Things you like in theory, but not in practice

Comeuppance said:
I've found there are a few characteristics of knives that seem desirable to me, but, once I actually have a knife with that characteristic and try to use it, I find I'm actually just not into it at all.

The foremost example I can think of is that of dagger grinds. I have owned something like a dozen dagger-ground folders, and I always end up eschewing them in favor of other knives because of a combination of (1) having nowhere to put my thumb and (2) the knife looking overly stabtastic. I'm talking Paragon Warlock, Stedemon Han, even a full custom fixed blade I had ordered. I very nearly bought a Cold Steel Tai Pan, but just barely managed to talk myself out of that.

Another one is that of clip points, which is actually what prompted me to make this thread. I have one of the newer S35vn DLC clip point Cold Steel Recon 1s on its way to me, slated for delivery today, and I'm suddenly having flashbacks of the Emerson CQC-13, Cold Steel Espada, and Kershaw-Emerson CQC-10K that I was disproportionately excited about the delivery of when compared to how immediately I disliked carrying them. The tip always seemed too delicate, and the blade shape always seemed awkward as the tip had too much curvature to it.*

*I'm less worried about the Recon 1, since the tip is notably less swept back than the aforementioned models, but... I have concerns, nonetheless.

What are some knife characteristics you think you want, but dislike in practice?
Click to expand...

I bought a Cold Steel Tai Pan in 3V. Excellent knife and I was on the fence for a long time. It must have a cut down tang and I prefer all of my fixed blade knives to have exposed full tang throughout the handle. I did not think it would be so solid! It is, it really is.
 
tltt said:
Finger grooves - Handsome looking, but I much rather just a grip with more mid-belly. Also annoying if you need to cut edge up.

Sawbacks/Serrated backs - Useful in theory, neat in looks, but ho-hum in practice. I'd much rather add a Swiss Army with saw, or other type of survival saw to my gear than bother with one.
Click to expand...

I like finger grooves on the Randall that I gave my brother. Have not received the second Randall Model 14 that I ordered and it too has finger grooves. I think I'll like it quite a bit.

I also would never buy a knife with sawbacks. I have a Randall Model 14 WITH a sawback false edge WITH the saw deleted! It looks like you think it would - a dagger! It's beautiful.
 
SpySmasher said:
The Wave (or other Wave-like opening devices). It's clever and fast but it tears up my pants and it turns out I have no need for fast.
Click to expand...

I bought a "Black Bear Custon Kydex" carbon fiber kydex sheath for my Spyderco Military. It is absolutely perfect in every way that I can see and it opens the folder on the draw. I'm pretty sure that it would work with any folder but you would have to ask Micah.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Flippers. I like some knives in spite of being of flippers, but I'd rather have a nice manual action with studs or a disk.
Click to expand...

Disks. I like some knives in spite of being of having disks, but I'd rather have a nice manual action with studs or a flipper.

To me the disk breaks up the lines of the blade. The stud can be used as part of the lock. Flipper is the best for me...but I do prefer bearings then.
 
Comeuppance said:
I can relate to that to some degree; the fixed blades that appeal to me are largely impractical for EDC, and finding fixed blades that I’ll actually carry is fairly difficult. In-pocket fixed blades are pretty much my only real consideration these days.
Click to expand...

You ought to track down Ben Tendick of BRT BLADEWORKS. He has what he calls "Universal Blade Rigs" for either one or two knives, and they seem to work really well for fixed blades. I'm also looking at 8Ball Custom Leather Knife Sheaths. I found him on Pinterest but I'm sure they are expensive.
 
SpySmasher said:
Neck knives. Seems like it would be a great place to carry a small fixed blade for ambidextrous use but it's very indiscreet. If you try to make it discreet, it then becomes impractical to draw.
Click to expand...

I like wearing my neck knives under my T-shirts, right on my skin. It's relatively easy to get too but you have to do so in a way that the knife does not get caught on the shirt.
 
P2P said:
Emersons
Click to expand...

I'm on the fence with Emerson. I have two if them and they are great knives design-wise but I feel that they are overpriced by 15% at least. It's the steel. 154CM is a below average steel in my opinion. I've begged him to move up to S35VN or M390 but he ignores the requests. I know that I am not alone in my quest for a better steel on an Emerson.
 
Flippers and bearings. Great for a play knife. Crap for a working knife, and all mine get put to work.
 
I like edc fixed blades especially worn IWB but in the cold weather it is annoying to have to always lift my jacket to access them.

jceckrosh said:
I carry a waved knife everyday, I never "wave" it open. I could, but I don't. I do have to be conscientious pulling it out of my pocket or I'll have a partially open knife.
Click to expand...

Just remember you are carrying a waved knife and put a finger over the spine of the blade as you draw it and it will never open.
 
Autos. I tried to like them - had a PDW Invictus and a UTX-85 - but they lost their fizz after a relatively short honeymoon. They open themselves so there's almost no user engagement - certainly no technique or learning curve required. Plus, there's the (understandably) skittish public to consider.
 
Handles that are too ergonomincally sculpted.
Theyre really curvy with multiple finger grooves and choils which sounds good on paper, but dont fit all hands and only promote one grip. That's a big no go, especially for a utilitarian cutting tool.

The most neutrally shaped handles are the best in my opinion , but there are a few exceptions of course. Some knives that don't need multiple gripping options, but those are few and far between.
 
Last edited:
Comeuppance said:
I've found there are a few characteristics of knives that seem desirable to me, but, once I actually have a knife with that characteristic and try to use it, I find I'm actually just not into it at all.

The foremost example I can think of is that of dagger grinds. I have owned something like a dozen dagger-ground folders, and I always end up eschewing them in favor of other knives because of a combination of (1) having nowhere to put my thumb and (2) the knife looking overly stabtastic. I'm talking Paragon Warlock, Stedemon Han, even a full custom fixed blade I had ordered. I very nearly bought a Cold Steel Tai Pan, but just barely managed to talk myself out of that.

Another one is that of clip points, which is actually what prompted me to make this thread. I have one of the newer S35vn DLC clip point Cold Steel Recon 1s on its way to me, slated for delivery today, and I'm suddenly having flashbacks of the Emerson CQC-13, Cold Steel Espada, and Kershaw-Emerson CQC-10K that I was disproportionately excited about the delivery of when compared to how immediately I disliked carrying them. The tip always seemed too delicate, and the blade shape always seemed awkward as the tip had too much curvature to it.*

*I'm less worried about the Recon 1, since the tip is notably less swept back than the aforementioned models, but... I have concerns, nonetheless.

What are some knife characteristics you think you want, but dislike in practice?
Click to expand...
I agree on the dagger styles and the clip points. The dagger is a beautiful design but not very useful for my purposes. Outside of game processing, I prefer a drop point to a clip point.

Titanium frame locks didn’t do much for me either. Too slick and I just don’t like the feel in hand. Most of them come with pocket peckers and bearings, more things I don’t care for.

And I definitely don’t care for blades much under three inches.
 
SpySmasher said:
The Wave (or other Wave-like opening devices). It's clever and fast but it tears up my pants and it turns out I have no need for fast.
Click to expand...
This. I forget it is there and end up with a knife in my hand I did not intend to open that quickly.
 
The axis lock. A very clever and strong way to lock a blade. I just hate the way it feels and every one I’ve had came with minor issues out of the box.
 
Strider knives...I have had a few variations of the SNG and SMF, but never kept any. I want to like them, they look cool....but they are heavy, clunky, and take up way to much pocket space imo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top