You ever wonder why a knife company does something?

[Gideons]

For me, sometimes I look at a knife company... and see a great knife that has one feature that you're just like... why? Why the change? For me; look at the ZT 0560,0562 and 0566. They are all great knives, but why did ZT decide to completely remove the jimping on the thumb ramp area when the designed it is based on and so do the rest of its ZT family. Or, if Hinderer thought the 0566 thought the blade was too light for KVT, why not make it just slightly thicker, or maybe slightly longer 3.35? Just an example of decisions by knife companies leave me wondering what they were thinking. Or why Emerson refuses to bring his designs (frame lock and get rid of the chisel grind) I know why he says he makes those decisions... Or why benchmade puts jimping on knives that are purely ascetics same with cold steel. But still doesn't make much sense since it makes the knife worse.

-Gideons

 

[Jordan@DLT]

I'd say the 0562 removal of the thumb ramp jimping was an improvement over the 0560/0561. Jimping is a problem in the landing strip area just past the flipper.

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[Gideons]

I'd say the 0562 removal of the thumb ramp jimping was an improvement over the 0560/0561. Jimping is a problem in the landing strip area just past the flipper.

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Really? I own a ZT 0566BW, 0560BW and XM-18 never had an issue with the jimping at all. The only thing removing it does is gives less traction.

 

[Jordan@DLT]

I had issues on the 0561 and a brous bionic with the jimping giving me real issues on the follow through after flipping. I'm sure a different technique could help that a bit.

To be fair though, I'm firmly in the camp of, a well designed handle doesn't need jimping. The only jimping im particularly fond of is on the Spyderco pm2. During extended use jimping gives me hot spots.

On your topic in general, companies have an internal decision making process. I'm sure ZT took Rick hinderer's influence as well as their own to make the final decisions on the 0562.

With Emerson, I think the titanium liner lock is part of his branding at this point, it differentiates his customs and production pieces. And even if it's a common complaint, his stuff still sells really well. I'm sure he would re-evaluate if his sales tanked though.

I think it's definitely a struggle for companies to balance between a vocal minority demanding change, internal opinion, and ease of manufacture.

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[Gideons]

I had issues on the 0561 and a brous bionic with the jimping giving me real issues on the follow through after flipping. I'm sure a different technique could help that a bit.

To be fair though, I'm firmly in the camp of, a well designed handle doesn't need jimping. The only jimping im particularly fond of is on the Spyderco pm2. During extended use jimping gives me hot spots.

On your topic in general, companies have an internal decision making process. I'm sure ZT took Rick hinderer's influence as well as their own to make the final decisions on the 0562.

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Frankly, I don't want to be kinda rude... But, if you're using a hard use tactical knife... traction can be vital lets say the knife is wet etc. But, if you can't handle some jimping, I highly doubt that you're going to be using the knife in its intended role. Or maybe it purely has to do with flipping technique as for my technique I really never had an issue with it.

 

[Jordan@DLT]

A well designed handle naturally has traction. I will never use a knife in a "tactical" role, and neither will most people, (hopefully).

I use it for actual knife tasks like cutting cardboard, opening stuff, cutting food, etc. When I'm breaking down 200 feet of cardboard into small pieces for the recycle bin, I start to really resent jimping and appreciate a well designed, ergonomic handle.

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[Gideons]

A well designed handle naturally has traction. I will never use a knife in a "tactical" role, and neither will most people, (hopefully).

I use it for actual knife tasks like cutting cardboard, opening stuff, cutting food, etc. When I'm breaking down 200 feet of cardboard into small pieces for the recycle bin, I start to really resent jimping and appreciate a well designed, ergonomic handle.

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Ah, well that makes more sense then I could understand that. Tactical role does also mean more than just in an offensive or defensive manor btw. But yes, a handle with proper ergonomics will provide traction. Not saying the knife needs more traction as the hinderer design provides amazing traction, but I just feel like it is a missed opportunity and that to me makes the knife is not as good as it could be.

 

[Jordan@DLT]

Ah, well that makes more sense then I could understand that. Tactical role does also mean more than just in an offensive or defensive manor btw. But yes, a handle with proper ergonomics will provide traction. Not saying the knife needs more traction as the hinderer design provides amazing traction, but I just feel like it is a missed opportunity and that to me makes the knife is not as good as it could be.

That's totally fair.

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[evilgreg]

A well designed handle naturally has traction. I will never use a knife in a "tactical" role, and neither will most people, (hopefully).

I use it for actual knife tasks like cutting cardboard, opening stuff, cutting food, etc. When I'm breaking down 200 feet of cardboard into small pieces for the recycle bin, I start to really resent jimping and appreciate a well designed, ergonomic handle.

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You cream puff, how are you ever going to be an elite tactical operator with that kind of attitude. You need jimping, and where possible you should replace as much sharpened steel with pointless finger choils as well, to really lock in your grip. Toughen up and get one of these immediately:

 

[Hickory n steel]

I'm not going to name them and upset anyone, but there are multiple companies that make me wonder why they even make knives at all. I wonder why they design something to look at then make it a knife as an afterthought.