Production Knife Rankings

It's a little hard to make a clear distinction. On your "controversial" ones, some knives from any of those manufacturers are lower end (Some Bucks, for example), but others are definitely professional to elite (Again Bucks, some Buck/Striders & Buck/Mayos are outstanding).

The plain Rangers are in the professional range, IMHO, but Justin can add some options (Usually within the time-frame posted), & kick out some definite elite.

Interesting thread, though.
 
Holy Grail: folders: Sebenza Fixed: busse

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Elite: folders: Strider Fixed: Rats? K9 Dingo?

Professional: Folders:Benchmade, Spyderco Fixed:Fallkniven

Conventional: CRKT, Buck, Ka-Bar

Bargin Bin: Gerber, chinese companies
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This is what I think, but im no expert. especially not fixed blades
 
While I'm not intending to piss anybody off, I'm not trying to please everyone either. I'm no expert. But I wanted to generate some discussion and gets some differing opinions. I was hoping to get some consensus and general idea on where some of these different brands stack up to one another. Its by no means perfect, but it is interesting. I'm sure Ranger knives can produce some elite quality knives. But I find it very interesting that everyone (so far) has agreed that Benchmade are professional knives but not as elite as say Microtech. Or how everyone seems to agree that Strider and Reeve's Sebenza are Holy Grail level. or how nearly everyone agrees Gerber are conventional level. There will always be some "brands" that will never fit in one class or category. Knives are too personal a tool. So please keep the comments coming. All are appreciated!
 
Though the answers are subjective and therefore difficult to come to a serious consensus, I think that it would be better to rate models as opposed to entire companies since each company carries various levels of quality knives. Generally speaking, I like Benchmade over Cold Steel, but I'd easily choose certain CS models over certain BM models. And FWIW, no company would actually fit under the "Holy Grail" definition IMHO.
 
I think we are getting a good idea of what the general community thinks. While we will all be able to agree that Chinese crap and walmart knockoffs are bargain bin. I think it is enlightening how people see certain models as being able to transcend their manufacturers category.
 
That was my point. What good is a production knife if its not available when you want it and can't be replaced in a reasonable time if need be. One reason that me and custom knives not mix, I have a flaw in my character, when I want something, I want it NOW or yesterday.
 
I find it interesting that no one has mentioned Emerson knives at all. After seriously looking into production folders for a good while, I didn't find anything else that impressed me as much (except for maybe that 9Line Knives Sin line--but I couldn't ever actually handle one of those). I would have figured them to be considered at least, "elite". I am definitely looking into either a Busse or a RatCutlery RC-3 for an FB, though.
 
udtjim said:
That was my point. What good is a production knife if its not available when you want it and can't be replaced in a reasonable time if need be. One reason that me and custom knives not mix, I have a flaw in my character, when I want something, I want it NOW or yesterday.
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Amen! I know the feeling. ;)

I agree that quality can vary in some lines. Which I actually like. Some have basic users as well as high enders as well. Something for every one. :)
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Randall Made knives. I would think they would be in the Holy Grail section.
 
udtjim said:
That was my point. What good is a production knife if its not available when you want it and can't be replaced in a reasonable time if need be. One reason that me and custom knives not mix, I have a flaw in my character, when I want something, I want it NOW or yesterday.
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:thumbup::thumbup: Amen to this! This may not be a good place to bring this up but it's been grating on me for awihle; but when you go to their web site and can't even look at their knives and knife specs (without going through a bunch of mumbo jumbo on a "rat chat" fourm to find them) I don't consider that a production knife either.

Excellent thread. I believe that it should be split into folders and fix blade sections.

Folders: Holy Grail Strider
Elite Microtech, Emerson
Pro Benchmade Spyderco
General CS Kershaw Camillus Buck Gerber

Wuff
 
one_half_wuff said:
:thumbup::thumbup: Amen to this! This may not be a good place to bring this up but it's been grating on me for awihle; but when you go to their web site and can't even look at their knives and knife specs (without going through a bunch of mumbo jumbo on a "rat chat" fourm to find them) I don't consider that a production knife either.

Wuff
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Not sure what your getting at, but if I would hazard a guess your talking about Swamp Rat knives? Its not a production knife company. Its a semi production, or mid tech if you will, facility.
 
What do you guys think of Al Mar knives? How are their locking system on the shrike and sere 2000?
 
udtjim said:
when I want something, I want it NOW or yesterday.
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crazy_fat_kid.gif
 
Ritch357, I would put Randall Knives as custom per our definition, a 5 year wait (last I heard) is not quite the "I want it know!" that we're aiming for.

Other then that, with the limited amount of knives I have (that whole marriage/kids thing takes all my money) I'd agree with Busse and CRK as the top tier.
 
Kaizen1 said:
Though the answers are subjective and therefore difficult to come to a serious consensus, I think that it would be better to rate models as opposed to entire companies since each company carries various levels of quality knives. Generally speaking, I like Benchmade over Cold Steel, but I'd easily choose certain CS models over certain BM models. And FWIW, no company would actually fit under the "Holy Grail" definition IMHO.
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I agree! The very first thing I look at is the steel. I like A-2, D-2, CPM D-2, M-2, S30V etc.

Next is the blade size and geometry. (Does it fit my hand, and is it appropriate for my intended use)

Fit and finish. Does it look and feel like quality.

Lastly, the maker's reputation.

For years, I had nothing but bad things to say about Buck knives, but I've had the opportunity to handle one of their S30V knives, and I'd have no problem buying it if I needed a knife in that category.

OTOH, I wouldn't even look at a beautiful high dollar, big name knife if it was made of 400 series or AUS series stainless. (exception: 440C)
 
For me it has settled down to this:

Holy Grail: Busse, Reeves Sebenza, Strider (folders only)

Elite: Swamp Rat, Bark River, Strider fixed, Rat Cutlery

Professional: Scrap Yard, Ontario RATs, Ranger, SOG, Emerson, and Cold Steel (in Carbon V)

Conventional: KaBar, Ontario and Camillus when still around

Bargin Bin: I don't waste my money on this
 
I know they are no longer in production, but I'm curious as to where any of you would rank the Beckers (BK-7, Brute, etc) produced by Camillus???
 
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