The one you wanted to be great?

R

RBid

Joined
Apr 6, 2014
Messages
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I had something new happen to me yesterday. While digging around online, I stumbled on something I that looked like a dream come true-- the Microtech DOC. A Strider SMF sized flipper with a slight curve to the back of the handle?! Are you kidding me?!?!

AWESOOOOOMMMMEEEEbuuuuuuttttnnnnnooooooooo.

My knee jerk reaction was to simultaneously begin sorting out how to work $400+ in the budget and to check out reviews, just in case.

The reviews left me badly disappointed. Many pocket clip design complaints, fit & finish gripes, etc. While it sounds as though there has been a clip revision, one of the gambles with online buying is that I couldn't handle "my" knife before committing to it, and I'm not into $400+ gambles when I can walk into the KSF storefront and hand pick copies of many blades to ensure getting a good one. I'd definitely gamble on it if the feedback indicated CRK like F&F, but...

I am soooooo disappointed!


Have you had similar experiences?
 
I really, really wanted to like the Spyderco Domino. I love Spyderco, I love flippers, it had bearings and funky CF scales and everything--how could it possibly go wrong?

Then my pre-order arrived in the mail and I discovered it was awful. Great fit and finish, flipped like a dream, but it was bizarrely shaped. Huge handle and small but tall blade. Tried to carry it and let it grow on me, but the only thing that grew was my disgust for the design. What a let down.

The only knife that came even close to that was the Sebenza I bought. If everyone says they're perfection, they must be awesome, right? Then it shows up in the mail and I handle it and find my only reaction is . . . meh. Not as thin and light as my thin and light knives, not as beefy as my beefy knives, not as pretty as my pretty knives, just sort of blah. And the fit and finish, while spectacular, was only microscopically superior (if at all) to other quality production knives (e.g. Spyderco Taichung knives, WH knives, etc.), as far as I could actually notice in any meaningful way.
 
Evilgreg,

"Meh" was pretty much my reaction to handling a variety of CRK knives, as well. I appreciate the F&F and blade to handle ratio, but there were no fireworks.
 
My first and only German-made Boker knife was a Badger Gemini folder that, at a glance, looked like a great EDC knife. Well, I guess just because it's made in Germany instead of China or Taiwan doesn't mean it's magically awesome. With no steel liners, it felt too light and had a little scale flex, and I found myself disliking the clip quite a bit. I kept the knife, but haven't carried it since that first day.

Another disappointment for me was the Kershaw R.A.M. that I bought on clearance from Cabela's. That was before I started visiting BFC on a regular basis, and as uninspiring as I found the knife, I was surprised to discover that it has something of a cult following.
 
This will probably get me lynched round these parts but....... Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

I just do not like it. I see the appeal, and I'm not saying it's badly built or badly designed, but I just don't like it at all. I tried, I gave it it's chance. I didn't mind the handle or the compression lock (the lock was actually my favourite part) but that blade.......ugh. Between the blade shape and the fact that there's something else I can't quite put my finger on, I'm glad I sold this one.

It's kinda strange for me that everyone here loves this knife. I feel so alone..
 
Spyderco Szabo.

Wanted to love it soo much. But upon arrival the scales were fake LSCF, the edges were sharp, the secondary closing spring made it difficult to deploy.

Thankfully I found a knife modifier who was able to rectify everything I disliked about the knife and create what I had initially envisioned. It's been 4 months and I'm still waiting on the mods... someday I'll have it.
 
For me it was the Sebenza. My brother ordered one of the large Insingo bladed, cf handled Knifeart exclusives. What a let down. And I wanted to like it so much because I love the Insingo blade and was thinking about getting one.
 
First of all th3 D.O.C. is $300 and second just get it from a reputable dealer and have them hand pick one out for you. If you don't like it then send it back or sell it here that's how collecting goes.
 
Spyderco Gayle Bradley; great knife. Perfect quality all around, high end materials, perfect grinds and ergos... and the handle looks like a turd.
 
MCusta Katana. One of the first knives that I saw that I just had to have - and this was back when my only blade was a Leek. I finally found one in stock online and bought it. It came scary sharp, had good ergos, and looked wicked cool... but I just couldn't bring myself to carry it. The pocket clip was very tight and the handle scale has big cutouts, so it shreds pockets and the anodization would no doubt wear down very quickly. It's been sitting on my shelf ever since.

Love to look at and fondle it, but it was definitely a disappointment.
 
CairoBeretta said:
This will probably get me lynched round these parts but....... Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

I just do not like it. I see the appeal, and I'm not saying it's badly built or badly designed, but I just don't like it at all. I tried, I gave it it's chance. I didn't mind the handle or the compression lock (the lock was actually my favourite part) but that blade.......ugh. Between the blade shape and the fact that there's something else I can't quite put my finger on, I'm glad I sold this one.

It's kinda strange for me that everyone here loves this knife. I feel so alone..
Click to expand...

Your'e not alone. I love the compression lock, grips are great, but I hate the blade.
 
BenLong1018 said:
First of all th3 D.O.C. is $300 and second just get it from a reputable dealer and have them hand pick one out for you. If you don't like it then send it back or sell it here that's how collecting goes.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the price correction. The rest of the post stands. Buying with "maybe I'll sell it" isn't my thing. I certainly respect it as a way to get things done, I simply prefer to buy safe bets.
 
Moxy said:
Spyderco Gayle Bradley; great knife. Perfect quality all around, high end materials, perfect grinds and ergos... and the handle looks like a turd.
Click to expand...

I almost sprayed water out of my nose. Well played, sir.
 
I've gone through a lot of knives in the last year. Metal handles suck IMO, get freezing cold in the winter, boiling hot in the summer. Got rid of most of those, have some for sale. Some passed the test, but those that failed to be great (in my eyes):

Spyderco Southard--Hate the shape of the flipper and the resulting action was not smooth for me (maybe I got a lemon) but also the shape of the handle to blade just didn't work for me.
ZT0801--Love the flipper and action, so smooth. But alas, I hate all metal handles, the size and weight made it something I wouldn't see myself carrying.
LionSteel SR-1A--Again, metal handles, plus just a very large knife. Too big to edc regularly.
Kershaw Blur/Leek/Scallion--Decided I just don't like assisted openers, plus the metal handles issue.
ZT0350--Wanted to like this knife, but even deassisted I didn't like it. The flipper is just way too large as well. I only own and carry tip up knives, and the flipper was constantly digging into my leg.
Brian Tighe mini-Tighe Rod--Again the metal handles. The flipper is great once you get used to it and break it in, but the shape of the handle with the size to shape ration just doesn't fit my hands. Currently for sale.
Benchmades--Grip, mini-grip--Overpriced IMO, especially now; 154CM in the grip was underwhelming, D2 in the mini was good. They were my first Benchmades, and for the money they just felt very cheap. Traded the Grip for a waved Endura (which I gave to my cousin), sold the mini outright.
Spyderco Nilakka--Heavy, fat, just not a good edc knife. Plus, the scandi grind S30V blade did not hold an edge at all. Open one envelope and it was as dull as the spine of the blade.


On the other hand, I have a few knives I disliked at first but grew to be some of my faves:

First and foremost: Spyderco PM2--Digicam/satin S30V--One of the only knives I've owned where the S30V performed as expected (the other being a Strider SnG). I didn't get the hype on this knife, didn't like the compression lock. Very stiff opening. But, after loosening the pivot slightly, it opened like lightning. I have come to love this knife, especially with the low ride clip I bought.

Strider SnG--Talk about buyers remorse. I'm all excited when it comes in the mail, open it up, first thing I think--"boy is this an ugly knife." But, ergonomics were amazing, blade stayed sharp for the time I owned it (October to March). Sold it because I needed the money, wish I had kept it. Once I've recovered from the engagement ring I bought ($15k) I will probably buy another.

DPx H.E.A.T.--Bought it, didn't care for it at first, thought the handle was too big for the blade size. I absolutely love it now. Only frame lock I own.
 
RBid said:
I had something new happen to me yesterday. While digging around online, I stumbled on something I that looked like a dream come true-- the Microtech DOC. A Strider SMF sized flipper with a slight curve to the back of the handle?! Are you kidding me?!?!

AWESOOOOOMMMMEEEEbuuuuuuttttnnnnnooooooooo.

My knee jerk reaction was to simultaneously begin sorting out how to work $400+ in the budget and to check out reviews, just in case.

The reviews left me badly disappointed. Many pocket clip design complaints, fit & finish gripes, etc. While it sounds as though there has been a clip revision, one of the gambles with online buying is that I couldn't handle "my" knife before committing to it, and I'm not into $400+ gambles when I can walk into the KSF storefront and hand pick copies of many blades to ensure getting a good one. I'd definitely gamble on it if the feedback indicated CRK like F&F, but...

I am soooooo disappointed!


Have you had similar experiences?
Click to expand...

I went ahead and tried the DOC out, in CPM-154 while I could still get it in that steel. It was barely over 300 shipped and despite reading the same things you did, I'm extremely pleased with mine. No F&F issues, flips great, clip doesn't hurt my hand at all, plus it's dead centered, with solid as a rock lockup. So, some times it's pays to go ahead and try out a knife you like. There's just absolutely nothing wrong with it. No disappointment here!

2u5s8l2.jpg
 
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And BTW, I've bought so many knives I thought I'd love and didn't. I've probably forgot about some of them. I just sold them and marked it down as a learning experience.
 
CairoBeretta said:
This will probably get me lynched round these parts but....... Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

I just do not like it. I see the appeal, and I'm not saying it's badly built or badly designed, but I just don't like it at all. I tried, I gave it it's chance. I didn't mind the handle or the compression lock (the lock was actually my favourite part) but that blade.......ugh. Between the blade shape and the fact that there's something else I can't quite put my finger on, I'm glad I sold this one.

It's kinda strange for me that everyone here loves this knife. I feel so alone..
Click to expand...
Hi...my name's John...*HI JOHN*...well, there's no easy way of doing this so I'll just come right out and say it...I don't like the PM2 either!

Ironically for me it's wasn't the handle or blade but instead the compression lock.
 
CairoBeretta said:
This will probably get me lynched round these parts but....... Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

I just do not like it. I see the appeal, and I'm not saying it's badly built or badly designed, but I just don't like it at all. I tried, I gave it it's chance. I didn't mind the handle or the compression lock (the lock was actually my favourite part) but that blade.......ugh. Between the blade shape and the fact that there's something else I can't quite put my finger on, I'm glad I sold this one.

It's kinda strange for me that everyone here loves this knife. I feel so alone..
Click to expand...

Where s the rope?:)
 
I bought a small sebenza at one point, and it was a nice knife. However, with all the hype that surrounded the sebenza, I just wasn't feeling it. I'm not saying it was a bad knife, I just don't feel that it lives up to the hype that everyone claims. I ended up returning it and putting that money towards a new guitar ($1500 C.F. Martin).

On the other hand, I bought a DLC manix 2 and I absolutely hated it. I just hated the look, the grind, the lock, the spyder hole, EVERYTHING! Then I took it out of state for a week because (at that time) I didn't care if I lost it. By the time I came back home, it was my new favorite knife. The ergos we're perfect, the spyder hole was extremely useful, and I was able to use it with or without gloves. S30V isn't the greatest steel, so I got the cruwear version when it came out, and that about all I carry now with the exception of the Gayle Bradley and a custom mini grip.
Maybe that will change when I get my Olamic Wayfarer and 3SF Beast
 
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