What is one characteristic or spec from a manufacturer that disqualifies them for you

[GotSteel]

like Kershaw or CRKT.

I was honestly pretty shocked by the poor craftsmanship of CRKT the way so many reviewers were singing their praises.

 

[Mecha]

To be fair, that is a trainer knife. It has no blade grind so they cut extra holes in the blade to achieve the exact weight and balance of the actual knife.
But yes, it is still a strange design

Training for what?

Seems like you could just blunt the edge and tip on a normal knife...

 

[Gideons]

What this thread taught me is... somebody will always hate something about a knife.

 

[mtangent]

But what makes it $300, the fact that they didn't have to sharpen it or the paper clip they attached for the pocket?

I'm not the biggest fan of Spyderco, but I find the wire clip is actually very good. I don't know why a trainer should cost $300 either.

Something that puts me off is deep sharpening choils, especially on a small blade. Buck hartsook is the worst example I've seen.

 

[HotSteel]

Thumb studs. I have plenty of knives with them, but I'm going to try and avoid them going forward in favor of flippers.

I have to admit my Kershaw Blur has a mighty fine thumb stud opening mechanism, though.

 

[T.K.C.]

Theft ala Ganzo.

An "us vs them" mindset among users and makers.

Either are my only hard and fast dealbreakers.

This!

 

[Bill1170]

Reputation for poor quality or poor customer service.
Blatant copying of others' designs (AKA theft).
Overly thick, heavy construction.
Most recurves, framelocks, and flippers.
Square blocky handles rife with sharp edges and corners.
Most metal handles.

 

[grownstar]

What this thread taught me is... somebody will always hate something about a knife.

Seriously.

 

[LX_Emergency]

Their reputation when it comes to communication and/or customer contact and service.

the Good Bad and Ugly Feedback forum is a veritable trove of treasure to find out what brands/shops/makers will never recieve money or endorsement from me.

 

[jill jackson]

Reputation for poor quality or poor customer service.
Blatant copying of others' designs (AKA theft).
Overly thick, heavy construction.
Most recurves, framelocks, and flippers.
Square blocky handles rife with sharp edges and corners.
Most metal handles.

 

[AntDog]

Partially serrated blades.

OP, RMPL, with all due respect.

 

[Alfazulu]

Partially serrated blades.

OP, RMPL, with all due respect.

Hmmmmmmmm. RMPL, you say? Being unfamiliar to me, I consulted Urban Dictionary on the meaning of RMPL. According to them, RMPL = Rubbing My Penis Laughing. I have to be missing something.

 

[jill jackson]

Lmao, I guess whatever trips your trigger.

 

[AntDog]

Hmmmmmmmm. RMPL, you say? Being unfamiliar to me, I consulted Urban Dictionary on the meaning of RMPL. According to them, RMPL = Rubbing My Penis Laughing. I have to be missing something.

Yes, exactly. :/

Or maybe, Read More, Post Less. (i.e.: lurk n learn.) Read, search, read some more, build some knowledge, THEN dive in and post. So as not to be completely unarmed or unfamiliar in a discussion.

 

[ThePeacent]

All metal scales/handles
Flippers with no other opening system
Most linerlocks
Framelocks
Weight, 95% of the blades out there are too heavy, to me 1" blade length = 1.2 oz. weight increase max

 

[Pomsbz]

Most of the GEC stuff is 1095. Some is 440C.

I generally do not like flippers or titanium handles, even on one side. That eliminates a lot of the higher end folder for me.

Chinese manufacture does not disqualify a purchase, but it is "factored in".

My recent purchase of the LionSteel Opera in stag reflects my non-titanium or metal scale preference.

I realise, I have a #15 Navy in 440C in my regular rotation. Hence the use of the word 'majority'. It's such a shame too. I have now 4 of their knives, I love so much about them but not the 1095 steel.

I'll add a manufacturer I won't buy from. Spyderco. I appreciate their designs, quality, innovation, etc, etc I just can't bring myself to like them. Mainly the blade shape (that whole bird of prey look) but also other things. Very much personal taste.

 

[Etna]

Just a few in order of preference.

1. Any blade greater than 3". I don't care how nice the design is, or what kind of supersteel was used for the blade. Once the length exceeds 3", it's not considered anymore.
2. Assisted. They are a very grey area in my country and we have got Kershaw resellers here, but I'd rather stay away from this legal grey area as much as possible. Which is a real waste, because I like some of Kershaw's new designs.
3. Any blade with steel below 5Cr15MoV

 

[clearkevin]

Knives that are too small, even the very popular ones I've tried and if I can't get my whole hand on the handle comfortably and have at least 3.5" of blade it's out. Even most 8" overall knives I find too small with some exceptions, Size matters for sure. No partial serrations, gotta be all or nothing, No thick edges it's supposed to cut so it better cut otherwise why am I carrying a pry tool. Also it has to be ready for all of my hard use applications like reading online forums and watching TV while flipping my knife.

 

[19-3ben]

Skulls, snake pattern, anything that takes a simple tool and makes it look like a prop that should be hanging on the wall of a Hell's Angels club.

Sharpened swedges are a non-starter for me as well.

 

[DShiflet]

Price is the main deterrent for me. Once a knife hits around the $200 mark(at most), any increases in tolerances or whatnot are gonna be so miniscule that they're undetectable without specialized instruments and make absolutely no practical difference, so knives like CRK and Hinderer essentially come down to paying for the name and "prestige of ownership" rather than any actual increase in quality, which makes them a no go for me. Not saying they're bad knives, they're just not worth the price to me as I can get literally the exact same level of performance(if not better) from a good Spyderco.

Other things I might dislike, but most aren't deal breakers. I normally want a decent steel, but I'll buy an occasional cheap 440A knife(like those $4 Walmart knives from a year or so back) to leave in the glove box and side compartments in the car, carry with me if I'm going to a concert or something where I don't know if knives are allowed or not(so if it gets confiscated, no big deal), loan to friends, etc. I dislike opening holes, but it hasn't stopped me from buying multiple Spydercos. Not a fan of metal handles, but I have several Leeks, a Skyline with aftermarket Ti scales, and a couple of others. Prefer plain edges(and full serrated edges for that matter) to combo edges, but I have a couple combo edged blades around...really, price is the main deal breaker for me.

Oh, and prior bad experience. I won't buy another MTech folder as every one I've tried has suffered a wide variety of issues, including poor lockup and lock failures, massive blade play, etc. So now, even if I'm in the market for a super cheap folder, I won't go for an MTech. Oddly enough, I've had some good experience with their fixed blades, so I'm still willing to pick them up, if I'm looking to pick up a new budget fixed blade, but the folders are a total skip for me.