Severely underrated knives

[DMG]

D DMG

%37.2 of OAL of paramilitary 2 is cutting edge

%38.8 of overall length of a Military is cutting edge.

Most people think the PM2 is a great knife and its ratio is basically the same

As far as weight goes, divide weight by OAL and you get

Paramilitary 2 = .453oz/inch of OAL
Military = .442oz/inch of OAL

I respect your opinion. The great thing about our hobby is that there is something for everyone. I felt the same way as you about the ration of blade to handle when I bought a PM2 and when I bought the Millie. After I carried them a bit it didnt matter and I realized it was just an aesthetic thing. I thought it didnt look right, but after I gave it a chance and carried and used it, I realized it was a non issue.

It is a matter of opinion on my part and I get that not everyone agrees. It just bugs me to use up that much pocket space and weight for a small blade. I have bought and sold several PM2s, trying to like them. One of the many reasons I prefer the GB2, for example.

 

[Riz!]

GB 2 is an awesome choice. Kind of reminds me of what a sebenza would be if it was made spydero

 

[Arathol]

Your state may be an exception or you may have left out part of the statute but in almost every place where knives are regulated by length, they measure from the end of the handle to the tip of the blade. Your state probably will too.

A lot of assumptions with no facts.....
What I posted is the statute verbatim, as written in Chapter 943 of the State Statutes.
If you are going to carry a knife you better know what the laws actually are, not what you think they are.....really.....

 

[brancron]

Al Mar knives (the real ones that are no longer being made) were severely underrated by many (but not all) in the knife community.

 

[Arathol]

After I carried them a bit it didnt matter and I realized it was just an aesthetic thing. I thought it didnt look right, but after I gave it a chance and carried and used it, I realized it was a non issue.

Yes, a complete non-issue. In fact, if you use a knife for more than casual reasons, the small blade / large handle makes perfect sense. You really appreciate the design when its 10° and you are trying to do repairs in the field and you need to cut a hose off, remove zip ties etc. That huge handle works well when wearing heavy insulated gloves, as does the large and deep lock cut out.

 

[Arathol]

Al Mar knives (the real ones that are no longer being made) were severely underrated by many (but not all) in the knife community.

I have a couple from years ago. As good as any, better than most at the time. I don't remember too many detractors though, and most owners were quite happy with their Al Mar knives.

 

[BlindMouse2of3]

I kind of considered it a joke of a knife for how big it seemed to be but for $56 delivered I bought a CS 4Max Scout and I got to say I like it. Yes it's heavy but really only a little bigger than the Benchmade onslaught and damn it's a tank. For anyone after a fixed blade replacement I think it'd be hard to beat. And as I recall it was Joex proof if that matters.

 

[SomebodySomewhere]

It is a matter of opinion on my part and I get that not everyone agrees. It just bugs me to use up that much pocket space and weight for a small blade. I have bought and sold several PM2s, trying to like them. One of the many reasons I prefer the GB2, for example.

Definitely a matter of opinion. Would just note legality questions as well. 3” blades shouldn’t necessarily need 3” handles. The Delica is nice this way. But it’s a fine line … I got an Asher Niro a while back and it feels lopsided.

 

[DMG]

A lot of assumptions with no facts.....
What I posted is the statute verbatim, as written in Chapter 943 of the State Statutes.
If you are going to carry a knife you better know what the laws actually are, not what you think they are.....really.....

In that case you should have a grownup measure the blade in the picture you posted Even a tiny bit longer than 3.5 is illegal. Plus Spyderco lists the cutting edge as being over 3.5 and a prosecutor will look if they want to stick you for it.

But as I said, most states with length restrictions measure from the end of the handle.

 

[BlindMouse2of3]

If we are going to talk about measurements that carry weight legally let's all go to the toolbox and get out a set of calipers. As the saying goes the sentence is in the details.

Spyderco and every other production company for that matter are going to list a ballpark measurement that won't be exact for anything. Taking it further with sharpening and broken tips ect. Everyone's length is going to be a little different, so let all agree to actually measure things if we want to discuss specifics. Calipers are $20 for a basic setup. Tape measures are for good enough, not close enough to bet a legal ruling.

 

[pvicenzi]

They are all both under rated and over rated depending on who is doing the rating.

 

[DMG]

Definitely a matter of opinion. Would just note legality questions as well. 3” blades shouldn’t necessarily need 3” handles. The Delica is nice this way. But it’s a fine line … I got an Asher Niro a while back and it feels lopsided.

If we are going to talk about measurements that carry weight legally let's all go to the toolbox and get out a set of calipers. As the saying goes the sentence is in the details.

Spyderco and every other production company for that matter are going to list a ballpark measurement that won't be exact for anything. Taking it further with sharpening and broken tips ect. Everyone's length is going to be a little different, so let all agree to actually measure things if we want to discuss specifics. Calipers are $20 for a basic setup. Tape measures are for good enough, not close enough to bet a legal ruling.

A machinist’s ruler would be my choice but calipers should work. Spyderco isn’t off by 2/10 of an inch, though. In mass produced knives that is way out of the ballpark.

I think accuracy is especially important in this case where someone is citing the legality of a knife on a public forum

 

[sharp_edge]

I have not seen any severely underrated knives maybe because I think knives are nowadays all priced very high across the board. Frankly, all knives identified as severely underrated in this thread that I have had experience with, are not underrated at all IMO given their retail prices. We can say some of them are priced quite fairly given there are many other knives that are priced ridiculously high (overrated), but that's not the same as "underrated."

 

[SomebodySomewhere]

A machinist’s ruler would be my choice but calipers should work. Spyderco isn’t off by 2/10 of an inch, though. In mass produced knives that is way out of the ballpark.

I think accuracy is especially important in this case where someone is citing the legality of a knife on a public forum

To be clear, I only meant opinion in the sense of what the “right” handle to blade length ratio is...definitely, there is a measurable length. What I was saying (poorly) is that to make a blade legal in some areas would mean very short handles if 1:1 is the ideal.

 

[DMG]

To be clear, I only meant opinion in the sense of what the “right” handle to blade length ratio is...definitely, there is a measurable length. What I was saying (poorly) is that to make a blade legal in some areas would mean very short handles if 1:1 is the ideal.

You are right.

 

[BlindMouse2of3]

A machinist’s ruler would be my choice but calipers should work. Spyderco isn’t off by 2/10 of an inch, though. In mass produced knives that is way out of the ballpark.

I think accuracy is especially important in this case where someone is citing the legality of a knife on a public forum

I absolutely agree no manufacturer should be off by that much and I doubt many are but they are all ballpark measurements. And to further prove your point I don't have a military but I have a few Spydercos at my desk

Native chief
Cutting edge
Spec 3.58
Actual 3.60

Blade length
Spec 4.08
Actual 4.67

Pm2 Crucarta
Cutting edge
Spec 3.05
Actual 3.105

Blade length
Spec 3.47
Actual 3.465

Delica 2008 serrated saber grind
Cutting edge
Spec 2.56
Actual 2.573

Blade length
Spec 2.90
Actual 2.914


Delica New plain edge FFG
Cutting edge
Spec 2.56
Actual 2.570

Blade length
Spec 2.56
Actual 2.891

 

[Riz!]

To accurately measure cutting edge one would need to include the curvature. As an example, lay a string along the edge, following the curve, and then mark the string at the tip and choil. Straighten it out and measure the measure distance between the marks.



I do think we have gotten way off topic though.

 

[BlindMouse2of3]

To accurately measure cutting edge one would need to include the curvature. As an example, lay a string along the edge, following the curve, and then mark the string at the tip and choil. Straighten it out and measure the measure distance between the marks.



I do think we have gotten way off topic though.

I'm not so sure we are wondering off.... Squirrel... Mmmhhhh paint chips... Red ones are delicious...

Let's bring back the K55 as it's an amazing knife for dirt cheap.

 

[Arathol]

In that case you should have a grownup measure the blade in the picture you posted Even a tiny bit longer than 3.5 is illegal. Plus Spyderco lists the cutting edge as being over 3.5 and a prosecutor will look if they want to stick you for it.

But as I said, most states with length restrictions measure from the end of the handle.

OK here it is......
I bought that Military new back in 1996 or 97.
Nowhere did I say that 3.5" is illegal. I posted the law as written in my state. In my state anything under 4" is legal.. Whats measured is the length of the edged portion.
You don't seem to have a clue about knife laws other than broad generalizations gleaned from reading internet forums.
You really need to do some research on this.
I measured the edge on my Military, its 3.5", like it or not.....

 

[shane45-1911]

OK here it is......
I bought that Military new back in 1996 or 97.
Nowhere did I say that 3.5" is illegal. I posted the law as written in my state. In my state anything under 4" is legal.. Whats measured is the length of the edged portion.
You don't seem to have a clue about knife laws other than broad generalizations gleaned from reading internet forums.
You really need to do some research on this.
I measured the edge on my Military, its 3.5", like it or not.....

No dog in this fight but from a LEO perspective, many (most/all?) jurisdictions measure from the tip of the blade to the start of the handle/scales (NOT just the cutting edge). That measurement would also include the ricasso.

Better illustrated here:

AKTI Protocol for Measuring Knife Blade Length | American Knife and Tool Institute

AKTI proposed and adopted a standard for measuring knife blade length for the purpose of applying laws. The measurement should be the straight line extending from the tip of the blade to the forward…

www.akti.org