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What makes you choose to buy a given knife?

BePrepared

BePrepared

Joined
Aug 26, 2010
Messages
4,441
I have found that there are only a few types of decision making processes when it comes to knife buying

1. I have a job that needs doing, and a specific knife is the best tool for that job

2. I have had a great experience with a given maker or type of knife and want more of them

3. (goes something like this) X is sharp... i don't have x... click buy... wait by door for UPS guy

So how do you, my fellow addicts choose what your next toy will be?
 
I just pick a Becker off the list. I will get them all (except the 8, of course) anyway.
 
In this order I consider:
Craftsmanship
Ergonomics (including handle shape & feel, and blade:handle ratio)
Materials (steel is most important, then lock, washers, handle, hardware)
Blade shape and grind (this will vary based on task but I am a sucker for the standard Wharncliffe and various drop-point variations, clips and spears are nice on slip joints. I tend to avoid spey, sheepsfoot, wharny-wannabees but am generally open to a variety of blade profile)
Aesthetics
Company history (I like to try as many things as possible so to me this means seeking out new knife companies with rich histories, ethical business practices, and helpful/reliable customer service. The only brand I have tried so far that I know I will buy again and keep forever is CRK)
Budget is also an important consideration as I am very far from rich, but I never set out to buy a knife based on a budget. I look for a knife I want, and consider whether or not the cost is worth it to me based partially on whether or not there is a similar offering for less money, but mostly based on personal criteria including the above. e.g. CRK doesn't use fancy steel but offers everything else on this list in spades and is worthy and capable of being carried everyday for a whole lifetime so I consider them worth it.

Note: when considering steel, not only do chemistry and heat treat matter to me, but the task as well. For a do all EDC I prefer ease of sharpening and toughness (think CRK), for traditional slip joints it must be a high hardness carbon steel, and for camp and outdoor knives it must be a tougher carbon steel (my favorite currently is O1).
 
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all of the above.

a lot of times, these days, it's just how unique is it? new? design? cool factor (for me, i don't care who else thinks it is)

and stuff :)

esp if the knife falls into certain area of my interests

best of class though, usually works for me ;)
 
At this point for me it is more of a "want" than a "need" situation. If I see a knife I want I will budget for it or sell a knife I have to get the new one.

So for me the process is rather simple, see it-buy it!!
 
I have a list of things that I consider. The two that are non-negotiable are that they must be made in the USA and they have to serve as a tough and practical tool for whatever purpose I'm looking for.
 
Mostly I just purchase blades that I like and find a use for them later, but this only happens when the budget allows. However, I don't blindly jump into a purchase without looking at a few criteria. Which are, in no particular order:

- Steel (I have my favorites - 1095CV, O1, etc.)
- Origin (If it isn't USA, it will not happen. There could be exceptions to this...maybe...probably not)
- Ergonomics (If it isn't comfortable to use, then why would I?)
- Cost (Don't get me wrong, I'm not a cheapskate, but high quality doesn't have to break the bank - think BK&T :) )
 
Heavy dutyness of it
Quality
Handle---if not so much---can i modify it to fit my hand
Usefullness---gotta be a user for me.
Price point.
sheath---a good one is a bonus but if it is a good knife, then it deserves a custom sheath.

Beckers get high marks in every catagory for me. They are a natural.:D
 
If it's a type of knife that I've had before (example: primary survival) and my last one was not perfect for that role in my use, I refine my requirements and buy a new knife that meets as many of those characteristics as possible.
This is the process behind my BK7 (Beth) being chosen.
 
I tend to buy planning for an upcoming event ex; kayaking trip, fishing trip, hike etc
I'm a strong believer in cost effectiveness so I factor in quality of materials used, craftmanship, manufactures reliability and reputation, and lastly how often will i actually use it for its intended use. Oh and sometimes I just hit BUY for no reason...... I think it might be a disorder ???
 
"OOOOOOooooo...."

That's one method.

I come across something that appeals to me, then figure out if I can fit it into my mental model of actual practicality. Then I lie to myself a little... then hem and haw... and eventually close my eyes and click.

-Daizee
 
I tend to just buy whatever grabs my attention, preferably made in the US but there are a lot of custom makers overseas too. Sometimes I just buy for sheath work even if I don't want the knife personally, depends on what people request and how often.
 
I used to not care too much,but these days MADE IN USA is big on my list.I've been steadily trading off and selling all my import blades and slowly testing out the USA options to see what best fits my needs these days.I'm a big Ontario fan,I've had a SP1 Marine for more years than I care to remember and just can't kill it.Went through an ESEE phase.Now I've got a Becker BK2 and gotta say,this knife is has triggered an addiction for more Becker's.Ontario and ESEE never tickled that nerve like this. I'm also a big fan of MercWorx,just something about them.After MADE IN USA my next consideration is quality steel,then function and price.Big fan of 1095 and S30V.
As far as folders go,I was big on Spyderco and some CS models years back but since all the ones I had were imports,I dumped them.Spyderco's blades never struck me as "hard use" knives,just good quality folders(I've broken a few) and my Cold Steel blades were bought more out of budgetary consideration than anything else,though they can take a beating. Now I'm a ZT devotee for folders,along with Emerson's.I am also fond of my lonely Kershaw,a tanto blur.
So there are a lot of knives out that I wouldn't mind having,if they were made here instead of Taiwan or China.Or made of better steel.Or priced more in line competitors similar offerings,or weren't painted up in some goofy dayglo "zombie killer" scheme(ESEE) etc,etc. I'm pretty selective these days,but my first thing to check after the WOW factor wears off a bit is COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.If the answer isn't USA,I'll loose interest pretty quick.
 
I just buy whatever blade the newest YouTube SupermallNinja tells me to buy.

Honestly, anymore, the very first thing I look for inna blade, is if it says USA on it! (or Sweden or some other reputable country of origin) if it says china taiwan bangladesh or pakistan I aint buyin it. Unless I'm planning on breaking it then feeding it to my BK2 ;)
 
There are several things that I take into account when buying a knife:
(In no particular order)
1. Cost (I'm not a billionaire.)
2. Function (If it won't work for me then I'm not going to work who knows how many hours to afford it.)
3. Quality of materials used (Cheap junk, isn't your life more than that.)
4. Product reviews (I may not agree with everything someone says about an item but I respect the different point of view and, if nothing else, if I later find the knife to be crap I cannot complain since I was probably warned.)
5. Personal connection/ just strikes my fancy (It might be like my wife, it would be hard to express in words how much I love her or why I simply can not be without her. The heart wants what the heart wants.)
 
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