what r the main areas you want perfect in a production folder?

[curious2003]

Members on this forum belong to a group of people who love knives. We adore them. It seems that there are a few key areas of a knife we inpect for and want "perfect". The question is what are the most important things to you and does it actually affect performance in any way? What is too much to expect from a regular production knife?

examples:

1) Should primary bevels be symmetrical? How much of a difference would you tolerate?

2) How important are factory edges? Is uniformity needed?

3) Is ZERO blade play necessary?

4) Do liners have to be perfectly smooth or a few notches acceptable?

5) Does the blade have to be PERFECTLY centered? Or as long as it doesn't brush scales/liners it's ok?

Should we even look for these things in normal folders outside of Sebenzas? Or should we expect these things from folders >$100?

 

[TheBadGuy]

F&F and lock strength is what its all about to me

 

[glockman99]

Good steel (VG-10, 154CM).
Comfortable handle.
Strong, positive lock-up.

 

[AntDog]

1) Should primary bevels be symmetrical? How much of a difference would you tolerate?

They should be. I am willing to tolerate a lot in this area. It doesn't seem to affect the function of the knife.

2) How important are factory edges? Is uniformity needed?

Factory edges are not very important to me. Sure, most are sharp, but they all fade with time and need to be sharpened. If an edge is ground a little funky, I don't mind - it will even out with sharpening.

3) Is ZERO blade play necessary?

Not necessary in every case. In fact, there are some knives that just have blade play because of their design. It's great if there isn't any, but lock strength (and your own faith in the lock) are what's important.

4) Do liners have to be perfectly smooth or a few notches acceptable?

This one makes NO difference to me at all. That's what sandpaper is for.

5) Does the blade have to be PERFECTLY centered? Or as long as it doesn't brush scales/liners it's ok?

Perfectly centered, no. I would prefer that the blade didn't rub the liners, but in some knives that's just how it is.

Should we even look for these things in normal folders outside of Sebenzas? Or should we expect these things from folders >$100?

I look for these things in every knife I buy, whether it's a $25 knife or a $300 knife.

 

[cerulean]

1) Should primary bevels be symmetrical? How much of a difference would you tolerate?

It's not a big deal to me if they're not symmetrical. That's something I don't really notice unless I look for it.

2) How important are factory edges? Is uniformity needed?

Personally, it's important to me that the factory edge to be as sharp as possible and well ground. Not only can you use the knife without having to sharpen it first, but it makes touch-up sharpening much easier.

3) Is ZERO blade play necessary?

Side-to-side play is bad. Vertical play depends on the lock. A tiny amount of vertical play is fine on lockbacks, but unacceptable on liner locks.

4) Do liners have to be perfectly smooth or a few notches acceptable?

Doesn't matter much to me.

5) Does the blade have to be PERFECTLY centered? Or as long as it doesn't brush scales/liners it's ok?

I don't mind if the blade isn't centered. Even if the blade slightly rubs against a liner, it might be a problem that goes away after repeated openings and closings.

I’d be satisfied with the above things in knives around the $20 to $200 mark. As the price gets higher, you might expect stuff like: completely symmetrical grinds, better overall fit and finish, and a perfectly centered blade.

 

[roshi]

Give me a Camillus CUDA Maxx bowie scaled down to a four inch blade. That would be about perfect.

 

[Blop]

It should have a secure lock. After this i have a look for the finish, if it si done in a hurry or with care. It´s just my personal view, but i care for this.

I have to say, the higher the price, the higher the expectation on the knife.

 

[trane fan]

1. Ergonomics: I'm big on ergos. If it doesn't feel right in my hand I'm not going to buy.

2. Lock-up: I love to hear the "click" of a good locking system. One should be able to feel confident that the lock is going to remain in a secure position. That's probably why I like Sebbies so much.

3. F&F: This all goes to craftsmanship and the manufacturer taking pride in there product. If the fit is sloppy and imprecise and some parts rub together then how can you trust that the knife is going to hold up over the long haul.

4. Factory edge: There's no excuse why a knife shouldn't be hair popping sharp right out of the box. Although, I must admit that I've never been able to bring myself to shave off leg or arm hair just to test an edge. I guess paper will have to do.

As to the question of quality being determined by price. I try realistic about a $30.00 knife not being able to match a $300.00 knife concerning the above mentioned criteria. However, I do want my money's worth and a little more.