United Cutlery- Terrible knives, nice design?

[Phade]

Did anyone else notice that the picture at the top of the page is the same knife just mirrored?

 

[greater]

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:

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.

I took a look and my thoughts are for larger blades (not swords though) of that design a cheap stainless may not be that bad as long as it can take a good cutting edge.

There are a couple of problems though one is UC has been known to sell poor quality novelty knives also the type of steel on this knife is only identified as stainless with no reference as to what kind of stainless or it's hardness. These are warning signs to me.

There is one review where a customer describes the knife as sharp among other things that would make a prosecutor's day.

If you really like this design and feel it's a must I would do some research (calling and asking) first before buying it or find something else.

 

[Nomad333]

they usually use 420 or 420j2

 

[Sharp Knives 86]

The best UC knives I have are a pair of throwing knives I got as a present a few years ago. They're not too bad considering they probaly only cost $20 at the most and have survived so far but everything else UC makes are just wall hangers in my experiance. Good to look at but not much else.

Back when I was a teen, I got the Rambo knife that is made by UC thinking because I payed over $100 for it it would out perform my $50 USMC Ka-Bar and $40 Buck 120 so when I took it camping, I chipped the blade and broke the tip after about 20 mins of use.

 

[BryFry]

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!

It's not the best knife in the world for sure, but mine takes and holds a decent enough edge, I've batoned with it, used it as a throwing knife, used the chisel shaped handle as a pry-bar, digging tool, and improvised screwdriver. ...and the knife has held up quite well.

I still get use out of it because of the fact that both knife and sheath are very water and rust resistant, and the way the clip-on sheath is made allows it to be clipped to the inside waistband of my shorts/swimtrunks (and is then 95% hidden) this means I can carry it when rafting, boating, swimming and such even without pockets or a belt.

I've tried to find a better knife to fill this nitch (even started a whole thread on this forum about it) -but I've never been able to find anything that serves this purpose better.

I don't plan on buying any more UC knives in the forseeable future but that is only because I can afford to indulge in more expensive knives these days. But that dosen't change the fact that my old cheap UC blades have severed me quite well, and I'll still continue to beat on them when ever I get the chance, and if I do finally break one beond repaire then I'll think what the heck, I'm only out like $20 on a blade that lasted me decades!

 

[Steel Dragon]

I noticed the knives sold by Emerson,Spyderco,Busse,etc all have great sharp blades and are used by special forces & the like.
United Cutlery is a great product for the interested person on a budget.They definately make the coolest looking cutlery & have been knocked off alot.
They specialize in movie replica's.
Rambo1-2-3
BLADE
Lord Of The Rings
Indiana Jones
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Spiderman
Total Recall
& Kit Rae has the coolest stuff & his designs has been in many movies.
Gil Hibben & more.