- Joined
- Jan 16, 2001
- Messages
- 166
I'm curious on how you guys rate the different production knife companies in terms of fit and finish, design, cutting performance, durability, etc. I will list mine with a pro/con list to accompany rating just to give my opinion of things.
I would like to exclude semi production knives. (Sebenza,Strider etc)
1. Microtech
Pros - Best Auto's in the business.Great manual knives also.Very tight engineering tolerences and great execution of designs. Always come sharp and are easy to sharpen. Very reliable and easy to care for. Great cutters.
Cons - Aluminum handles damage too easliy. QC sometimes spotty on some models. Expensive. Model lineup somewhat limited due to small manufacturing capacity.
2. Masters of Defense*
Pros - Great Manual folders and fixed blades. Innovative designs. Great customer service. See Microtech.
Cons- Lousy automatics, slow and weak. Newer model folders are not up to snuff. Expensive. Growing QC concerns.
* On the edge of losing this spot due to current QC and new model issues.
3. Benchmade**
Pros - Good Manual folders/Fixed. Axis lock is great. Great partnerships with custom designers. Tons of models. QC is really improving. Great customer service. Durable G10 handles on most models. Cut well
Cons - Lousy Serrations. Not the sharpest or easiest to sharpen. Spotty QC (getting beter). Lacks the high tech feel of MT or MOD. Autos suck. Slow and weak.
Benchmades are my user knives.
4. Spyderco
Pros - Always scary sharp and easy to keep that way. Good QC. Tons of Models. Bang for buck. Serrations are the best in biz. Innovative designs. Great Customer service.
Cons - Too many Zytel handled models. Flea market handle with a killer blade. Liner locks models have flimsy looking locks. Lock back models are good,but not easy to use one handed (closing). Some odd upgrade choices on certain models. (CF Delica, but no G10?) Seems reluctant to develop a super high tech design and execution do to fear it won't sell.
I like Spyderco's. I just think they are capable of better.
5. Emerson
Pros - Innovative design. G10 handles. Waved models are neat. Can disasmble without voiding warranty.
Cons - Do not cut or sharpen well (most models) without special techniques. Poor QC. Overpriced.
Not a huge fan of Emerson's. I do think they are better than CRKT or Kershaws though.
There you have it. What do you guys think?
I would like to exclude semi production knives. (Sebenza,Strider etc)
1. Microtech
Pros - Best Auto's in the business.Great manual knives also.Very tight engineering tolerences and great execution of designs. Always come sharp and are easy to sharpen. Very reliable and easy to care for. Great cutters.
Cons - Aluminum handles damage too easliy. QC sometimes spotty on some models. Expensive. Model lineup somewhat limited due to small manufacturing capacity.
2. Masters of Defense*
Pros - Great Manual folders and fixed blades. Innovative designs. Great customer service. See Microtech.
Cons- Lousy automatics, slow and weak. Newer model folders are not up to snuff. Expensive. Growing QC concerns.
* On the edge of losing this spot due to current QC and new model issues.
3. Benchmade**
Pros - Good Manual folders/Fixed. Axis lock is great. Great partnerships with custom designers. Tons of models. QC is really improving. Great customer service. Durable G10 handles on most models. Cut well
Cons - Lousy Serrations. Not the sharpest or easiest to sharpen. Spotty QC (getting beter). Lacks the high tech feel of MT or MOD. Autos suck. Slow and weak.
Benchmades are my user knives.
4. Spyderco
Pros - Always scary sharp and easy to keep that way. Good QC. Tons of Models. Bang for buck. Serrations are the best in biz. Innovative designs. Great Customer service.
Cons - Too many Zytel handled models. Flea market handle with a killer blade. Liner locks models have flimsy looking locks. Lock back models are good,but not easy to use one handed (closing). Some odd upgrade choices on certain models. (CF Delica, but no G10?) Seems reluctant to develop a super high tech design and execution do to fear it won't sell.
I like Spyderco's. I just think they are capable of better.
5. Emerson
Pros - Innovative design. G10 handles. Waved models are neat. Can disasmble without voiding warranty.
Cons - Do not cut or sharpen well (most models) without special techniques. Poor QC. Overpriced.
Not a huge fan of Emerson's. I do think they are better than CRKT or Kershaws though.
There you have it. What do you guys think?