Major knife manufacturers. Do they have a ranking?

Mr. Whippy · **on:** January 26, 2010, 10:16:26 PM

In general, how do people rate the major knife manufacturers (I'm thinking of Spyderco, CRKT, Kershaw, Gerber, etc)

This isn't about the custom makers or the limited 1 man shops, but the mass produced makers.

Do y'all rate them out by company or only by specific models?

Benner · **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2010, 10:28:54 PM

I generally go by specific models. But on the whole I like CRK, Emerson, Spyderco, Cold Steel and Benchmade.

hawkchucker · **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2010, 10:36:57 PM

I actually go by whatever grabs me by the short and Curlies. I have had good luck by just going with a gut reaction. Some companies like CRKT have only one or two models that appeal to me so I get them. So ranking companies in whole is kinda moot with me.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2010, 10:42:10 PM

Yeah I'd swear by Cold Steel, Falkniven and Spyderco products over and above other companies

WhichDawg · **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2010, 11:13:41 PM

everyones different and has their own criteria, I go by reviews and warranty and trial and error, buy one test it out, if it's good, what they say, what it claims to be then I buy more, if not, I move on.

jzmtl · **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2010, 12:08:17 AM

LOL I see someone got bitten by the knife bug!

Well here's my impression. Generally speaking Benchmade and Spyderco are top of line manufacturer, the former being more conservative and latter being more innovative. CRKT is budget market oriented, with mid to low ranged material and price to reflect. Kershaw is somewhere in between them, they have budget models and more premium models with top of line material.

Cold steel and SOG similar to kershaw but are a bit stuck in the past with their aus8 steels (which was the premium steel at one point but haven't been for a long time), but SOG is seeing that and changing gradually. Cold steel's design is a bit um, extravagant as far as folding knife is concerned.

Oh forgot gerber, they are selling budget knife for mid/high range price and riding on their past reputation (and have already ruined it). I bought one before I knew any better, but now I do, never again.

Other companies like al mar, william henry, emerson, strider, chris reeve etc. I'm not very familiar with, and not going to comment since some have cult following that's better left alone.

Pacu · **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2010, 12:14:40 AM

I remember back in the 80's and early 90's i was a big Gerber knife fan.

Now Kershaw, Vic, and Case are my favs. I'm a bit of a budget knife man.

stressmaster5000 · **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2010, 12:23:04 AM

Taylor Cutlery!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............

hawkchucker · **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2010, 12:31:40 AM

Quote from: stressmaster5000 on January 27, 2010, 12:23:04 AM

Taylor Cutlery!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............

Defs brand of choice!

Anthony · **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2010, 02:08:48 AM

I go by individual model, not company. I like the mid range to low end knives that companies produce...folders that are $50 and under. To be "only" a Spyderco or "only" a Benchmade guy, you'll lose out on a lot of good knives that you might skim past.

Same thing with multitool companies.

Sean · **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2010, 03:20:28 AM

When I stare down into my box of knives one thing pops out. I have a real mixed bag. All the major
players make at least a few good models which are appealing. I'd have a hard time singling out one as
being better than the other. One though might be better than another for a particular task at hand.
I guess I look first at the company then at the model.

Splat · **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2010, 03:32:24 AM

There is nothing wrong with AUS8 steel. It's stainless, can take a razor sharp edge that holds well, and is easy to sharpen. It's not D2, S30V or S60 but it's certainly a respectable steel.

I agree with those who go with what they like, regardless of company name. If I like it, I don't care whose name is one it. I've got folders by Benchmade, Spyderco, Boker, Kershaw, CRKT, Emerson, Buck, and now I just got a Cold Steel American Lawman yesterday. I love it. Great ergos, blade length and shape, solid lockup, lightweight for its size, and the handle is highly textured for wet weather. So now I can't knock Cold Steel anymore.

TangoDown · **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2010, 05:28:25 PM

My top 3 are Kershaw(& Zero Tolerance

), Spyderco & Benchmade. The largest is probably Victorinox and I love them too.

And special props goes out to Buck for putting out some great new models. CRKT is coming out with some interesting designs like they always do but maybe this time they will concentrate more on improving their materials and quality. Ken Onion joining CRKT, whether it is just on a couple models or not, will help their cause for sure. I just hope they make use of the many nice premium steels out there and still maintain competitive pricing like Spyderco does.

Cold Steel, well, only a couple models appeals to me and even then, only a little bit.

Gerber has even fewer models than Cold Steel that appeals to me.

SOG is no longer being considered as they are intellectual property thieves.

There are more (Falkniven, Case RAT, BRKT, etc.), but those mentioned are my "major players".