What knife really surprised you? (Good or bad)

Spyderco delica. For multiple reasons. Sure i still think it's ugly as bull but reading about it the handle sounded too small until I held one. Surprised me because the handle felt perfect. I also expected the blade to be too short for my uses but nope surprisingly does everything I need. Feels so damn light so it surprises me its lasted me as long as it has
 
The Manix xl is the knife that got me started on all of this. I searched for some questions I had, and found this forum. Joined it so I could post questions, and then became a gold member when I realized I was going to stick around. I was blown away by the regular manix. I thought it was just going to be a smaller version of the xl, but the ergos are so different!
 
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The Hogue EX-01. I don't like the way it looks in pictures, but it looks great in hand. I was also surprised that it had machined bearing surfaces instead of washers. It is a very unique knife in design and construction.
 
AmosPaul said:
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The Hogue EX-01. I don't like the way it looks in pictures, but it looks great in hand. I was also surprised that it had machined bearing surfaces instead of washers. It is a very unique knife in design and construction.
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Seriously, the burnished bolster plates are bloody genius and no one ever seems to mention them. Maybe they have a patent on them, but if they don't I'm left completely at a loss as to why more companies haven't copied that feature.
 
Rough Rider Improved Muskrat. The "improvement" was the substitution of a long sheepsfoot for one of the two usually identical clips. It transforms the knife. I use the sheepsfoot as the main blade. It has been in my pocket every day for a month.

As an added bonus, the smooth tobacco bone scales look a lot better in person than I ever expected. Best $11.48 I ever spent.
 
Opinel' s and Mora' s are as good as they come for cutting and staying Sharp regardless of the low price point.
 
I have a new one to add to the list. The ZT0220! The orange spacer sticking out on this knife just bothered me in pictures. Just seemed to be too much and I was really worried about its overall effect on my grip. Having one in person my entire perception changed. Very cool knife, fits my hand like a champ and the spacer is actually really different and damn good looking!

https://flic.kr/p/Fo6ywE https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
Bad experience all the way around :
Boker
Medium Stockman
Dark red bone smooth

The red was no where near as dark as the factory photo at the Boker .com
The blades did not walk and talk; heck the springs barely held the two small blades open.
The long blade was as dull as the spine of a comb; no exaggeration.

Usually I make allowances for inexpensive production pocket knives and just use it an appreciate it for it's good qualities.
This puppy . . . went back to the seller the next day.

Gosh I was disappointed. I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really liked the look of that deep, rich smooth bone. Maybe I should have attempted to dye it. Never too late. That is if I can get one with springs in it.

Yah that surprised me. I have a Boker medium stockman in green, jigged, bone that is the opposite. Springs so firm it can wake up The Chef from the other room when I close one of the blades. SNAP ! It too is a really beautiful knife in my opinion. I kept that one.
 
whitty said:
I have a new one to add to the list. The ZT0220! The orange spacer sticking out on this knife just bothered me in pictures. Just seemed to be too much and I was really worried about its overall effect on my grip. Having one in person my entire perception changed. Very cool knife, fits my hand like a champ and the spacer is actually really different and damn good looking!

https://flic.kr/p/Fo6ywE https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
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I've actually been seriously considering this one. Of all the new ZT offerings for the year, this one was the most appealing to me.
 
The ZT 301 surprised me.
I've been a traditional knife collector for years and had no experience with this type of knife. My wife bought one for my birthday a few years ago because we like to watch NCIS. When I got the knife in my hand for the first time it felt like I could go out in the yard and chop a tree down.
 
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