What knife has left the biggest impression - good and bad?

I could actually say the same knife for good and bad. I have loved every Military I've had. Probably my all time favorite folder at that price. However the original Ti-Military before the insert sucked!

Probably worst knife experience though was Emerson Sheepdog. Hopefully without starting a feud, it is my opinion that design needs refinement. Mine had zero detent, and since that time I've seen others in person and on youtube with little detent. I think they are using light detent to keep the notorious sticky lock from sticking as bad. Again this is my opinion as a knife enthusiast, and not a maker, but for a flipper you need good detent, and a functional lock is good to have on any knife:) I was told that the lock stick was purposeful, because it was a "tactical" knife...... I wish I would've been wearing my boots when I read that email.
 
bobnery said:
I could actually say the same knife for good and bad. I have loved every Military I've had. Probably my all time favorite folder at that price. However the original Ti-Military before the insert sucked!

Probably worst knife experience though was Emerson Sheepdog. Hopefully without starting a feud, it is my opinion that design needs refinement. Mine had zero detent, and since that time I've seen others in person and on youtube with little detent. I think they are using light detent to keep the notorious sticky lock from sticking as bad. Again this is my opinion as a knife enthusiast, and not a maker, but for a flipper you need good detent, and a functional lock is good to have on any knife:) I was told that the lock stick was purposeful, because it was a "tactical" knife...... I wish I would've been wearing my boots when I read that email.
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Lol... "I meant to do that. Stop laughing." :D
 
Because of its weight, cutting ability and virtually zero maintenance level.
Love this blade!

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I was really impressed with an HK Axis folder made by Benchmade. I had never owned a smooth knife like that before.

The one I had a bad experience with was a Cold Steel Recon. The factory sharpening is off center and it irritates me. But I think I can find someone to resharpen it professionally. Then it will probably become one of my favorite knives. The triad lock is amazing and the blade has so much belly.
 
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Good: my new PM2 its so smooth, no blade play, great detent, super sharp and decently light weight
Strider SMF lego, I've played with one a few times at plaza and every time i touch one i want one more, comfortable handles, gorgeous stonewash solid lock up with just a tiny bit of stick and so lightweight for the size
Hoback mid tech that one of the guys at plaza owned: by far the smoothest knife I've ever felt:

Bad: ZT350, two of my friends own them both limited editions. one of them (aluminum scales) is very heavy and has noticeable lock slip. the other one is a orange g-10 edition that my friend has beat the shit out of no lock slip or blade play but i still don't like the heavy recurve and the action of the speedsafe.
Mini Grip: never seen a knife with so much blade play, and when i tuned it up for my friend i couldn't get it to be both smooth and have no play, also very light detent. Great slicer though and my friend has pried some stuff he seriously shouldn't have and the knife just shrugged it off.
Crkt m21 ( i think) flipper that didn't flip, ton of blade play, auto-lawks is stupid and my friend payed $75 for it. could have bought an endura
 
Good:Strider SMF, everyone I've owned. They just work for me and fit my style. I realize though they are not for everyone. SMFs have beat out every other knife that price and down(for me). Even medfords, my other go to brand.

Bad:Benchmade. Just like Accelerator said. I too was a huge BM fan early on then all the ones I kept getting were bad. All off center horribly and ground like they were from the Skillcraft factory. Even received an Adamas 375 with a big chip from the factory. Can't even get fixed blades right. And I love the axis lock too, ashame.

Honorable mention to the Spyderco Manix 2 XL as a couple of members already said. Just adding on. Fine blade for the money and rides quite well for the size. Big value for a little more than a Ben frank.
 
Good: Spyderco Gayle Bradley and Centofante 3. Both are just about perfect, in my opinion. I bought a second sample of both knives to put away as insurance against possible future loss. I've had excellent experiences with all my Spydercos...and with ZT, Benchmade, Kershaw, Case, Boker, Queen, SAK, etc. Overall, I've had a lot of good impressions from the vast majority of my knives, including some cheap Asian brands.

Bad: Very few here. The biggest disappointment has been from a couple of traditional GEC folders. The way the GECs are raved about on the forums, I expected a lot more from these knives. Both the models I chose were too hard to open and snapped closed like bear traps. They were okay knives but I just wasn't really impressed with them at all--I much prefer any of the numerous traditional Case knives I've owned for function and utility. And, of course, Gerber. I'm old enough to remember when Gerber was a respected brand, making knives people wanted to buy. But I lost my last good Gerber while camping about 25 years ago and my more recent experience with a new model was not positive.
 
Good: Hinderer XM-18 -It was on my grail list for awhile and did not disappoint.
Honorable mention- Cold Steel Tuff Lite - I freaking love this knife and almost always have it in my left pocket, in addition to whatever else I carry that day.

Bad: ADV mini tactical Butcher- I love wharnies so this knife looked perfect, but I only had it in my hands for 15 minutes before boxing it up and returning it. The framelock would only lockup half the time, the flipping action was by far the worst on any knife I've ever handled, and it had bladeplay. I expected much more for $450 bucks. Maybe I just got a lemon.
 
Good-Microtech Ultratech, this was my first Microtech and it went downhill from there. Great knife, great steel just all around a well built knife that I truly enjoy using. Plus being my first MT that I got as a gift this Ultratech has major sentimental value

Bad: well it's not so bad but a S&W Oasis. This was my scout knife and it served me very well until my tastes matured to where I knew that knife just wasn't a great knife. Good worker though if it would be a little better I would've enjoyed it more but it worked and wasn't necessarily bad.
 
Comeuppance said:
For real with the Taichung Spydercos. The quality is beyond belief sometimes... Also, Böker Tree Brand is pretty legit. I carried a DLC Haddock for a while, and it was just a pleasure. I kinda wish I had held onto that one, really.
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Indeed, my Vallotton Sub Hilt D/A was absolutely incredible.
 
Mostly I've had good experiences with the knives I've bought. My very bad one was a mora #1. After reading on here how great and cheap they were I bought 2. Kept one and game one to a friend. His is a fantastic knife and I sharpen it occasionally. Doesn't take much to get it very sharp and it holds it well. Mine on the other hand... Something was wrong with it. This may not make a lot of sense, not even sure I'll be believed or not. It can't be sharpened. Something is wrong with the steel in a way I don't understand. When I received it I had just bought a new fridge. My kids obviously wanted it to be a castle. I cut a window out and noticed the knife was tearing the cardboard. I looked at the edge and it was chipped very badly. I didn't hit any staples or anything. So OK went at it with a 220 grit water stone. Didn't even scratch the bevel after 15 minutes I gave up. Off the the belt sander and a 120 grit zirc belt. All it would do was burnish the steel. Didn't grind away any steel. Neither will a 36 grit blaze ceramic. I can cut 10v with a ceramic belt but not this 1095 mora
 
It basically means it is made in " the good ol US of A ( I am English btw and realize how pleasing it can be to some to see this on any product, well maybe apart from a Football, "Sorry a Soccer Ball" or a Cricket Bat ):)
Also I think Chris is the type of Guy that likes to tip his hat to the fact that his work is done in Idaho and props to him, it shows a respect to his workers and also to you my colonial cousins.
I like the Idaho made mark on a CRK. Just my opinion though and each to his own.
I also feel that when a knife has been made on the plains between two Great Mountain Ranges such as the Rockies and Appalachians the maker should indeed feel proud to stamp a mark of "made in location" .For me, if I could only have one knife from one Country the World over the knife of my choosing would be made in North America, either The US or Canada. In my dreams when I think of my self carrying a knife, I dream I am in The Pacific North West. Yes the Bronze or Iron Age may have taken longer to arrive in your beautiful land but to me the terrain, wilderness and overall country is The Land of Knives and where they should be carried.:)
 
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I am completely enamored (and maybe a bit amorous?) over my SG Spider Monkey. It has really tickled my fancy. Only way it could be more perfect is if it had some sort of spydieish hole or a flipper.
 
Biggest impression(good)- My older Regular and Classic Sebenza's.

Biggest impression(bad)- I'd rather not say. A couple from another favorite knife company(of mine). They made it right, so I won't mention who.
 
Good - Emerson, every one I've owned have been damn near perfect. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Bad - Brous Bionic for many reasons.
 
Surprisingly REALLY good.....Spydie Southard all black, Domino blue twill and Hogue EX-04!!! Wow for all 3!!! On second thought......DOUBLE WOW!!!

The REALLY bad.....Spydie Pac Salt....been back to Golden twice and comes back worse each time...need a screwdriver to get it open! Even worse Brous Bionic....you try to flip that thing. No detent and a friggin cheese grater on the landing zone.
Sent 3 e mails in the last 3 weeks........hellooooooooooooo.
 
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