Criteria for choosing a knife

[Tristan_david2001]

Related question for all of you: if you saw a used knife in good or even nearly mint condition that you desired and can afford, but it had the name or initials of some person or company etched or inscribed into it, because the former owner is selling it, would that prevent you from purchasing it or not?

Depends how much I desired the knife and how much I didn’t like the etch work done to it

Good points. One reason I ask is because on Etsy there are often second hand knives being sold that were groomsman or other gifts that have a name etched or laser cut into the blade. Also knives with some sponsor company name.

Gotcha! Is there a knife in particular you saw and want?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Related question for all of you: if you saw a used knife in good or even nearly mint condition that you desired and can afford, but it had the name or initials of some person or company etched or inscribed into it, because the former owner is selling it, would that prevent you from purchasing it or not?

Depends how much I desired the knife and how much I didn’t like the etch work done to it

Good points. One reason I ask is because on Etsy there are often second hand knives being sold that were groomsman or other gifts that have a name etched or laser cut into the blade. Also knives with some sponsor company name.

Gotcha! Is there a knife in particular you saw and want?

Nope. But thank you for asking.

[Evil D]

Related question for all of you: if you saw a used knife in good or even nearly mint condition that you desired and can afford, but it had the name or initials of some person or company etched or inscribed into it, because the former owner is selling it, would that prevent you from purchasing it or not?

It would come down to how much it costs for me. If I'm getting it cheap and plan to beat on it then I'd probably be ok with it but if it's on the nicer side and is going to cost me more money then I'd pass. I already don't buy collector's club models so this is the same sort of deal for me.

[gooeytek]

Related question for all of you: if you saw a used knife in good or even nearly mint condition that you desired and can afford, but it had the name or initials of some person or company etched or inscribed into it, because the former owner is selling it, would that prevent you from purchasing it or not?

If I was keeping it for myself, it probably wouldn't keep me from getting and using it if it were a knife I really wanted. However, the initials might match someone I know, and that would be a plus come gift-giving time.

[zuludelta]

I try to stick to certain criteria when choosing to buy a new knife, but curiosity about the design/materials is the primary motivation for my more recent knife purchases. Fact of the matter is, I don't "need" any more new knives, especially folders for work (which is my primary use for folding knives). What I have is ten times over more than adequate for even the relatively extensive amount of cutting I do at work. But I am still very interested in trying new works from my favourite designers or experiencing their old designs that I missed out on when they were first made available, and I am always on the lookout for good designs I might have missed from either up-and-coming makers or established entities who are unfamiliar to me.

That said, back when I was still much more active in looking for knives to add to my work folder rotation, my primary criteria were as follows (in order of priority):

• Practical handling/ergonomics/dimensions: Is the knife easy & intuitive to deploy and use for my most frequent cutting tasks? Is the knife safe to use in different or unconventional grips when necessary? Can I safely use & deploy the knife in confined spaces? Does the knife have sufficient blade length for my most frequent cutting tasks? Will the knife's size invite unnecessary & unwelcome scrutiny from coworkers, authorities, & bystanders? Do the pocket clip & handle material excessively wear on the hem of my work pants' pockets?
• Blade steel/Bladestock thickness/blade grind & geometry: Does the blade steel have sufficient edge retention, toughness & corrosion resistance for my work cutting tasks & work environment? Do the bladestock thickness & blade grind/geometry offer a combination of strength & sliciness appropriate for my work cutting, to a degree that takes advantage of the properties of the blade steel?
• Cost: Can I actually afford this knife without having to make significant temporary monetary concessions in other aspects of my life? Can I lose or break this knife at work & not feel like I just set fire to my wallet?
• Maker: Does the company/designer have a reputation for producing quality products? Do they stand behind their work with a fair warranty? Do they have a track record of good customer service & transparency where it matters?
• Country of manufacture: Nick Shabazz was the originator of the statement "quality is a matter of effort, not geography", and I broadly agree with him. However, whenever I can, I prefer to support knife manufacturing in countries that are not currently subject to international economic sanctions due to their support of institutions accused of certain transgressions. While this is not a hard & fast rule for me, I do try to practice what I think is a reasonable level of "ethical consumption" when it comes to my discretionary expenses.

[Spidey-Dawg]

1) Made in the USA
2) Made anywhere else but China
3) High end steel
4) Brand
5) Aesthetics

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Must be at least 3 inches in blade.
Must be comfortable to hold.
Must be good steel.

[RDT806]

I'm a noob so this might not mean much. But as of now.

Must lock and open with one hand. Like back locks the least.

3.00"- 4.00" blades

Good, balanced steels.

Price $250 or less. Maybe $300.

Prefer a full grip handle.

I'll take one "nice" knife over multiple budget knives.

[Michael Janich]

Dear RDT806:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[RDT806]

Dear RDT806:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

Thank you Mike.

[RexGig0]

1. Not being much of a collector, I put ergonomics at the top of the list. Whenever practicable, I visit a store that sells knives, to put my hands on them. In the past, I attended the Blade Show several times, where I got to handle a variety of knives at the Spyderco display. Several times, handling a quite beautiful-looking knife resulted in my NOT buying.

2. The suitability of the blade to the task/environment is important. Factors include the steel, configuration, length, and width. Not being a collector, I do not chase the trendy blade steels, for its own sake.

3. Familiarity is going to be a factor. I know that a Delica, Rescue, and Assist, to name three examples, are going to be handy, will fit, and will be a good value. I tend to accumulate these.

4. I learned, long ago, that if I really like a collaboration design, that I should not waste time, and should order at least a pair, and perhaps a spare, or more. (Gunting. Ronin. Fish Hunter.)