Ten Worst Folders, and a Giveaway

Only time I was very unhappy with a purchase was my S&W folder. Looked cool since it was big an heavy, but it was 1) Dull as a butter knife 2) would take much of an edge 3) Pivot screw fell off while opening the blade.
 
seelow123 said:
:eek:eyebrows raised
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Supmonkeyface said:
I hope noone is taking this seriously...
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Unfortunately, I think maybe a couple folks were, but I laughed so hard at your 10 worst list I did a spit take. Thanks.

Pretty obvious that for anybody to be able to list those particular knives, they have to know what they're talking about. My only complaint was that you should have remained silent long enough to be attacked by those who didn't get the joke.

And in other news, my 10 worst cars are all Ferraris. :D
 
Supmonkeyface said:
I'll give this a shot:

1. Chris Reeve Umnumzaan, junk.
2. Chris Reeve Sebenza, little better, still junk
3. Strider SnG, pathetic excuse for a knife.
4. Strider SMF, makes me sick.
5. Spyderco Military, crappy build quality=unsafe knife.
6. Emerson CQC series, designed for combat against what? Teddy Bears?
7. Zero Tolerance 0150-0550, yeah lets put daimond-like-carbon on a blade :rolleyes:
8. Spyderco Stretch (1,2), Perfect EDC knife? I don't think so.
9. Spyderco Manix (1,2), original Manix was junk, new Manix is lighter junk.
10. Chris Reeve Mnandi, waste of titanium and/or s30v.
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I think hes trying to be funny, but forgot a smiley or 2.
 
Hi Josh,

I hope you are not talking about vintage EZ-outs or Opi nr8's.

I think I'm disqualified now.:D
 
Usually I pass over them so fast I don't even remember names. I might not get to 10, but here's a few that I can recall. Thanks for the give-away, too!

10) Cold Steel voyagers. I know alot of people like them for beaters, but unless you're are trying to scare someone, I'm not impressed.
9) Anything with Boker Magnum on it
8) Gerber folding knives. Tried a few and been routinely disappointed.
7) Most of the older BM Red box knives. Nagara was OK as well as the Vex, but that's about it.
6) Any knife with Smith&Wesson on it.
5) Rough riders, Kissing Cranes or other China-made slipjoint made prior to 2008.
4) Schrades newer than 2004
3) SOG Aegis - really wanted to like this one, but just wobbly and not well-made. Pretty much any entry-level SOG folder is sub-par IMO.
2) CRKT KISS - ditto the above. Horrible knife, really
1) Anything at all by Mantis.

Hey, I made it to ten :thumbup:
 
1-Any $5 gas station knife: surely we need not supply reasons for this one;
2-Cold Steel Kudu: the lock is operated by a key ring? Really? Yet the blade on this thing is over 4” long, and it goes for just over 5 bucks [5 Kudu bucks?] in some circles? It’s CS’s version of the aforementioned gas station knife;
3-Shrade Old Timer: arguably iconic, it’s so well known, but garbage, easily chipped and broken steel, easily broken scales, loose pins/rivets, and weak springs;
4-Rough Rider slipjoints: hawked on Smokey Mountain Knife Works’ “Knives Live TV [like a comedy show, btw]” in terms as glowing as if they were describing a Bose custom (“Just look at this beautiful piece!), but they’re junk!
5-Any Dark Ops knife: based on marketing alone.
6-In like manner, the Tops “Grim Ripper” push knife, on cheesy name alone (and even though it otherwise looks to be of decent quality).
7-Opinel: iconic, yes, but handle is made of wood which splits or chips easily, and pivot loosens too easily, even for a cheap knife.
8-S&W tactical: made by Shrade, loose lockup, overstyled.
9-Then there’s this awful thing: http://www.knifecave.com/fantasy/store/products/german/WWII+German+Folder/DBFM493.html Come to the party as your favorite concentration camp guard, all for only $6.16!
10-And last but never least, the “Conway Twitty Collectable Pocket Knife”: http://www.toledosword.com/pr/GRPK2020CTTS.html#GRPK2020CT Hello, Darlin'! :D
 
Worst knives:

1- Ozarka Trail known as the 'Walmart dollar knife' it's a POS. Opened knife and the it starting falling into pieces.
2- Smith and Wesson Extreme ops, bad lock up (flimsy liner lock)
3- Winchester cheapo knives
4- Cold Steel ak-47 knock off, lock was very bad
5- Deal extreme knives
6- Gerber
 
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Only thing that comes to mind is that Ozark Trail folder. TheCajunBlaze did a pretty good video about it on youtube. Funny stuff.
 
The Le Thiers knives made by Chambriard are the ones that really get me.

They are handsome, modern looking and people think well of them.

I have had a few trying to get a good one - on every one the edge rolled terribly where the blade touches the backspring on closing. Can't stand it.
 
Mostly, I just have to say I'm really enjoying reading this thread and agree with many of the posts. I love the reasoning. Most of the crap I have was given to me or shipped as a bonus and is from Pakistan or China. But I like having these knives. I'm free to try to re-profile and sharpen those awful un-sharpenable edges and abuse at will with no worries. The only time I was truly disappointed with a folder purchase is when I bought a collaboration effort between a well known maker and a well known manufacturer from a well known on-line/catalog vendor. I'm thinking the maker was out of the loop when the knives hit the production floor and I'm not sure where the vendor was in this instance. I think I paid somewhere around $100 for it. The tip of the blade remained exposed when the knife was closed, the edge was lopsided and extremely coarse, the blade was so far off center that it was almost rubbing on the handle when it closed, the action was terrible, the thumb-stud was so rough (and too long) that it would have shredded my thumb and pants with any use at all. It's the only folder I have ever returned for a refund. So, sorry about no list or names, but just wanted to throw something out there.
 
Supmonkeyface said:
I'll give this a shot:

1. Chris Reeve Umnumzaan, junk.
2. Chris Reeve Sebenza, little better, still junk
3. Strider SnG, pathetic excuse for a knife.
4. Strider SMF, makes me sick.
5. Spyderco Military, crappy build quality=unsafe knife.
6. Emerson CQC series, designed for combat against what? Teddy Bears?
7. Zero Tolerance 0150-0550, yeah lets put daimond-like-carbon on a blade :rolleyes:
8. Spyderco Stretch (1,2), Perfect EDC knife? I don't think so.
9. Spyderco Manix (1,2), original Manix was junk, new Manix is lighter junk.
10. Chris Reeve Mnandi, waste of titanium and/or s30v.
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Wow, Just think in the Alternative Universe, This Is Your Top 10 !!! :D
 
1. Anything that has "China" on the blade, and "Stainless Steel". Usually Poor quality throughout. If all you can say is "Stainless" then you've got nothing to be proud of. (Edited to take into account actual quality from China)
2. Shrade Cliphanger. Flimsiest lock-up I'd ever seen.
3. Any "Store Brand" knives found in Cabella's, Bass Pro, Wal-mart, etc. Might as well put "Stainless Steel" on it (see 1.)
4. Anything by Schrade, since the name was sold out to Taylor. (see 1.)
5. Anything made by Taylor (see 1.)
6. Cold Steel Triple Action Double-edge. How the hell are you supposed to close that thing?
7. Old style molded-on pocket clips, ala old Spyderco and Cold Steel. I broke too many of those clips!
8. Pakistan - Same as 1.

I could list individual company names that make knives exclusively in China, but that would take too long.
 
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A lot of people are listing obviously crappy knives with very low prices. I'm going to try something a little different and list knives that you would have a higher expectation of given their higher price points.

Here are my picks, in no particular order.

10. Cold Steel XL Espada. Too big to be practical for anything other than scaring your mother. Hefty, but feels cheap. With an MSRP of $469.99, you'd have to be both wealthy AND out of your mind.

9. Benchmade LFTi. A knife that had so much potential. Up-down and left-right blade play right out of the box. Not exactly the ideal send-off for the late and legendary Bob Lum. $270.

8. Spyderco Poliwog. The lock will fail if you add any kind of lubricant to it. The clip is far too tight for a knife of its size. Poor blade and handle ergonomics, so it's useless for cutting. And all for just $200.

7. Emerson CQC-15. A blade shape that isn't quite good for piercing, or cutting, or utility work. And welcome to Re-sharpening Hell. Your sins will be punished in the order in which they were received. And as always, when buying an Emerson knife you're automatically entered into the EKI "Shit-and-Finish" lottery. Will your knife have burrs, uneven edges, dremel burns, and other unsightly blemishes that can only be found on a "hand-ground" (see: CNC'ed) knife? Buy one and find out. $240.

6. Spyderco SpydeRench. Loose fittings, small components that were easy to lose, and about as heavy and pleasant to carry in your pocket as a wad of elephant dung. The detachable knife was a nice feature, but certainly not worth the price of admission. $150.

5. Buck Rush. Useless paper-thin liner lock that would easily disengage. Secondary lock that was guaranteed to fail. Very slow deployment for an assisted opener. $80.

4. Gerber 06 Automatic. Rubber bands on a Buck 110 would make a better automatic. Poor heat-treat on good steel led to blade chipping. More play in this thing than Six Flags. The world's most sensitive pivot and spring mechanism. This thing stockpiled dirt and grit. About $200.

3. Benchmade MPR. This knife has bigger balls than you do - detents that is. Absolutely impossible to open if you're placing pressure over the detent while you're opening it. Extremely heavy for its miniscule size. Blade play in all directions, and the framelock setting is very shallow. $235.

2. Emerson Combat/Super Karambit. Emerson's patented "Shit-and-Finish", left-handed chisel grind on a knife meant only for combat, and an open karambit ring which would flex and on occasion cause the liner to jump off the scale. $250-300.

1. Kershaw ET (External Toggle). External toggle mechanism that would actually CUT YOU as you opened it. The pocket clip was integral to the opening mechanism, meaning it would come out as you loosened it from your pocket. Worst opening mechanism by far. $100.
 
TheBleedingEdge said:
A lot of people are listing obviously crappy knives with very low prices. I'm going to try something a little different and list knives that you would have a higher expectation of given their higher price points.

Here are my picks, in no particular order.

10. Cold Steel XL Espada. Too big to be practical for anything other than scaring your mother. Hefty, but feels cheap. With an MSRP of $469.99, you'd have to be both wealthy AND out of your mind.

9. Benchmade LFTi. A knife that had so much potential. Up-down and left-right blade play right out of the box. Not exactly the ideal send-off for the late and legendary Bob Lum. $270.

8. Spyderco Poliwog. The lock will fail if you add any kind of lubricant to it. The clip is far too tight for a knife of its size. Poor blade and handle ergonomics, so it's useless for cutting. And all for just $200.

7. Emerson CQC-15. A blade shape that isn't quite good for piercing, or cutting, or utility work. And welcome to Re-sharpening Hell. Your sins will be punished in the order in which they were received. And as always, when buying an Emerson knife you're automatically entered into the EKI "Shit-and-Finish" lottery. Will your knife have burrs, uneven edges, dremel burns, and other unsightly blemishes that can only be found on a "hand-ground" (see: CNC'ed) knife? Buy one and find out. $240.

6. Spyderco SpydeRench. Loose fittings, small components that were easy to lose, and about as heavy and pleasant to carry in your pocket as a wad of elephant dung. The detachable knife was a nice feature, but certainly not worth the price of admission. $150.

5. Buck Rush. Useless paper-thin liner lock that would easily disengage. Secondary lock that was guaranteed to fail. Very slow deployment for an assisted opener. $80.

4. Gerber 06 Automatic. Rubber bands on a Buck 110 would make a better automatic. Poor heat-treat on good steel led to blade chipping. More play in this thing than Six Flags. The world's most sensitive pivot and spring mechanism. This thing stockpiled dirt and grit. About $200.

3. Benchmade MPR. This knife has bigger balls than you do - detents that is. Absolutely impossible to open if you're placing pressure over the detent while you're opening it. Extremely heavy for its miniscule size. Blade play in all directions, and the framelock setting is very shallow. $235.

2. Emerson Combat/Super Karambit. Emerson's patented "Shit-and-Finish", left-handed chisel grind on a knife meant only for combat, and an open karambit ring which would flex and on occasion cause the liner to jump off the scale. $250-300.

1. Kershaw ET (External Toggle). External toggle mechanism that would actually CUT YOU as you opened it. The pocket clip was integral to the opening mechanism, meaning it would come out as you loosened it from your pocket. Worst opening mechanism by far. $100.
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though i dont agree, necessarily, with everything here, this is a good list.

the chinese/pakistani and gas station crap should not be considered, and it should just go without saying it is crap.
 
dobervol said:
9-Then there’s this awful thing: http://www.knifecave.com/fantasy/store/products/german/WWII+German+Folder/DBFM493.html Come to the party as your favorite concentration camp guard, all for only $6.16!
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Gah! I had to clear my cache and cookies after clicking that link.
10-And last but never least, the “Conway Twitty Collectable Pocket Knife”: http://www.toledosword.com/pr/GRPK2020CTTS.html#GRPK2020CT Hello, Darlin'! :D
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Oh. My. God. That's so horribly corny that it's awesome. If that's not a perfect white elephant gift, I don't know what is (even better than a collection of Wham! records).
 
OK, you want to list high-end knives that don't live up to my expectations of excellence? LOL!

Keith Ouye knives - they are usually flippers, but they just don't flip. I can open a non flipper by flipping my wrist as easily as I can open these flippers, because they require the same about of wrist action.

Certain Vallotton knives - Nobody can possibly use some of these works of art. They're all pointy and sharp everywhere, not just the blade.

All Microtech OTF knives - Who in their right mind want to walk around with an accident waiting to happen clipped to their pocket? Doh!

Protech "The Don" - I've seen butter knives that come from the factory as sharp as these things do. Come on guys, it's a knife! Knives are used to CUT things.


Well, you get the idea....
 
dobervol said:
Unfortunately, I think maybe a couple folks were, but I laughed so hard at your 10 worst list I did a spit take. Thanks.

Pretty obvious that for anybody to be able to list those particular knives, they have to know what they're talking about. My only complaint was that you should have remained silent long enough to be attacked by those who didn't get the joke.

And in other news, my 10 worst cars are all Ferraris. :D
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I was going to wait longer, but I've seen what happens on this forum. Some people just don't understand. The ferrari joke was exactly what i was thinking when i made the list "Hm, What knives are like Ferraris of the knife world?". I haven't even owned more than half those knives anyways :D. thanks for understanding.
 
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