What is the most important thing to you about a knife?

[TripleF]

For me, it has to be how the knife stays sharp and keeps an edge. If I can't put and edge on it easily, I don't want it.
And if it sharpens easily, I like it a lot!!

Just curious what makes you all tick?

[1967redrider]

If it will cut.


Looks are superficial. Edge retention a must. Pocket friendly, and a nice weight.

[American Blade 92]

Same. Has to be great steel that holds an edge and is easy to sharpen . Secondly, solid construction, strong springs, good contact points, aesthetically pleasing to look at,

[Railsplitter]

I take my knife out of my pocket and admire it WAY more often than I actually use it. Aesthetics is the first thing I consider when choosing a knife to purchase.

If I like the way it looks then I explore its other features but if I don’t find it attractive I don’t look any further at that particular knife. Kinda like I use to do with women when I was a younger rascal and not married.

[American Blade 92]

I take my knife out of my pocket and admire it WAY more often than I actually use it. Aesthetics is the first thing I consider when choosing a knife to purchase.

If I like the way it looks then I explore its other features but if I don’t find it attractive I don’t look any further at that particular knife. Kinda like I use to do with women when I was a younger rascal and not married.

[treefarmer]

All valid points, fellers! Additionally if the knife is an EDC that is actually a working knife, say a pruner or a folding hunter, the handle needs to be comfortable in the user's hand and not become slippery or slick when it gets wet with perspiration or other "juices".
Treefarmer

[CutleryCollector-com]

Buying, Selling and Trading over the years many people have asked "Why do you have so many "foreign " knives!?
My humble response has always been "my knife collection has to impress me first and nobody else second "

[Gtrclktr-351]

Depends, if I am buying a knife to use, I care more about the steel properties with looks being secondary. If I am buying for my accumulation/collection looks is the deciding factor. Of course, since my "user" knives only see light duty, I sometimes buy two of the same knife. One to use and one to look at. I tend to favor "user" knives in the price range that can be worn out, broken and/or lost without causing too much anxiety. The special ones are only for "collecting".

[garddogg56]

Comfort and durability
Other than that you guys have everything else covered

[Lars0729]

Great question TrippleF...really makes one think. As everyone stated above, of course steel matters (somewhat), sex appeal...most definately, choice of handle materials...for sure, quality craftsmanship, absolutely.

Taking all those elements into consideration, the driving factor for me is the function. What am I buying or using this knife for? If buying a historical piece - function is Collection. A hunter - function is field, BBQ, or glam steak knife. EDC - function is everything as needed or applicable. Fighting...well, since I don't actually fight with a knife, that's where sex appeal plays a part.

Dang it TF, with all these descriptions, now I have to go shopping for a new knife! That means the most important thing to me about a knife is owning it!

[woodwalker]

It's different things at different times for me. The other night I was laying in bed thinking about trappers. I have many, but their all fancy. I was thinking I sure would like a trapper that I could use. The next day I went to the swap meet and found a sweet Schrade Old Timer 94OT that is just a perfect user trapper. Weird how that works sometimes. Now dont get me wrong, I still like my fancy Trappers but I love this little 94OT! That's just one story. There are many!! That's what I look for in a knife! The stories on how they came into my possession. I'm sure all my knife brethren on here can relate to what I'm getting at!

[Steve Warden]

Looks.

If I don't like the look of the pattern - pass.
If I don't like the look of the handle - pass.
If I don't like the look of the size - pass.
If I don't like the look of the tang stamp (read, "maker") - pass.
If I don't like the look of the condition - pass.
If I don't like the look of the price - pass.

All this without even picking up the knife.
I'm not going to carry a knife I don't like to look at.

[Dinadan]

For me, it has to be how the knife stays sharp and keeps an edge. If I can't put and edge on it easily, I don't want it.
And if it sharpens easily, I like it a lot!!

Just curious what makes you all tick?

There are a couple of things I think about.

Price is number one. I am not going to buy a knife that is too expensive, so I will never know how well it keeps an edge.

Number two is size and shape. For a user I want a knife 3.75" to 4.25" closed. Frame needs to be Wharncliffe pattern. Master blade either clip or Wharncliffe.

Handles - just so it is not Celluloid! I love wood, bone and stag, but for a user I am fine with Delrin. I can drop Delrin on the garage floor and it is just fine. I worry when I drop a bone or stag knife.

[Lansky1]

to me, fit, finish and function is paramount. Those that have bone sides sticking proud of the bolsters, if there are gaps between the sides and the bolsters, or if the backspring is weak and won't snap closed ... those don't stay with the firm

[MissouriGuerrilla]

Looks.

If I don't like the look of the pattern - pass.
If I don't like the look of the handle - pass.
If I don't like the look of the size - pass.
If I don't like the look of the tang stamp (read, "maker") - pass.
If I don't like the look of the condition - pass.
If I don't like the look of the price - pass.

All this without even picking up the knife.
I'm not going to carry a knife I don't like to look at.

Same here. It's got to be eye candy for me. I have good work knives, but my collection is 95% looks.