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What do you look for in the knives you buy/collect?

One of our fellow iKC members suggested we add this topic (you'd know he is a knife maker, lol), so the question is-
It is form over function? Is it the design- the flow- the lines of the knife? The type of knife? Or is it the materials used to make it? What makes a great knife to you?

This is good stuff- Thanks T. A. Davison for prompting this discussion.

Tags: designs, knife, makers, preferences

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Permalink Reply by Robert O on May 6, 2009 at 19:41

Quality of the parts
Usefulness
Originality

I don't care who makes it as long as it's good, can be worked and looks good doing it. But quality is a must I'd rather have an ugly knife that works than a showy knife that I hang up somewhere out of use!

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Permalink Reply by Wilma Slicer (Lynsie) on May 10, 2009 at 18:05

i really like knives that have a unique style, either they way they open or close or just a different style blade or handle. I hate to say this, but I don't really own any...well I do have the CRKT Rollock. Many of these knives seem to be impractical for EDC use, but for a collector...oh yeah!

For EDC I will look for knives that fit my hand, have a very easy opening method, and look cool too!

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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Nick Arsenault on May 11, 2009 at 18:21

it has to be functional... it has to be durable enouf to get atleast every day tasks done... i will not buy a knife if its ugly... being totaly bad a** is always a plus, also known as the "oh S**T!!!" factor if your on the other end (LOL), they say the best weapon is the one you dont have to use. so if you get one with the O.S. factor, they should submit. unless they have a gun... then ur screwed...

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Scott King on May 25, 2009 at 7:56

I go for "look." If the knife speaks to me then I want it. The path I am on now is old knives- they have a distinctive voice.

As I have been looking through the pics here at iKC, several different types have called my name- though I am trying to resist their call :)

Todd's traditonal look speaks to me. I'll see how long I can resist. I'll see them up close and personal at the Blade Show this week.

There are several custom knives that are attractive, however, I have gone down that path before I went hard elephant toenails.

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Permalink Reply by Trent Rock on May 25, 2009 at 13:57

If i am looking at VINTAGE knives===>
Value AND usability

I like using my knives and hatchets camping
Nothing like having a vintage Kinfolks fixed blade and a vintage True Temper Tomahawk when you are camping
I even whipped out my WWII Camillus folding pilot's machete last camping trip
Alas, it seems I have more knives and hatchets then I have TIME for camping..sigh....

I figure $9.99 for a 1960's True Temper hatchet works just as well as a 100 dolla' Granfors Bruk hatchet

I like some blade patina and handle wear
Not gonna catch me with that ol' mustard patina cr@p though..LOL
Part of the allure of OLD knives to me is daydreaming about the past life of the knife
And the owner (s)
So, if it is beat up a little (aka knife CHARACTER, right?)
Maybe the blade is 1/8" too short...
I don't mind

I like having one example of each pattern (I still need a SMOKERS knife!!)

I like having one example of tang stamps from funky /little known knives
Like Yale Cutlery Co.
Sometimes If I see a knife from a company I don't know
I will buy it JUST to do the RESEARCH..heheheheh
I guess it's the history buff in me...

I have a fondness for any knife that says Colorado or CO on it
Like Western and some of the Timberlines (any one ever BEEN to Mancos, CO??!!!)

I like carbon steel blades better than SS
I like leather handles beter than stag or wood
I don't like ANY DREMEL marks on my knives (I learned that one the HARD way from EBAY)

Newer knives===>
Weight for folding knives (don't like my Levi's a saggin')
Look(I'll admit I like the black matte tactical look)
Type of steel (I'm more picky now...no more Gerber steel knives!!)
Packaging (call me old skool..I like BOXES!!..not clamshell package....NIC?? lol)
Price (I am an economist Jim!! Not a mechanic!!!)

My tastes change weekly
I was on a neck knife kick for a while
Was on a Norlund hatchet buying bender last year
I go to thriht shop bi weekly
Who knows what i will find

Sometimes I find a knife at a thrift shop and it turns out to be the START of collection XYZ
I found a Robeson
Had never heard of Robeson (Sorry Mr. Noyes!! No offense!!..heheheh)
Did some research on Robeson (thanks Mr. Noyes!!)
Hopped on EBAY
Bought another one.......

Oh yeah
I am the largest collector west of the Missippi of the silver handled Imperials ;)

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Permalink Reply by kage on January 1, 2010 at 6:20

For EDC folder use, after blade design, blade/handle length, blade/handle material & finish, the location and styling of the clip is the deal breaker for me. I want carry options... Minimum R-H Tip Up carry, with a R-H Tip Up & Tip Down carry being preferred, and having a L-H Tip Up carry is a welcomed bonus. Without the minimum, it doesn't matter how fancy, ideal, or "gotta have" it is, it's a no sale for me (with a terse email to the manufacturer as to how I appreciate their model but would not purchase for stated reasons.)

kage