Whats missing in todays knives?

I would like to see more multiblade one handers. especially like to see with a can opener/screwdriver blade like those on SAKs. It would make many models more utilitarian.
 
I would like to see more multiblade one handers. especially like to see with a can opener/screwdriver blade like those on SAKs. It would make many models more utilitarian.
 
I think what is missing is the utilitarian aspect. Too many of todays knives (folders especially) lack any utilitarian qualities.
I am guilty of this just as much as the next guy, but we do what sells.
 
I' ll agree with Barry. In that regard I' d like to see the classic Bowie bladed folder reminiscent of the now discontinued BM Brend Bowie (Talon). The _broad_, continuous belly clip point is a very useful and therefore more versatile blade type IME. Spyderco has made a recent attempt with the J.D. Smith model but its blade and handle configuration is just not broad enough IMO. If only the current Goddard LW had this blade type and a better (bigger) blade to handle ratio...

Oh yes, what is up with all these polished/ smoothed finished micarta/ G10 scales?!?! Folders and fixed. Beautiful for collectors and admirers but quite useless for hard use. Signnnn...

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"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
 
The SAK with a one-hand main blade has been mentioned. [silly mode on] An auto screwdriver-caplifter & or can opener would be a nice street-legal gizmo. [silly mode off]

High-performance folders optimized for pure mundane utility cutting have been mentioned, but they are out there.

High performance kitchen knives are what the market lacks. At the Blade Show West, I had one of maybe three or four tables with kitchen knives visible. I had the Spyderco and Kyocera lines for production cooking knives that hold and edge, and a very few custom makers had some kitchen knives. Gentlemen and ladies, those are the knives we use every day!

That, of course, was one of my standard and repetitive knife forum rants.
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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
In production folders, what I think is disappearing is handwork. Yes, they're factory knives, but a little human touch in the finishing would go a long way.

Want to improve the fit and finish enormously on any Benchmade (or EDI, Emerson, U.S. Spyderco, etc.) - take a 400-grit belt and run it quickly aroun dthe handle edges to flush up the scales with the liners. People talk a blue streak about "tolerances," but knife parts made separately on different machines will never have the clean fit you can get by simply profiling them together.

Take a look at Seki-made knives, which have most of their finishing done by hand. Yeah, they vary some from piece to piece, but the fit is universally tight and the level of finish is high. Perhaps CNC'd knives can achieve this under tightly controlled conditions in small production runs, but it's clear to me that those from most factories don't come close. Excellent fit and finish is still best achieved by handwork, IMO, and this is disappearng from modern production knives.

-Drew
 
Smaller less tactical one hand opening folders with say 2 1/2" blade size. (Legal on federal facilities). There are not that many out there.

More carbon steel onehand opening folders. Make them so they can be easily taken apart so user can oil / clean them. To this end use allen screws. 1095 and simple steels are OK. I know the color will change and more care must be taken.

Include an ample size lanyard hole on folders. While not as fast of access as a clip, you are not avertising that you are carrying a knife and your less likely to lose your knife.

I like smooth finish handles. My Calypso Jr. micarta handles or the smooth G-10 like on Kershaw Ken Onions feels good and is grippy enough. The handle design should accont for grip. I like these materials better than anodized aluminum which is just as slippery and tends to get marred up easier in the pocket.

-roger blake
 
[rant-on] Can someone please make a stylish folder that looks kick ass, everyone can afford (under $50), has decent steel, does not have a slap on (afterthought clip, is tactical in style but utility in use! Is that too damn much to ask for?[/rant-off]

Oh never mind the Outdoor Edge Impulse and Magna are pretty darn close
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Actually Darrel what is missing in most lines is simply THOUGHT! Please think a knife through BEFORE you make it. It seems like each manufacturer keeps coming out with knives and on each knife you can pic out blatently visible problems.



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Mike Turber
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I am inclined to agree with Mr. Mattis. The kitchen is where most knives are used. For the record, I was one of the custom makers at the Blade Show West with kitchen knives on my table. This is becoming a nice business for me. I started doing it thinking that the kitchen knives would interest some of the wives and girlfriends being dragged through the shows. Some were interested, but without exception, it is men who buy them. Go figure!

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Matt Harildstad
Knifemaker
www.planet.eon.net/~matth
matth@planet.eon.net

 
I agree with courdoroy,Fit and finish needs to be improved in a big way.I've done what he said on some of my knives by sanding the slabs even to the liners.It is a great improvement.It only took me about an hour on my paticular piece.The guys that make them everyday should be able to do it in 1/4 the time.I think more two bladed one handers would be nice too.Theres a nice one in the Jan 2000 issue of Blade on page 18 by Murray Sterling.
scott w
 
Hey Jim
How about a chefs knife in 440v. Have one out there:] Its a fantastic knife from the feed back I got!


COME ON IS THIS IT >>> WHAT ELSE
We NEED MORE COMMENTS HERE
What is the new slogan going to be ..
Let here some thoughs here.
What slang term will take over the word tactical?

What do you want to see in new materials in knives

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Greetings,

I would like to see all folders that use a stop-pin, have a groove on the backface of the end of the blade. (like the Sebenza also Benchmade CQC7. Anyone else?)

I believe this would provide a stronger and longer lasting lock life due to the greater surface area in contact with the stop-pin(a curved surface along a curved surface, opposed to a curved surface along a flat surface).

Also, a flat surface on the backside of the end of the blade(name for this part anyone?) will eventually wear due to repeated impacts with the curved stop-pin, causing the blade to loosen at contact points at the liner/blade and the stop-pin/blade.

Heat treated stop-pins sound logical. I like the "rotating" stop-pin on the Sebenza. A smart, simple attention to detail. The heat-treated liner/handle slab is another nice detail. Anyways...

I hope this doesn't sound too petty, but I believe the "fit" would also be a lot cleaner if this was done.(also I don't have a Sebenza, but I would want one or two badly.)
There are a lot of great folders out there that don't have these details and yet eventually I can settle for having to do without it, or at least until I can save and part with the money for a Sebenza.

Joe Public:"Nice knife. How much did it cost?"

Me: "$325"

Watson-349
 
I have to agree with Mike Turber's thoughts on this. Totally agree.
What I would like to see is a folder like a more rounded AFCK, green G-10 slabs, steel liners and a lock that would rival a fixed blade in strength(Rolling lock or Axis are good examples, except the RL needs to be smoooth like the Axis), CPM steel (Talonite is too expensive), a total package carry system (clip, neck and belt), 3.9" blade and all at the $100.00 range.
Don't ask for much, do I?
wink.gif


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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.


 
Mike,

I was reading the first part of your post and thinking "what about the Impulse?" LOL.

Also the CRK&T Mirage and M-16 series (at least those in AUS-8) qualify, IMO. And the new light Kershaws, though 440A, are pretty close. This is an excellent time for anyone looking to get a well-designed, good-quality folder for $50-$75.

-Drew
 
I would like to see more folders with blades made out of carbon steel,and all blades heat treated and maybe cryo treated with toughness in mind as well as edge holding,because without toughness you don't really have edge holding unless all you are cutting is food,and you better be careful of your cutting board at that.I would also like to see stronger points since a lot of us have to pierce tougher things than tomatoes and such with our knives.All this in an affordable package so that if we were to lose it we wouldn't be out a weeks pay isn't to much to ask, alot of the manufacturers were offering such things by the truckload at one time,until they thought we all wanted glass hard rust proof blades that were just for looking at.
m
 
Oh yeh,while I'm dreaming,how about bomb-proof scales and a bigger hinge pin combined with a tough blade to make a truly stout folder.Make it easy to take apart and clean (maybe boilable)while you're at it.
m again
 
As Anthony mentioned above, I'd love to see more "tools" in a knife. I wish more custom makers would consider doing SAK-type knives. At the very least, I'd like to see someone out there who will add some character to an SAK by adding different handle materials. Of all the knives I own, one gets more use than all of the others combined - my 2.25" long SAK Mini-Champ. Why? In addition to a small sheepsfoot/wharncliffe blade (which has to be the most underrated everyday utility blade), it has scissors, and a small flathead screwdriver. The newest model also has a phillips head/bottle opener combo blade.

I'd also like to see better steels in this type of knife.

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Kelly

SenatorsPlace.com
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice


 
Modularity and ease of user maintenance.

Call me silly, but I'd like to be able to mix and match my knives and change them for the situation. Chris Reeve and James Brothers have both come close in their offerings, but the extra step has yet to be taken where a customer can "Burger King" their knife as their mood changes.

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

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