Things you used to prefer, but now avoid

When I first started this hobby, I would exclusively look for pretty Damascus/Damasteel folders. Ultimately, these knives would never see usage and only existed in my pocket for the sole purpose of jewelry.

Nowadays, usability & performance dictate the direction of a purchase.

In my eyes, a knife with patina, scratches, and wear outshines any damascus pattern.

Examples:
1) ZT 0450FCDAM -> V-Toku2 Delica
2) Reate K-3 -> ZT0452
3) Reate Future -> V-Toku2 Endura
 
SavageSick said:
When I first started this hobby, I would exclusively look for pretty Damascus/Damasteel folders. Ultimately, these knives would never see usage and only existed in my pocket for the sole purpose of jewelry.

Nowadays, usability & performance dictate the direction of a purchase.

In my eyes, a knife with patina, scratches, and wear outshines any damascus pattern.

Examples:
1) ZT 0450FCDAM -> V-Toku2 Delica
2) Reate K-3 -> ZT0452
3) Reate Future -> V-Toku2 Endura
Click to expand...

Maybe you should try biting the bullet and start using those Damascus knives you may or may not still own? Sound like the best of both worlds if monetary value isn't a detrimental concern for you.
 
tony281sc2 said:
Automatics...bought a few Kershaw Launches (3,4,7) but eventually came to realize that they’re really no different than an A/O knife in the sense that you still need two hands to close them.
Much easier and more convienient to have a manual knife that can be closed with one hand.
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You can pretty much close every auto with one hand...I do with my protechs, its not really that hard.
 
Assisted opening used to be OK to me. Not any more, full deal breaker for new purchases now. However, I still carry my ZT 566 sometimes, it seems to get past my aversion somehow.
 
My ex-wife. Thankfully, haven't seen her in 3 years.

When I was in my teens through early 30's, I was very much into tactical knives. Assisted, tanto, partial serrations...

I had delusions of defending myself and wanting to kill people. I was a bit unbalanced as a yout.

I came to the point of realizing that the resistance for a/o was annoying, partial serrations were rather pointless, and I was 33 years old, lived and worked in the suburbs.

I sold my SOGs and Kershaws at that point. I did the overbuilt tank thing for a bit, but I worked in an office I didn't need to carry a ZT0561 or 0801. The weight was tearing my slacks.

I like flippers, but not for the reasons I once did. Fast deployment is not the utmost concern. They are easier to open with my arthritis. I like Spydie holes as well. Most thumbstuds bother me.
 
Assisted open knives are also on my own list of things to avoid. I still have a couple and I like them well enough to keep them (Kershaw Leeks), but when I'm looking at something new, I prefer manually opening knives. Partly due to legal grey area where I work, partly because with a little extra awareness employed, I get by without OHO just fine. I'm more into slip joints, friction folders, lock backs and manual locks these days.
 
Partially serrated blades, blades over 1/8 inch thick, non FFG blades, I dunno. I feel curmudgeonly these days.
 
Pretty much still like and buy the same stuff for the most part.
Unless we're talking about knives I bought for $10-$15 from that used furniture store back when I was between 12 and 14 years old...
 
I used to look for Full Flat Ground blades when I was newer to knives.
Now over a decade later I avoid them and look for chunkier/ heavier duty blades. (nothing crazy, but something that can take more abuse than a PM2 or sage for an example...

I'd rather carry something a little bit more substantial that weighs an once or 2 more that can flex in to more roles than JUST be an amazing slicer, as long as the edge is kept in good shape the blades gonna cut regardless!

I also use to have many autos in my collection years ago. Today I dislike autos and sold most if not all autos I had in my collection. The actions on manual knives are arguably better than the speed of deployment from an auto knife, also manuals are more dependable, less can go wrong with 1 as opposed to all the extra little pieces that could break or malfunction with an auto. --- also something about being able to manipulate a manual knife with a thumb stud or flipper is more rewarding/fun than pressing a button...

Just my .02c!
 
I've really gotten into Stockmans and Trappers and all other slips over the last 3 or 4 years. I collected liner locks for a while and I got quite a few fixed blades. Getting more and more away from "survival/tactical" knives.
 
I thought thick blades (in the spine) were all the biz because "versatility" (like "if I need to split some wood in the woods"). The fact is, I need more "slicey, slicey" action than this versatility. In come the thin, flat ground blades... Tadaaaa !
 
I don't but cheap Kershaws/CRKTs anymore. Have enough of them but still buy "vintage" and premium steel or newer novel Kershaws/CRKTs, like the M390 Kershaws and the CRKT Provoke.

Bought a Hinderer Gen 6 XM-18 3.0 slicer but decided that the ZT/Hinderers were good enough 4me. Sold the XM-18 and won't buy any more Hinderers.

Otherwise, I still buy what ever strikes my fancy.
 
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Before getting into more expensive knives I preferred tip down carry and assisted opening (Kershaws)

Now, I don't like either.
 
herisson said:
I thought thick blades (in the spine) were all the biz because "versatility" (like "if I need to split some wood in the woods"). The fact is, I need more "slicey, slicey" action than this versatility. In come the thin, flat ground blades... Tadaaaa !
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I need slicey slicey in my kitchen kitchen, which is where my full flat ground blades live. For EDC I'll stick with my more versatile blades, unless I know I'll be needing to slice a ridiculous amount of cardboard because of a big delivery that day then I bring out my utility box cutter which is way more practical than either of our preferred blades! And when it dulls out flip the blade around and no need to do any sharpening!!! Sounds like a win win to me =)
 
Overbuilt folders, I once thought an overbuilt knife was a safe knife and it's versitility because of it was an advantage.

Than reality hit me they suck at cutting and I was raised on slip joints so I wasn't relying on the lock anyway.
 
"Tactical". Jeez, what a term. And what goes by the name "tanto" now. Utterly useless to me. But for a short time I liked that stuff. In knives, that is. I still love my Mossberg 500 with 590 barrel and heat shield (which it wears when it's not hunting). And my Win 97 trench. And my M1, No 1 Mk III*, M-N M38, 1911A1, and my swords.

But in knives? Give me my Buck 110 (or Opinel or Mora or puukko or machete) over ANY "tactical" knife any day.

Can't sleep. Must be gettin' cranky! (All opinions stated here are subject to change.)

Zieg
 
My tastes haven't changed much. I like knives in general, and enjoy variation so I've always been pretty flexible on the specifics. I've clarified my thinking over time, but I don't have much in the way of hard and fast rules.
 
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