Preferences/Pet Peeves

Locutus D'Borg

Locutus D'Borg

Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
5,222
This is not an attack on knife makers or sellers. It is only what I would LIKE to see changed, and these are only MY personal opinions.

1) Bolsters: I like metal bolsters. Currently, some makers are creating bolsters (or faux bolsters) out of CF, Micarta, etc. and they just don't look right to my eye. Either on traditionals or moderns. I know, I'm old.

2) Makers, especially custom makers, who create "mini" or "micro" versions of their knives that have blades greater than 3", sometimes 3.1" or 3.25". It is well known that a number of states allow blades of 3" or less, so why would they not cater to this large group of buyers by making 3" versions? I know, artistic license, they have a right to satisfy their own knife vision. But still...

3) Sales on the exchange that don't list blade length. For reasons stated above, some of us like 3" or smaller blades. MANY sellers on the exchange are, shall I say, economical with info on their knives. Like we are supposed to know the models and specs of every brand! Blade length is kinda important, why not list it? If you really want to sell your knife, list details that buyers want to know. It will help your knife sell.

That's all for now. Please share your thoughts. And if this offended you (I hope not), go ahead and flame me, I'm kinda fire-proof by now. lol
 
One thing for me that immediately comes to mind: I absolutely cannot stand some of the customs you're starting to see where the bolster is made of a material like carbon fiber or wood, and the rest of the scale is the other of the two materials (carbon fiber or wood). There's just something about cf and wood sitting next to each other on a scale that I flat out don't like. It gets even worse when the maker chooses uncomplimentary patterns in both materials trying to raise the wow factor. Like, Dark Matter CF with a really well grained Cocobolo or whatever. Just does not go together, in my opinion.

You also see this same mixed media nonsense on some custom fixed blades where the maker will do half the handle in a nice wood, and then ruin it by making the other half in like, stag horn or bone or something. It always ends up looking like an Ebay "Pakimascus" knife.
 
Quiet said:
One thing for me that immediately comes to mind: I absolutely cannot stand some of the customs you're starting to see where the bolster is made of a material like carbon fiber or wood, and the rest of the scale is the other of the two materials (carbon fiber or wood). There's just something about cf and wood sitting next to each other on a scale that I flat out don't like. It gets even worse when the maker chooses uncomplimentary patterns in both materials trying to raise the wow factor. Like, Dark Matter CF with a really well grained Cocobolo or whatever. Just does not go together, in my opinion.

You also see this same mixed media nonsense on some custom fixed blades where the maker will do half the handle in a nice wood, and then ruin it by making the other half in like, stag horn or bone or something. It always ends up looking like an Ebay "Pakimascus" knife.
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Exactly. I realize makers want to experiment with designs, but I guess I'm too old for some of these "designs." You know, in the Old Testament I think there was an injunction against mixing fabrics. I wonder if we could have a similar injunction against mixed materials on scales. lol
 
A lot of companies are coming out with front/top flippers in traditional looking designs, like Civivi and Pena/Reate. I really like this idea, but I hesitated on the Pena design because of the size. Normally, 2.75"+works fine for me. However, the top flipper design made me leery. I found out with the Civivi Appalachian drifter 2 I bought that in my hands it would work fine in a regular flipper or if it were a Mckenna/Exarch etc style front flipper. However, it is just very very awkward. If it were 3.25"+ it would have been great. I love the idea of a this type of knife, less threatening look with a fidget friendly design, but if you wear a size large glove, a sub 3" design is awkward.

I agree with Quiet on the mix of materials. The mix of CF bolster with Snakeskin micarta in person bothered me on the Appalachian drifter 2, more in person than online. I'm not sure why this is popular. Seeing two different types of CF on the same handle is an even stranger aesthetic.
 
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K.O.D. said:
A lot of companies are coming out with front/top flippers in traditional looking designs, like Civivi and Pena/Reate. I really like this idea, but I hesitated on the Pena design because of the size. Normally, 2.75"+works fine for me. However, the top flipper design made me leery. I found out with the Civivi Appalachian drifter 2 I bought that in my hands it would work fine in a regular flipper or if it were a Mckenna/Exarch etc style front flipper. However, it is just very very awkward. If it were 3.25"+ it would have been great. I love the idea of a this type of knife, less threatening look with a fidget friendly design, but if you wear a size large glove, a sub 3" design is awkward.
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You make good points. I would like to see makers produce regular-size knives (3.5"ish) for those who want, need, or legally can carry them. And 3" or less for those who want or need those. That's why I like BM because they make a regular size and a mini of many models.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
You make good points. I would like to see makers produce regular-size knives (3.5"ish) for those who want, need, or legally can carry them. And 3" or less for those who want or need those. That's why I like BM because they make a regular size and a mini of many models.
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I'll agree that its nice when manufacturer's offer multiple sizes in the same or at least similar models, though I swore off Benchmade years ago.

I like seeing new opening mechanisms though, I abhor thumbs studs, especially conical ones. I'm glad different companies are expanding, I love hole openers especially.
 
My biggest pet peeve is restaurants that don't serve dark beer ;)

With knives...I'm personally not a fan of deep carry clips. I do understand why many prefer them, and I don't mind it too much when they're executed well for a particular knife (the Adamas comes to mind), but for the most part I try to avoid knives that have them as the only option. I like a bit of my knife sticking out of the pocket, just personal preference.
 
Some good points. My one change would be with the specs. If it is a custom or a very small run on a knife I am fine with people dropping specs in but really not necessary on production blades that are easily looked up. No reason to have a mile long post filled with a detailed spec sheet on a PM2 or a Bugout when one can find that information within a few keystrokes
 
sixplymaple said:
I strongly dislike new members/sellers on here accepting only Paypal Friends & Family. If you have little to no feedback, who do you think you are? IMO reputation & respect on here is earned…
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You had me at "I strongly dislike new members/sellers"

I do agree, I dislike Paypal F&F, even BF discourages it.

To compound on that, it annoys me when new sellers can't take the time to learn to post pics. If it is so urgent you get it listed, you should figure it all out rather than making people wait. Its like clickbait in a way...

Gives me the impression of a shady seller, someone who is trying to sell something sight unseen to an unsuspecting buyer.
 
c7m2p3 said:
Some good points. My one change would be with the specs. If it is a custom or a very small run on a knife I am fine with people dropping specs in but really not necessary on production blades that are easily looked up. No reason to have a mile long post filled with a detailed spec sheet on a PM2 or a Bugout when one can find that information within a few keystrokes
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I get that, but most buyers on this forum want to know blade steel and length. I personally am not going to google every knife for sale to find out info that should be on the listing. I just move to the next knife.
There are sellers that don't even post a photo, they expect you to search for it on the internet. Sorry, that does not work for me. Maybe I'm stubborn, but if you are selling something you should give at least the basics.
 
My biggest pet peeve here lately are choils that take away usable blade area (the MOST usable part of the blade, in fact) on short fixed blades. It’s annoying as hell to me.

My favorite manufacturer has stated that’s just the way it is and will never change. Good nuff. That was all I needed to check out other manufacturers…

On folders it’s blade play on expensive knives. If junk Chinese makers can nail that every single time, quality US manufacturers damn sure should too.
 
I hate bladeplay. I can deal with centering issues, as long as there’s no rubbing, but I HATE when my multiple hundred dollar knife isn’t solid at all.

I’m also the guy who can hear when knives have bladeplay, so it bothers me every time I open said knives.

Still working on learning to tune my new Shiro Quantum G2, so it’ll have the trifecta of drop shut action, perfect centering, and no bladeplay. It bothers me some that I have to tune it, when, as Antdog mentioned, I have $100 Chinese made folders that just nail it without any work at all.

I can’t really say newer sellers bother me (because I am one), but it definitely makes me wary when people are restrictive with photographs and general information about anything. Sometimes there’s not a need to give the whole six photos that it takes to properly describe an entire knife, but c’mon guys, give us at least one…

Videos are immensely valuable to buyers, in my opinion. It’s much harder to “hide” things in a video, and much easier for buyers to get a “feel” for what they’re buying.

As for F&F… BF recommends that everyone use and be happy with G&S for good reason, but I think that if ether party wants to take the additional risk upon themselves, they should be allowed to. Buyers being upset that a seller won’t take a certain payment method is kinda silly. Just ignore their listing! For me, I like to offer both F&F and G&S for the additional few percent. If people want it, they have fair pricing for G&S.

People who don’t leave feedback peeve me. I don’t have enough of it to waste transactions.

I think I’ll fourth or fifth on the “wood plus two kinds of cf” gripe.

Linerlocks with titanium scales bother me. I want a framelock on my full-Ti knife.
 
AntDog said:
My biggest pet peeve here lately are choils that take away usable blade area (the MOST usable part of the blade, in fact) on short fixed blades. It’s annoying as hell to me.

My favorite manufacturer has stated that’s just the way it is and will never change. Good nuff. That was all I needed to check out other manufacturers…

On folders it’s blade play on expensive knives. If junk Chinese makers can nail that every single time, quality US manufacturers damn sure should too.
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Who's the manufacturer?
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
3) Sales on the exchange that don't list blade length. For reasons stated above, some of us like 3" or smaller blades. MANY sellers on the exchange are, shall I say, economical with info on their knives. Like we are supposed to know the models and specs of every brand! Blade length is kinda important, why not list it? If you really want to sell your knife, list details that buyers want to know. It will help your knife sell.
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The advertising "skill" of sellers on the Exchange (and elsewhere) varies greatly.

You'd think that people who want to sell "something" would provide as much information as possible in order to sell what they want to sell BUT the lack of descriptive info, the lack of photos and the lack of other basic "sales" information is very common here and elsewhere.

If someone has not listed enough information on a knife that I am "interested" in, I simply research the knife (if I don't know anything about it already) which is pretty easy to do in this day and age and, if that's not sufficient, I'll query the seller directly.
 
sgt1372 said:
The advertising "skill" of sellers on the Exchange (and elsewhere) varies greatly.

You'd think that people who want to sell "something" would provide as much information as possible in order to sell what they want to sell BUT the lack of descriptive info, the lack of photos and the lack of other basic "sales" information is very common here and elsewhere.

If someone has not listed enough information on a knife that I am "interested" in, I simply research the knife (if I don't know anything about it already) which is pretty each to do in this day and age and, if that's now sufficient, I'll query the seller directly.
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I acknowledge that we are dealing with human nature: in general (meaning there are exceptions), people believe their items/objects are worth more than they are (at market value) AND people assume others are familiar with THEIR objects. I have found this applies to knives, cars, watches, guns, etc.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
This is not an attack on knife makers or sellers. It is only what I would LIKE to see changed, and these are only MY personal opinions.

1) Bolsters: I like metal bolsters. Currently, some makers are creating bolsters (or faux bolsters) out of CF, Micarta, etc. and they just don't look right to my eye. Either on traditionals or moderns. I know, I'm old.

2) Makers, especially custom makers, who create "mini" or "micro" versions of their knives that have blades greater than 3", sometimes 3.1" or 3.25". It is well known that a number of states allow blades of 3" or less, so why would they not cater to this large group of buyers by making 3" versions? I know, artistic license, they have a right to satisfy their own knife vision. But still...

3) Sales on the exchange that don't list blade length. For reasons stated above, some of us like 3" or smaller blades. MANY sellers on the exchange are, shall I say, economical with info on their knives. Like we are supposed to know the models and specs of every brand! Blade length is kinda important, why not list it? If you really want to sell your knife, list details that buyers want to know. It will help your knife sell.

That's all for now. Please share your thoughts. And if this offended you (I hope not), go ahead and flame me, I'm kinda fire-proof by now. lol
Click to expand...

When you're starting with a custom that's got a 4-inch blade, 3.5" qualifies as "mini." That's the naming convention Brian Nadeau uses, except his "micro" knives are 2 7/8-inch.
 
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