What are your knife buying rules?

Not absolute, but....
No serrations, except my "old" fully serrated CS Voyager.
I try to stay away from beadblast and recurve blades.
No "collecting" buys.
I need to implement a rule of not surfing the the big auction site anymore.
 
I have to buy with money I already have, no credit
No serrations
No low quality steel or poor heat treat.
Lefty friendly
If I like it, I buy it, if I can afford it.
 
If I like it and can afford it, I'll buy it.

I don't like serrations, black blades, lockbacks, or Chinese knives.
 
NeverMore1701 said:
If I like it and can afford it, I'll buy it.

I don't like serrations, black blades, lockbacks, or Chinese knives.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree with the Chinese knives rule! Black blades don't do much for me, either. I have one serrated edge Sebenza, but doubt I'll hunt for another. I don't use it enough.
 
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i have 3 rules...


#1 buy what i can afford
#2 dont let others influence my opinion. i know what i like
#3 try to limit myself to a few a month. when the woman is unhappy, everyone is unhappy
 
I've bought plenty of knives the past few years, so I'm pretty well set. My basic rule now is: It has to be something quite unique, or something that can serve a purpose that my other knives don't. So that really narrows it down. Kind of leaves me on the cusp of getting some customs(yikes!).
 
1. No serrations or combo blades.
2. No coatings on folders
3. No recurves
4. No impulse buying (have broken this one)
 
What will I use it for? Serrations are good for some things.
Is it ambidextrous? Very important for me as a leftie.
What steel does it have? I like sharp blades that stay that way for a while.
Do I REALLY need it? Almost always a YES answer...
 
Don't get custom scales made up for knives you don't even have. I have a 550 scale coming but no 550. Its impossible to get a new gen 550 in Canada too. No dealers have them.
 
1.) purpose specific design.
2.) purpose specific steel with as high of a carbide content as possible
3.) excellent heat treat and correct hardness
4.) thin. I don't think I'll ever buy a knife over .25 thick again and none of my users are more than 3/16th.
5.) comfortable and beautiful handle. Must have a big, full handle.
6.) good edge geometry/ thin at the shoulder.


I mostly buy customs now it's really changes my expectations for performance in a knife. But i still have a huge soft spot for hard use knives that you can just straight up beat on like Busse's and kin. They are just a blast to use.
 
I don't like tanto blades.
I don't like serrations.
I only pay cash.
It has to be a practical user-not collector
I like inexpensive quality(i.e. Tramontina, Byrd(yep-chinese!), Rat 1, Ka-bar Dozier folder(omg Taiwan!)Mora,Vic SAK)
 
I have to side with the no Chinese crowd. I try my best not to buy anything made in China especially steel (and anything that contacts my family and dogs food i.e. cookware, dishes, storage). Frankly I am surprised it isn't a more popular requirement for more folks here both for quality as well as safety and well the benefit of yourself and your neighbor (unless you live in china). Anyway enough of that mini rant for today.

Some are rules, some just strong preferences.
1) No China, without hesitation. Doesn't have to be U.S. made but if not I prefer it to be older, hand made or both.
2) Abuse factor. A good reputation for indestructibility is a major plus, also see #1
3) FUNTIONALITY, I don't enjoy paying for asthetics in a knife
4) No black/coated blades anymore
5) I avoid serrations
6) The bigger the better, no under 3"ers
7) I like to use them so it's hard to spend over $300 unless it's a sword or something made to cut through steel like my RMJ's.
8) Never had much use for folders myself (those were my dads knives)
9) Never pay full retail (same rule with any purchse I make)
10) Never settle for something other than exactly what I want. I'll just save my money for the next one, as painful as it may be remorse hurts more. (another universal buying rule)
 
I have a monthly budget for knifes, and never break the budget,lol

I have a list of potential knifes, and the priorities are always in motion, currently I'm buying Ti frame locks and compression locks.

No Serrations
frown on DLC, but some ZT's with a black blade are in the collection
Does it slice well
Does it wear well(an example, a BM 940 Alum handles show lots of wear :(, mine is a safe queen)
Lots of Kick A** knife steels out there, 20CP, s90v, s110v are high on the list.
custom users(not collectors), are always on the radar, some people dump knifes when they need fast cash.
No more s30v, have lots already, and I'm getting full with S35V, probably no more older steels, ie 154 CM
Most spirit runs are worth buying if it meets my style.

My best rule, buy more ammo then blades!!!!!

and last, don't sell blades, make someone smile and pass non used and older knifes to family members(nieces and nephews love this, Brother and Sisters, not so much) and Boy scouts, it's something they remember for a long time. Rule inside a rule here, don't buy or pass on junk!!!
 
Gotta be half serrated, I love serrations. No idea why so many people don't like them... But anyway, anything Benchmade, I'll take it ;)
 
No real rules of purchasing, other than:

No Credit

Otherwise, I buy what I like. I do research things heavily, especially to find the best price. After searching, I tend to weed out the "might be nice to have" vs. "Must HAVE!" As an idea of my selectivity, I've only bought 4 knives this year. (I think?)
 
I try to avoid combo edges, I dont mind coatings, if it has good reviews, I like stuff that is made in america but that wont stop me from buying a knife, quality Blade steel etc.
 
  • I'm tired of black G10 so it has to be something special before I'll get another
  • Definitely don't like zytel
  • Folders must be one hand openers - no nail nicks
  • I do like flippers and prefer round holes over thumb studs
  • Folders must have a clip (including damascus and ivory)
  • Don't care much for assisted openers but its not a deal breaker
  • 50/50 on serrations or recurves - depends if it fits the design
  • Prefer fixed blades to have a real guard (not just "wings" as part of the blade)
 
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