What is the thing you value most in a knife?

Grip/handle first, and good steel second. Out on the job site I need something that doesn't make my wrists or hands hurt from using a knife that presents the blade at an odd angle to the work, or like some frame locks, has so much metal on the lock side it tears up your hands if they are really sweaty and wet. If I was cutting my lunch sandwich or cutting a few banding straps during the day, I might not notice a nagging problem with the grip, but after a few hours of use, I certainly do.

Likewise in the kitchen, when taking apart or butchering a larger animal, hours of having a knife in your hand completely multiply any little discomfort you have when holding it. You can't fix that. My favorite knife when making sausage for several hours is a fairly inexpensive knife from the local restaurant supply that has a GREAT handle, but the steel is mediocre. After cutting meat for a couple of hours, it is completely worth it to wash the knife and give it a couple of swipes on the diamond rod to get it back up to super sharp and go back to work.

I can fix the edge on a knife, but can't fix the handle.

Robert
 
NOT Made in China... hehe. But seriously, ease/comfort of carry is #1 for me. Of course, it's gotta be a good knife, but no matter how good it is, if it ain't easy and comfortable to carry, I won't carry it.
 
Well, ergonomics is a no brainer. Who wants a knife (or anything else for that matter) that is non-ergonomic. That said, here's how I value things in a knife.

Regarding folding knives...
- Deployment & Lock type: much prefer flipper frame locks to anything else.
- Blade length: 3.5" is my sweet spot.
- Steel: this has become much more important ever since I learned to re-profile and sharpen.
- Pocket-ability: deep carry pocket clips
- Weight: about 5.50 is my max preferred weight.
- Esthetics: knives that are purposeful designed working tools; NOT fantasy zombie killers, rainbow anodized titanium, Skittle colored G10 scales, tacticool mall ninja blades, blinged man jewelry, etc.

Regarding fixed knives...(from a perspective as a general outdoor camp/bush-crafter knife)
- Blade length: 4.5" is my sweet spot.
- Blade grind: convex grind.
- Steel: same as above, but must be easy to maintain in the field as well.
- Handle: matte finished canvas micarta for grip.
- Hand guard
- Esthetics: same as above.
 
link2derek said:
NOT Made in China... hehe. But seriously, ease/comfort of carry is #1 for me. Of course, it's gotta be a good knife, but no matter how good it is, if it ain't easy and comfortable to carry, I won't carry it.
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Sonovabitch. Really? Are you trying to get the clone war thread for the day started up? Haven't we all had enough of the social/economic indignation and pulpit preaching every time something like this comes up? Is it just too frickin' hard to concentrate on actual knives for a day or two?

Go away. Take your xenophobia with you. "he he" doesn't fix it. Where a knife is made doesn't have anything to do with its quality. Stay on topic.

Robert
 
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I’ll play...since the topic states “What is the thing you VALUE most in a knife” I’ll say that I value a knife that fits my specific need at the time in the package that I can carry and/ or use effectively. Yes I’m looking for the Goldilocks of the moment. Is it a generalized response but some of the things I value in my work folder are not the same as what I value in my kitchen knives. My folder needs to be able to take some abuse and keep sharp because I don’t necessarily take it to the stone on a daily basis. My kitchen knives need to be easy to hone because if I’m not near the knife draw the knife I used to quarter the chicken may be cleaned and used to slice the potato and onion going in the oven with it.

To quote a great man “Mission drives the gear.”

And I value a good knife made down the street more so than one made in another state or in China.
 
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Besides ergonomics and other factors already mentioned, the company - the warranty ... the customer service, that matters to me. I will not abuse a knife but if I use the daylights out of it and an issue develops, I want to know that the company is there for me. Funny thing is that I don;t so much feel this way about toasters and microwaves, but so very much feel this way about guns and knives. A company that provides great customer service gives me extra confidence in the product and influences my future purchase decisions as well as my connection with the product.
 
Chapp said:
Ergonomics. I will never trust a sharp knife that have bad ergos, way too risky and hands are precious.
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Yeah, we only have two of them and replacements aren't what they're cracked up to be. This philosophy goes beyond hands.... protect your eyes, ears, and other parts that you can protect as you only go around once. Basically pay attention when handling a knife and using it. When you get old and everything still works without pain, you'll thank me.

Clips aren't deal breakers for me.... the last couple of knives I purchased didn't have clips.
 
22-rimfire said:
What do I value most in a knife? (1) Functionality in my world; The knife can't be too large or I won't carry it, and if it is too small, I'll probably leave it home most days in favor of a middle size folder.
(2) The knife has to function reliably.
(3) Provide some personal satisfaction when using it beyond it's cutting ability.
(4) I must be able to put a good sharp edge on the knife. If I struggle (such as with the BK-24), I will likely never use it.
(5) The knife needs to feel relatively good in my hand and comfortable to use.
(6) If it's a fixed blade, it needs to be provided with a good functional belt sheath.
Click to expand...

The sheath is so often overlooked but is actually one of the most important features of a fixed blade.
 
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