What are some huge deal breakers for you when it comes to buying knives?

For me it is cheap 1095 steel knives that are sold at a premium price. It just doesn't make sense to me. For that matter I feel any knife made of cheap steel (1095, AUS8) and/ or cheap handle materials (FRN, rubber, Kraton) that cost more than USD70 is a deal breaker. Of course this is only my opinion... We can all agree to disagree.
 
A thumb stud on only one side, and A/O. I'm also not a big chisel grind fan.

For legal reasons autos and daggers are also out.
 
Serrations though if I find the right knife I'll make it a recurve without them.

And I'll third or forth Recession. I can't afford to pay attention!

Not too many other things will turn me off instantly.
 
Good question. Deal breakers for me include:
  • Combo edges (except Cold Steel)
  • Linerlocks
  • Chisel grinds
  • Bumpy serrations
  • Blades less than 3-inches
  • Cost
Cold Steel has very nice serrations, and I'll used those, but others are too bumpy. I also have less use for combo blades, though I like them on my Gunsite and Recon 1. Chisel grind knives are usually ground on the left side, which is strictly cosmetic and makes cutting chores just that -- chores. And cost? I'll never pay as much for a knife as I will a gun.
 
Just thought of another.

Big lettering on the side of the blade. Whether it be "1 of 500" or the brand name, I think it just detracts from the looks.
 
  1. Metal handles (Except on small knives)
  2. Combo blades
  3. Shoddy construction
  4. Thumb studs (Give me a hole or nail nick instead)
  5. Tip-down-only clips
 
I would say price is the biggest deal breaker. Also if a knife is too big to carry comfortably or too small to handle then I'll usually pass.
 
For me, the biggest one is price.

After that, probably uncomfortable, angular, badly thought out handles.

Third would be any sharp protrusions on handle, such as "skull-crushers" or pry-bars. When handling a knife, you do NOT want anything sharp pointing back towards you or your fingers!!! :thumbdn:
 
Time has taught me I don't want:

Chisel grinds
Blade coatings
tip-down carry
Serrations
plastic (zytel) fixed blade handles


Biggest deal-breaker for me is: I'm a lefty, and I don't want single thumb-studs or non-reversible pocket clips.
 
Hawkbill blades, tanto blades, radical recurves, weight above 6 ozs.(I do make an exception for the 110).
 
For me it' s

-Combo edges
-Tantos
-Bad jimping
-Bad factory edges
-Chisel grinds
-Bad pocket clips(mounted to low, weird shape(like in the JYD) and if they' re too tight so they tear up my pants


Just to name a few.
 
Combo edges
Poor steel for the price
Overly tactical aesthetics
Poor blade:handle ratio (just doesn't look good to me)
Most tantos
 
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