What's Missing from the Knife Market?

J

James Mattis

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
3,264
We're seeing the better factory-made knives and the better workshop-made knives than any generation before us has had the pleasure of cutting things with, but, as my old economics professor said, "As the isle of attainment expands, so does the coastline of desire."

What would you like to see for sale that nobody's selling - or that nobody's putting into mass production. Not just knives you'd like to see a given company make because you think they could do it better than the other ten companies that already do it, and not just variations such as micarta versus G10 or BG42 versus ATS34, but market niches that nobody is filling?

Here are a couple of things I'd like to see:

A "Swiss Army" or "multitool" type knife where the scissors open one-handed. And also the main blade, if it's a Swiss Army type. There are a lot of times when one-handed scissors would be convenient for cutting the sorts of things that scissors cut better than knives.

A "puukko" - a Finnish/Scandinavian style lightweight 8cm to 10cm utility knife in a low-ride dangler sheath, from a high-tech manufacturer, with high-tech steel - ATS34 or better.




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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Definitely an
Automatic Benchmade Stryker
in M2 or D2 steel
combo Edge
and Black teflon coated

DEFINITLEY

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My Email is- Hero47@juno.com -

 
I'd love to see someone produce a good lockback folder of Dendretic stainless steel, can you imagine having something like that in your pocket?

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Jake Evans
 
Sheathes.

With the proliferation of the pocket clip most companies are not even offering a sheath designed for their various products. I would think that Spyderco, Benchmade and the like should at least offer a line of nylon sheathes for retailers to carry, perhaps with their logos emblazoned on them somewhere. I would prefer leather, of course, but it would be a start.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
A 5" (or greater) blade, integral lock folder w/Spyderhole for <$300. With C&C and waterjet its entirely possible to create this w/a high degree of precision and quality.
 
I'm with James Mattis. Definitely a high tech puukko. 440C,ATS-34, VG10 or better steel. I woud like it a bit longer though. Lenght should be 11-12 cm as that is my favorite size for a utility knife. Of course there should be many different blade lenghts. Maybe the handle could be of micarta or something like (but not g-10 unless polished). Rounded micarta handles would give nice wood like appearance and so make it look more traditional.



[This message has been edited by Tommi (edited 20 December 1999).]
 
Well, I personally would like to see more modern versions of ancient blades. CS has the Culloden sgian dhu, so what about a CPM440V 10" Scottish dirk w/ (slimmed down) carbon fiber or micarta handle and a kydex sheath?

Or a Viking "scramasaxe"(sp) in the 12"-16" (blade) range in CPM440V and kydex Dundee-style sheath? (Calling Mr. Jim March...)
OK, so these won't hit production anytime soon, but it would be cool to see some ancient designs re-done with modern materials.


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"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."
-Derek Bok
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The rebirth of the handmade custom sheath (for folders and fixed). Kydex and ballistic both serve specific functions, IMHO, there's nothing like a "butternut" tanned leather sheath custom made to fit the knife complete with a clipit belt clip. Belt clips were the rage and still many are being used, but a lot of owners are removing them and opting for the belt sheaths, neck sheaths, etc.
 
What I'd like to see is the same quality knives at lower prices. I feel prices to some extent have outpaced quality and design improvements.

DaveH
 
A high tech puukko? Dr. Frankenstein, you, sir, are MAD!

I'll bet you want straight, even grind lines, too!

Heresy! Blasphemy!
 
I would love to see a multi-tool, or Swiss Army type knife (i.e. a quality product) that does not have a knife blade. I carry several knives everywhere I go, even on airliners (yep, I sure do). I don't need another blade, especially one that is made of softer, inferior steel (at least to the blades I always carry). I need all those other neat tools in there, though.

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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."
St. Mary's County, Republik of Marilundt

 
Definitely missing is the high-quality locking folder with titanium slabs bearing an integral pen holder. The pen (a Fisher Space Pen would be nice) has to be completely detachable, yet should also be completely concealed when stowed.

Man's two most personal weapons and his two most powerful tools in one.

Just don't pull it out to sign that traffic ticket
smile.gif


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Longden Loo - Ventura, CA
Technology's the answer, what's the question?

 
Megafolders are the most under-represented area in cutlery today.

We also need a MUSCRAT! A typical "tactical folder" class piece with a 3.9" blade length but TWO blades, one popping out each end of the grip. This is the most effective small fighter out there. They can also be done with one blade fixed, the other folding...

Jim
 
What I want to see is a ultitool that is made from decent materials. Screwdrivers that are not either pre rounded or easily bent, knife blades tyhat don't dull just by looking at them. Plier Jaws that do not bend or twist easily. That is what I want to see. I would pay the bucks for such an item as well. IF I am willing to spend $150 for a knife, I think it would be forseeable that I am willing to spend that much on a good multitool.

After that I want to see a spydie megafolder...

Yek

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My Mom carries three knives.
AKTI # A000348


 
RockSpyder -- I am with you on the knifeless multi-tool. Been touting that idea for years!

I also like the smaller designs like the Gerber 400 series Multi-Plier, but they aren't there yet.

I think Multi-Tools have the most room to grow.

Of course, there need to be more Talonite folders...

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847

Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the recipient who doesn't get it.
 
I would like to see more good, high quality, injection molded plastic sheath (like the M9 bayonet sheath). Kydex is a good material, but building sheath out of laminated plastic sheets is crude.
 
I'd like to see a high quality production balisong. With the demand for old Benchmades, I can't believe they haven't re-entered the market for those knives.

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
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