What´s your absolutely MUST when buying a new knife?

Slowstarter said:
When you´re eyeballing a new folder, what features MUST the knife contain to make you buy it?

Well, I would never buy a new folder if...
It couldn´t be opened and closed one handed.
It didn´t lock.
It it´s to much ninja-tactical-looking.
If it costs more than 200 dollars....and that´s about it.

The type of steel, manufactor, pocket clip, where it´s made, serrations, weight, size etc comes second hand for me.

What´s your MUST on a new knife?
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There are SEVERAL "musts" when buying a new knife:

Must cost less than $100
Be easy to open and close one handed
Blade between 2.75" and 3.75"
Drilled for Tip up and tip down ambi carry
Have a thin handle for easy EDC
Have decent choil and jimping to keep the knife secure
weigh no more than 5.5 ounces
Full flat grind quality steel blade like VG-10,S30V, D2 or ZDP
and finally, it must look wicked cool, but not "mall ninja-ish"
 
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Jake Bauer said:
It MUST

have a Spyder bug or RAT Cutlery logo on the blade :D
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lol yes.

most things i look for have been mentioned. one thing thats allllmost a must is..

it has to have tip DOWN option. theres alot of spydercos i love i just cant bring myself to spend money un because they are tip up only.
 
Dekz said:
One handed opening, plain edge, and locking blade.

Anything else is optional.
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Same here, except that serrated blades also fill a need, so I have a couple, and will probably get at least one more.

I would add: feel of the handle and shape of blade must be right. I can live with dodgy blades but an uncomfortable handle is a deal breaker.

Same with FBs.
 
It must be at least slightly different from anything else I have.
and
(It must be good dollar value) OR (be quite exclusive and great quality).

So for example I bought the Cold Steel Black Rock Hunter, it's a model unlike anything else I had and it's light, strong, large, razorsharp and cheap. Great price/performance ratio.
I also bought a Busse Key Lardo. Not cheap, but rare, beautiful and indestructible.
 
MUST not be an automatic or an AO due to legal reasons...
MUST be at least an AUS8 steel or better, no "440 stainless steel/ surgical steel"
MUST look visually appealing, there's no good reason to be carrying an ugly knife around.
MUST be affordable or at least something within my reach.

Azad...
 
It must have an option to change the clip for left side carry or the sheath to be carried left side.
 
The knife must be comfortable, functional, and good looking. Unless it is mean't for pocket carry, I prefer the belt sheath to be made from leather and preferable a natural brown color.
 
1. It must be US made.
2. It must not be serrated! (I have saws...)
3. It must not be a tanto blade... unless it's my new B-M 760BK LTi... okay, never mind this one!

Stainz

PS Re 1. above... it could be German made, too... or Swiss...
 
It MUST:
1. Be made in the U.S. (but I'll settle for Japan or Switzerland :D)
2. Plain Edge
3. No blade play
4. Be reasonably priced for what it is
5. Be useful, and not so pretty that I'll just leave it on the shelf
6. Be by a company I know and trust
7. Specify exactly what kind of steel/handle material is used. "Surgical stainless and molded plastic" will not suffice.
8. Blade under 4" weight under 5 oz.
 
The two most important things I consider when buying a new folder are:

#1.Ergonomics-It has to fit my hand well & have a comfortable grip.

#2.Smooth Action-Buttery smooth action & ease of opening/closing is a MUST with me.




.....oh yea,NO combo edges!
 
I have to like it.

Who has time to make up rules that are going to be broken the next time you see something that you like?
 
I like to see the model before I buy it. I might get it from a show, a local (within an hour to two hours drive) knife nut, or just take a look at a show. Still, I need to feel it in hand first. This is with folders for the most part. I don't own any production fixed blades except for Moras, all of my other ones are custom made. I have gotten mine from makers whose work I really like. Scott Gossman, J Neilson, ML Knives, Bob Dozier, Butch Harner, Larry Nowicki and others. I have personally met and know Scott, J, Butch and Larry. I've talked with ML over email.
 
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These days I won't buy a folder if it's not a Strider or Chris Reeve. With the exception of my Leatherman Charge xti. But I buy it more for the tool aspect than the blade. IMHO best Multi-Tool made.

And if Busse Comes out with a folder some day i'll be all over that.
 
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