Folder Survey ’23 - RESULTS

[Bolster]

Q7,8:

[Bolster]

Q9,10:

[Bolster]

Q11,12:

[Bolster]

Q13,14:

[Bolster]

Q15,16:

[Bolster]

Q17, the last...whew! Enjoy!

[zuludelta]

Interesting results. I didn't really have any sort of preconceived notion of what the results might be, but I am quite surprised that Micarta ranked so high as a handle material preference. I'm somewhat indifferent to it myself (I guess I prefer G10 or FRN/FRCP in a work knife), though I will admit that, when done well, it gives off a classier vibe.

[Manixguy@1994]

Bolster , thank you ! Rather surprising Micarta has so much interest . Dan

[Wandering_About]

Fun read through the results. While there are trends for certain things, it does seem that variety is the spice of life when it comes to knife preferences.

[Shmohawk]

Q5,6:

I'm surprised the CL pulled ahead. I always get the impression here from a lot of the veteran members and regular posters that they prefer a backlock. Of course they could be the minority of those that actually answered.

[Bolster]

Interesting results. I didn't really have any sort of preconceived notion of what the results might be, but I am quite surprised that Micarta ranked so high as a handle material preference. I'm somewhat indifferent to it myself (I guess I prefer G10 or FRN/FRCP in a work knife), though I will admit that, when done well, it gives off a classier vibe.

Same here. I don't think I own any of the rough-looking micarta that I'm seeing lots of in aftermarket mods, and now I'm motivated to see what the big deal with micarta is, and "get me some."

[vandelay]

Funny to see how small a portion self defence was with all the tactical marketing in the knife world.

[Danke]

Gonna be a tanto right? Right?

[clinton1]

Bolster, thank you for your work on this! Interesting to read the results!

[kennethsime]

Sounds as if folks would like more tool steel + micarta comp locks. I’m game.

[JSumm]

Based on the results, the new forum knife is....




Very interesting Bolster. Well done. I wonder if there are any surprises for the good folks at Spyderco or if this is what they may already know.

[aicolainen]

Thank you, Bolster!
Interesting read. My preferences aren't the popular choice, but then again, that was already my impression. And I'm actually happy to realize some of my preferences are less unpopular than I expected :)

Micarta pulling ahead like that is a little surprising, but I suspect we are a little starved for production models with micarta and this could affect the result somewhat. Personally I'm more surprised that CF is more popular than FRN.

I'm also a bit surprised that CBBL is so popular, being such a rare option, but could be the same mechanism as with micarta coming into play here.

I know this isn't possible, but it would have been interesting to see how answers differ between users on this forum and the Spyderco sub forum on BF. I feel that I know people here quite well by now, and some of the results weren't quite what I'd expect for this user base. Then again, the most vocal and talkative are overrepresented as far as impressions go, so maybe it's just the silent majority finally sharing their opinion.

[horzuff]

I'm also pretty shocked that micarta is so dominant in preferences. The only micarta I found at least acceptable was one that was more like 90% resin with very fine cloth inside, so it machined like all other composites, had none of the disgusting fraying threads sticking out of it like in 99% of all micarta on the market...

On the other hand I'm surprised how close my tastes are with the results other than the above. Not in the "I thought I was special" kind of way just I always felt like my preferences are not what the consensus usually is (thin stock, long blades and high blade/handle ratio, light weight, interesting locks, more geared towards edge retention and corrosion resistance steel)

[wrdwrght]

Interesting results.

While I’m not sure I could take this poll again and supply the same responses (impulses being of the moment and thus partly irrational), I seem not to be average.

But, because statistical averages are what they are (pssst, there is no average person), I just don’t compare myself to them. Indeed, as I’ve aged, I’ve become more and more comfortable going my own way. It has come to sadden me when others don’t, and to madden me that too many others don’t.

For me, this survey is a nice reminder that we differ. I like that, but at the same time I wonder why we differ. I mean, how can anyone not see that my model X Spydie is the best ever?

[spydergoat]

Wow! Micarta PM2 officially the most mass appealing knife? I wonder... what is the officially least popular spyderco? It should have as many of these traits as possible. Over 4" or less than 2"; short but chunky wood or metal handles that are large relative to edge length; full solid liners; big forward choil; slipjoint or frame lock; super heavy serrated thick blade; costing hundreds of dollars; made in China; for food preparation; very low edge retention; kind of corrosion prone; very easy to sharpen.