Which factory folder were you most disappointed with?

[cziv]

Last year, I bought a Kershaw at Wal-Mart (I think it's called the OD-1) and opened it up outside in my car. I just did not like the design once it was in hand. Plus, when the one I had was closed, the tip stuck out of the handle. I walked back into the store and thankfully, was able to return it and get my money back. I made it clear to them that the knife wasn't at fault, I just changed my mind about it. They never made any fuss about it, even though I had opened up the clamshell package.

Only a couple days ago, I wanted to buy another new Endura 4 SE at a gun shop. I already own several E4's, but wanted another SE one. I paid for it and, again, in my car, really examined it more closely. This particular one's flat saber grind (the primary grind) was esp. thick, thicker than any of my other E4's. It made the blade fatter looking at it cross-section, and the edge more obtuse. I also noticed one of the clip screws was completely stripped. So I walked back in and returned it, also. In this case, I like the design, but was being my usual picky self.
Jim

I don't call your 2 episodes being picky at all.

 

[lava_lamp]

What made the Ti-Lite = Garbage?

The lock was impossible to unlock. I had to use a screwdriver to unlock the blade. Despite titanium handles it was actually a poorly constructed liner lock. Overall fit and finish was very weak.

 

[ThirdTooth]

might come as a surprise, but I was disappointed with my spyderco Chokwe. don't get me wrong, its a sweet knife, but for the price I would have expected more, or at least that it would have been made somewhere with a better reputation for quality, like the USA or Japan. not Taiwan

 

[RevDevil]

might come as a surprise, but I was disappointed with my spyderco Chokwe. don't get me wrong, its a sweet knife, but for the price I would have expected more, or at least that it would have been made somewhere with a better reputation for quality, like the USA or Japan. not Taiwan

What do you expect exactly out of a Titanium framelock & S30V steel for $115? You need to be clear when you say you "expected more".

 

[ThirdTooth]

What do you expect exactly out of a Titanium framelock & S30V steel for $115? You need to be clear when you say you "expected more".

well I got it for $127 first of all, that was the cheapest I could find it for at the time. and I suppose it was just a matter of preference. if you are part of the sebenza crowd you would love it, a lot of the same themes, very smooth, solid lock-up, etc. but I look for something different when I am buying more expensive knives. like ruggedness and opening speed. I would have been happier had I put my money into a ZT-301. it just felt like for the price I paid there wasn't too much for bells and whistles or usability, but it did have a high fit and finish and an unusual design. either way I was kind of disappointed. I would say I have gotten $80 of satisfaction from it hahaha

 

[humblerodent]

Kershaw Speedform II.

I still think it is an incredible value for $70. G10 scales and ELMAX steel, are you kidding me? And I love the design. But I just couldn't live with the F&F issues. All of the screws in the scales were uneven, and one looked like it was cross threaded. There was side to side play out of the box. But the worst was that the blade didn't contact the stop pin in the closed position, so you could push on the blade and it would give a a few millimeters. I was so turned off that I didn't even feel like getting a replacement or sending it to Kershaw. I just returned it and moved on.

Also, I hate the ramped thumbstud that Kershaw uses on those.

 

[Cassull]

I'm relatively new to knife collecting (I've loved blades all my life, but only started collecting them in the last year), I own about 18 or so blades, 10 are folders. I'd say so far from the folder's I've used, my least favorite by far is the Kershaw Blur Tanto.

That was also my first AO knife, did not like it as much as I thought I would. For one, I don't think that blade is at all worth the 40 dollar price tag. The blade steel is pretty crappy, I bent the tip while opening a plastic package. The liner lock on it is thin, it's about half as thin as the liner lock on my Tenacious which is about 10$ cheaper. Overall, the quality isn't as good as the cheaper Tenacious either.

It's unfortunate because the Blur was my first kershaw, and I've been turned off by that brand ever since (although I did pick up a Leek for 25 bucks on Black Friday, which I enjoy more than the Blur).

On the flip side, the Tenacious was my first Spyderco, and I've been in love with that brand ever since. I've recently purchased my first 2 Benchmade (810 Contego and 940), can't wait for them to arrive.

 

[ElConquistador]

Benchmade 520 Presidio. Nice enough knife, looks good on paper but no soul:

Aluminum scales were so-so grip except on pockets which they shred. Blade was slightly off center and sort of sharp. Tooling marks visible through bead blast on blade. Black liners came new with the finish worn off the edges. Blade weight distribution made for slow deployment.


Micro-Tech Mini Socom. Too small with weird handle shape.

Actually, I guess the size wasn't that bad for a EDC type knife but the handle shape made it like trying to hold onto a bar of soap. Very sharp though.


Benchmade Rift: Off center, sort of sharp blade.

It's been a while, I don't remember what else I didn't like about this one. It still seems like a knife I should like though.

 

[snow and steel]

I bought a Spyderco P'Kal. I did a lot of research on its use and style, and I loved the concept. I got the knife and it is amazingly high quality - better than many other spydercos in my opinion - sharp enough to split atoms [though its never cut anything since I've had it], ad I love the way it carries in the pocket. It can even be carried right or left handed!... yet... I cant use it well. I've tried and tried and tried, and I can only use it slow. Once I intrduce any speed or stress into the system I fumble it, and I've tried for weeks. Ultimately, I decied to just go fixed blade, so that being said, I have this brand new in box $120 Spyderco that just collects dust. I'm really disappointed in myself, and not the knife I guess. Everytime i see it sitting in its box it bums me a little.

 

[seelow123]

well I got it for $127 first of all, that was the cheapest I could find it for at the time. and I suppose it was just a matter of preference. if you are part of the sebenza crowd you would love it, a lot of the same themes, very smooth, solid lock-up, etc. but I look for something different when I am buying more expensive knives. like ruggedness and opening speed. I would have been happier had I put my money into a ZT-301. it just felt like for the price I paid there wasn't too much for bells and whistles or usability, but it did have a high fit and finish and an unusual design. either way I was kind of disappointed. I would say I have gotten $80 of satisfaction from it hahaha

Well I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy your chokwe. It's a fantastic carry knife and one of spydercos most underrated knives IMO. The knife isn't made to be a super fast tank, it's (To me) A edc/light utility knife and excels at that. I carried mine everyday for four months using it for everything from cutting open clamshell packaging to whittling and everything in between and performed flawlessly.

I'm not trying to call you out or change your mind i just thought i would clarify a little to the others

 

[Aidansdaddy17]

Benchmade...what is with the QC there as of late?! So many dull knives and blade centering/play issues. Who sharpens them when they leave the factory? You would think by now something would change. I have had 5 Benchmades in the past year arrive dull. Two returned for a refund. Also Spyderco PM2. Do not hate me. It happens. Off center and awful sticky lock. Compression lock was tough to depress. I still like the design though. Back to Benchmade....The Bradley Alias II. Wow....Super sticky ti frame lock. Had to use two hands/pen/stick, whatever I could to pry it open at times. Serious. Actually blistered my fingers from trying to break in. Phospher bronze bushing was off on it also. Riding high on the tang somehow. Returned it also. I am sounding like a wuss. I just do not think spending that much on a knife should have to warrant a shipping fee out of the box to return and then cross your fingers to hope it comes back corrected. It happens all the time though.

 

[seelow123]

I agree on benchmades edges. The ones i have gotten recently have had some bad grinds. It's like they stared to put an edge on it, but just gave up. The mini grip and mini ambush a purchased a few years ago had perfect grinds. Don't know what's up with that.