The most important feature when choosing a knife.

Scott J.

Scott J.

Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
938
What is the most important feature for you when buying a knife?
Is it blade steel? Blade shape? Size? Scales? Action?
Why?
If you can post some pics to illustrate your favorite feature.
For me it's scales and what I look for is natural materials, looks, uniqueness and feel. I think this is why I just can't get into modern black plastic knives, even though I really do understand the usefulness of a super steel and ergonomics of something like a Benchmade Griptillian.
My favorite material is wood, I think it has a lot of character and hopefully uniqueness. IT doesn't have to be wood, but is has to be unique.
Here's a few of my newest
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I have different features I look for depending on what type of knife it is. I have a large variety of knives, from traditional to modern, from folders to fixed, from single blades to multi-blades. The more specific the usage of the knife, the more picky I am about blade shape and steel. For instance, with hunters I like a blade with lots of belly and from 3½ - 4½ inches, in a high alloy steel that holds an edge for a good amount of use. I'm a bit of a steel junky, so I like to try newer steels in the few modern knives I have. But for traditional pocket knives, I prefer stainless steels for their ease of maintenance, and I am a sucker for a beautiful set of covers. Action is important too, but so often you don't get to try that out before you buy. Since I now have enough knives to cover all the bases, I just pick and choose ones that really appeal to me, like especially beautiful Queen, S&M and GEC knives, or rare old USA Schrades, Westerns and Robesons.

High Hardness Custom Hunter
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Manly Wasp in S90V
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GEC White Owl in Elk and 440C
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black mamba said:
I have different features I look for depending on what type of knife it is. I have a large variety of knives, from traditional to modern, from folders to fixed, from single blades to multi-blades. The more specific the usage of the knife, the more picky I am about blade shape and steel. For instance, with hunters I like a blade with lots of belly and from 3½ - 4½ inches, in a high alloy steel that holds an edge for a good amount of use. I'm a bit of a steel junky, so I like to try newer steels in the few modern OHO knives I have. But for traditional pocket knives, I prefer stainless steels for their ease of maintenance, and I am a sucker for a beautiful set of covers. Action is important too, but so often you don't get to try that out before you buy. Since I now have enough knives to cover all the bases, I just pick and choose ones that really appeal to me, like especially beautiful Queen, S&M and GEC knives, or rare old USA Schrades, Westerns and Robesons.
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I agree, for a hunting knife size and shape are the most important.
I really like my BM Crooked River and Buck 119 for deer.
 
What good is a knife if it makes you wince in shame because of how ugly it is? For me, handle materials is #1, along with the knife brand. A pretty knife that is dull as a hoe will still attract a crowd. :)

One of my new favorites that I just got a few weeks ago.

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Good points (pun not intended)
I can't see your pic but it's probably just my spotty 4G
Rookie82 said:
What good is a knife if it makes you wince in shame because of how ugly it is? For me, handle materials is #1, along with the knife brand. A pretty knife that is dull as a hoe will still attract a crowd. :)

One of my new favorites that I just got a few weeks ago.

full
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Modoc ED said:
"Eye Appeal". If I don't like the way it looks, I'm not buying. Second to that is function. Will it perform a variety of tasks. These knives fit my requirements nicely.

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Nice looking bunch there.
I really like the middle bottom in the last photo.
 
I don't give a hoot about blade steel. And, lets face it, with production traditionals, you're pretty much limited to 440A, 420HC (no matter what Case, for example, wants to call it) and 1095, anyway. Though I think some German brands use Krupp 4416 stainless, and I've read here that GEC offers a sprinkling of 440C every so often.

Pattern and size are the main things I look at. I like multi blades, and nothing smaller than a Barlow.
I guess my "favorites" are the 4 blade Scout/Camp knives (or a 3 layer SAK Huntsman) 4 inch and larger stockman, the classic two blade slipjoint folding hunter, and Buck 110. (the latter two on my belt, not in my pocket.)

I have been attempting to warm up to the Moose pattern ... and I do like the moose a wee little more than the trapper ...
 
I generally buy knives that fit about 2 patterns, and what helps me decide is does it have a single blade and end caps. Although I have begun to find the end caps requirement optional of late.
 
JohnDF said:
Blade shape is my number one priority
It has to have a usable tip that is easy to get into the material
Lambs, Sheeps, Wharns, and Clips are my favorites for this reason

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Makes sense. My favorite blade style is a clip blade, it's pointy and has appealing lines. Lately I've warmed up to the wharncliff blade also.
 
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