All About Pocket Knives

This isn't specifics on how a knife is built, but more on design and art. I have two things I won't buy with a knife. One...large bolster knives because I want more color or artwork on the handle and large bolsters squeeze out more handle space. And two...artwork on the blade itself. Not saying there isn't some great stuff on blades, but I like my blades clean.

How 'bout you?

• Factory condition minus expected use (I.e., never apart)

• Bone, Horn or Stag handles with no chips, cracks, or repairs but pocket worn is ok

• Synthetic handles without flaws

• Main blade without evidence of poor sharpening

• Unmolested bail

• No knives or sheaths with the prior owners name/initials

My taste in knives must be too weird to define. I Love some new knives, but mostly the broken, busted, and sad old knives that I can repair. There are few knives that I carry more often than those that I have repaired.

My only deal breaker is cracked pearl.

Generally speaking, I don’t like knives with shields or handle slabs attached only with adhesives. I want pins whenever possible.

I also dislike handle slabs that have a huge bulge. I prefer that he slabs be flush with the bolsters or at least close to it.

File work on the back springs doesn’t appeal to me either although I do own one knife with that feature and I love the knife otherwise.

Don’t get me started on Spear blades that look they were designed to spread peanut butter. Spear blades are my blade shape of choice but not those kind of Spear blades.

MissouriGuerrilla wrote: ↑Sat Oct 12, 2024 4:06 pm And two...artwork on the blade itself. Not saying there isn't some great stuff on blades, but I like my blades clean.

How 'bout you?

You’re not the only one I’ve heard express a dislike for blade etching, MG. However, that’s what really gets my attention! I love it! Different strokes for different folks, right?!

As for preferences, the only thing I don’t care for is “small.” I don’t want Peanuts, anything “tiny,” or “mini” or pretty much anything under about 3.5 inches. Four inches and over is better.

Not into modern knives. With a very few exceptions. The knives I like now are the same knives I liked when I was 5. My tastes have not changed.

I do not like the look of mother of pearl. I avoid celluloid like the plague.

Celluloid is really the only absolute deal breaker for me.

MissouriGuerrilla wrote: ↑Sat Oct 12, 2024 4:06 pm [...] things I won't buy with a knife. [...]

How 'bout you?

IIRC this is our second negetive thread in as many months. However, you asked so here's my answer again.

I do not want knives with these features in my house so, while I might keep free ones out in the shed, I won't pay a penny for knives with these features:
1.) Hawk bill blades or other single blade knives with a concave edge line. Since they cannot be sharpened my preferd way, on flat stones, no hawk bills for me. I made an exception for a couple of two blade knives that have a straight edge line on their other blade because they were about $20 for D2 blades.

2.) Manufacture in Pakistan. Sorry to any good Pakistani cutlers, if there are any, but I've never seen a Pakistan made knife that I'd pay $5 for.

3.) Autos, gravity knives and knives that open with a flip of the wrist are all illegal "spring knives" here so I don't allow them on the property, not even in the shed.

I do buy knives with the undesireable features listed below when they're significantly less expensive than knives without these features.

1.) Words like club names and art like commemoratives etched on blades nearly always make the knife less expensive than the same model with only standard production markings. In may cases I've gotten knives that I could not other wise afford by buying club knives.

2.) Military fighting knives and other knives designed to be weapons. Offhand the only military knife I can think of that I like is the US Navy deck knife. They were not designed or issued for fighting. They make great hunting and camping knives. There were many similar mostly substitute standard knives. I make an exception for the huge Case Bowie I found new in box for $30. In fact I should keep it beside this computer in case, while I'm reading AAPK threads, I'm attacted buy the saquach or lions and tigers and bears. (oh my)

3.) Celluloid handles. I own one Case with Gold Stone celluloid but I bought it before I knew what it was or read about celluloid out gassing. Maybe the safest thing to do with it is make it a daily user. It's fine so far.