean really its super small, the 4 months waiting on preorder sorta hyped up my thoughts about the knife. Moral of the story? I need to read the specs and look at the list beyond blade steel :D, and pull out a ruler once i read the length. :) thats my instances, more will come guaranteed.
 
I guess I need to measure my palm width, never thought about that before. Good idea.

I know my Emerson a Horseman underwhelmed me, only because I felt it was too small. Kept it but ordered a regular CQC8 the day the Horseman arrived, and have been happy ever since. Giving the Horseman away to a nephew today ironically.

But that's just me, I prefer larger knives, 4"-ish, and to some 3" is their ideal size. Look at how many love the CRK small micarta Insingo as an EDC.

You guys have a great point though, I've always looked at specs but if one doesn't know the size of their hand, kinda pointless. I've always just winged it.
 
Going just by the specs doesn't always do justice to it. I think the most surprised I've been was with the AG Russell Ultimate Pen Knife. Spec-wise (going by blade length), it seemed to be between a SAK Classic and Ladybug, but in reality, it's substantially smaller than both. It is a really cool little knife, but definitely smaller than I was expecting.

When I do comparison pics, I try to put things into context by including knives that the OP has mentioned or other fairly well-known knives or other objects. Using a grid background can also help put things to scale.

Ladybug_UPK_ClassicSD_800x542.jpg
 
I try to include a ruler on many occasions, just to eliminate that cloudiness of measurement.
For instance...

 
K.O.D. said:
ZT0801. Was not prepared for how monstrous of a knife it is.
Click to expand...

Thank you!!! This was my exact reaction to the 0801.

It's size has grown on me since, but being a spyderco guy, it was definitely a lot more, uh...... substantial...... than I was at first prepared for. :D

Its a beast of a folder, to say the least:cool:
 
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