What knife really surprised you? (Good or bad)

Ferahgo

Ferahgo

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Mar 6, 2014
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So, I decided to make my first trade awhile ago. It was my beloved Becker BK5 for my first Spyderco; a Manix 2 XL. I was a bit apprehensive. First off, this was my first trade. It was a bit nerve wracking to wait for the blade to come in, making sure it did and it was not a clone. Then there was the matter of the blade. I have played with Spydies before, and I have no complaints there. However, I has not familiar with this particular model at all. The trade already had a lot of attention, so I decided to just take it right then and there. Shortly there after, I hit up my local sporting good store to see the knife I had ordered; to check it out and get a feel for it and such. To my disappointment, they only had the Manix 2 LW. Quite a different blade, if you have ever used both. Anyhow, the LW made me nervous. It didn't fit my hand at all, and it felt too light and flimsy. The Manix did indeed come that Monday, though. I made short work of the box opening, excited and nervous to see what was inside. The knife that came out felt nothing like the LW in the least. This thing is a tank. The weight and the G10 work together to make a perfect feel in the hand. I went from nervous to glad I had done it. This is the knife that really took me off guard. I was expecting something less than the beautiful piece I received. Now for the mods :D I am thinking a deep pocket clip and a TI back spacer, the latter to give it a bit more weight and security in the hand.


Now, back to the title. Which knife really gave you a shock? Was it in performance or the way it felt? Also, was it a good or bad sort of suprise? :D
 
The Kershaw Cryo. I was pleasantly surprised by this knife. It felt good in the hand, flipped smoothly, and was a well put together knife.
 
Zero Tolerance 0200. It was my first major purchase, & the first serious knife that I'd purchased up until that time.

I can still remember opening up that package...& when I opened up that blade for the very first time, it was like: "WOW!!!" I was totally stoked!

The ZT 0200, is the knife responsible for getting me addicted to this hobby.

Congratulations, on that Manix! :thumbup:
 
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Benchmade 531. Held this knife in person and bought it. The more I have it the more I see how thoughtfully designed it is with so much attention to detail. Beautiful, elegant lightweight and super functional.
 
KELAMA said:
Zero Tolerance 0200. It was my first major purchase, & the first serious knife that I'd purchased up until that time.

I can still remember opening up that package...& when I opened up that blade for the very first time, it was like: "WOW!!!" I was totally stoked!

The ZT 0200, is the knife responsible for getting me addicted to this hobby.

Congratulations, on that Manix! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I second this, I just received an 0200 and it's an amazing, amazing knife...

Second:
Letterman, any and all that I've had. I carry them and am always finding a use for a segment of the tool. It really is the best thing since sliced bread, which I can do with it as well... I feel naked without my Leatherman...
 
Just got into the hobby and sooooo many have blown me away!! The ones that really got me are autos. When I was a kid all the autos I held were cheap garbage. No so today!!
All of these are super smooth, fire like rockets and are extremely well made! I see more in the near future!!
Joe


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Rj martin machine midtech surprised me in a good way. It has just as good action as a custom Rj martin. I really don't understand why this knife did not get more attention than it did, it really is one of the best knives in its price range.
 
Hk soldat for me it REALLY surprised me in a great way fits my hand like a glove
 
For me it was the BM 940...I thought it looked kind of strange but once I held it in my hand, it was great! I have made many blade purchases since then but it remains one of my favorites to carry and use.
 
In contrast, the Manix2 LW S110v. I had the first LW Translucent version with the pinned pivot. It was an utter disappointment and sold it (still had a G10 version like yours). Later, I ended up with the newer S110v version. The action was much better, the steel is AMAZING, and somehow the knife feels way better than the "brittle" translucent version. Maybe it's all in my head, but now its one of my favorite knives. I haven't gone anywhere without it in months, and its always in my truck. Man I love this thing.

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One of my biggest let downs was a Hinderer. Now before I'm burned at the stake let me explain. This was back when if you wanted a hinderer you needed a pocket full of cash and or an act of God to get it.

I had owned the zt counterparts and the opportunity came for me to own a wharncliffe xm18. I passed at first but finally grabbed it .

It wasn't that it was a bad knife or anything was wrong with it , it was a great knife ,solid lockup IT FLIPPED, F&F all that was perfect .

Maybe it was all the hype I had read online about them, or maybe it was the fact the knife was around 250+ dollars more expensive than they are new now.

Not knocking hinderer at all! I'll try one again now that they can be found easily and the price is lower.
 
I've had more good surprises with cheap knives than the expensive ones. You kinda expect goodness with expensive but there's less room for disappointment with the cheap stuff.
 
For me it was the Manix LW as well. I had heard a lot of good things, but when I got it I was underwhelmed. Probably should not have gotten the light weight version

On the other side of the coin, the knife that surprised me the most was the Ontario Rat 2, got one in a trade and it totally impressed me
 
Spyderco PM2. Wanted one for quite a while but always found something else to buy which lately had been a Sebenza, Umnumzaan, Mircrotech, etc.
Finally got a PM2 for Christmas from my wife and now it is easily one of my favorite knives, just so practical, useful, lightweight, smooth action, and nice looking. Should have bought one years ago. The price is not so high that I worry about damaging or losing it which makes it that much more enjoyable to actually use for its intended purpose. Now I have to resist buying more in different steels.....that S110V sure does look nice!
 
Cold Steel AK-47. I honestly thought of it as the most tacticool a knife could get without veering into sheer, impractical mall-ninjary. Saw an XHP model for a song and decided to take a chance because what the hell, I could always sell it and make back what I had into it.

Yeah, not gonna happen. Whoever ground the thing was on point that day, very thin behind the edge, slices like a dream and, despite the overly countoured handle groves, works for me in a surprising variety of grips.
 
I actually loved the 110v lw, but did not like sharpening it. I traded down for one in bd1. Action is still super smooth on it and it flips almost as well as the s110v version.

I had hated the g10 version. The manix lw has become my favorite around the house knife next to a native. I thought that one was going to feel chubby and fat. Barman on the forum suggested that I get one two years ago and wished I had listened earlier.

I strayed from Spyderco for a while checking out other brands like crk. But I gotta say the second time around is just as sweet.

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The RAT 1 really surprised I heard good things but wasn't expecting much cause of the cost but was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it was.
 
This:

Best knife I have ever owned, and the last knife I ever thought I would buy.
I passed up on owning a Seb. forever.
It took a really good friend to convince me that it wasn't the knife I hated......

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I was really surprised when I finally purchased a SAK classic. It doesn't leap tall buildings in a single bound. Nor did it didn't require refinancing the house. But it cuts nearly anything and sharpens up easily. Hard to beat something that works.
 
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