Too much focus on folding mechanism, not as much on the knife?

[RX-79G]

I end up watching and reading lots of knife reviews. There is always mention of blade sharpness and handle texture and shape, but the main focus seems to be ease of opening, pocket clip positioning and lock execution.

Fixed blade reviews focus on handle comfort, blade geometry and ability to perform more difficult cutting tasks.


Of course, the best reviews tackle everything a folder does, but it does not seem to be our first inclination to test a folder by carving something.


I'm not calling out anyone. I'm just saying that the majority of the stuff we talk about with folders are about folding, not cutting. It would be like a review of a fixed blade that was 90% about using the sheath. I guess I'd like to see more focus on the knife part of the knife, rather than the knife storage mode of the knife.

 

[marcinek]

While I agree that reviews rarely actually cut stuff...a folder folds. Folding is its nature and what makes it different than a fixed blade. People buy folders because they fold. So, reviewing a folder's folding makes perfect sense to me. Seems reasonable.

 

[RX-79G]

I guess I'm pointing out that it really doesn't matter how well a knife folds if it doesn't cut what it is supposed to cut. It is a bit like reviewing an iPod and focusing on how convenient it is, without actually listening to music.

An iPod that sounds terrible is a waste, no matter how easy it is to use. A folder that doesn't cut is equally pointless, unless the real point of a folder truly is having something to play with, rather than having a more portable knife.

 

[marcinek]

Yes, but THAT it folds is the main reason to buy a folder. So how it performs in folding is important. If an iPod isn't portable because it has sharp pointy bits all over it, or has buttons that cannot be used, then that is important.

 

[PURPLEDC]

I think you are missing some key points. First everyone uses there knives for different things. And with the infinite variables effecting cutting performance such as the type of edge right down to the material being cut its nearly impossible for one person to touch base on every valid cutting task and change those variables to have them relate to each person. Things like opening, closing as well as pocket clip positioning is much easier to relate to a broader audience. And really any knife is expected to cut. How well is not going to transfer well to film because you are not the one filming it. And if a knife doesnt cut good there can be multiple things that would effect the performance. For me i want to know the ergos, fit and finish and ease of operation. Those are things not easily disputed. Cutting performance i will evaluate myself.

 

[RX-79G]

I'm including ergos during cutting use as something worth focusing more closely on, rather than the ergos for opening.

The main reason to buy a folder is that you need a knife and a fixed blade would be too big. How it folds is a detail, not the point of having a knife.

If the folding is the point, than my morning commute to work is more important than what I do at work. The focus on carrying and speed of opening suggests that folders are primarily valued for defense; not cutting, chopping, scraping, etc.

Flippers, for instance, are pretty fun. But they make certain cutting tasks - like using a cutting board, for instance - much harder. But they do become ready to chop a half second faster than a thumb stud.


I don't want to be a big argumentative pain about this, so I'll just say: Knives are for cutting. Sheaths and folding mechanisms are for transportation and storage of the cutting device. One serves the other, not the other way around.

 

[Shotgun]

I'm including ergos during cutting use as something worth focusing more closely on, rather than the ergos for opening.

I've found the vast majority of reviews out there to be more along the lines of "looky what I got" than any actual review. I use them for size reference and not much more. Hard to know what size a knife is from the manufacturers stock photos. So...not completely useless. Nearly though.

 

[jill jackson]

It would be like a review of a fixed blade that was 90% about using the sheath. I guess I'd like to see more focus on the knife part of the knife, rather than the knife storage mode of the knife.

The difference is a fixed blade when in use is separated from the sheath, a fixed blade does not use the sheath as a handle. What you are saying is like saying someone's pocket a folder is clipped in would be reviewed. (you can only review how a folder may carry in a pocket) You can't compare a fixed blades sheath, to a folders handle, because the folder can't be separated and after the blade is drawn on a fixed blade it doesn't matter about it's sheath. But, it matters very much about the folders handle.

 

[gga357]

I rarely buy from a maker or company that does not have a good reputation for good HT and I choose steel I like. So unless it is a lemon, which I would return I know it will cut. So what's left? Ergos and action.

 

[The_Iron_Joe]

I'm including ergos during cutting use as something worth focusing more closely on, rather than the ergos for opening.

The main reason to buy a folder is that you need a knife and a fixed blade would be too big. How it folds is a detail, not the point of having a knife.

I'd have to partially disagree. It seems to me that the main reason to buy a folder over a fixed blade is that you need a knife and a fixed blade isn't a practical option for storage when not in use. The fact that it folds, as others have said, is the main reason to purchase it.

A folding knife being able to cut should be a prerequisite, and while it should definitely be discussed (like how my ffg endura slices a little better than my adamas) I don't think it should be really over emphasised unless it lacks the ability to cut well, whether due to poor edge geometry or steel choice or otherwise.

Folders are bought because they can fold. Yes, they should be able to cut, but that's not the problem folding knives address.

 

[RX-79G]

I'd have to partially disagree. It seems to me that the main reason to buy a folder over a fixed blade is that you need a knife...

That's the reason you buy the folder OVER the fixed blade. But the reason you buy a knife "is that you need a knife."

A car might have a stereo, but it is primarily a car, no matter how good the sound system. A folding mechanism is only a support feature that helps you have a knife. It doesn't do anything once the blade is locked (unless faulty). Then the knife is a "fixed" blade and you use it no differently.

 

[PURPLEDC]

I'm including ergos during cutting use as something worth focusing more closely on, rather than the ergos for opening.

The main reason to buy a folder is that you need a knife and a fixed blade would be too big. How it folds is a detail, not the point of having a knife.

If the folding is the point, than my morning commute to work is more important than what I do at work. The focus on carrying and speed of opening suggests that folders are primarily valued for defense; not cutting, chopping, scraping, etc.

Flippers, for instance, are pretty fun. But they make certain cutting tasks - like using a cutting board, for instance - much harder. But they do become ready to chop a half second faster than a thumb stud.


I don't want to be a big argumentative pain about this, so I'll just say: Knives are for cutting. Sheaths and folding mechanisms are for transportation and storage of the cutting device. One serves the other, not the other way around.

But you cant speak as to the motives of all purchasers. You can only speak to your own needs and possibly other like minded individuals. I can tell you that I absolutely DO NOT buy folders because a fixed blade is too big. I buy folders because I have always been intrigued by their design and especially in the automatic format. And it was autos that got me to appreciate different opening mechanisms of which my main focal point in collecting is bearing flippers. I would buy a folder with bearings even if a piece of crap before I bought a fixed blade of any kind. So I think if you dont want an argument then the only way for it to not end up as one is to admit that what you are professing is simply your opinion as it applies to you. And you cant begin to read the minds of others who care about different things. A car has the main purpose of driving but there are all types of cars and depending on the motives of the individual some cars will work better than others for a given task. But you cant say that the purpose of a car is to drive and that its stupid that people focus on racing, going green or installing stereos or putting a body kit on it.

That's the reason you buy the folder OVER the fixed blade. But the reason you buy a knife "is that you need a knife."

A car might have a stereo, but it is primarily a car, no matter how good the sound system. A folding mechanism is only a support feature that helps you have a knife. It doesn't do anything once the blade is locked (unless faulty). Then the knife is a "fixed" blade and you use it no differently.

NO. YOU buy a knife because you need a knife. I buy a knife because I like them and find bearings, balisong autos and OTF's intriguing and I appreciate them like watch collector appreciates a fine mechanical movement as apposed to a dime a dozen quartz movement. I buy a knife because I look at it and it instills an emotional response in my mind that says "damn, I WANT that". If my objective was to simply buy a knife because I needed a knife then I would stop after one. Your mileage may vary but it doesnt speak for the rest of us. And your stereo analogy is also not valid as some cars with competition stereos are built for that sole purpose, competition. I knew guys who trailered their cars to DB contests and the ONLY purpose for the car was to overcome the challenge of creating the best sound possible in the worst environment for such a thing.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

That's the reason you buy the folder OVER the fixed blade. But the reason you buy a knife "is that you need a knife."

A car might have a stereo, but it is primarily a car, no matter how good the sound system. A folding mechanism is only a support feature that helps you have a knife. It doesn't do anything once the blade is locked (unless faulty). Then the knife is a "fixed" blade and you use it no differently.

Even if your car's doors open very hard and noisy it's still just driving once you slam the doors shut?
I wouldn't buy a car with substandard doors. You might. Fine with me. Different horses for different courses.

 

[gga357]

If I buy something that has moving parts then I have an expectation that it is made well and with precision. It should function smoothly thus have good fit and finish. Watch, gun or folder. Basic function should be there but why buy something mechanical if you don't want to be bothered by mechanics?

 

[RX-79G]

Not at all. I just think cutting is mechanics, too, and it should get a little more discussion. Like the discussions we have when there isnt a mechanism.

Its like a folder becomes less of a knife because it folds.

 

[hank_rearden]

don't fret, folding and locking mechanisms are just things afficionados happen to think about a lot. a knife is a cutting tool above all else. you should go over to traditional slip joints. the longer discussions focus on the handle inserts, the inlaid shields, the bolsters and pins, and manufacturers long dead.

 

[Jackrabbit Slim]

Not at all. I just think cutting is mechanics, too, and it should get a little more discussion. Like the discussions we have when there isnt a mechanism.

Its like a folder becomes less of a knife because it folds.

Did you really think cell phones made phone calls? Of course, I understand what you're saying. But if 98% of the time the cell isn't making calls, but playing games and using apps and texting and emailing, then...

Why get a phone at all?

 

[NetshadeX]

I don't like how most reviews spend way too much time talking about specs you already know. I'd like more people to talk about their cutting experience with the blade, like in a folder, did it feel stable, were there any hotspots, how did the edge hold up.
It also baffles me how so little people show the blade centering and and lock up on linerlocks and framelocks. I know these are factors that can be knife specific but if everyone showed these things in their reviews you could at least spot a trend.

 

[redman2006]

I tend to agree with the op, though I had never thought about it. I bought a knife based on many reviews that I later gave away because it was not a good slicer/cutter. Opened great though.

If the knife is not good at being a knife, it does not matter how quickly it opens, how it locks, or how deep the clip is. Few reviews show the cutting ability, most sit there and flip endlessly while they talk.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Reviewing things is easy, reviewing things well is hard. Fixed or folder, I'd love to see more discussion of blade geometry, which is usually a good indicator of cutting efficiency vs resilience, but things like that require a bit more in the way of measurement and math than just using the knife for a bit and explaining the bits you like. I'm too lazy to do it myself, so I can't be too hard on the reviewers that don't feel like taking the time.