United Cutlery- Terrible knives, nice design?

S

Shogi

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Jun 9, 2008
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So I don't post here much or own many knives, but I've breezed through here and other places enough to glean that United Cutlery is generally a terrible company to buy a real knife from. That said, I can't get this knife out of my head:

UC1441.jpg


http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=UC1441
(can't find it on UC's site)

I really love the general look of it from the blade shape to the handle. Seeing as it's so cheap I'm tempted to buy it anyway, but I was wondering how bad UC really is and if there are very similar designs from other (real) companies. Or failing that, somewhere I could get something similar made.
 
You can buy it as a "toy" knife. . . . you won't be able to cut much with it, but if you like the design, you can keep it on your desk to play with when you're bored.

I bought the following knife from that very website for the same reason -because it looked cool.

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=CR2010

What in particular do you like about that knife?

If it's the partially serrated tanto blade, a lot of companies offer that.

If you like the holes in the handle, how about Snody's Xcelerator?

Xcelweb2004.jpg
 
id say go for it, its pretty cheap. you likely wont be surprised, itll be junk, but you can see if that design is really something you want before you throw down more money. or try for a cold steel GI tanto, its the same price but better steel, so it wont break if you beat on it or whatever. similar design too. well somewhat similar.
 
I have a handful of UC knives, from my teenage mall ninja days. I would say they have some nice looking designs, but the steel and overall fit and finish is of medium quality at best. There are a step up from the Chinese knockoffs flooding the markets, but a noticeable step down from any of the companies popular on these here forums.

The one you like is a cool looking model, and I agree with those who said buy it as a "toy." For a camping, edc or 'hard-use' knife I would definitely look elsewhere!
 
If you like it, go for it. Obviously they're not gonna hold a great edge, but they're easy to sharpen, so it's not a bad tradeoff for 20 bucks and satisfying your curiosity. Better to spend $20 on a blade you like and use it than $500 on one that you won't.

I've actually got a few UC knives on my "buy" list at the moment because I like the way they look. I've got an old UC tanto I've had for a couple decades now that I've beat to a pulp around the yard. Handle's gone and the edge is trashed, but it hasn't snapped on me yet.
 
Caffeinepirate said:
If it's the partially serrated tanto blade, a lot of companies offer that.

If you like the holes in the handle, how about Snody's Xcelerator?

Xcelweb2004.jpg
Click to expand...

Mmm, that Snody's quite nice looking. Way out of my price range but I definitely like it. Poor college students can only afford so much =P

In particular I'm drawn to the handle for the black grips and the holes, but also how thin it is. I'm not a fan of the bulky grips that a lot of fixed blades have. As for the blade, I'm a sucker for the sharp angular lines that tanto designs have. I'm definitely over serrations though, both of my knives are combo edge and I kind of regret it.
 
:D I have both the knife pictured and also the one in urban camo. I like both of them and wouldn't think twice about using either one of them. The reason that I bought the camo one was that Field & Stream used one in an issue dedicated to wilderness survival.:D
 
The Nimravus is definitely on my list, it's kinda big though pretty much a full size combat knife that one is (and the nim cub gets me about as excited as a clown in a speedo). I'm kinda looking for a smaller/slimmer design that (I feel) would be more practical and lends itself to a wider variety of carry positions (I think my ideal spot would be horizontal at the back of my belt. Then again it's not legal to carry a fixed blade here in Maryland anyway :grumpy:)

So I was also looking at the CRKT Hammond ABC:
cr2605.jpg

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=CR2605

And the Spyderco Street Beat:
SPFB15Pa.jpg

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SPFB15P

-edit-
I actually have the Swedge I in my list too, but the more I look at them I can't help but find the blade a bit goofy. Is that odd?

I suppose I'm being rather vague and indecisive. That Snody has grown on me quite a bit. Is it actually for sale anywhere, I checked Snody's site and of course you have to order one to be custom made. Does any company do production versions of it? I'm almost afraid to find out how much it is.


This feels a bit one sided so let's post other UC designs we like too.
 
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The Snody is carbon fiber, so it is probably gonna set you back a bit moneywise. The SOG Swedge is a wharncliffe blade, it has a completely straight edge. It might come off as goofy, but it has it's advantages compared to a blade with a curved edge. If you like the tanto blade shape of that UC blade you've been looking at, but can't carry a fixed blade, you should definitely take a look at the Emerson CQC7:

Viennacutlery%20Bild%203.4%20402.jpg


www.emersonknives.com
 
Ooo...I do quite like that one.

Even though I can't carry one, I'd like to add a fixed blade or two to my collection as I've already got 2 folders. I have a Kershaw Shallot as my EDC and I love it to death so I'm not in a rush to get a new folder.
 
bladefixation2 said:
How about the SOG swedge II ?
SOGBH02.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm really looking forward to getting a Swedge, it's a unique looking knife. I also like the look of the UC knife at the top of the page. I also agree with Kiah, that it would probably be fine for certain purposes; you not going to use it to baton through firewood and you're also probably not going to be re-sharpeining it 'in the field' so it won't matter if it doesn't hold an edge for long.
 
I have a few UC blades left over from my financially challenged days, and of course they are not as nice as your high end super steel knives, but they can be used and definately take a real beating.

I have several that I still use to this day even though I own knives that are $500 and over, just because some of the UC blades I have fit a unique nitch that I have not found better replacements for, as far as design and function. And they serve there intended functions pretty well, for me at least. :)

...here are some that I have beat to hell, and still use...
various2008-2009195.jpg

various2008-2009147.jpg

various2008-2009118.jpg
 
wow, you weren't kidding when you said beat to hell.

I'm liking that first set, you did the wrap yourself?
 
BryFry said:
I have a few UC blades left over from my financially challenged days, .................
various2008-2009147.jpg
............
Click to expand...

I had one of those P.O.S knives too, Never could get a decent edge on it. I'm glad you got some use out of yours but I think I decided I'd rather have a Stanley knife than mine!
 
take the $20 and whatever the shipping will cost, then go to WalMart and find something there. UC is JUNK
 
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