I am working on some folding knife designs ...
1) For hunting, outdoors and general carry what size of blade do you prefer?
2) How much are you willing to spend on a new knife brand assuming that you liked the design and were comfortable with the fit, finish and material specs?
3) How much are you willing to spend on a new knife brand assuming you like the picture (i.e. on - line knife store) and the specifications?
4) What specs for a knife are important to you?
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Favorite Answer
1. 3"
2. What you are describing is an 'acceptable' knife, I'd prob pay $50 for one. If it was something REALLY nice, I knew the steel quality was top notch, the blade profile would be well designed, and I knew the company would stand behind it... well... I own several $250 Benchmades.
3. If it was a new maker, I wouldn't buy one on-line only. I'd wait at least a year for them to be vetted by people who have handled them in stores or own them.
4. Quality of the steel, quality of the lockup, durability, weight, balance, size/comfort. The Kershaw Leek (http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-1660BLKW-Folding-BlackWash-SpeedSafe/dp/B00J14BOBU) is a masterpiece for affordable knives. Holds an edge well, is super slim, very durable, fast opening, and the blade profile is excellent for general use. In comparison, something like this: http://www.crkt.com/M16-13-Special-Forces-Black-G10-Handle-Tanto-AutoLAWKS-Veff-Combo-Edge, while it looks great, is thick, unwieldy, and uncomfortable (due to crossguard design digging into the flesh when in a watch pocket).
Space Cowboy
TB...I have a $55 Buck and a $9.95 Famous Rough Use. The "rough use"..is the same price at YOUR Gander Mt. and MY Canada Ammo. These are good for every dirty job in the bush...except skinning, etc. I also have a Shrade folder that I usually carry in a tackle box. I guess what I.m saying is...there are no shortage of knife-makers, out there. We had ( don't now if he's still around) a local guy named Steve Price....who is a master knife maker. People have numerous "cheap" choices and the guys who pay top dollar, know what they're looking for. I would say, it's a tough way to try and make a living....as a hobby or special order ?...by all means. I just think the market may be saturated, already.
thinkingblade
An update for folks, I'm actually not a maker, these would be production knives that I would have manufactured. I certainly have made knives by hand, but am not good enough to make money doing customs. I'm doing design work for a new line and trying to sort out some choices I have in the design and to figure out a target MSRP. So your answers represent a form of market research.
Thinkingblade
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1) I like the standard 3.5" blades, but I would like to see one that could be 4.5" for some better outdoors usage.
2) For a folder, probably no more than $60
3) Also no more than $60
4) Tanto blade and half serration. Spring assist is an awesome bonus though. And a decent steel that keeps an edge.
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Last hunting knife and most expensive by my standards was a hunting knife made by Cold Steel, has a textured rubber handle and the blade is about 5 inches in length. Does everything I need it to do and it holds a good edge.