What knife brands have you changed your mind on?

I think it's Ontario for me. I was a die hard BK2 owner. Then I found the RD4 and Afghan. They run circles around the BK2! The Ontario has better steel-better grips-better price. Great company.
 
I first thought Spyderco was a joke but after trying one, I realized they are serious, well made knives.

Recently, I bought a used Strider. I couldn't bring myself to buying new due to "legend" of Mick Strider. That said, te Strider SnG CC is one hell of a knife. It won't be my last.
 
Like someone else said, I've been on the bargain knife binge for a bit....

+change = kershaw & ontario

-change = benchmade (used to be the knife by which I held all other productions to standard, maybe I'll change my mind again when I get my 940-1)
 
Benchmade has been my go to brand. Love the Axis lock and low profile designs. Tried a tenacious and delica 4 and while I could appreciate their designs and value, the Spydies just weren't doing it for me--until on a whim I bought the Paramilitary 2. Damn, that knife right there really turned me on to Spyderco. It's the only knife that I liked so much I bought a second one. I'm still a Benchmade fan, but honestly, with their new pricing, I'm inclined to branch out and see what else Spyderco has to offer. Probably will buy a Military or a Southard next.
 
Zidfeldts said:
I was mostly a Spyderco guy when it comes to modern folders. Then I saw the Benchmade 755 MPR. I love this knife. I may have to try another Benchmade.
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I like the 710; that's an excellent EDC. I also have a 755 MPR. I love the M390 blade-steel, and the MPR blade, though pretty short, is very useable and no problem at all for doing good work with it. Lockup is super. If only BM would put a much thinner set of grips on this knife, I'd love it, and they could sell a bundle of these things. But 0.610" is totally ridiculous when I'm used to folders that run 0.450" - 0.480".
 
I'm also going to have to day Spyderco. I bought my Native 5 because I wanted to try them.
As I was scanning through all the models, a lot of them looked funky.
And I wasn't 100% sure I liked the Native 5 either.
Now I love it. The fit and finish is outstanding with a perfectly centered blade, and it handles hard use.
Now I'm a big Spyderco fan.
 
TouchOfRed said:
Hinderer.
Wanted one so bad for a long time, but now i feels like an hype..
Here i have to pay around 700$ For one. Really?.. My custom Andre Thorburn that i have coming costs that much..
I have never handled a Hinderer before tho, so i cant say for sure. But for 700$, i'll pass.
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I have owned several Hinderers, and am no longer into over hyped, artificially inflated price, stuby pry bars with weak detents and flippers that do:barf:n't flip. Also had it with Benchmade after seeing the same clip used on their ($90) 707 being used for a $650 Gold Series knife.
 
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Kershaw/zt. Just don't care for their designs. Not a fan of ao.

Benchmade. No longer a fan. Just don't feel that they're a good value, which is why I sold my grip and minigrip. Keeping the 530 as it's too heavily used to be worth anything, and keeping the 162 cuz I really like it.

Spyderco
Used to hate the looks, but now I have five with a sixth on it's way.

Sog--not nearly as impressed as I once was. Sold off all but two.
 
Grew up around Case and other similar traditionals. Saw Spydercos in outdoor stores for years and thought they were a joke. Benchmade got me more serious into knives until the day I held a PM2 I knew I had to have one and I went on a Spyderco buying frenzy after that. Their looks are an acquired taste that you find attractive over time, but IMO for pure cutting performance and ergonomics nothing beats a Spyderco. Also used to be a skeptic of CRK, but now own two Sebenzas and are more than happy with them, and will own a Mnandi eventually.
 
I thought Spydercos were stupid and ugly before joining here. Now they are my favorite folder brand besides CRK.

I found out about so many brands on here--Becker, Busse/kin, customs, etc.

Sadly, I was turned away from Benchmade by the poor moderation of their subforum, lack of communication, and the increase in prices.
 
Victorinox SAKs. I am experiencing a growing appreciation for them, as opposed to my previous dominant impression of them as a childs toy.
 
upnorth said:
Victorinox SAKs. I am experiencing a growing appreciation for them, as opposed to my previous dominant impression of them as a childs toy.
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Funny you say that.

I find myself carring them again instead of a leatherman.
 
Sog- don't laugh! I had a couple cheapo Sog AO knives before I really was into blades, back when I thought $50 for a pocket knife was a lot of money. Well, to put it mildly- they were junk. Completely turned me off of the brand, until I saw an Arcitech on the exchange. Fell in love and scraped up the money. The reaction I always get from people when I mention the Arcitech is "HOW much for a SOG?!" Well, that knife really showed me what Sog can do as far as a high end production knife. It was a very nice knife. Filed back spacer, VG-10 san mai, abalone thumb stud, nice looking CF and the arc lock is solid. If it wasn't for the high polich on the blade and bolsters I would've kept it. I just don't like the way a high polish blade looks with wear.
 
My first new knife for on duty carry was a ZT 0560. I loved it, very big and beefy. I didn't give spyderco a look despite suggestions. Fast forward 18 months, and I've purchased 4 new Spyderco and traded my ZT for another Spyderco. I like ZT, but I really like Spyderco.
 
For me its not just one brand but from where they are made. I used to not buy any knife made in Asia. I used to feel you couldnt get a quality knife from asian countries with the exception of Japan. I for a long time even had a stigma against Taiwan and viewed them as a fancy name for China. Most of these reservations were pure ignorance. My first imported knife in a long long time was a Taiwan made spyderco southard. When this knife was first announced I started some drama on the spyderco forum and was quickly handed my rear end and forced to eat it. I also ended up purchasing one of these knives and its level of fit and finish had me completely rethinking my outlook on imported knives. It also had me rethinking my thoughts about how knives are priced. I didnt think a knife could ever be worth that kind of money being made in Taiwan. But when your holding a Taiwan made knife that puts 90% of your USA stuff to shame its hard to ignore. Now I try to not judge ANY knife unless I have had a chance to experience it for myself and see it in my hands. And It has opened up numerous options for me that I never would have normally considered. Oddly enough my collection went from 90% usa made high end production and custom items to mostly imported knives. I would be buying knives in the plus $200 realm sometimes even the plus $700 mark and just fearing to use the items. I truly am enjoying collecting now which I know will be hard for some to believe but it is true and I think that is the #1 priority in collecting. If you aint having fun whats the point? The biggest change I have made is to only buy knives I like. For some reason I would find myself wanting knives just because they were popular. I found it thrilling to get a knife I knew everyone else wanted. But that thrill only lasted as long as it took to open the box. Then It set in that I would never want to use it and I was searching for the next. Now I am truly enjoying each new knife I buy.
 
Like the majority I would say Spyderco. Just didn't like them until a few came out that really created some lust!
 
I can't believe how many people here have said they now love Spyderco and dislike benchmade. I've owned several spydercos but have traded all but a persistence away. I never carried one long enough to fully appreciate it. Would really love to try the pm2 out again
 
I share the same thought as OP about Spydercos until I got a few myself. I can't not have a Spyderco. I love it's one of the few companies that truly keep in mind the end user by providing a whole spectrum of knives for all the various niches.

I use to think Gerbers were the good stuff since the first knife that I own was a Gerber that I took out of my dad's toolbox to use. He just told me to keep it. It was a first branded knife that I've ever seen up close; I was 10... Now they're just junk that I wouldn't even gift or regift.

I use to love Benchmades, but now I'm only lukewarm toward them. Their new models and marketing are making me turn the other way. Axis lock is cool, but I'm more or less bored with it.

Striders... boy this is an interesting one. I skipped the Strider to jump on a Hinderer, and I'm much happier with my Strider. It's as strong as a XM, but lighter and the blade is actually more edc friendly. It's also easier on the wallet. Never again will I pay that kind of money for production knives... I really love and appreciate the Spanto grind, but it doesn't suit my needs. Give me a FFG or a 3/4 Grind on a SnG and I'm pretty happy.
 
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