What do you want to see in a knife review

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
5,944
I see and read a llot of knife reviews.. Some of them involve someone holding a knife and talking about it and that;s it..others involve someone beating on a knife by hammering it through rocks or putting it in a vice...Others involve someone batoning with a knife and than that's it..Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocling those reviewers..SOme people are knife collectors so they talk about rather than use the blade... others are testing specifically for punishment..I get it..But those parameters don't necessarily apply to the outdoors man or bushcrafter So what would you all like to see in a knife review.. that would either sell you or steer you away from a knife for bushcraft use...
 
Seeing a knife being used for common (boring even) stuff is actually what I like to see. Seeing how a knife sits in someones hand, carves, slices, batons, etc. along with the reviewers thoughts are what helps paint a 3D picture of the knife while viewing it on screen.
This is why I have trouble with my own reviews. Especially when out hiking by myself, it's difficult to get action shots, so it's more of the famous "knife sitting on a rock" pics :)
 
A few things to consider are what type of knife it is. That really makes what I would like to see.

Folder: General, utility use. Maybe some specs on it, along with holding it in hand, as well as the owners feedback. I would also like to see it being used for doing EDC tasks. Cutting food, carving, maybe opening boxes, and cuting rope.

Fixed blaes - I would like to know specs, what it looks like in hand if possible. Also how well is it at carving/batoning/chopping. What are the ergos like? Dedfinately need to hear what the reviewer thought if it is a fixed blade. Does it seem like it is a stout blade? Or did you feel it wasn't strong enough to withstand what you were doing to it?

This is based on a video/written review, as some cannot be done in only a written review (unless we have knife p0rn.)

Most important thing, though - is that it is an honest review and not biased somehow. (IE saying such and such sucks, but you only say it just because of the maker)
 
TheGame said:
Most important thing, though - is that it is an honest review and not biased somehow. (IE saying such and such sucks, but you only say it just because of the maker)
Click to expand...

Darn right. Industry "politics" have a place in my personal decisions of which companies I choose to support, but the review shouldn't be totally biased by that alone.


Here's a recent example of what I consider an excellent review. The guy who wrote it did a good job of comparing two similar knives made very differently, fairly, and he tested them in a reasonable and useful manner. Based on his observations, I could make a well-informed decision on which knife was best for me.
 
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I know I like to bring, and see for that matter reference shots, so I can get an Idea on what the actual size of a knife it. Too many times do I find a knife and can't get an Idea on what it is, I end up drawing out the specs to get an Idea of it.

Other than that, I like the boring stuff too, shaving, batonning, what the sheath is like, ergos all the good stuff.
 
General description info:
Cost
Handel material
Handel length
weight
length opened and closed
Blade steel
blade length
blade thickness
Blade width - not often mentioned
cutting edge length - not often mentioned
Type of grind
Angle of edges used for sharpening
Rockwell hardness
Hold next to a ruler

Best uses for the knife e.g. EDC, hunting etc
Ease of sharpening
Edge holding

Any problems?
rust
poor quality control
etc

Similar knives to the one being reviewed

Opinion - buy or don't buy

For videos
Show the knife in hand

Keep the knife in frame & move slowly over it.

Be organized, to the point and know what you will say in advance.
 
Well I think the main thing is we most often are guilty of giddy'ly opening up a new package and posting our excited school girl impressions of our latest treasure. Its hard not to be beaming with positivity after opening something new like that. The best you can do is post a pile of picks of it, maybe put it along side some other knives for reference.

I think at this stage a few different in the hand shots is helpful. I like two shots, one with the hand gripping the knife as normal, and another with the fingers partly opened up so you can see how the handle sits in your palm. I usually don't care about initial sharpness or commentary thereof unless the knife is dull i.e. go ahead and sharpen that puppy up before the review. I can never help myself from touching a blade up anyhow.

Simple tasks: Showing the knife shave curls in paper. Comment on its ability to push cut the blade into paper. Ability to make fuzz sticks is always a good one. Comfort in notching a stick. Sharpen a stick and comment on handle comfort.

Batoning, possibly. Although I've lost the wonder of batoning, hell I baton everything and to me it says nothing about how tough a knife is. Cross grain batoning, however, is still impressive. I like a knife cutting both fresh cut wood and dried wood.

I like it when the reviewer comments on the balance of the knife. That quality of the point and its ability to stick into wood. Can it drill?

All the specs: total length, separate lengths for handle and blade. What is the handle thickness, how is contoured? Handle material and pins. Blade thickness, steel type, grind type, bevel angle (if applicable). Good point in the previous post about blade width. Also the relative stiffness of the blade. Can you flex it? If you do sharpen it, what is your perception of its hardness or easy of sharpening?

Finally, I like comments about the sheath. What is its intended mode of carry. Does it fit a regular belt? How easy is it to remove and re-sheath when carrying on the belt? Is the sheath ambidextrous? If the sheath has a snap, how well do they work (I hate sticky snaps). How good is the stiching on the leather. What is the thickness of leather or kydex used for the sheath. Are there drain holes?
 
I want to see this:

- how it cuts things we cut in the woods. (paper, wood, branches, animals, humans, food etc)
- how it holds an edge after all that listed above.
- how the sheath is made, good bad, retention, how it sits on the belt etc.
- closeups of the handle fasteners and the scales....
- a pic of it in ones hand.
- price

I DO NOT need to see idiots hacking concrete or steel, stabbing car doors, testers wearing goofy masks and trying to break the knife (gee I bet a kid who is poor and wants to go out in the woods and build shelters would really like that knife...but no, you have to break it. what an absolute waste of a good knife.) , or any other things that simply do not happen in the woods with a knife carried by a properly trained and responsible knife user.
I also dont care to see or read about how the user spent 90 hours stropping the knife so it will slice the abdomen hairs of a dust mite. big whooop. Go out and chop some trees and get back to us about your edge....... couldnt care less....also would like to see ZERO "youtube" vids. They suck, the picture quality is horrible. For pete sakes use a good camera vid and shoot some Hi Def.



ymmv
 
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+1 on the kgd's sheath comment. I really like to hear about things like sheath fit, retention, and carry comfort. This is especially important with W&SS reviews, where you need the sheath to be accessible and functional alongside other gear.

Other than that, and again from a W&SS perspective, I like to see / hear about how the knife handles fire prep, including cutting fuzz sticks, splitting tinder (not necessary - depends on the model), and striking a ferro rod.

Edge retention is important, so I like to see practical cutting tests (ex. food prep) following some more intense use, to illustrate the durability of the cutting edge.

In terms of overall observations, I like to hear about how the knife feels / handles in various grip positions. Does the handle have hot spots? Is there a comfortable place to put your thumb? Does the handle feel comfortable?

Finally, from a knife enthusiast's perspective, I always appreciate a few comments on design, fit & finish, and materials.

That's about it! For me, it really all boils down to practical applications. I would rather see a review based on ordinary camp / bushcraft chores than an intense set of contrived 'tests'.

All the best,

- Mike
 
I think I'm with a lot of folks here. I like to make sure there are just lots of thoughts on how the knife handled during 'practical' woods pursuits, nothing goofy. How it feels, balances, etc. Hot spots that might develop. I definitely, definitely think that in-hand and comparison pics are a must.

I don't like seeing goofy crap like trying to break it or throw it or pry open a car door (with respect to Jake :D ). I also don't like a bunch of manufacturer website photos, or a blatant cut & paste of the specs.

Frankly, it's the really subjective info that can really be of help. Like, "I normally like a small knife, but this big one was still nimble enough to work well for me.." and such.
 
I too like seeing a knife in hand. I realize that we're not all the same size, but it gives me a good idea of what I might be getting into when picking one up.

Seeing a knife next to a similar knife is helpful too.

Comfort is key, as is the ability to hold it in different positions. A description about the handle in detail is important.

I'm not so concerned about sharpness, because it's a variable thing, but seeing it perform a few tasks gives me an idea of how well it might work for me.

About whacking away at a concrete block or stabbing sheet metal or prying wood with the tip, I kinda like it. I remember seeing a Mora Clipper perform really well despite the abuse. It was good to get an idea of what you could do to a knife, even if you wouldn't do so in a million years.
 
Like Mentor said, I also appreciate info on fit and finish. I was kind of amazed to hear about all of the Bark River blemishes in a thread a while back. I'm not trying to pick on Bark River. I've enjoyed most of the knives I've handled and I know that they put out many, many knives a week and a few are going to be overlooked before being put into the boxes for shipping. It was just interesting to see what people were getting and what to look out for. It's the same with Busse edges or Ontario RAT knives and their relatively obtuse edge angles. I'd like to know what I might expect.
 
I would really like to see, in a review, plenty of in-hand shots. One of my main considerations when buying a knife is how it finds in-hand. I'm also very interested in the knife's ability to be comfortable in different grip positions.

I love to hear about the balance between edge retention and the ability to take an edge.

I like to hear a lot about the sheath and how comfortable it is in different positions of carry.

I'm less concerned with the tasks that are really more of a user skill type task than things specific to the knife itself.
 
A picture in the hand and the specs and price does it for me. Mostly because how a knife performs has more to do with the skill of the user than the knife it's self. when a person is experienced with a knife he can accomplish about the same things with any knife if similar size. I have had about every brand of knife there and which one I use for a hunting or camping trip makes very little difference to me. With 50+ years of using knives for about everything out there, I have learned to do what I can with what I have. My dad used to say " I have done so much, with so little .for so long, that now I can now do anything with nothing. ;)
 
Pics pics and more pics!
And did i mention pics?
lol!
:D
No really as i buy most of my knives via the internet/catalogs i don't get to paw knives before buying.
So good pics are vitally important in choosing whether to buy or not buy a knife.
Pics from multiple angles, top, bottom , left, right, spine shots, pointy end shots (lol) as well as pommel end shots.
And a ruler next to the knife in an overall shot is great for giving a sense of scale.
Also place a few reference knives alongside the tested knife for an even better sense of scale.
Preferably side by side shots from multiple angles.
These reference knives should be readily available "standards" so most people can get a sense of scale.
So if you are testing a folder maybe have a Victorinox 91mm SAK and a Buck 110 in the pic with the tested knife.
And for fixed blades maybe a Buck 119 and/or a Kabar in the pic.

To be honest for me the pics posted on this forum have inspired a lot of my purchases.
The majority of pics here are better than those found in most knife companies literature and websites!

Also a short video just showing the knife in hand (at multiple angles) is always great.
Theres a guy on youtube who does knife videos like that, he is Spanish or Italian so i can't understand what he is saying but the visuals are very useful!
:)
 
I am with the others here. I can say that I have a pretty long list of makers who's work I follow (I won't mention names for fear of forgetting one and offending anyone). I usually own several knives from most makers who I build a rapport with and trust to make a high quality product. I have no safe queens-If a knife sits too long I sell it.

Pics from all angles, with use shots, and in hand shots are the best for me. Specs are important, steel type not so much. I have had a bunch of types and have mostly 01 and 1095, but a few others perform well that are other steels.
Handles and sheaths are important. I am fussy about handles. I would rather it a bit big than small. If I use a knife in the winter (I live in a cold state) I wear mittens, so the handle needs to be chunky. Sheath needs to be well made, with ease of removal/entry.
 
I like to see pics to understand its dimensions.
Pics of the sheath.
How easily it takes an edge.
If possible, how well it holds an edge.

Then a review on it based on what it's meant to do.
 
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