This is HERESY!!! Knife Opinions

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Quiet said:
I mean, you come in here, to a section that's called "Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades" and then make disparaging comments about how Chinese import knives are better than the products of two traditional* American companies (Buck and Case) who make excellent knives (though apparently Case knives are now "pretty boy knives", whatever those are supposed to be). That said, you're getting exactly what you asked for, so I'm not sure why you're acting as though you've been personally insulted. If you like Chinese "traditionals" please enjoy them. As for speaking about someone else's age, you're acting very young, and you seem not to have much experience at all with Traditional knives. Also, while we're here, I'm still waiting for you to describe what "real work" is that you feel Case knives can't accomplish.


* Recall back to the section's name?
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Now Quiet Guy, you realize you are exaggerating just a bit here. I love and use Case and Buck Daily. Carried 2 Bucks and a Case overseas in the service 18 years (all three rusted LOL). Just giving my general thoughts on how the state of knives has changed. I still feel most modern knives are jewelry- more attention to esthetics than build/use. No need to get into ‘pearl clutching‘ here. I‘ll leave it at that. BTW, most days around 80% of the online viewers are not full fledged members. I’d be good to make them feel welcome. Thank you for you time.
 
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Slice-and-dice said:
Now Quiet Guy, you realize you are exaggerating just a bit here. I love and use Case and Buck Daily. Carried 2 Bucks and a Case oversees in the service 18 years (all three rusted LOL). Just giving my general thoughts on how the state of knives has changed. I still feel most modern knives are jewelry- more attention to esthetics than build/use. No need to get into ‘pearl clutching‘ here. I‘ll leave it at that. BTW, most days over 70% of the online viewers are not full fledged members. I’d be good to make them feel welcome. Thank you for you time.
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I am curious as to why you keep using terms that seem designed to denigrate knives or make them seem "less". What features result in a knife being a "pretty boy knife" or (now) "jewelry"? Do these traits make them less useful at accomplishing cutting tasks? Also, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Buck and Case are selling more knives than ever, to users and collectors alike, and the love and appreciation for Traditional knives is very strong these days. So, that's a good thing. Also, I am not here to speak on making people feel welcome or unwelcome, but I do want to ask once again, what you feel constitutes "real work" that a Case knife can't accomplish?
 
Let's get back to discussing knives and not one another...or you know what will happen once your parents get home.

Show respect, (for the sub-forum and one another), get respect. It should be simple enough. If not, I'll come back.
 
Since we're discussing opinions on Traditionals...

I don't do a lot of heavy use with a knife anymore and likely won't going forward, and most Traditional knives will do the light work I need, I pick a knife based mostly on two criteria.

1) Pattern. I've come to appreciate certain patterns and I've learned I don't like others. Some patterns are too large for me to want to throw in the pocket and carry around. Others are too small and are fumbly in my fingers. Some just feel odd in my hand, others are "just right".

2) Looks. There. I said it. Call it jewelry or a pretty boy, nothing wrong with a knife looking nice and appreciating that feature. Cover material, color, jigging. Do I like it, or not?
 
Slice-and-dice said:
What have you observed about the state of knife-making today that might have seemed like heresy 10-15 years ago?
Focusing on traditional folding knives here.

My list:

==>If you want a reasonably priced multi-blade folder, you've got to buy Chinese made product. Quality has improved tremendously. Rough Ryder, Cattleman, Buck Chinese, etc make better, i.e. sturdier, sharper, higher quality, knives for the money than Case and other favorites do.
==>Buck classic folders have slipped a little bit in quality, and the 420 HC steel is arguably not as beloved as the former steels (425M, 440C), but Buck makes a rock solid working knife. The 110 / 112 / 501 / 55 are still virtually indestructible.
==>Case makes the most gorgeous folding knife around, but it has become a "pretty boy" knife. Awesome to look at and use to cut fruit or open mail, but will wilt under the pressure of real work.
==>Way too many expensive knives, greater than $300, that will never be used. Too many of these are viewed as investments.

Your opinions?
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I disagree on the first point. You can get used/older US made knives for relatively cheap online that are built pretty well. RR is great quality for the $, but like with Case, you should inspect before buying.

As far as Case knives being "pretty boy knives", I interpret that has they look good but don't perform well. Considering how many Case knives I have to look through at SMKW to get one that doesn't have excessive blade wobble, liners I can watch TV through, a weak spring, no snap, etc., I can understand where OP is coming from. Vintage Case is a different story. OP specifically said "Case has become", as in, their newer knives are the ones with the issue.
 
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jc57 said:
I've always wanted to be pretty! I just dropped a Case Stockman (6347 Amber Bone SS) in my pocket. How do I look?
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Eeehhh...I feel like you could have paid more attention to your choice of shoes, you know? Really brought the whole outfit together? I give you a 3 outta 5 though, the swagger on display is helping. 😆
 
The biggest change I have seen is the rise of the single-blade straight-edged traditional. Wharncliffe, sheepfoot and lambsfoot blades as stand alone knives were rare decades ago, but now flourish. They used to be thought of as secondary blades only, but now have become popular EDC blades. Maybe it's the lambsfoot influence, maybe it has to do with how easily straight-edged blades are sharpened . . . who knows?
 
The few inexpensive Chinese knives I have are my junkers I have lying around or tossed in the vehicle console. Ones I don't care if they get gunked up, chipped, lost or stolen. I will say this, I have two identical Buck stockman's, one made in U.S. the other in China, and the Chinese made one has better overall fit and finish. I try to buy American where I can, but not if the quality isn't up to par.
 
coolhand68 said:
The few inexpensive Chinese knives I have are my junkers I have lying around or tossed in the vehicle console. Ones I don't care if they get gunked up, chipped, lost or stolen. I will say this, I have two identical Buck stockman's, one made in U.S. the other in China, and the Chinese made one has better overall fit and finish. I try to buy American where I can, but not if the quality isn't up to par
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Exactly my approach. Buy the American made Bucks, Cases, etc. but have a few cheapies made out of country for miscellaneous tasks.
 
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