Poll: Your most important knife purchasing factors

Please select all that apply but keep it to the most important factors you consider when purchasing a new/used knife.

This would refer to the showstoppers - things that are so important that if not to your preference you will not buy. Most of us will consider all of these but I'd like to know which are most important in your considerations. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks.

I'll go first...Price, steel, size and a good bang for my buck are all my top considerations. The others can be important but I consider these the ones that will make or break a purchase for me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hmm...I feel like some of the choices mean the same thing. Voted for price, steel, shape, size, maker, looks, and bang for my buck. Yeah I'm picky, that why I still only have like 4 knives.

Which do you think means the same...Only one I see could be 'overall looks', but by that I mainly was referring to color and the coolness factor. In other words, do you care if it looks like a chefs knife or a plain bushcraft knife - or do you prefer something sleek and cool looking? But I see your point. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I was thinking price/bang for your buck and shape&profile/overall looks, but after thinking about it some more, I guess I do see a difference.

basically all of those factors weigh in to my decision with the exception of rare and collectible.

Yeah MrPink...Bang for the buck would mean basically that you try to get the best possible materials for the lowest possible cost - SY's motto. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Price refers to just that - price. Some of us would never pay $2600 for a knife even if it was considered a bang for the buck purchase. So, I would think price is a factor for everyone. Only not for those who have unlimited budgets and can spend any amount of $$$ on a single knife. I wish... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

i only clicked one, shape/profile.

any of the industry steels will serve well. we're excluding fantasy knives.

price need only 'not deter' but it's not that big a factor.

Looking at the results, I am surprised price is not in the lead or tied for the lead...? So, to some, no price is too high for a knife? $10000000000? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I have some knives for sale BTW <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Funds available!!!

Tank you and thanks to all that have participated so far.

I am actually a bit surprised...

It looks like after 116 votes, the type of steel used is in the lead followed closely by shape and brand reputation.

Biggest surprise to me is that price isn't in or near the lead. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Keep voting! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I voted. Steel, shape/profile, looks, brand/reputation, bang/buck.

Like most folks, I look at all the factors. My priorities are like this:

1. Type of knife. No matter who makes it, what the steel is, or what the price is, it must first be a knife I am interested in. Appearance figures in this part, too.

2. Maker. That will determine that the handle and steel are quality materials and suitable for the type of knife it is.

3. Price. This may be first in some cases. I am just not interested in any $1000 knife, unless you have Jim Bowie's from the Alamo and can prove it.

4. Need. Hahaahaahah! Right.

i think that "Type of Steel" category is misleading. for most of us it just means "not 400."

Everything but rare or collectible plays a role...

Honestly, here's my process...

It has to jump out and grab me, or I won't waste my time.

Then, I research the hell out of the maker, and the blade itself.

At that point, I try to think of what I'd use it for (I'm really not a collector).

Then if the price seems reasonable, considering all the other factors, I pull the trigger.

However, the S5 did not follow that logic (for the first time in a long time) in the sense that it didn't jump out and grab me, it grew on me over time.

oops... filled it out for buying busse knives.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I guess I should read better before entering my votes.

Steel Used should read Steel Used/Heat Treat, which is at least as important. INFI steel, replicating the steel formula, isn’t really INFI without Jerry’s proprietary heat treat.

Everything but rare and collectable...good poll

If heat treat is that important to you (which it should be) then you will choose steel and maker/brand rep. as two factors you consider important. To put HT as an option wouldn't make sense as I don't know what HT most of the knives I use have been put through...Examples - Spyderco, Benchmade, CRKT, Gerber - I have no idea of the heat treats they use for each of their different steels. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the responses!

Price has become less important (although my cap for fixed blades is about $200)as time goes on while blade shape and profile have become more important. I tend to agree that most quality steels will work for my needs, but I do love the Bussekin steels of course so brand definitley plays in to it for me in the fixed blades arena.

Shape/profile and size.

I know what I want and if I find it I buy it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Country of origin is usually a make or break for me. I much prefer to purchase knives made in the USA and tend to drop knives made in China from consideration.

In folders, the lock type also ranks high in importance.

I have many more custom knives than Scrap Yard knives,and I haven't missed a model yet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I picked every category. Dealing with well known and respected makers who are Mastersmiths,Journeymen,Knifeguild Members etc.,you learn about what to look for from each different maker.
Some are famous for Damascus,some for handles,sheaths,their steel. Others for construction,and degree of flawlessness.

Taking into account always if you are buying a "art knife" it is a safe queen and will never be used.

You listed many categories that should be addressed when buying a handmade knife. And price is always a factor.I like Harvey Deans Bowie's but can't drop 10K on a blade to look at.

Loveless knives can be had for 3K and up to 250,00 for his Delaware Maid blade. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

Scrap Yard Knives seem to top out at under 200 so it is the greatest bang for the buck in user knives out there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Mu current avatar was designed by me and made by a maker who I have several blade from. Two I designed and he still markets the design. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

It is always fun to but great steel,but I find "Queens" very tempting.
I have not used only about 10% of the 133 knives I own today,and every time I polish them I want to carry and use them...even if for a day. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

My Scrap Yard Knives will always be my favorites because they are users. They beg to be abused and when you don't they laugh when you use them.
Scrappers are made for people who abuse knives more than me because whatever I have done to mine they only giggle when done. And sharpen to hair popping sharp in under a minute. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />


Peace.

yes, these rank higher for me than most of the original choices.

Looks like steel is the most important purchasing consideration, followed by shape and then price. Then brand and size follow closely behind.


Interesting results. Thanks for voting! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It would have been easiest for me to vote for "bang per buck", which is all any of us really do. All the non-price attributes roll up into a subjective measure of "bang".

Not to take the easy way out, I voted for the most relevant parts of "bang" for me which are steel and shape - these together (with modifiers such as heat treat, brand = quality, etc. as mentioned by several dogs) really dictate function. Since I buy knives to use (i.e. for functionality), divide functionality by price and you have my criteria.

Good poll!

My method is simple. If I like the looks and the cash is there I'll place an order. SIMPLE

For me personally, the quality, usability, maker/maker reputation, and are very important, however there's times I have to buy knives specifically for pants making, fortunately most of the time they fit my profile, but I have a few that aren't really my kinda knife, I'm sure someday when I don't need them any more I'll be able to find them good home where they'll be loved. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If I had my time over again I would buy a knife from a custom maker who was prepared to allow me to visit him and teach me how to sharpen the knife in the same manner and skill as he did when I got it. I have had a lot of custom knives with special steels...some were not sharpened well...and I have had other custom knives with middle of the road steels that have amazing edges and edge retention. Sometimes from Bussekin as well....although this might be a "lucky dip" phenomenon...or they are early knives made by Jerry and Dan and I "got lucky". My DFLE has never been sharpened and came with a great factory edge...it just needs stropping. My early Basic 9 is even better on edge retention...who knows...maybe one done by Jerry? That one has not even needed stropping yet. I have two FSH's modified by Garth...again awesome edges...but the rest I have had were middling...maybe the newest SAR4 LE is different...that is also very very sharp.

However if I could pick up the skills Jerry Hossum has on putting an edge on a knife I would be happy to pay for the flights to visit and learn how....his knives are seemingly "unusual" in edge retention and sharpness...one is in 154CM and the other S30V....the edges just don't roll and stay razor sharp despite use which has had me sharpen other knives like my NMFBM and my CS Khukri. His edges were much sharper than my knives from Japan...or elsewhere from custom makers in the USA and the UK. Hell...one knife cut through the leather and fibre lining padded zip pouch it came in during it's postal journey to me....the point is SOOO sharp it just pushed on through to the other side! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I hit submit too soon, because after I did, I saw that I'd forgotten to check the one I'd rate as most important:
Brand/maker Reputation

I'll rarely buy a knife unless I can find information about the manufacturer/maker online, and they have a good reputation. Also, I never buy from a vendor that I can't find positive feedback for anymore (and not just on their own site) -- that's not knife specific, but is a warning worth noting to avoid getting taken or having someone rack up fraudulent charges on your card.

I selected (in order of importance to me, after Brand)
Other
Overall looks
Shape/Profile
Steel used

For me "Other" is an intangible -- primarily, it's my momentary feelings about my finances. I've passed on deals that I really regretted because I didn't feel that I had the discretionary funds at that moment. At other times, I've bought knives that I later decided were absolute junk, simply because I thought they were interesting at the time and I was flush -- these were usually less than $50 buys, but some were more and they add up to quite a bit.

Another that I didn't choose because it's not a "deal breaker", but how "Rare or collectible" a knife is often a big consideration for me -- for example:
A couple days ago, I came across a BladeForums Exchange listing for some older Al Mars (PathFinders sold immediately or I'd have grabbed them -- I've long admired their khukri-inspired design). However since those were gone, I snagged an Integral and two classic SERE fixed blades -- all three having the same SN as a matched set. The prices seemed good ($420 for those 3), but I'm not an Al Mar collector -- these will be my first. I suspect the steel is AUS-6, which may have been great in its day, but it's no super-steel by today's standards. This case was a bit abnormal for me, but it was all about knives being collectible rather than passion for the brand or those specific models.

For me the handle material is a big issue (not being micarta's biggest fan..) followed by price (I like Dan's pricing a lot more than Jerry's) and finally the steel used- sr77 or INFI are just fine. Having said that I still like my CPM154 Bark River Bravo 1 and it is a lot less weight to carry round than my S6 or my Basic 7 (when a big knife isn't critical kit) and it's less scary for sheeple! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />