Whats the knife you bought thinking you would love and then you didn't (High end)

It's been a while since most folks have considered them high end, but back when the Cold Steel Trailmaster was the king of production fixed blades I got one, and just didn't get along with it at all. The handle was too skinny, the kraton too soft, the edge too thick, and the weight balance didn't sit well with me.
 
I bought a used Manix 2 and was underwhelmed at first. AFter awhile I started to like it more. My initial complaints were that it was a little heavy, the blade and handle are a bit tall, and the blade is a bit short. This is when I compare the proportions with something like a Para2 or some of my Benchmades. My biggest complaint is that I don't like the looks of the hollow ground blade and would prefer it to be full flat ground. After awhile I discovered that the action of the knife is somewhat unique and it operates very well. First it opens easily but also can be flicked open quickly with my thumb. I couldn't close it one-handed like I can close an axis-lock knife because the spring is much heavier, but I learned that I could point the blade down a little bit, pull the lock with my thumb and first finger, and the blade would partially close. Then close the blade the rest of the way just as with any other one-handed knife. The other advantage of a Manix 2 is that they are not nearly as popular as other models such as the Para2 and so they are available at bargain prices.
 
Out of the reasonably nice production knives I've purchased, the CRK Sebenza and the Spyderco Domino are two I had high hopes for but didn't love. The Sebenza was more of a miss than the Domino, I guess, since I can't bring myself to sell the Domino (the Sebenza is long gone).
 
I had high hopes for Spyderco's Vallotton and Military. The Vallotton is a beautifully made knife, but the ergos were terrible for me. Same with the Spyderco Military.

I thought that maybe I couldn't get comfortable with a knife with a 5" handle, but the ZT 0560 fits me just fine.
 
Benchmade 710 - beautiful knife but too big and unwieldy for EDC. Same with ZT0560, Emerson A100.
 
I don't really have a higher-end knife that I'm disappointed with, but more that it took me a little bit to warm up to it. My ZT 0801 seemed like a home-run on the first flip, but it took me awhile to even flip it because the jimping on the flipper killed my finger and the breaking in period seemed longer than normal. After about 3 days though, It's easily my favorite knife.
 
Right now it's pretty much all of them. Oddly the only exception might be the Busse CGNMFSH, even the fresh and exciting ZT0560CFCB seems to have lost my interest.

I still love my Cold Steel Counter Tac 1 Tactical Ice Cream Scoop (it mostly opens pop cans though), and the Hold out 1 is fun to use, and my SAK has come in handy countless times, but for the most part I use the OLFA LA-X. Halfway through the summer I actually got tired of using the ZT0560, those super thin razor blades just work like a charm, and I can sharpen them with a belt sander daily and not feel like a criminal.
 
ZT560 - when flipping the jimping annoys the end of my index finger. The area forward of the lockbar when the blade is deployed cuts into my index finger.
Jasmine Flipper - Impossible to get, I got one after a long quest, it's beautiful, but its just not stout enough for me and I'm going to sell it.
Emmerson Commander - Like the styling, well balanced knife, but unhappy with the construction, it just doesn't seem like the tough knife it is supposed to be. I don't like the way it cuts either.
 
I got a strider PT, and sold it within a week. Too small and just not what I expected in terms of blade cutting edge compared to the size of the knife. I also found it difficult to access the lock.
 
stabman said:
What the heck were you doing that wore out a lock?
Seriously, I have no idea how someone wears out a lock through usage. :confused:
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this happened with the endura?
this has me perplexed because i was thinking about buying the delica 4. :confused:
 
cards94 said:
this happened with the endura?
this has me perplexed because i was thinking about buying the delica 4. :confused:
Click to expand...

Just buy the Delica. :)
I have a trainer model of the Endura (have one of the Delica as well).
It has been knocked across the room into walls (impact disarms), and stabbed into taped-up focus mitts time and again, where the blunt tip keeps ripping through the fabric...and the duct tape...and the hockey tape...

It's a tough and reliable lock. Just go ahead and get one. :thumbup:
 
Hinderer xm for sure. Nothing wrong with knife. Just like the different options I get with crk. At the time the prices were higher. If they keep dropping I may pick up another.
 
stabman said:
Just buy the Delica. :)
I have a trainer model of the Endura (have one of the Delica as well).
It has been knocked across the room into walls (impact disarms), and stabbed into taped-up focus mitts time and again, where the blunt tip keeps ripping through the fabric...and the duct tape...and the hockey tape...

It's a tough and reliable lock. Just go ahead and get one. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

thanks. :thumbup:
have you had any blade play on your delica? thanks again. :)
 
I got the zt0350 and hated it once I started carrying it, like carrying a cinder block in your pocket. It's amazing when read likes and dislikes, so many dislike what others love.
+1 on Enduras and Delicas, I also love my BM 710.
 
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