The Official "Why did I wait so long" Thread!

[wvriverats]

I'll play. I have been a Spyderco fan almost since they came out. Lost a drawer full, given a bunch away and still have a bunch. Never put much thought into buying any other folders, then I purchased the Southard. I have become so addicted to flipping it I wanted another flipper to carry at work. I couldn't justify the price tag on the Southard just to abuse the knife. I began looking at the ZT knives. I had held a few a couple of years ago and the were just too chunky for edc in my opinion, but I love the flippers and the hard use aspect of them along with being American made. I ran across a thread about the 0566 and was intrigued, so I checked to see if New Graham had any and their website showed one in stock. I jumped in the truck and made the drive down and as soon as I touched it I found a new appreciation for ZT knives. This thing is sweet!! I love it! I hope ZT decides to build a few more pocket knives, because I am hooked!

 

[evilgreg]

When I first saw the Spyderco Southard, I thought to myself, damn, that's an ugly knife. But it slowly grew on me and when I finally got one, I realized that it was as close to the perfect knife as I have yet to find. Slim, lot's of cutting edge, lightweight, and amazing steel. And, I think it's it's a gorgeous knife, especially with some carbon fiber on it.

This mirrors my experience. I passed it over for being ugly and having the totally pointless hole in the blade. Then my wife bought me one and now I have a pile of them. I agree, when modified a touch it's even more awesome:

 

[turtle13]

For me it was the lionsteel TiSpine. It was the first knife that when I saw it, I could justify the higher price. Buying one only "forced" me to buy a sebenza however...
And it is just downhill from here...

 

[Accelerator]

This mirrors my experience. I passed it over for being ugly and having the totally pointless hole in the blade. Then my wife bought me one and now I have a pile of them. I agree, when modified a touch it's even more awesome:

Agreed, the mechanical make-up/design/execution of the knife is almost breathtaking (for me anyway), it is just such an amazing piece and it happens to fit my needs better than any other so far. An aftermarket scale, a good home sharpening and maybe some other tweaks (removal of the lanyard tube and rounding of the tip of the pocket clip), and it becomes something ever more amazing. I think it's a hell of a bargain for what you get. A truly fantastic knife.

 

[Krissig12]

CS Master Hunter for me. This was actually my second choice when I was looking to buy my FIRST EVER decent quality knife. I decided on the SRK instead (which I love), but now after collecting for 2 years, I finally got a master hunter. It couldn't be more perfect for my fixed blade needs. LOVE IT.

Why oh why did I wait so long?!

 

[evilgreg]

Agreed, the mechanical make-up/design/execution of the knife is almost breathtaking (for me anyway), it is just such an amazing piece and it happens to fit my needs better than any other so far. An aftermarket scale, a good home sharpening and maybe some other tweaks (removal of the lanyard tube and rounding of the tip of the pocket clip), and it becomes something ever more amazing. I think it's a hell of a bargain for what you get. A truly fantastic knife.

The knife in the picture has everything you described: aftermarket scale, reprofiled thin and razor sharp, no lanyard tube, and an aftermarket titanium deep carry clip that isn't pointy (by STR). We are in full agreement.

Of course, the same is true of all of these as well: