What sells a knife for you?

I'm kind of at that point where I am really narrowing down the designs I like. I like most of them. I think I am getting a sense for my EDC tastes though I like having a rotation. A few musts for primary EDC: tip up, 2.75 in or greater, medium texturing on handle, and smooth opening. I prefer a FFG but I'm not against using other grinds if the knife is nice.
 
So many things can make me pull the trigger on a knife. :)

-color
-blade shape
-gadget factor
-the utility of it
-the oddness of it
-the list goes on and on for me :eek:

They say picture is worth a thousand words. Here are just a few of the knives I had to have.....:D





 
Reading about them on here helps me pick a new knife. That's how I've gotten all my recent ones.
 
As a general rule I look for good materials for the price, a useful design and a company I trust. I know country of origin shouldn't matter as long as the quality is there, but I've still haven't been able to get over my prejudice against knives made in China and Taiwan.

Lately I've started buying knives that aren't very practical, just because I like them (stuff like a Spyderco Shabaria). I don't limit myself to purely useful knives anymore.
 
Right now I am still building a good base of EDC's, one or two more and I should be well off. So now I'm looking to try new things out.

My thought process was: are quality knives something that I should spend the money on? Bought a tenacious, and I'm hooked

Do I like flippers? Lets buy a skyline

What about a little higher quality, and lets try that axis lock: BM 300sn

What about bigger knives, and more expensive, will I be able to appreciate they extra $100? Bought a 0561. So far I'm disappointed

Now I need a medium sized blade, maybe a lock back or compression lock. Or maybe even a GEC. I guess I buy knives to fill spots I don't have in my collection. I'm still feeling the waters so I haven't fined tuned my likes and dislikes, so I buy things that are different than what I have.
 
Things I look for in a knife
- lefty friendly (a must since I'm left handed)
- easy to operate while wearing work gloves
- spyderhole
- 3 to 3.5 inch blade (can be slightly smaller or larger)
- value (well priced)
- flipper
- quality/well made
- low maintenance/easy to maintain
- overall good reviews


Dislikes
- partial serrations
- assisted opening
- automatics
- right hand carry only (kills a purchase with this alone even if everything else is fine)
- guady design features (oversized obstructive pocket clips, lots of text/images etc)
- blood grooves
- blade coatings
 
Quality, value, function, warranty/support, and looks in that order. I've bought many and only kept a few. I own budget/entry level models along with a few high end pieces, production knives only. My interest level right now doesn't warrant pursuing customs. I've found that Spyderco and ZT fit the bill and scratch my itch.
 
Avaliability - most often.
As I'm browsing the net I look for the knives on my list.
So the have to be avaliable at the right place.
Of course price also matters.
red mag
 
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