Has there ever been a knife you were really excited for, but once you finally got it in hand it was way worse than you expected?
For me, that feeling of disappointment usually kicks in right after the return window closes… of course. And no the knife pictured (Gerber Downrange Auto) didn’t let me down, it’s just the photo that I had in my camera roll.
by ThumbStuds
17 Comments
Gecko Pictus XL. I own the standard size and was soooo pumped for the XL but the QC fell off atleast in my example
The Vosteed Ankylo is the first one that comes to mind. I was excited for the vanchor lock and general shape; it’s a big thick boy and that lock is meh imo. First time I’d spent “big money” (lol, not now) and it just didn’t hit.
Less disappointment but still surprising; I had a microtech stitch clone (bought it before I knew it was a clone) and I loved it so much that I eventually ordered a genuine one. Action on the real one was not as good as the clone, kind of gritty even after oiling and installing skiffs. It’s gotten better, but still doesn’t glide like the $30 clone does 😕
https://preview.redd.it/5flwglo8o44h1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57b39b197e678992e3ff197c4617e2c6cef1f92a
WMK exclusive Kizer Drop Bear Zero. I hate the clip.
I had a Gerber fixed blade skinner/hunter back in the day. It would not hold an edge!
Had a Buck Crosslock back when they were first released. Unsafe lock, and terrible pocket clip!!
Boker Kwaiken OTF. It’s a neat idea and looks great and would have been a cool addition to the Kwaiken line up. But the knife will eventually fail to lock in both directions. Ended up returning it for a Benchmade CLA.
My Tactile Rockwall was a piece of shit. Sold it off. Horrible QC
Machinewise Sonora. Protech makes a way better button lock.
Nope. I tend to watch at least two unpaid/unsponsored reviews (often 3-4) on any knife I’m interested in, ideally one containing some form of torture test. Don’t mind spending 30-60mins hearing input from other users now and then if it’ll save me $100+
https://preview.redd.it/9otzbg31p44h1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68b99a7469123b830cd255f25b893655dcac0646
The CRK Sebenza 31. Hear me out. I was coming from 2 small 21s that had that bank vault solid lockup and no matter how tight or loose I left the pivot (within reason) the action was buttery smooth out of the box and many years later. Then I bought a small 31 and 2 large 31s and all my 31s afterwards had lock bar flex with the ceramic ball interface.
I was gaslit by the community that the flex was normal because of the round ball interfacing with a flat surface. That was odd because the Umnumzaan I have with a ceramic ball had no flex and I eventually got a small Inkosi with a ceramic ball (they all do) without flex so they’ve made knives with the ceramic ball that didn’t have flex and now the Sebenza DID. As of 2026 I believe many are reporting no lock bar flex. So if it wasn’t a problem, why did they change it?
Some people don’t care about the flex but it doesn’t inspire confidence when I can push my thumb with moderate pressure on the blade jimping and the blade moves about a half a millimeter. If I’ve only ever known 31s maybe I’d expect it but coming from a knife with solid lockup (21) to the 31 with lock bar flex was a huge let-down so I sold off most of my 31s and will keep the 21s.
SRM terrier, rough action and it had a sort of persistent bump when the blade was in action, made it impossible to achieve a smooth action, not to mention the insane amount of thread locker, and they didn’t replace it and insisted on giving a 10$ coupon.
I dunno if let me down is the right phrasing, but every knife until I made it to a show and could hand select what I personally am after had design flaws that led me to keep looking. Likely a progression most of us go through if we are newer to daily carry.
Every Gerber
Benchmade shootout. Spring hanger broke and wedged the blade halfway open. Had to argue with customer service about it being their fault, until I mentioned Reddit. Then I got a new one in the mail. Sold that new one on the swap.
More like Gerber Downgrade. Got em!
Buck 110 slim. Grind was uneven. Blade wasnt sharp. Fit and finish was marginal. Should’ve gone with the og 110.
Anax, was excited to try integral. Howlee wow, way too expensive for what it is.
Shaman, I think watch too much video hyping this one up. I hate it.
Bugout, was excited to try it out because they said it is a great American made knife. Feels so cheap for the asking price. And then people gonna say you can swap the scale … But then at that point you could get so much better knife for that money.
Kershaw Bel Air. I might be the only one who thinks so. They put the heel of the blade near the ricasso so far from the index finger groove, along with the empty space. I just can’t get along with it