How to choose a quality knife

9. září 2024

Sometimes we encounter customers online and in person who are unhappy with the knife they bought. Given the plethora of options on the market, choosing the right knife can be quite challenging. So how do you know which one is right for you? That's why Mikov has some advice that may be of help to you.

The first step in choosing a closing knife is to understand what you will use it for most often. Each knife has a different design and function, so choosing the right model depends on your needs. If you plan to use the knife on outdoor expeditions you will probably choose a different type (e.g. Patron) than if you only need an occasional helper for opening bales or cutting rope (e.g. Hundred). And again, you'll choose differently when you're looking for a knife for self-defense (e.g. Predator), for hunting (e.g. Fixir), or for other specific purposes (military knives, rescue knives, kitchen knives), etc.

However, general recommendations apply to the purchase of all types of knives. First of all, it is very suspicious to buy a knife that is not guaranteed by a proper quality and warranty policy. Mikov offers a superior 7-year warranty on its knives, and despite this, our sales department encounters only a minimum of complaints. We therefore recommend that the advice and experience of more or less anonymous experts on the Internet be treated with caution. It is the same with knives as with cars, computers, cameras or mobile phones. Many texts have no other aim than to highlight the personality of the author or to damage the manufacturer. In contrast, the superior 7-year warranty is a clear, understandable and publicly verifiable fact.

The quality of the blade material is also discussed. Sometimes it would seem, again from internet discussions, that the harder and better quality material used for the blade, the better the knife and there is no point in buying anything else. Mikov of course makes knives in Damascene and powdered steel or in high-alloy N690 cutlery steel, but most customers still prefer the seemingly "ordinary" 420 or 440 stainless steel. The reason is simple. All knives get dull, and while ordinary knives can be sharpened by anyone at home (click here for a guide to sharpening knives), high hardness knives need to be sharpened by specialists. And this is neither quick nor cheap.

Especially with closing knives, you also need to test the closing mechanism well. If it doesn't work, if it jams or if handling the knife is even dangerous, it is not a good buy. And the same applies to the shape of the handle and the craftsmanship. Inaccurate melding, loose parts or wobbly blades should be a clear sign that using such a knife means far more problems than joy and utility.

And, of course, the price also says a lot. When a knife is unusually cheap, it can seem tempting to save money. But it is much more likely that the knife will let you down and may even be dangerous to use.

We wish you the best of luck when buying a knife and especially much enjoyment when using it. Mikov offers knives for literally every situation and in different price ranges. When buying them, you will always be sure that you are getting a tool of fully appropriate quality for the money you spend.