What do you look for in a knife...

Eric Isaacson

Eric Isaacson

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What do you look for before buying a new knife? Is it just the design or is there something else?

I've got several things that I look for now, it used to just be the designs, however, my standards have changed.

I will list some of them after this thread has run a while
 
a Frost....it has to look like a Frost.

and Customer Service, must have Great Customer Service.

a TOTAL PACKAGE is what I look for.

a Freindly environment with spending support like I can find here helps.
 
I would have to say, that what I NOW look for is quality at an affordable price.

I have had customs come and go, but the thing is, I do not want to use a $2000.00 custom. I would rather use a $500.00 production. Yeah, still expensive to most people, but in this price range, I KNOW that the price tag is exactly that for a reason - because it's good!

By the way, 'looks' is as equally important to me. I don't want to look like an absolute goose if I come across some other folk out bush, now do I.....
:p

...and....and....the warranty! Does the Busse legend preceed the product? I will let you know when I break my NO.....Nah! That will never happen ~ I have tried already... :D ;)...the lil' tuff SOB..
 
First & foremost, appropriateness of design and materials choices to mission objectives. First I pick the job the knife has to do, then track down makers whose work will best fulfill that role. Secondarily, I check out handling characteristics and ergonomics (if that isn't a critical mission spec initially). Thirdly, eye candy appeal and how the design appeals to me artistically.

It doesn't matter how sexy or whizzy the design may be, if the knife won't do the job spec'ed for it, it doesn't get taken.

"Form (& materials) follows function."

Yours in nuclear mission accomplishment,
Greg
 
I'm indiscriminate! :D:D

I guess I'm not as sophisticated as you guys, being a knife newbie and all...

Nice tread Eric... helps us newbies learn something!
 
Design, materials, construction, warranty, customer service, ergonomics, and the company's integrity (not in that order). Also, like RokJok said, very astutely, the knife should be mission-specific, in that its various features are all channeled to one mission (or atleast one general group of missions) (be it chopping power, cutting performance, etc.).

Aesthetics is only a small factor for me, although I have come to love the Busse look :D
 
Ah. An excellent question. :)

My selections are usually based on intended use. I have a number of standard cutting scenarios, and try to find knives that will fit well into these scenarios. Some scenarios cover quite a broad range of tasks, but some are quite specific.

Whenever possible, I look for a full convex grind. I prefer full convex grinds for pretty much all of my cutting. If I can’t find a full convex grind, I’ll try to find a knife with a convex grind on the edge bevel. I had to settle for the Busse asymmetrical grind when I placed my order. It wasn’t optimal based on my personal preferences, but I’m sure that the asymmetrical grind will do fine. If it didn’t, I doubt that Busse would be so popular in the world of “using knives.”

I’m not a huge fan of stainless steel, and love it less and less as I use it. I prefer a good carbon steel for rough use, and talonite for light use. I guess I’m a man of extremes. I do still use some stainless steel knives, but only a few with exceptionally good designs (like the Sebenza).

If my knife is a locking folder, it darn well better have a VERY good lock. I’d prefer no lock over a wimpy lock.

Comfort isn’t as big a deal to me as it is to others. There are only a few knives in my collection that are too uncomfortable to use. These usually have badly shaped handles, which are just too small or oddly shaped for my hands. I equally prefer straight handles to ergonomically shaped handles.

Aesthetics are important to me, especially when I’m around other people. I find that sheeple respond well to natural handle materials. When I’m in the woods by myself, durability is more important.

Warranty is definitely an issue. I always look for a good warranty, and have done well so far. I’ve never had a bad warranty experience with a knife company, but some have been clearly better than others. I look for manufacturers that not only see me as a customer, but as a future customer.

Accessories do matter to me. If somebody sells me a fixed blade, it better have a usable sheath. It doesn’t have to be a custom quality sheath, but has to be usable. I did consider Marbles (whom I’ve had excellent past experience with) when buying my last knife, but chose a Busse. I’d rather keep my knife in an old shoe box than that crappy sheath that the larger Marbles knives come in. The standard Busse sheath looked perfectly usable, with many future custom sheathing options for the future.

Price is the smallest issue. I believe in spending good money for a good tool. I'm in no way a rich person. I'm just a civil servant. But I don't purchase ten cheap pieces of crap to do the work of one good tool.
 
On another note, the thing that led my interest in Busse knives was the ergonomic (-E) handles. I have a lot of trouble with handles on other knives I have tried (uncomfortable, too small, too big, breaking my wrist when chopping etc).

The 'E' idea really struck me as a plus, and I must say, after receiving the NO and handling my first Busse, I can not find one thing to put a downer on it. The E handles are big and roomy too for varying grips and fit my meat axes perfectly.


Sorry to go a bit off topic, but COMFORT is also a factor for me.
 
i'm with RokJok - Form (& materials), follows function. The dang thang has gotta work...!
Yo, Buzzbait - Well-thought out answer there, pard.... i enjoyed your post. (After that, i haven't a lot to say, just read B/B's post again...! :D )
INFI is Forever....
C L
 
Great Answers:D:D

I'm with Clif, whatever BuzzBait said goes for me also ;):D

Ok, here's what I have to add.

Design
Materials
Continually evolving Designs
Warranty
Company(History)

The design area has been covered already in this thread, but it must be practical and functional.

The materials must be the best available.

The designs must not remain stagnant, they must evolve with peoples uses and when minor adjustments can make major improvements(ie the change from Straight handles to the Ergo line)

The warranty must be strong and backed by a company with History. After all what good is the warranty if the company isn't around when an issue arises.
This is one thing that I didn't use to pay any attention to. Then 2 years ago I bought a knife, spent $260 on it, it had a great warranty, but now the company is out of business. So what good is the warranty, it's worthless, the knife is still good but dare I use it for more than a gentlemans knife?
One reason I have no problems using and abusing my Busses is not only is the warranty strong, so is the company and it has History. It is not some flash in the pan.

One other thing that I didn't use to consider when buying a knife is the Warranty vs. Materials. I've heard people say about other companies, who cares what happens to the knife, if it breaks they'll repair or replace it. One thing that they are missing with this statement is what do I do if I'm in the **** when the knife breaks. What am I supposed to use for a knife, possibly my only one, when I really need it, if the one I brought along has broke or is no longer functional as a knife. Do I carry extra gear to make up for poor materials or workmanship?

Big deal if the other company will replace it if it fails, I don't want it to fail I guess that is why I've chosen a Busse.

Great Warranty and Great Materials.
 
The materials, the design, the execution, the ergonomics (for me) and the Company and price. All of hte above comments weigh into my thinking as each knife is purchased with a different intended use in mind; some with no use whatsoever except to sit.

With all of that said, Busses just seem to keeping filling the bill in the fixed blade area.
 
The first things I look for in a knife are durability and quality. I believe in over-engineering. I am a grunt which means I can and probably will break anything. A knife has to stand up to almost anything , I never know what I may have to do with the knife and I can't afford for it to fail.
To go along with the durability and quality there has to be a strong warranty. The thing that got me started on Busse Knives was an ad I saw in one of the knife Mags that had a picture of Jerry, the head line said something to the effect of "If they don't guarantee their knives why should you buy them? My knives are guaranteed against all damage." That statement really hit home for me. I wanted a Busse from that time on. The only companies that I know of that have any kind of basically unconditional warranty like this are Busse Combat Knives and Strider Knives. That is why I own and use both. Although I own more Busses and use them more. I know that if, in the unlikely event that either one fails, the men who own the companies will make it right. That carries alot of weight with me.
Customer service has to be there and I have dealt with some great knife makers personally it's great to talk to the man behind the product. Both Jerry Busse and James Piorek are great guys to deal with.
My next consideration is the task I intend to use the knife for. The knives I choose are bought with their intended uses in mind and they have to be able to do their jobs well.


Just my .02


Nick
 
I buy knives for all of the wonderful reasons listed above...everybody want's to own a tough bad ass knife...but I gotta tell ya, sometimes I buy for other reasons...if I meet the maker and they're good people...if some guy at a gun show has a good story knife, etc. etc. sometimes a knife has a certain patina...the way it's been worn...you just know this knife has energy...knives sometimes take on the personality of the owner...people who collect automatics are different from Swiss Army nerds...(don't flame me)
 
Durability, warranty, customer service!!! And it has to
look cool, too!!!;)
 
I have all the knives I need, and then some. All additional purchases will be based on "imagined" purposes. I have a pretty vivid imagination, though:)
 
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