How do you choose your knife?

[Aloha]

When choosing your next knife whats the criteria you use to make your selection?  I am still very much a knife noob.  I don't regularly carry a folder but when I do I am gravitating to certain styles. 

With all the lock types, steels, blade shapes, and in general a lot of choices in the knife world I was wondering how y'all choose?.  From what I am seeing there is certainly a lot of fandom when it comes to choosing a knife.  Ok calm down,  we all have our favorite makers and thats a good thing.  But is fandom the reason?  It cannot be the only reason can it?

I can say that for me RIGHT NOW my favorite knife(s) are my Delicas.  I have a PE and SE and both are wonderful.  What I am beginning to notice is that I prefer a back lock most of all.  So starting from the lock type I then work my way thru other preferences.   

If I were to list how I choose a knife my list would look something like,

Lock type
Blade length
Blade shape
Blade material
Handle material

Sure there are other factors for you more knowledgeable knife nuts so let hear how you choose?   



 

 

[AimlessWanderer]

Fixed blades:

After playing around with a range of different blades, I have reached the conclusion that a "basic" stainless is perfectly fine for most tasks. I don't use knives in arctic temperatures. I prefer an axe and saw for log bothering. Carbon steels taint the taste of food, and can be troublesome to maintain in adverse weather conditions. I want a handle I have faith in, in terms of durability, comfort and traction. I want something easy to clean, and want to be able to subject both knife and sheath to hot soapy water to clean them, not be worried about water damage, and be confident in the cleanliness achieved. ideally, I also want a decent percentage of the blade to be able to contact a chopping board (or field equivalent) without my knuckles getting in the way.

Folding knives:

As folders are inherently more difficult to clean, I try to avoid using them for food prep. I want them to be reasonably easy to sharpen freehand - no fancy recurves, or "super steels". I like to have options in terms of OHO and pocket clips, but these aren't always needed. I have no need of a locking blade, particularly one that requires two hands to close the knife, or which puts a digit in the path of the blade. If a slippie can't handle the task, it's time to grab a fixed blade, not one that just pretends to be fixed. Two blades per knife is my limit (such as a barlow or Wings Slipit). A Stockman or Congress is unnecessary.

I do have several knives that fall outside these criteria, that's how I know what I don't need 

[Kampfer]

First and most, it must look good.

[Aloha]

Fixed blades. 

I like my fixed blade to be no more than 6 inches of blade length.  I don't have a preference to carbon over stainless as I live in a desert climate for the most part.  I like Micarta slabs bolted and glued on.  I do like a pommel as well.  I like clip, drop, and spear points.  I also prefer no fancy recurves either.  Maximum thickness 1/4 inch however most of mine are probably closer to 3/16 with a few thinner.   

[David]

Good place to start A7:

Lock type
Blade length
Blade shape
Blade material
Handle material

First and most, it must look good.

 


When it comes to traditional folders one thing I look for is the nail nick or pull. I much preferr long pulls and matchstriked pulls to standard nail nicks. It is not always a prority but it is a big considerstion on some knives.

[kkokkolis]

It must look good
It must feel good
It must look like a tool, not a weapon
I must have a drop point or spear point blade
It must have a stainless steel blade of adequate quality
It must be cheap enough I won't cry if I loose or destroy it
It must lock open
It must lock closed
It must be opened even with one hand
It must be engravable by my own means


So long I only found one such knife, the Opinel #8 Couteau de Jardin.


I can only think of two areas of improvement.


If it could be slimmer (as much as the Merkator, Douk-Douk or Victorinox Solo are)


If it could have a second, serrated blade. The kind Surge, Wave and Charge have.


A Cote a Cote with Jardin and Serrated Sheepfoot would be ideal.

[eddie1115]

If we're talking about locking folders, I tend to have the boring mentality of cheap and durable.  I don't fall into the category of knife nut (hopefully more qualified people chime in), but I'm trying to avoid work so here we go.   
I don't carry them too often (almost always SAKs for EDC cutting duties).  If I have a OHO/locking folder, it's because there's a specific task/job that I'm working on or planning for, so it's considered a "work knife". 

Lock type - liner locks seem to give the most options in my desired price range, and they're quick (enough) which helps for a work knife
Blade length - this one usually 3-4 inches.  I honestly wouldn't be opposed to longer, but I'm used to this size so I tend to stay with comfortable
Blade shape - drop point if I'm picky, but usually anything non-tanto
Blade material - again price is a factor here, so AUS-8, 8CR13MoV, something better than 420, but not to the point that I'm afraid of abusing it
Handle material - G10 is nice, but not a deal breaker, just something textured for better grip
BONUS: Clip orientation - I like tip up

My current choice is my RAT II; solid, easy to maintain, no tears if it gets destroyed or lost.  I haven't been able to justify spending more when I don't carry one all that often.

[dks]

It has to look interesting

[eddie1115]

If we're moving past OHO folders, I have more fun.  I like carbon blades on traditional folders, with bone or wood handles.  These fall into the "need to look good" category, and it's less about function and more just about enjoying it.  For fixed blades, I'm still relatively open to new options.  I've used Mora's quite a bit, and just haven't allocated the funds to try much else; they work.  Like 50 said, saws and axes handle any bigger outdoor jobs. But that doesn't mean I won't be eyeing the beefier fixed blades once it warms up again.

[AimlessWanderer]

A few people have mentioned looks, which is one aspect skipped earlier.

The best looking knives to my eyes are wood, stag, and bone handled. They are also the least water resistant, so there is a balance to be had there (usually resolved by having multiple options  ) The best looking sheaths are leather, but again there are compromises. I do have several knives with synthetic materials on the handles / scales, and providing they function well, I'm probably going to use these more often than the better looking organic materials.

As to general style and aesthetic, I prefer something more traditional looking. I have no time for blades that look like weapons. I have no intention of ever using a blade that way, and I think "tactical" knives generally look tacky and downright fugly - I have absolutely no intention of trying to look like Batman, or some ninjafied wannabe warrior type - just personal taste, and no disrespect intended to anyone who likes that kind of thing.

Overall, yes I do prefer a knife that suits my aesthetic tastes, but function, comfort and reliability are all far more important aspects.

[Etherealicer]

I mostly buy folders as I don't really carry fixed blades.

BLADE: That is where it starts for me. Shape and length are important, they also define the function of the knife.
WEIGHT: I prefer light knifes 50-75g is a good target number for an EDC knife
OPENING: I like a hole for OHO, no thumb stud for me.
LOCK: Really don't care as long as it engages properly. Although I have to say, the Benchmade axis lock is lovely.
LOOKS: Yeah, I care but thankfully there are so many knifes, I can get one that has it all

[Aloha]

In terms of looks, am I wrong in thinking that as the boxes are checked in terms of what we like in a knife it parallels the looks criteria? 

What I am getting at is are people primarily looking at a knife that looks/appeals to them FIRST then qualifying that knife?

There are plenty of knives that look good to me however I would not buy them.  A liner lock knife would be deleted from interest almost immediately. 

A knife with carbon fiber is attractive to me however I would not choose one over say G10 ( folder ).   

I love the look of tactical blades but not my cup of tea. 

I love stag and bone as well however can someone tell me if that material is as tough as say Micarta?  Id say for the premium of stag I'd always pass unless it outperformed most other materials.   This in my case would be of more importance over looks.   

[Aloha]

I mostly buy folders as I don't really carry fixed blades.

BLADE: That is where it starts for me. Shape and length are important, they also define the function of the knife.
WEIGHT: I prefer light knifes 50-75g is a good target number for an EDC knife
OPENING: I like a hole for OHO, no thumb stud for me.
LOCK: Really don't care as long as it engages properly. Although I have to say, the Benchmade axis lock is lovely.
LOOKS: Yeah, I care but thankfully there are so many knifes, I can get one that has it all

I find this to be true as well. 

Great list E. 

Weight is something to surely consider. 

[Steinar]

If we're talking EDC/general utility it's important to me having a knife I can hold in many different ways and do different kinds of cut with. Extreme shapes and deep finger groves are generally immediately excluded on those grounds. Give me a relatively straight handle, with a relatively straight blade extending in a more or less straight line. These are the most flexible ones. Knives like Mora knives, SAKs, and Opinels are all excellent examples of this basic principle.

Locking down your hand in one grip tends to make other grips more clumsy and uncomfortable.

[AimlessWanderer]

In terms of looks, am I wrong in thinking that as the boxes are checked in terms of what we like in a knife it parallels the looks criteria? 

What I am getting at is are people primarily looking at a knife that looks/appeals to them FIRST then qualifying that knife?

There are plenty of knives that look good to me however I would not buy them.  A liner lock knife would be deleted from interest almost immediately. 

A knife with carbon fiber is attractive to me however I would not choose one over say G10 ( folder ).   

I love the look of tactical blades but not my cup of tea. 

I love stag and bone as well however can someone tell me if that material is as tough as say Micarta?  Id say for the premium of stag I'd always pass unless it outperformed most other materials.   This in my case would be of more importance over looks.

Hmmm..... ..... not sure

Looks as if it will suit the purpose well, is very different to "good looking" knife. If I am looking for a new knife, I'm generally trying to compensate for something that I'm unhappy with in my existing array. I might be looking for a specific blade shape, or handle type. I might be looking for something similar to an existing knife, but with a different style sheath or different handle material.

Along the way, I might see something and think "that's a nice looking knife", but I might not tick the boxes for the search I'm doing. Long gone are the days of seeing a nice looking knife and just buying it for the sake of it. I've owned too many knives (and other stuff) that I didn't get full value from, and learned my lesson about what works for me.

So sometimes the knife I'll go for lacks in aesthetics, and I'll leave well alone some good looking knives that don't suit my needs. For example, I've always really liked the look of the Buck Vantage line, but never bought one because I know I'll not carry it enough to get value from it. I'll either grab a slippie, SAK or fixed blade.

[AimlessWanderer]

If we're talking EDC/general utility it's important to me having a knife I can hold in many different ways and do different kinds of cut with. Extreme shapes and deep finger groves are generally immediately excluded on those grounds. Give me a relatively straight handle, with a relatively straight blade extending in a more or less straight line. These are the most flexible ones. Knives like Mora knives, SAKs, and Opinels are all excellent examples of this basic principle.

Locking down your hand in one grip tends to make other grips more clumsy and uncomfortable.

Well said! I don't like knives which try to dictate how to hold them either

[captain spaulding]

One does not choose the knife, the knife chooses him.

[dks]

The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter.

[Aloha]

If we're talking EDC/general utility it's important to me having a knife I can hold in many different ways and do different kinds of cut with. Extreme shapes and deep finger groves are generally immediately excluded on those grounds. Give me a relatively straight handle, with a relatively straight blade extending in a more or less straight line. These are the most flexible ones. Knives like Mora knives, SAKs, and Opinels are all excellent examples of this basic principle.

Locking down your hand in one grip tends to make other grips more clumsy and uncomfortable.

Well said! I don't like knives which try to dictate how to hold them either

 

[4everYoung]

I generally don't carry fixed blades anymore. So my interest is in folders. The first aspect for me is the look. If I don't like how it looks, then I won't want to carry it.
Secondly, the blonde has to feel good in hand. A cool looking knife that's sucks to hold is still useless in my book.
Third depending on purpose, edc, work, protection, hunting. It may need to be OHO or have a locking blade.
Fourth, it needs to have a pocket clip or a way to suspend it in my pocket.
After that blade shape and type come into play.

[Dean51]

I generally don't carry fixed blades anymore. So my interest is in folders. The first aspect for me is the look. If I don't like how it looks, then I won't want to carry it.
Secondly, the blonde has to feel good in hand. A cool looking knife that's sucks to hold is still useless in my book.
Third depending on purpose, edc, work, protection, hunting. It may need to be OHO or have a locking blade.
Fourth, it needs to have a pocket clip or a way to suspend it in my pocket.
After that blade shape and type come into play.

I agree 

[AimlessWanderer]

 

[4everYoung]

I generally don't carry fixed blades anymore. So my interest is in folders. The first aspect for me is the look. If I don't like how it looks, then I won't want to carry it.
Secondly, the blonde has to feel good in hand. A cool looking knife that's sucks to hold is still useless in my book.
Third depending on purpose, edc, work, protection, hunting. It may need to be OHO or have a locking blade.
Fourth, it needs to have a pocket clip or a way to suspend it in my pocket.
After that blade shape and type come into play.

I agree 

Hey when it's true, it's true.

[Aloha]

I prefer red heads myself 

[Kampfer]

In terms of looks, am I wrong in thinking that as the boxes are checked in terms of what we like in a knife it parallels the looks criteria? 

What I am getting at is are people primarily looking at a knife that looks/appeals to them FIRST then qualifying that knife?

There are plenty of knives that look good to me however I would not buy them. 

Just like picking up women.

[LoopCutter]

I prefer red heads myself 

Brunettes are favorite, got lucky with my first, had chosen me some 44 years ago and has been my legal one for a solid 41 years.
Knifes is an entirely different problem as you must be attracted to it, it must do the tasks required. If it doesn't , keep looking. 

I have a pack knife, a hunting knife, a small game cleaner, and then a whole assortment of edc units based on the plan for the day.

Regardless I will never have as many knifes as my Brunette has ear rings or nail polishes. 

Just choose, and sort. 



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[Kampfer]

I picked up a folder last year, it looks so sexy and I fell for it right away even through it was kinda expensive.
I picked up a girl many years ago, she looks so sexy and I fell for her right away even through she was kinda stuck up.

Got it in my hands and played with it for a while, guess what I realized?
Got her in my bed and played with her for a while, guess what I realized?

Other than looking good, it was hard to deploy, dangerous to handle, uncomfortable in hand, heavy in pocket and it doesn't even cut well......
Other than looking good, she doesn't do anything, no cleaning, no cooking, not making money and love to shop, and the s*x wasn't that good.

I got rid of it quick.
I got rid of her quick.

Same same same.

[Poncho65]

I am all confused now We were talking about knives one minute now we are talking about women

I just like sharp and shiny I guess (answer for both )

I just know when I look at a knife whether it is one for me or not most of the time

I don't guess I put as much thought into knives as some and have been buying knives since I was a kid and just know what I like without ticking boxes off in my head I guess

[Dean51]

I am all confused now We were talking about knives one minute now we are talking about women 

We were talking about knives?
I missed the part about knives.

[metasyntax]

Only thing I can add to what others have said is blade coating, because I dislike black blades. I was looking at Cold Steel earlier and I'm perpetually sad that the Recon 1 doesn't come in an uncoated blade. I just don't like how it looks when they start to wear.