What are your purchasing criteria for traditional knives?

[kershawguy13]

Carbon steel, and interesting or classic design, and eye catching handles. :thumbup:

This, especially the part in red

 

[Alnamvet68]

Multiple blades
Stainless
3 1/2" - 4" closed

Bonus points if it has a sheepsfoot.
Bonus points for blade alloy containing carbides

I would agree with this, but would add a super bonus point(s) for a wharncliff blade

 

[markpmc]

Natural handle materials. Stag preferred.
Exception for something Blue.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

For me it was first that it had to be USA made...
Then... foreign was okay.
I also wanted to just stick to growing the folder collection...
Then the additions of more fixed blade was okay.
I wanted to stick to solely traditional...
Then a little less than totally traditional was okay.
I wanted to stick to stainless steels...
Then non stainless was okay.

In other words, my only criteria is... For whatever the reason, something about the knife calls out to me, and I simply would like to add it to the collection

I think not really having a criteria works best for me because it keeps things more interesting by allowing diversity to roam free. Instead of staying within a certain range of options, the sky is the limit and it keeps me learning more about different knives by actually owning them... it just works for me

 

[fot0]

This, especially the part in red

:thumbup:

 

[RobertK]

Well, I'm just starting, but I heavily favor single blades. Half-stop is the only experience I have, but seems pretty important and fun for me. Other than that, still learning. And even those are flexible!

 

[george65]

my main criteria is that it's old, affordable, not cleaned, and not too worn out.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I have two criteria:

a) I want it

b) I can get away with buying it (this has nothing to do with whether or not I can afford it!)

Winner winner chicken dinner!

 

[bonzodog]

Sub three inch non locking blade.

 

[Bob Warfield]

Not sure that I have any particular criteria. Just what ever strikes my fancy at any particular time.
Bob

 

[yatsunil]

Being from Singapore, my first criteria is that the seller must ship international. Next I prefer a single blade not more than 3 inches. Other than that, pretty much anything goes since I'm still new to the world of traditionals.

 

[Dale Gribble]

1. I have to like it
2. I have to be willing to use it every day: no safe queens
3. I have to be able to afford it

My Opinels have kind of spoiled me in that I prefer a light knife, now. It can be a bit bulky as long as it's light.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

It helps if it has features that I currently do not have on a knife. Otherwise I tend to like wharncliffes, long pulls, bolster treatments, non-pen blades if possible, punches, wood/mammoth/stag/pearl>synthetics, half stops to help clean out the inner workings. Big or small, I love them all, that's why is sing this song! Er...... Sorry, got a bit carried away....

I collect for diversity, so many criteria can make a knife want to be mine. It helps if the knife is around $5/blade, and if it's useful, as my knives all eventually make it into my pocket.