The First Thing You Notice When You Look at a Knife

[asdf12345]

Blade shape and year of production

 

[Le Fermier]

Is it a 'traditional' in a reasonably confined sense. I only buy folders. I do have modern, 551 in n680 and Spyderco H1's but they were purchased for the steel with a particular purpose in mind and I chose orange and yellow.

 

[djtSA]

blade to handle ratio (Symmetry ?) with close second practicality no use having a nice shiny knife you will never use right ?

 

[Mossyhorn]

I check out the blade grind first, then the overall quality.

 

[woofington]

For me usually its the overall look of the knife, then its onto build quality and materials

 

[Joe Duder]

Grind, then steel, then fit and finish, then price.

 

[SteelStickler]

blade shape/thickness

 

[Goosey]

If it's a lockback or not must be lockback.

 

[EChoil]

First is overall look of the knife. If it stops me I look further--build quality, type/percentage of lock, ergo, washers/bushing, weight-to-feel, detent, blade shape/centering, blade length, scale material, feel of opening, sound of the lock...in the case of fixed blade, 'does it come with a good sheath.'

Usually takes about thirty seconds, sometimes a minute.

 

[Ajack60]

If it says CRK, Strider, Hinderer, ZT, Spyderco, Kershaw, TSF

 

[Bob Leedy]

Blade shape, materials, fit and finish.

 

[mars5l]

how it feels in my hands

 

[gooeytek]

Design and aesthetics. If it isn't visually appealing, my attention doesn't usually go amu further. I've missed out on an initial chance on some because of that though, and sometimes something that was originally quirky needs to grow on you.

 

[tacticaltomahawk45]

Design and aesthetics. If it isn't visually appealing, my attention doesn't usually go amu further. I've missed out on an initial chance on some because of that though, and sometimes something that was originally quirky needs to grow on you.

+1 if it's not pretty it better be a really good or a spyderco, other than that USA made

 

[stillshot2]

For me usually its the overall look of the knife, then its onto build quality and materials

+1
And then I consider if it merits its price

 

[Fish30114]

Having collected, used knives for 45 or so years I know what I like and don't like. Design, ergos, weight are the first things I look at. If those check out then construction, lockup, centering come next.

If I have to choose just one "first" thing it would be design. If I don't like the looks of it, then I won't even ask to see it.

I think RetiredGuns has encapsulated it all very well, great summary!

 

[coloradospyderco]

I look for a functional blade shape first, then ergonomics, then materials.

 

[sabre cat]

For me usually its the overall look of the knife, then its onto build quality and materials

+1 on overalll looks and build quality. More often than not, I find a knife that I love the blade and hate the grip. A few years ago, I found a great knife. The steel was decent. The grip fit me and I loved the pocket clip. Blade styling was spot on. The price was even good. After owning the knife for about two months, I had to use it in a wet enviroment. When it was dry the knife was puss, but the grip lost all traction when wet. The knife sucked. My neighbor now has the knife and is very happy with it. You live and learn.

 

[manowar669]

This abomination to a useful knife. Take a useful, clean design, and then put a catchy hook at the end of the edge that will grab everything. Doh!

 

[Woodcamo Nut]

first thing I notice is wether I think the knife sucks or not.