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What are your biggest knife turn-offs ?
- Thread starter pitdog
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 6,105
False edges, oversized ricassos, choils, BAD EDGES (what good is a knife that won't cut???), hollow grinds, skinny/anemic handles, serrations, brutal thumb serrations, pointed butts.
Edited to add: Guards (especially rear guards).
Edited to add: Guards (especially rear guards).
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Oh now, let's see... 
1) Choils on small knives. This is the worst thing by far. They're absolutely, positively, entirely doggone useless - and not only that, but actually detrimental to performance. And still folks keep making these things in even the smallest of knives...
2) Sawbacks and serrations on any knife. If I wanted a saw, I would bring one.
3) Double guards. Sure, on a sword, no problem. On a knife? How about no. I'd like to actually use the thing, and even in the military the use isn't dueling where the top guard would actually mean something other than a hindrance, maybe.
4) Deep grooves in the handle. Smooth handles are a good idea so you can actually alter your grip. A handle that you can only grip effectively in one or two ways is not worth the material.
5) Anything even remotely resembling an American tanto point. Disastrous.
6) All metal handles, or cord wrapped "handles". Stupidest idea ever. The former are cold as hell and impossible to grip, and the latter fall apart quickly and gather all kinds of gunk and dirt, not to mention being horribly unergonomic.
7) Chisel grinds. Ok for chisels. Crap for knives.
Yeah, I think that was the worst ones.
1) Choils on small knives. This is the worst thing by far. They're absolutely, positively, entirely doggone useless - and not only that, but actually detrimental to performance. And still folks keep making these things in even the smallest of knives...
2) Sawbacks and serrations on any knife. If I wanted a saw, I would bring one.
3) Double guards. Sure, on a sword, no problem. On a knife? How about no. I'd like to actually use the thing, and even in the military the use isn't dueling where the top guard would actually mean something other than a hindrance, maybe.
4) Deep grooves in the handle. Smooth handles are a good idea so you can actually alter your grip. A handle that you can only grip effectively in one or two ways is not worth the material.
5) Anything even remotely resembling an American tanto point. Disastrous.
6) All metal handles, or cord wrapped "handles". Stupidest idea ever. The former are cold as hell and impossible to grip, and the latter fall apart quickly and gather all kinds of gunk and dirt, not to mention being horribly unergonomic.
7) Chisel grinds. Ok for chisels. Crap for knives.
Yeah, I think that was the worst ones.
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2004
- Messages
- 4,030
I didn't realize so many people don't like clip points.
I don't like hollow grinds or Japanese style cord wraps on tactical knives. I only like japanese wraps when done in a traditional way on a traditoinal japanese style blade..
I don't like hollow grinds or Japanese style cord wraps on tactical knives. I only like japanese wraps when done in a traditional way on a traditoinal japanese style blade..
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2007
- Messages
- 3,535
Oh now, let's see...
1) Choils on small knives. This is the worst thing by far. They're absolutely, positively, entirely doggone useless - and not only that, but actually detrimental to performance. And still folks keep making these things in even the smallest of knives...
2) Sawbacks and serrations on any knife. If I wanted a saw, I would bring one.
3) Double guards. Sure, on a sword, no problem. On a knife? How about no. I'd like to actually use the thing, and even in the military the use isn't dueling where the top guard would actually mean something other than a hindrance, maybe.
4) Deep grooves in the handle. Smooth handles are a good idea so you can actually alter your grip. A handle that you can only grip effectively in one or two ways is not worth the material.
5) Anything even remotely resembling an American tanto point. Disastrous.
6) All metal handles, or cord wrapped "handles". Stupidest idea ever. The former are cold as hell and impossible to grip, and the latter fall apart quickly and gather all kinds of gunk and dirt, not to mention being horribly unergonomic.
7) Chisel grinds. Ok for chisels. Crap for knives.
Yeah, I think that was the worst ones.
This pretty well sums up my thoughts. Add "surgical stainless steel," poorly-designed handles, and partial-tang knives.
EDIT: Oh, and I forgot the biggest turnoff for a knife: Bad sheaths. Why in the world would somebody spend the time to make or design a great knife then ship it with a sheath that's not worth a sack of rotten potatoes?
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 7,702
I agree with all you guys on that one :thumbup:
First and foremost what Rocketbomb said, no more bad sheaths please!
Clip points arent a fav, but Ill still deal with them.
Stick tangs, I like seeing on piece of steel samwitched between two handle slabs.
hollow grinds, and saber grinds. I PREFER full flat, but like convexd and scandi.
Stupid marketing
stupid looking (in my eyes)
Thin handles (I have sosage fingers!)
when their toted as tactical, most law enforcment and mil carry multitools anyways.
Clip points arent a fav, but Ill still deal with them.
Stick tangs, I like seeing on piece of steel samwitched between two handle slabs.
hollow grinds, and saber grinds. I PREFER full flat, but like convexd and scandi.
Stupid marketing
stupid looking (in my eyes)
Thin handles (I have sosage fingers!)
when their toted as tactical, most law enforcment and mil carry multitools anyways.
Most have siad it - Elen very well
Tacticool - Not expecting to have to fast draw any time soon. And certianly don't watn to appear to police that I expect to have to
Serrations/sawback - I am not in emergency services, and hard to sharpen
Fantasy - I am not expecting to fight any Zombies
False edges/swedges - I am not intending to fight any zombies, particularly with back swings
Double guards - not going to be fighting any zombies, particularly ones with swords - especially with a knife!
Thick scales on a folder - hanging out for a flatter full size griptillian. I live in city and surrounds a primary requirement is minimal impact on pockets
Adverstisements on the blade - that is what a marketing budget is for - not what I ahve paid fto use. Mostly feel the same about clothes
Coatings (largely covered by tacticcol) - but stone wash, bead blasted etc fine OK
Tacticool - Not expecting to have to fast draw any time soon. And certianly don't watn to appear to police that I expect to have to
Serrations/sawback - I am not in emergency services, and hard to sharpen
Fantasy - I am not expecting to fight any Zombies
False edges/swedges - I am not intending to fight any zombies, particularly with back swings
Double guards - not going to be fighting any zombies, particularly ones with swords - especially with a knife!
Thick scales on a folder - hanging out for a flatter full size griptillian. I live in city and surrounds a primary requirement is minimal impact on pockets
Adverstisements on the blade - that is what a marketing budget is for - not what I ahve paid fto use. Mostly feel the same about clothes
Coatings (largely covered by tacticcol) - but stone wash, bead blasted etc fine OK
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2006
- Messages
- 3,734
G10 handles. It has marginal grip when dry and it's worthless when it's wet, IMHO.
+2 on bad sheaths.
+2 on bad sheaths.
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2006
- Messages
- 1,466
#1 Blade coatings-I can care for carbon steel or go to a stainless blade in certain environments. I am not deanimating targets in the dark of night. Blade coating serve only to diminish performance and look cheesy.
#2 Serrations/combo blades-I know how to sharpen a knife. Good only for limiting the ability to do delicate, fine work.
#3 Overly thick, sharpened pry bars for field knives- A knife for me primarily cuts and slices. If I am doing a lot of chopping I'll use a machete or hatchet. Disproportionally thick stock limits efficient slicing and makes the knife cumbersome, awkward and unnecessarily heavy.
#4 Short handles on full size knives- I have a pair of real man's hands. Please make the handle so I can get four fingers on it. I can live with shorter handles on a folder, neck knife or intentionally small knife like the BRKT Mikro. But please, if it has a four inch blade, the handle needs to be longer.
#5 Overly complicated designs- In attempting to create a do it all tool, the effect is usually a tool that is less capable than a much simpler design, see the infamous Tracker.
I personally like a properly executed hollow grind for certain applications, i.e. the Sebenza. Drop points and clip points also have their merits, for me, in certain incarnations. I don't mind metal handles, provided it's titanium, or well anodised aluminum. I really like Micarta, carbon fiber and G-10 for folders and contemporary fixed blades. I like natural woods and stag/bone for slipjoints or traditional fixed blades.
#2 Serrations/combo blades-I know how to sharpen a knife. Good only for limiting the ability to do delicate, fine work.
#3 Overly thick, sharpened pry bars for field knives- A knife for me primarily cuts and slices. If I am doing a lot of chopping I'll use a machete or hatchet. Disproportionally thick stock limits efficient slicing and makes the knife cumbersome, awkward and unnecessarily heavy.
#4 Short handles on full size knives- I have a pair of real man's hands. Please make the handle so I can get four fingers on it. I can live with shorter handles on a folder, neck knife or intentionally small knife like the BRKT Mikro. But please, if it has a four inch blade, the handle needs to be longer.
#5 Overly complicated designs- In attempting to create a do it all tool, the effect is usually a tool that is less capable than a much simpler design, see the infamous Tracker.
I personally like a properly executed hollow grind for certain applications, i.e. the Sebenza. Drop points and clip points also have their merits, for me, in certain incarnations. I don't mind metal handles, provided it's titanium, or well anodised aluminum. I really like Micarta, carbon fiber and G-10 for folders and contemporary fixed blades. I like natural woods and stag/bone for slipjoints or traditional fixed blades.
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,124
I have been thinking about the difference between knife features I simply dislike, and those that actually turn me off. There are plenty that fall into the former category, but few in the latter.
All other features aside, I am definitely turned off by knives that seem too thick for their length. I'm not sure what the optimum ratio is, but there are some great designs floating around that just seem too thick to be practical (for me, for general outdoor use).
I'm also turned off by large guards, and particularly by back guards, as they get in the way of cutting and thumb positioning.
The tactical look does nothing for me. This includes speed holes in the blade, crazy handle geometry, sharpened false edges, and most blade coatings - though I admit that a straightforward coating can be nice on a carbon steel blade, particularly when lakes and fish guts are involved.
That's about it. If I see a nice with a great blade and handle profile, I'll keep my wallet in my pants if it turns out to be too thick, if it has an unwieldy guard, or if it is dressed up like a deanimation tool.
All the best,
- Mike
PS forgot to mention that the plastic handles on Moras turn me off too. I love the knives, though. They just need to be re-handled after purchase and before use.
All other features aside, I am definitely turned off by knives that seem too thick for their length. I'm not sure what the optimum ratio is, but there are some great designs floating around that just seem too thick to be practical (for me, for general outdoor use).
I'm also turned off by large guards, and particularly by back guards, as they get in the way of cutting and thumb positioning.
The tactical look does nothing for me. This includes speed holes in the blade, crazy handle geometry, sharpened false edges, and most blade coatings - though I admit that a straightforward coating can be nice on a carbon steel blade, particularly when lakes and fish guts are involved.
That's about it. If I see a nice with a great blade and handle profile, I'll keep my wallet in my pants if it turns out to be too thick, if it has an unwieldy guard, or if it is dressed up like a deanimation tool.
All the best,
- Mike
PS forgot to mention that the plastic handles on Moras turn me off too. I love the knives, though. They just need to be re-handled after purchase and before use.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2008
- Messages
- 1,397
If I wanted something with powder on something, I would buy some doughnuts.
Safe Queens,
if it is a tools, works with it,
if a toys, play with it,
If it is worth so damned much your afraid to use it, sell it and pay down some credit card.
Pat
PS real chincy sheaths
Safe Queens,
if it is a tools, works with it,
if a toys, play with it,
If it is worth so damned much your afraid to use it, sell it and pay down some credit card.
Pat
PS real chincy sheaths
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