What defines a quality knife?

singularity35 said:
That's because you're comparing apples to oranges. There's a term for that in logic fallacies somewhere. ;)
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I think he was just trying to use an extreme example in order to show that his preferred quality in a knife is it's given performance. The Sebenza is known for it's great fit and finish, quality, actually there's nothing not good about Sebenzas (or so i've heard), however by definition his example is correct. A sharp insert beater brand knife will outperform a dull insert ANY knife
 
155440 said:
I think he was just trying to use an extreme example in order to show that his preferred quality in a knife is it's given performance. The Sebenza is known for it's great fit and finish, quality, actually there's nothing not good about Sebenzas (or so i've heard), however by definition his example is correct. A sharp insert beater brand knife will outperform a dull insert ANY knife
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Ok, let's play outperform how? Cuts better? For how long? And we need to compare similar blade geometry for that to be a valid statement. Without proper parameters we can just say a sharp knife will cut better than a dull one. But then, that really is an oxymoron or is there anyone that doubts that? Or we can even say that a $2 knife will cut better thancutting with the spine of a sebenza. A $2 knife will cut better than the handle of a $500 knife. Where will it end if we don't define parameters. ;)
 
singularity35 said:
Ok, let's play outperform how? Cuts better? For how long? And we need to compare similar blade geometry for that to be a valid statement. Without proper parameters we can just say a sharp knife will cut better than a dull one. But then, that really is an oxymoron or is there anyone that doubts that? Or we can even say that a $2 knife will cut better thancutting with the spine of a sebenza. A $2 knife will cut better than the handle of a $500 knife. Where will it end if we don't define parameters. ;)
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As far as cutting with spines, I bet there are some $2 knives out there that will cut better with their spine compared to a sebenza's spine. The well radiused sebenza spine is just plain awful for cutting :p
 
See? You're doing it again. You can't compare spine cutting between different blade thicknesses. Also handle material.should be the same. ;)
 
Advanced manufacturing techniques, combined with ever expanding technology has made the ability for the average person to obtain a fantastic quality knife easier than ever before. Unfortunately there are also thousands upon thousands of cheapo knock offs and ripoffs also. The first several answers to this post involving fit, finish, materials, ergos, etc. are great guidelines. Seeing (and feeling in hand) a good-better-best lineup would also provide a good quality yardstick. It seems that here in forum-land mentioning a brand name or specific maker often breeds love-ins, witch hunts or pissing contests though.
 
To me the type of steel means nothing, sure there are great steals and not so great steels but I and probably most knowledgable knife people would take a no-name Pakistan stainless blade heat treated perfectly over an infi blade that was heat treated by someone that didn't know what they were doing. Price is not a quality determiner either I have had some opinals out preform some $150+ knives. So to sum up what determine a quality knife for me is heat treat and lastibility/performance -calvin
 
Everybody has their own view of "quality". I think quality is something earned by a knife, through the maker. Everything from the screws to the grinds and contours of the handle must be executed well and made of good materials. In most cases (but not all) quality is defined by the price. If you pay $10 for a knife, you will get the quality of a $10 knife. The materials only count if done right. If your blade isn't heat treated properly, it's worthless. If your screws strip, your "screwed". ;) <<That sounded funnier in my head. Quality (to me) means it's a good product from a good company at a good price. Just my $0.02! :D
 
My next question may be personal opinion (ok, so was the last question :)) In a folder, what kind of locking mechanism do you prefer? It seems like the world of folding knives has trended to liner lock. Also does it matter to you if the handle has screws or pins?
 
I personally like BM's Axis but liner lock seems to be most popular; frame lock is a variant of liner lock that would appear to be theoretically stronger. All that I've mentioned are nice because theoretically if designed right there should be no vertical blade play until the whole thing is just worn out. Personally I like to see screws for serviceability but there's nothing wrong with well done pins, especially so on a fixed blade. There's a lot of room for personal preference; there are certainly high quality folders that have been made that are pinned lockbacks.
 
spydercobenchmadekai said:
A sharp $10 knife will cut better than a dull Sebenza.
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Ok...what I meant was...(both cutting with the edge...:eek:)

That a Sebenza that has been scraped on concrete until the edge is in ruin, will not say whittle as well as a Gerber Paraframe with a freshly sharpened edge. (Trust me, I own both knives, even though I never scraped the Sebenza on concrete.) Of course, you may be able to get the Sebenza sharper, and when sharp, it may cut better/longer/etc.
 
spydercobenchmadekai said:
Ok...what I meant was...(both cutting with the edge...:eek:)

That a Sebenza that has been scraped on concrete until the edge is in ruin, will not say whittle as well as a Gerber Paraframe with a freshly sharpened edge. (Trust me, I own both knives, even though I never scraped the Sebenza on concrete.) Of course, you may be able to get the Sebenza sharper, and when sharp, it may cut better/longer/etc.
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That my friend, is part of what makes it a quality knife.
 
Flygrain said:
My next question may be personal opinion (ok, so was the last question :)) In a folder, what kind of locking mechanism do you prefer? It seems like the world of folding knives has trended to liner lock. Also does it matter to you if the handle has screws or pins?
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I like locks in this order:
Axis/Ball bearing lock
Frame lock
Liner lock
Mid-back lock
Back lock

There are also (no particular order) Compression locks (basically a werid liner lock), slip-joints, friction folders, and many types of complicated custom lokcs. (Think CRK Ti-lock.)
 
Quality, for me, starts with materials. High quality steel, properly heat treated holds an edge for a lot longer than poorly treated/low quality steels. Along with that is the handle/scales materials...slippery or sharp edged handle material can be dangerous or difficult to use perhaps causing blisters or hot spots when used for longer periods of time. Fit and finish is next. The knife should be well made and the parts finished to a reasonably high level. Last is ergonomics. The knife must fit the hand well and provide quality service "for its' purpose". I'd not use a Tanto for a camp knife nor a Kukri for whittling...but these knives are purpose built and work perfectly within their context.

I'm more familiar with how a low quality knife can fail and be potentially dangerous than many perhaps. I work in a paper mill and everyone is provided with a fixed blade belt knife and leather sheath...matter of fact there is a box of them, maybe 50 or so, in the storage room. The blade is around 3 1/2" in length and of a dropped point variety. The blade width is around 1/2". These are CHEAP knives and when skinning, slicing, rejected paper off the top of a roll I can flatten the belly and tip of the blade within a few minutes of slicing. We over use the knives at times and have snapped them in half trying to slice into the roll too deeply...1/2". Some have also cut themselves, sometimes deep cuts, over using the knife requiring the company to require us to wear "cut" gloves when handling anything with a blade. I used the provided knife on day one, eight years ago, and never again. I prefer my own knife thank you.

Quality makes a big difference...
 
Just rec. a COAST FX350 that is the ultimate definition of bang for your buck. Check'em out on Utube or net or what have you. Simply great knife for the price point, build quality and materials used. keepem sharp
 
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