What's Your EDC Dealbreaker?

Wowbagger said:
Stabman,

And don't you be disssin' on my Little pony lanyard. Them thar's fight'n words. :grumpy: :)
Click to expand...

I am actually tempted to buy a cheap knife covered in skulls, and make a My Little Pony lanyard for it. :D
It would be the ultimate dichotomy knife. :thumbup:
 
evilgreg said:
Good one, I'm in total agreement. I didn't think of it, but this is 100% a deal breaker for me as well when I'm shopping. Skull? Nope.

Possibly related: I won't buy a knife with a name like "Dr. Death" or "Death on Contact" or anything similarly mall-ninja-esque.
Click to expand...

Yep. Me too. Completely forgot about the whole "Skull" thing. Never.

You can add flames, multi color rainbow scales or any other sort of silly garbage, including mermaids, sports team logos, etc. on to my list. I like the concept behind Emerson's CQC7 but his skull logo is just another reason I will never own one.

If I had my way, a knife manufacturer would place their company name only on scales or, maybe, pocket clips, with country of origin, blade steel and model # in small letters at the base of the blade. I'm talking to you, Ken Onion and Ernie Emerson.

EDIT: I will admit, Spyderco has some of the most clutter free blades on the market.:)
 
Last edited:
I have a lot I suppose. Has to have a clip but no tip down, no serrations, can't be over 6oz, can't be under 3.5"-ish or over 4". Other than that I don't have many objections. Im ok with China made knives (not a big fan of clones though), but I do prefer US or Euro made knives.
 
sabre cat said:
I like the concept behind Emerson's CQC7 but his skull logo is just another reason I will never own one.
Click to expand...

The real production CQC7's from Emerson have no skull logos. See photo below (which I borrowed):





Only the Kershaw produced Emerson CQC series have a skull logo.
 
Two deal breakers for me. Right hand only, and tip down only. On the other hand, (pun intended) left hand only gets extra points!
 
Deal breakers for me...

*The slim yet wide design...the Kershaw Blur comes to mind.

*Tip-up carry...well...more like tip-up carry if it has thumb studs.With tip-up carry knives the studs catch on your pocket and self deploy but varies with the pants style.I have no idea why some are into tip-up carry.

*Assisted Opening knives.Every time I've purchased I just never get the purpose of it other than a knife trying to be 'quicker' or more hi-tech and end up removing the spring bar.
 
Last edited:
Etna said:
Taiwan's labor is not cheap. Sal himself already stated that labor costs in TW are almost identical to the US.

The only countries in Asia with large manufacturing capacities at low prices is China and India as of now.
Click to expand...
Exactly. See currency exchange rates. That should give you a good idea.
 
Hot spots. I loved the ZT0303 I had years back, but for me it was pretty uncomfortable due to hot spots.
Several different knives here or there had the same issue, that one was the worst, though.
 
The Millie-mark.(Military + Benchmark)

If it's heavier, longer when closed or thicker than a Spyderco Military there's ZERO chance it'll go into my rotation. Why? Because if it's any of those things, why not just take the Millie?

I generally prefer much smaller knives anyway. Kershaw Leek, Delica, BM 531, etc. The Millie is special.
 
Almost forgot about skulls (or other designs/markings I just find juvenile).

I will say, if you don't want to buy knives from Taiwan I wholeheartedly understand and support your decision, however, not only are labor costs quite similar to the US, but I consistently find Spydies coming from their Taichung Taiwan plant to have the highest level of fit and finish of those produced anywhere else. Easily better than the knives produced in Golden (which aren't bad, but are rarely sharpened all the way back to the plunge, often have minor machine marks, etc.).
 
1/ Over optioned design: Tip-up Right handed, tip-down right handed..etc, you end up with extra little holes that kills the design.
2/ Wire clips that don't line up parallel to the knife.
3/ Excessive logos on various parts of the blade/handle. The design should speak for itself by just looking at it.
 
So many good dealbreakers! If there was ever a thread that knife makers and companies should read, it should be this one!!! Many of these are the reasons why certain knife designs are not successful!
 
my edc deal breaker's are

recurve bladesn (beyond annoying to sharpen),
to wide in pocket (need to get hand into front pocket),
8cr or other budget/junk steel, lockstick,
long flipper tabs (aka pocket peckers),
assisted opening,
clones or ganzos,
nylon washers
 
Last edited:
I cannot stand chisel grinds, tantos but there is nothing I hate more than USELESS JIMPING


That in mind I tend to EDC a fixed blade so regarding lock up or tip carry it doesn't really apply. However I don't like neck knives either. If it doesn't fit in my pocket or ride discretely on my belt? I won't carry it, because having a blade dangling off my neck is not comfortable.
-T
 
Tip-down carry. Full stop.

Serrations are a pretty close second. Third is probably weird/poorly designed pocket clips, although sometimes being replaceable mitigates that somewhat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top