What knife has (pleasantly) surprised you?

coyote711

coyote711

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Sep 19, 2009
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I'm talking about a knife that maybe you had doubts about when looking at on-line, but pulled the trigger anyway. Or maybe a knife you put away and never used because "you just didn't like it", only later to get it out and "discover" that it's a pretty nice knife after all.

One of mine is this little #25 GEC. I got it and didn't like the handle material, didn't like the shape of the clip blade, didn't like the writing on the blade ..... "what was I thinking when I bought this"? I did tweak the blade a little, but regardless of that, it's become one of my favorites ..... never would have thought that when I first pulled it out of the tube!

What knife has been a pleasant surprise for you, or maybe one you've changed your mind on?
 

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Hi,

Nice little #25. I have one too and really enjoy carrying it. I've had several knives surprise me, from Rough Riders to my #25.

But the one that really got me is a Camillus #22 Pony Jack with Maize scales. I don't particularly care for Peanuts as a pattern and I certainly don't like yellar handles. But I now have three of them and one of them seems to find itself in my pocket on a regular basis. Go figure. I must be getting daft in my old age.:D

Dale
 
I got a Case Peanut for helping a family out in a tough situation. Initially was not impressed with this "small thing". I started to edc it in my coin pocket. The dang thing cuts and cuts. Nice thin blade and it don't scare sheeple. I sorta like this pattern.
 
CRKT Crawford Kasper - $20...really $20??!! That's a lot of knife for $20 I ordered another one.

Benchmade 741 - Ahhh so that's why people spend big money on knives....quality and fit, I'm starting to 'get it' ...unfortunately.
 
never did much for me... then i was gifted one last year from my dad
2001 Case antique bone
love the thing, only thing that its missing is that its not CV...
Like a chubby stockman, ergos are very comfortable for me at least
who'd have thought:)
gene
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Buck 303
Bear 4" MGC Stag Bone stockman
Case G-10 Humpback Whittler
Victorinox OHT Trekker
 
The first knives I received from Ken Coats, Brent Cramer, Tony Huffman, Rick Menefee, Kerry Hampton and Ken Erickson really blew me away and still do.
 
Actually I have three of them and they are all in this photo that I call tres amigos:

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They are top to bottom - a Case Sway Back Jack, a Case mini copperhead, and a Craftsman peanut (thanks Vince).

All of these knives I thought were going to be too small to be useful. The SBJ turned out to be so special that I felt and still feel that it is the best money I ever spent on any knife; what a great little peice. The middle knife, the mini copperhead, kept calling to me from Mack's (protourist) posts so much that I bought one. It seems to find its way into my pocket more and more as time goes on. It is close to my most carried slippie now. The last one is the peanut that I won in Vince's give away. That thing is just so neat and such a great little companion. I find myself carrying it a lot when I carry another knife just so I can handle it without attracting attention to ourselves. Much more useful than its size would indicate. These three knives could almost be my whole arsenal if it weren't for my knife obsessive/compulsive behavior.

Ed
 
Bastid said:
The first knives I received from Ken Coats, Brent Cramer, Tony Huffman, Rick Menefee, Kerry Hampton and Ken Erickson really blew me away and still do.
Click to expand...

I have similar observations with regards to Kerry Hampton, Bret Dowell, and Hiroaki Ohta. Before I ever bought a custom slipjoint I looked at innumerable images here and elsewhere. It was obvious even from pictures that custom slippies were on a higher level than their production counterparts. I was still surprised when I received my Hampton KHnutbuster, Dowell swayback, and Ohta wharncliffe. The quality of these knives was evident from the first time I picked them up and it is clear that they were made by men who take pride in their work.

- Christian
 
TLARbb said:
The middle knife, the mini copperhead, kept calling to me from Mack's (protourist) posts so much that I bought one. It seems to find its way into my pocket more and more as time goes on. It is close to my most carried slippie now.

Ed
Click to expand...
:thumbup: on the tres amigos, Ed!

The mini copperhead is having the same effect on me as Mack's did on you. Every time you post it I'm thinking ..... " Hmmmm ..... Do I need one of these? ..... I don't really need one ..... Sure is a nice lookin' knife ..... But, I already have a SBJ with a wharncliffe and pen blade ..... Yeah, but the mini copperhead is a single spring and thinner ..... "
 
Those tres Amigos are stunning. :thumbup: I shoulda mentioned the swayback. Nicest fit and finish I have seen on a regular production knife in a long time.
 
Bulldog humpback wharncliff whittler (seahorse?). The spine on that thing is fat, and the grind is steep. I have worn off the bulldog etch sharpening that one.

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When I first saw that pattern, I thought it looked deformed, now it is pure joy in the hand.
 
Mine is easy. Queen Dan Burke Barlow. Never liked the pattern but wow did it grow on me. I actually acquired a CV Swayback last week and it is no comparison with the barlow.
 
The GEC toothpick had a similar effect on me.
I never liked a toothpick at all until GEC came out with their slightly "thicker" one, and now I have 4 of them!
 
When I first received my Moore Maker small Sodbuster I was not too impressed with the overall fit and finish. The blade would hit the back spring when closed and also rubbed on the liner. The back of the handle also had a sharp transition that would dig into my palm. After reprofiling the edge so it no longer hits the spring and taking the rough corner off with sandpaper I have really started liking this knife. It tends to find quite a bit of pocket time and gets used for everything. Certainly changed my mind on the Sodbuster pattern.
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I think it would have to be the Dan Burke half whittler. I normally carry two knives, a large clip utility type blade with a pocket clip for work, and then a smaller one that rides in the pocket for everything else.

I have a variety of small knives like peanuts and pen knives, but nothing at all like this little Queen. (A Queen in more ways than one!).

The knife is invisible in my pocket, and with its swayback it rides so perfectly in the pocket I have to check to see if it is there. It seemed pretty fragile when I got it, but not so. The flat ground blades slice like a razor, so little pressure is needed for the size appropriate tasks.

Plus, with its little federal shield on the green grooved bone, it's a looker!

Robert
 
Kissing Crane medium sodbuster, an Amazon impulse buy. I took 30 minutes to steel wool and oil the scales, and filed any rough spots. Mystery carbon steel blade takes an amazing edge, and the spring is flush in all 3 positions w/ no gaps. I use the hell out of this knife and if I ever need it, a replacement will set me back a cool $10 :thumbup:
Pardon my poor photography

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The smallish Moore Maker trapper you see here really did catch me unawares. A few years ago, like. The spey blade was great

Don't think it is made anymore. Shame. It was lovely. Sold it in a fit of poverty

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My recent purchase of a Hen & Rooster Sow Belly has surprised me a bit. I really have come to like the Sow Belly design.
 
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