What was the worst most over hyped knife you ever bought?

[22-rimfire]

....Second, Opinel. This one I held and decided I would never buy. After I actual got to feel how the lock worked I was like "hell no". I would much rather have a non-locking folder like a SAK or Bull Nose than a folder with a poorly made wonky lock that takes two hands to engage.

Pretty much the way I feel about Opinels. They just don't do it for me as a knife.

Either of the couple Randall's I had.

Good knives, but of run of the mill steel, thick blades and heavy for their size. Maybe they were top of the heap in 1950, but they are just not up to the incredible hype and price and wait for them. Only good thing about them was, it was easy to get my money back out of them at a knife show.

....Have had no problems with Gary Clinton, as his listed knives are pictured, and the six or so shop ordered and received through him were luckily all pretty decent.

Randall's are probably over-hyped a bit and live about 50% on reputation. I have purchased a couple from Tom Clinton (Gary's father I assume). But I still like Randall's, hype or not. Never waited for a Randall since I never ordered from the factory. It's also why I tend to buy Blackjack classics generally speaking but some don't care for the maker of those. Less expensive and made nearly as good in my opinion.

The most over-hyped knife I have bought is the Kabar Becker BK-2. I guess it would be a great knife if you were living off the land and want something that likely won't break. Just too much knife for me....

 

[bflying]

When I first saw the title of this thread, a couple knives popped into mind. And was actually surprised to see both of them covered early on the first page. They were HTM (in general, but have a Snap on hand), and the Spyderco Manix LW. And for most of the reasons already covered.

The HTM for more reasons to really cover again. Though I will say that it's 154CM took a screaming edge once I got around to fixing the horrible edge that came from the factory.

Now the Manix really isn't a bad knife, I just dislike it because it's monster wide in pocket. And I kept seeing so many modded handles, and bought it with the idea of doing something similar. Then I find out that the LW is riveted instead of screwed like all of the other versions of that model.

Should probably return with pics, since I still have both, and this thread is severely lacking pics. I'm a visual guy. If I can remember, will take pics later.

I'll also toss a few cheapies into the ring. Some Kershaw's that didn't live up to hype in my book (not withstanding price), are the Natrix, and the Emerson series. I probably shouldn't lump all the Em series together, but the two I have are probably somewhat indicative of many others. The Natrix is really just a very poorly constructed piece. I have hope for the Copper and Bareknucle versions. With the background story, and the fact that it was produced almost purely out of spite, I would have thought that a bit more "anything" be included.....better materials, better QC, better engineering, etc.

And my two Waved Kershaw's are just poor all around. Got to give them an "F" in the three F's.....Fit, Finish, and Function.

 

[StuntDouble]

For me, the most over hyped brand I've owned has to be Emerson. I've had close to a dozen over the years, and they've always disappointed me. When I didn't have issues with rough action or rough finish, there's the issue that the blade steel is left ridiculously soft. I've managed to put some beautiful edges on Emerson knives, but they would lose it so quickly, that it wasn't worth it for me to actually use them. A couple more Rc points would go a long way to improve the edge holding, and they would still be field manageable, but their knives sell well enough that I guess they aren't motivated to make that change.

 

[Rykjeklut]

And my two Waved Kershaw's are just poor all around. Got to give them an "F" in the three F's.....Fit, Finish, and Function.

I love my CQC-7K. Best Kershaw i've handled. Granted, i haven't tried the Dividend or the Link, which people are raving about.

OT: The 0450. I've bought dissapointing knives before,but mostly cheaper ones, without any hype.
This one was, i believe, my first knife that touched upon 200 bucks, and i was really excited until i got it in hand and then it was... just not that good.

 

[RipD]

This will come as a huge shock. However this is what came to mind.
Manix LW S110V :
Blade would not hold a sharpish edge for more than a day at work.

This is surprising and seems contrary to what I've read about S110v and my own experience. Maybe yours had bad heat treat? S110v seems like one of the better steels for edge retention.

I get my most of the knives mentioned here are expensive: we have higher expectations of a $300+ dollar knife, and we should. Can't agree with the comments about ergos - our hands are all different. As an example, the PM2 is a little large for me, but it seems like a great knife for those whom it fits.

I don't get the Emerson hype. They seem more than a little overpriced to me. My Kershaw Emerson is a great utility/hard use knife for the money despite the crappy steel.

 

[RBid]

This thread and so many like it have made me very thankful to have been able to physically experience many folders before buying. Knives Ship Free used to be local to me, Oregon City Knife & Tool is here, and my future in-laws live near Northwest Knives. Between those shops, I’ve learned that Hinderers aren’t for me. None that I’ve handled have flipped well. More importantly, the blades are very chunky. Sebenzas... beautifully made. No gripes, other than the smalls being *too small* for me. Still, they don’t feel special to me. If I ever get one, I’ll do it in person at Northwest Knives, in Meridian/Boise, so I can handle my copy first. Paramilitary 2... great handle, bad blade to handle ratio, hate the choil-thing. It’s way too big for the cutting edge you get, in my opinion. BM 940... every copy I’ve handled has been mechanically perfect. It’s just like a toothpick in my hands.

In contrast, the Koenig Arius truly stunned me in person. I thought I would hate it, and that it would feel like a brick. Instead, it sang sweet music to me, felt amazing in hand, and somehow feels smaller to me than it is. The lockbar tension on every sample I tried (four of them) was identical, and perfect. The action on each was amazing. The blade grinds were beautiful. I could gush for hours and not run out of steam. I have specific intentions to buy one at nwknives at some point.

 

[bflying]

I love my CQC-7K. Best Kershaw i've handled. Granted, i haven't tried the Dividend or the Link, which people are raving about.

OT: The 0450. I've bought dissapointing knives before,but mostly cheaper ones, without any hype.
This one was, i believe, my first knife that touched upon 200 bucks, and i was really excited until i got it in hand and then it was... just not that good.

Isn't it great that we still have the right to choose what we like best. And in most of the great USofA, can even carry and use our preferences. Sadly we see Canada (A wilderness wonderland), going the way of Australia and Europe. Where a simple EDC utility knife is now specifically only classified as a homicidal weapon of war.....that absolutely no honest citizen should ever need.

So I'm still happy and proud to be able to label one available option as "Overhyped", while another labeled as "Overbuilt" just happens to be perfect to me.

Back on topic, can't remember which model Waved Kershaw's I have. But with the blade, to get centered, pivot must be tightened well beyond useable tension. And if the pivot is loosened enough to work, then it's flopping all over the place.

The ZT 0450 though (at least my sample); can be tuned perfect for me. Solid lockup, no blade play, good detent, and finally full on rocket deployment. But, I would in no way classify the 450 as "Overbuilt" by any means. It's just "Built Right" in my opinion....as a fully usable "Gent Knife". Leave it to the other models to carry the burden moniker "Overbuilt in the USA". And yes, some get a bit too much "hype" around their marketing and distribution.

 

[afishhunter]

Can't say that I've ever bought a knife based on marketing.

I have a couple Cold Steel machetes, the Royal Kukri, and their "Heavy" machete.
If a Cold Steel machete is considered a knife then they are definitely not among "The World's Sharpest Knives". The world's dullest, maybe ...
But, after cleaning up the burrs, and putting an actual edge on them, they ain't bad.

Yes. I do plan on getting at least one more Cold Steel machete. (Chinese War Sword)
And yes, I am fully aware I will need to put an adge on it before it will do more than dent a brach or palm frond.

Since Cold Steel does not really promote their machetes (at least not that I've seen), I can't say they are over-hyped though.

 

[Pilsner]

Sadly we see Canada (A wilderness wonderland), going the way of Australia and Europe. Where a simple EDC utility knife is now specifically only classified as a homicidal weapon of war.....that absolutely no honest citizen should ever need.

Have you been smoking something? Because what you’ve written is horse . And also off topic.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Opinel... the hype says this: " a knife that is given as a gift and passed down to loved ones."
Perfectly understandable..."Honey, I don't even want this thing in my house; can't ya give it to your sister?"
Of course, if your wife REALLY loves her sister, she won't do that either, and you're stuck with it in the back of your knife-drawer...like...forever.

 

[Rykjeklut]

Isn't it great that we still have the right to choose what we like best.

It's great. And it adds a bit of flavor to the world of knives,and in general, that we all like different things.

 

[Kels73]

Emersons for me. The ones I owned weren't bad knives. However in my opinion, they just didn't live up to the hype or the price point.

 

[91bravo]

I'd also add the chisel grind Emersons. The grind is on the wrong side for a right handed user.

 

[bflying]

Have you been smoking something? Because what you’ve written is horse . And also off topic.

I apologize. Didn't mean to offend. Actually meant as a silly generalization about all the threads I've seen recently of the customs seizures and knife import rules. I'm obviously not a wordsmith, and my thoughts sure didn't land on the page properly.

And funny that you mentioned smoking something, because I was on pain meds at the time. Lesson learned.....no more typing impaired. Now that the pills have worn off, I'm not quite as clever as I was earlier.

 

[Chefget]

Any knife brand that has to be picked through to find a "good one"

 

[rogatsby]

Opinel... the hype says this: " a knife that is given as a gift and passed down to loved ones."
Perfectly understandable..."Honey, I don't even want this thing in my house; can't ya give it to your sister?"
Of course, if your wife REALLY loves her sister, she won't do that either, and you're stuck with it in the back of your knife-drawer...like...forever.

Personally, I love Opinels. I think they have a lot of character and I love owning, collecting, and using them. Also, they are some of the best slicing knives out there, and come in every size imaginable.

 

[RayseM]

Personally, I love Opinels. I think they have a lot of character and I love owning, collecting, and using them. Also, they are some of the best slicing knives out there, and come in every size imaginable.

Still - didn't he make you laugh? I'm more inclined to agree with you but Sonnydaze's post was a good one.

Ray

 

[bobobama]

To note I havent seen many Emersons mentioned but I hear alot about lock stick and grittyness. I own several with no such issues, not a fan boy....just never experienced it.

This is my experience exactly. I only have one Emerson, the Endeavor, and it has no issues at all. It actually exceeded my expectations, which to be honest weren't that high to begin with, based on a lot of the negativity against Emerson's here on BF.

Having said that, if you buy based on your head and not your heart, you'll probably be a lot less disappointed with your knife purchases. Don't believe the hype, no matter what the brand or price!

 

[Kels73]

Don't believe the hype, no matter what the brand or price!

Yes. In my opinion, this statement summarizes a lesson that a lot of us have learned. When I was new to the hobby and didn't know any better, I made the following assumption:

1) Brand X has an extremely loyal following of fans who make remarkable claims about its product, and
2) Brand X sells its product at a higher price-point than the competition, therefore
3) Brand X must produce an amazing product that is clearly superior to the competition.

"Clearly superior" is ultimately a matter of opinion. Yet despite that, I believe there are times when hype is the primary factor that allows Brand X to charge more for its product...hype which is commonly the result of savvy marketing on the part of the manufacturer, and the feverish excitement of fans whose extreme enthusiasm leads them to make exaggerated claims.

I'm not against capitalist principles or fan enthusiasm. I'm just highlighting a lesson that a lot of us have learned...ignore the hype and evaluate knives objectively.

 

[midnight flyer]

I have to admit on further reflection that I have certainly fallen into the whole of fan enthusiasm and hype.

For the longest time I had a tremendous liking of Kershaw Knives. I bought several, gifted several and use several has work knives. I was impressed at the quality of fit and finish for the money and for the great utility value that I got out on the job site.

Along came the Kershaw Scallion in S110V.
It seemed too good to be true. The hype over the steel on BF was incredible. No one could believe years ago there was such a steel and then the idea that a reputable company such as Kershaw would put that in their knives was unbelievable. I read fantastic reviews of the knife here on BF and held out as long as I could and then purchase one. Fit-and-finish was up to par, the knife looked good, opened well and I was on my way! So what, I had bought more than one knife at the suggestion of the group here and never had gone wrong on any of them.

Took about 2 hours to get the knife rebeveled my specs, which again were suggested by those here on BF. Once done, I slipped it in my pocket and off to work I went.

After the first day of very light use on the job, I noticed it had a small chip in the blade. I was heartbroken as I felt like I should be able to cut a battleship in half based on reviews. I very carefully worked out as much of the chip as I could and decided I could live with it. About three weeks later, same thing happened again in a different place on the blade. Now I am pissed off.

Contacted Kershaw, and went to a couple of other sources besides BF and it was acknowledged that the S110V wasn't quite all it was supposed to be. Yes, it was hard as hell. Didn't take an excellent edge but I felt like if it held a good edge for a very long time I would be fine. But I wound up with a mediocre knife that was heat treated poorly, chipped easily, and held a pretty good Edge for a long time.

I still have that knife and it reminds me that I have no business being part of the Steel of the Month Club. It could have been worse, but it was an expensive lesson to buy a knife that has no value to me.

Robert