What is it about knives that “gets” you the most?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
4,765
There are a lot of facets to knives that can make one a hobbyist. In the posts and conversations I have seen and had here, I’ve noticed some people are way more into one aspect than the others.

A few off the top of my head:

- Getting edges as keen as possible
- Overall form of the knives (dimensions, appearance)
- Tactical perspective (which is the killingest / best for defense)
- Experience of handling the knives (fidget factor)
- Mechanical precision of the manufacturing
- Scarcity / rarity of the knives
- Design from a perspective of utility
- Specific materials (blade steel, handle)

Realistically, you can take any of these and add cost as well.

For most of us, it’s going to be a combination of several of these that reflects what it is that you value about them, but what is it that really dominates your mindset on knives? Mine is probably the utilitarian aspect - it doesn’t matter if it’s cheap and looks great and has the best materials out there if it doesn’t have a blade and/or handle that suits the tasks I run into on a day-to-day basis. This means I'm more likely to be happy with a Cold Steel Tuff Lite over a ZT 0301 even if all other considerations were nullified except how well-suited I found them to be for cutting tape, opening packages, and trimming cuticles/hangnails.
 
Back in the day, A revered family member who I'm named after gave me my first knife, showed me how to use it, and made sure that I didn't tell mom.

It's a fetish now. I hope to pass the tradition along.
 
The thing that really "gets" me about knives is the fit & finish of a well made knife. Be it a folder or fixed, modern or traditional. There's just something about the beautiful colours of the endless handle materials and the shine of the metals all put together so flawlessly that just makes me want pick it up and admire it and use it!
 
In addition to the things you posted, I love the mechanical aspects of folding knives -- the locks and opening systems. Knives with unique mechanical features form a generous part of my collection. There are some knives that I keep even though I find them deeply flawed for EDC because the mechanism is so interesting (even if it's the lock that is flawed). Mechanisms have always been interesting to me whether they are in cars, trains, guns, planes, watches, etc.

Also, I'm not sure if you intend to include "ergonomics/feel in the hand" in "design from a perspective of utility" but as you know us knife enthusiasts tend to divide "cutting utility" and "feel in hand" (ie. blade and handle) into two distinct categories.
 
Last edited:
I am after utility and simplicity married in perfection with top steels and best handle materials. Surprisingly this rules out 95% of the knives out there which are either useless (cannot cut well), have poor fit and finish, have crazy grinds, made out of inferior materials or are not aesthetically pleasing.
 
Last edited:
What gets me is how useful they are, and how important they still are and always will be.

I like a good inexpensive high value knife that gets the job done without being any more expensive than it needs to be to cut stuff. Lightweight in pocket, relatively compact / un- bulky, and easy to sharpen / touch up in no time at all.
High end precision and the latest technology or steels is something I can appreciate, but based on my needs the cost is not justified.

The variety in cutlery is very interesting as well , especially what you can get for your money depending on priority.
You can spend 20$ on a Vic or up 500$ + on something modern that may or may not cut as well, it all depends if you want pure utility or something where artful design comes into play.

The variety and levels of cutlery are endless.
 
For me it's a combo of everything you listed except scarcity / rarity of the knives. Of course cost comes into play as well. Aesthetics and function are at the top of the chart for me.
 
The design, feel, quality, and blade steel. I like solid feeling knives that are built to last. I'm not really into the super steel thing like I used to be, but I still prefer something with decent edge retention.
 
What "gets me" about knives? Hard to say specifically, but I like knives and I like to use knives to cut things. So the first thing that gets me is general size and shape, appearance, and then steel. After I get it, the fit and finish comes into play. I'm pretty easy to please overall. I like variety within certain size constraints with folders.

I don't collect, so rarity doesn't mean much to me with knives. Brand matters more and with the brand a general sense of whether I will like it (assuming it is an online purchase).

Mechanical precision is noticed, but it isn't what generally gets me to whip out the credit card.
 
For me these three factors are among the top:
- Looking (yes this is very subjective)
- Material: blade steel and handle material.
- Quality like fit and finish, centering, blade play free

Less important factor:
- Lock type: I am fine with most commonly used locks.
- Manufacturer, as long as it is a well established, like ZT, Benchmade, Spyderco, Hinderer, CRK, and Reate
- Price, as long as it is within $100-450, which also relates to "manufacturer" because I feel most well established manufacturers price their knives reasonably.
 
Mine is definitely that I like a sharp, sturdy, quick opening folder to carry just for protection. Yes, I know a handgun is much better, but there's something comforting about a good knife even if I am carrying a firearm, as well.

I'll cut everyday stuff with just about anything and always carry two knives, one to use and one for just in case. Doesn't matter to me if I've never used one for protection, doesn't matter if a firearm is vastly superior. I like carrying something I find formidable and like the pursuit of those type blades.
 
I like knives for many of the reasons covered but my absolutely favorite single aspect is the connection with human history. "Knives" were man's first tool and since then we've worked collectively (though often not directly with one another) to better the tools themselves and the materials they're made from and the techniques for making them.
 
What gets me is how well the knife excellent at it's intended use. An XM-24, Ultratech, Neon and, say, a small Sebenza were designed with different things in mind but they all do a good job at their task.

Second is ergonomics. A knife to be comfortable for me to consider it.
 
This is an interesting thread concept as I just went through this. I purchased a STEEL WILL Cutjack folder this past week at a knife store. The blue G10 scales caught my eye and the sales person handed it to me to look at. Never heard of the manufacturer/brand. Materials and function were good as far as I was concerned. So I bought it. It was within my comfort zone for impulse buys; had it been $300 I would have set it back down immediately.

But what made me handle it in the first place was the handles and color..... appearance and size, backed up with M390 steel which I don't own a knife made with it. It's even serial numbered..... Oh boy.....;)

Looked at Wi knives for the first time also that day.
 
Last edited:
Aesthetic design, followed by fit and finish. For my EDC purposes most knives do the trick, so I focus on interesting blade and handle profiles and materials that catch my eye. Of course design doesn't matter if it operates like crap, so fit and finish is a very close second.
 
I like knives that can take a beating. Years of hard use and still keep going.

They are a tool for me above all else. Which explains why I usually have a CQC7 on me even though I have 'nicer' knives in the collection.
 
This reason makes knives just one of my many hobbies, but I enjoy items that are a result of genuine innovation and passion.

It takes that level of dedication to make a product worth buying in my opinion.

For knives, the ability to combine excellent cutting ability (this characteristic is undeniably universally useful) with a strong yet elegant form factor is very impressive in my eyes.
 
SpySmasher said:
In addition to the things you posted, I love the mechanical aspects of folding knives -- the locks and opening systems. Knives with unique mechanical features form a generous part of my collection. There are some knives that I keep even though I find them deeply flawed for EDC because the mechanism is so interesting (even if it's the lock that is flawed). Mechanisms have always been interesting to me whether they are in cars, trains, guns, planes, watches, etc.
Click to expand...

Same here. It's part of my fascination with the Hawks which will surely prove to be my financial ruin. I think I've watched Gavin's video of the Deadlock internals about a dozen times now.

 
lieferung said:
Aesthetic design, followed by fit and finish. For my EDC purposes most knives do the trick, so I focus on interesting blade and handle profiles and materials that catch my eye. Of course design doesn't matter if it operates like crap, so fit and finish is a very close second.
Click to expand...
Ditto. Aesthetics followed by F&F/materials. And i don't do Auto's or AO anymore, just manuals.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top