What Knives Exceeded Your Expectations?

Spydercos have ALL exceeded my expectations. Benchmades are right on the mark, as are CRKs...the Mnandi is in a class all it's own. The knives which have really blown me away are Strider SnGs. ...you just won't understand until you own and use one. While none of these companies knives are cheap, they are "go-to" brands for me.
 
Scrapyard Mud Puppy. Dare I say one of the most comfortable handles I've held on a knife didn't come from the mind of Sal or Eric Glesser? :D

Spyderco Tasman Salt. Got this for times when I knew I'd be active and didn't want to sweat all over my CF Military. Who knew this blade shape would be so useful. The knife is nice and light, very compact. Rides IWB great. The steel completely blew me away though. The SE has shown edge retention on the order of S30V, which is not what I expected based on my experiences with PE H1.
 
Mora blew my mind. I never expected performance like that out of such an inexpensive knife!
 
The Cold Steel titanium Ti-Lite, the Spyderco BG-42 CF Military and the Benchmade Ritter Grip Mk.1 all exceeded my expectations.

The thing that is surprising to me, is that the Ti-Lite just keeps making it's way into my pocket. The build quality, looks and weight all conspire to demand my attention.
 
Victorinox SAKs and the Swiss Spirit truly blew me away... many, many times.
Anyone who admires knives, anyone who was a MacGyver fan, everyone in the world must own a Victorinox SAK!

So let it be written; so let it be done... :D
 
Mora.

Opinel.

Ontario machete.



I wouldn't want to live without any of them. All of them have a reputation. All of them impressed me more than I thought they would.
:thumbup:
 
Browning Ice Storm by Mcusta.

Anything Victorinox

Cold Steel Recon 1 Drop point.

These were all knives that superseded my expectations.
 
I always thought Spydercos were ugly and cheap looking... Now I think they make the finest production folders in their price range. For the most part their designs are incredibly functional and gimmick free. From the Native to the Military, they are pretty much as good as it gets. I had to MAKE myself buy a Delica 4 just because my in-store impressions were of total dissapproval... I had to force myself to EDC it. Now I think there may not be a knife better suited for "real work" -no kid gloves- EDC.

Another knife that really blew me away was the Swamp Rat Knife Works - Rat Warden. One of the most useful knives I ever owned, and bar none the best steel I've ever had my hands on. I put it through more hard use than should be possible.

Strider SnG... you'll never understand until you buy and use one. GREAT knife, but in this day and age you can do ALMOST as good for half the price with a "Golden" Spydie or a nice Benchmade.
 
Spyderco Endura. Got one early and it was just about perfect. Guess it could just as well apply to the Delica, Police, and Salt variations as well.
 
I am really impressed with my Michael Morris pocket filer. It is great little package and an excellent value.

As far as production knives go, the KaBar Doziers, Victorinox Pioneer, and ZT 0205 all pleasantly surprised me in their quality.
 
Spyderco Tenacious. Ergonomics rule. Used to be skeptical of Spyderco, but I've had a change of heart.
 
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