Poll about knife brands

Which do you all prefer?

  • Total voters
    149
  • Poll closed .
Old Engineer said:
Your Percentage Calculations are not correct .

Harry
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Interesting observation. My speculation is because multiple votes are allowed and the software divides by the number who voted.
 
I voted for Schrade/Uncle Henry knives but only if they are the USA made knives. You can still find a virtually new in the box stockman for half the price of a GEC. Not bashing at all, because I have 4 GEC 66’s and a Pony Jack and they are exceptionally well made.
 
Pàdruig said:
This is one of those discussions that will never fail to pop up (even in threads where it wasn't the original topic). I have opinions, as everyone else here has as well.

GEC is definitely going to take the lead when it comes to better execution of patterns, superior quality control, and a premium product offered at a decent price (the latter point is most certainly a matter of opinion and is based on one's individual perspective). GEC isn't infallible however, and there are certainly things that I criticize them on with regards to their dyeing processes, jigging, and some of their choices with regards to some of their finishes. Lack of stainless options doesn't bother me as I do not mind patina and generally take good care of my knives. I also vastly prefer good ol' 1095 over most of the 440s and their equivalents.

Case comes in second for me as I have some very good Case knives but I also have had some very not-so-good Case knives. I don't like their stainless steel at all but their CV is quite excellent. I don't like that everything seems to be "rounded" but that is simply me nit-picking somewhat. Aside from the garish covers, spotty QC, and limited CV offerings, you can still get a quality modern Case knife and they make for terrific users at a good price.

My experience with Buck slipjoints is limited to the standard 110s and the recent 301 we had made up for our 2018 Forum knife. Robust construction, no frills design, and very good stainless options make for a knife that folks shouldn't hesitate to put to significant and heavy use. However, they have a propensity towards leaving a lot of material behind the edges of their knives and therefore they make for less efficient cutters than the other offerings on the list.

I have limited experience with Rough Ryder (having only one). I think they are a good option to utilize when wanting to try out new patterns without breaking the bank.

US made Schrade is hard to beat for the value (or at least, used to be). Scarcity will always drive up demand as well as prices so most of the ones I come across will cost as much as a new Case or more theses days unless I get lucky at a garage sale or thrift store (happens rarely). I simply stay away from any of the new Schrade stuff - it's similar to Rough Ryder in terms of quality and it's entirely possible that they are manufactured in similar, if not the same, facilities.
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I concur!
 
For a working knife that will hold an edge and for my money it is Buck and they blow the competition away with their lock backs and the 110/112 models. I have one GEC model 29 stockyard whittler and it is really nice and holds a decent edge. I don't like the half stops at all and I wish it had good stainless blades. GEC is good and expensive but they can’t crank out the stainless steel blades. I have some Case models but their steel is like a half cooked noodle and won’t hold an edge except one trapper that has 154cm blades. The new Schrade and the RR knives I’m not interested in. The old USA Schrades were decent knives I wish they were still making them.

So I voted Buck.
 
Rascal8399 said:
What do you all prefer brand wise and think which one is the best quality for the money? Feel free to add any other brands you all think are good brands.
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To answer the specific questions:

My preference brand wise is GEC. In a time when you're relegated to online purchases, consistent quality is very important to me. They're not perfect 100% of the time, but GEC is the most reliable brand across its entire line. Not every pattern has been a total success, but even the worst offerings are pretty good.

The best quality for the money is tougher to nail down. GEC is the safe bet, but is definitely more expensive. I use some of mine (a couple get used a lot), and they're definitely built to be put to work.

Rough Ryder does make decent knives for a very low price. I've owned several, and have accepted many flaws, simply because they're so inexpensive. Most of the flaws don't affect function, however. As was mentioned earlier, this may be the absolute best way to try out new patterns.

For me, the wild card for "quality vs price" is Case. There are a few patterns that I personally feel are excellent value. For me, the mini copper lock, and medium stockman are excellent knives for the price. And I just plain old love the tribal lock. I've had a few Case knives that I was very disappointed with, and buying site unseen can be risky. The ones I use are up to the task.

I'd rank Rough Ryder over modern Schrade offerings.

I only have one Buck traditional knife (and a few moderns). I think as a brand Buck is great overall, but I can't speak to their traditionals due to lack of experience with them.
 
Figures. My two choices are at the bottom of the barrel ... or perhaps under the barrel. :)
Is OK, I ain't gonna change my votes. No one ever accused me of being "normal", and if anyone ever did, she/he/it/they would be lying. :D
(I may be mistaken, but being "normal"/part of the "in crowd" sounds a bit boring.)
 
I have a couple each of GEC, Schrade, Buck and Case knives. I regularly carry a GEC 43 or a 77 and they have issues that anyone would expect out of lesser priced knives. The 43 has blade rap and the 77 didn’t take the dye and looks pink near the bolster. I find it odd that people seem to give GEC a pass when it comes to these issues while they discount other brands for the same or similar issues. Is it that we want to over look issues based on the price we pay, the “exclusivity”, or the buying pressure every time a different pattern is offered up? In all honesty I would take an older Camillus over a new GEC any day and the favorite of all my knives is a no name German stockman.
 
Norcaldude said:
Which do you prefer?
1: apples
2: oranges
3: cough drops found in your pants after they have been through the wash
4: M&Ms
5: whiskey
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Of these choices, only one is both descriptive, and its own phonetic alphabet listing. So.....

Alpha
Oscar
Charlie
Mike
Whiskey

You do the math. :D


And to the original question.... GEC for most consistent quality (value plays a role, but not exactly "bargain" value). RR for absolute "bang for the buck". Though still consider the two "Alphas to Oscars" in comparison.

So may be of no surprise that I have a metric boat load of RR's, a number of GEC's, and two or three Bucks. Also from before I really knew what direction my collection was going, acquired a number of Schrade (and friends), that were purchased mostly off pre-70's brand name goodwill.
 
Mitt said:
I have a couple each of GEC, Schrade, Buck and Case knives. I regularly carry a GEC 43 or a 77 and they have issues that anyone would expect out of lesser priced knives. The 43 has blade rap and the 77 didn’t take the dye and looks pink near the bolster. I find it odd that people seem to give GEC a pass when it comes to these issues while they discount other brands for the same or similar issues. Is it that we want to over look issues based on the price we pay, the “exclusivity”, or the buying pressure every time a different pattern is offered up? In all honesty I would take an older Camillus over a new GEC any day and the favorite of all my knives is a no name German stockman.
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I certainly don't give GEC a pass on such issues. I moved my 43 due to its anemic action and it's significant blade rap. I understand that blade rap is not an uncommon thing in traditional knives and there are ways to alleviate it but it is one of the very few things that really "grind my gears", so to speak... I traded it to a buddy though and it's become one of his favorite pocket knives

I also have been regularly critical of their dyeing.

From the most recent run of 85s, I received two - one had blade rap and the other had a terrible (in my opinion) dye job.

GEC is most definitely not beyond reproach but I would still argue that the lemons are considerably rarer than the lemons you might experience with other brands. Overall though, my impressions have been favorable so I will continue to buy and will just deal with any potential future lemons on a case by case basis.
 
These brands fit very different niches in the knife world.
Case, regular EDC (most frequently carried for me), affordable quality pocketknives.
Buck Knife, THE working knife of the American knife world, whether it be folding hunter or fixed blade, they have something for the outdoorsman, the Soldier, the laboring worker, etc. My choice for hunting, fishing, outdoors use.
GEC, the keeper of the ancient pattern and old ways - small amounts of very good stuff - worth the aggravating chase at times.
Imperial - Schrade USA, a constant reminder of what has been lost to American manufacturing - enough out there that everyone can still have one.
I need some of all of them!
OH
 
This Buck 501 was just shy of $130USD and is in S30V steel.

Fit and finish is outstanding with nary a nail-catch anywhere to be found. Blade is centered and lock up is rock solid.

For me, this is a great value.

rSha4Rc.jpg
 
Strictly quality/price it is the ancient Schrade. Other than that, it is a GEC world. So yeah, gala and pink lady.
 
Norcaldude said:
Which do you prefer?
1: apples
2: oranges
3: cough drops found in your pants after they have been through the wash
4: M&Ms
5: whiskey
Click to expand...
Drop #3 into #5 and have that with a couple handfuls of #4.

I see talk of USA made Schrade/Imperial and just wanting to make sure I am not mistaken but I believe current production is all overseas now and no new knives under those names are being made in the USA. I read the list as current production new model knives if we include knives you can find with NOS why not add Queen/Schatt & Morgan, Schrade/Imperial, Winchester, & Camilus on there any of those brands when made in the USA are solid options and I am sure I have left some others out too. I also notice Victorinox and Boker are not listed which Boker has plenty of traditional patterns and Victorinox is a simple common EDC pocket slipjoint. I can understand leaving off the modern traditionals of LionSteel and Viper but I know some of the Italian brands do and still make true traditionals namely Maserin & Fox I know have some.
 
I have to say that for me, it's essentially GEC and that's about it on the Traditional front. A couple of months ago, I had dipped my toes back into the slipjoint waters by buying a few Schatt & Morgans that caught my eye, but the issues with them were multi-fold. Barely any edge to the blades, all three were new old stock, and yet had blades that rubbed, and in one case, the shield was so poorly inset that I ended up sending it back.

Every GEC I've purchased, even those which have been sight unseen, have been perfect. I haven't ever been a fan of Buck's traditionals, and RR...well, I'll step past that topic. Classic Schrades look nice, so I'd definitely not have an issue purchasing any of those that caught my interest. I've got a few Case knives, but they're just...well, they're worth the price I paid and not much more.
 
In the original post the question was best quality for the price. I think it also depends if you are a collector or an avid user. Collectors are more concerned with fit and finish, and materials that are representative of classic or contemporary design.

Avid users will be more concerned with durability, toughness, function and overall performance in spite of classic looks, fit and finish. I don’t have anything against a nice looking fine knife but after they’ve been in rough use for a while they won’t have the shinny show room looks they had when new. So quality is subjective when you consider what the actual reason for owning knives are. What it comes down to is it for looks or performance.
 
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