How to Use the Top 5 Tab
I have realized that with the pace of reviews I am probably not going
to be able to finish the Recommendation Series in a timely fashion.
Additionally, those articles are so time-intensive in terms of links and
research that I dread writing them. Instead, I have decided, in a nod
to the Pen Addict, Brad
Dowdy, to have a tab with my Top 5 Recommendations in different product
classes as a permanent page on the site. I will update these
frequently. Let me know if you have any suggestions for other
categories or products. Because this will be a "live" page, I will leave
some things open and add to them as they come to me. Basically, if you
want to know what you should be looking at in terms of gear for you next
purchase, start with the Top 5 Tab.
If I don't have a link to the product that means I haven't reviewed it. In cases where I have no review, I am using the same process I have in the past during recommendation series articles, research on the Internet, checking specs and materials, and cross referencing price. Obviously people whose opinions I have used in the past to good effect are people I will rely on more heavily, especially compared to random a random YouTuber.
The rankings are based on a composite of things--the score, the product's reception among enthusiasts, and my sentiments about the product over time. There are some products that score high but lack that something special, that unique thing that makes them stand out. Then there are products that fall down in one or two ways, but nothing too bad, and stand out in others. I'd rather have something that does one thing FANTASTICALLY well than have something that is merely decent in every way. That is why, for example, the cheaper Kershaw Skyline is in the Top 5 but the Spyderco Delica 4 is not. Both are great blades, but the Skyline has that little something extra, be it the low weight or the cool flipper or slightly better steel, that makes it the knife I'd rather have.
These recommendations are made not based on score or value alone. Instead I am basically answering the question: what X should I get? Without information about the product's intended use, and assuming general EDC tasks, these are what I'd recommend. The main recommendations, the actual top 5s are price sensitive, but quality trumps price. I'd rather pay $70 for a great product than $50 for a good one.
A few general things about recommendations. When given a choice I'd never get serrations. I don't do a lot of rope cutting and thus serrations are offer no benefit to me to off set the difficulty of sharpening them. If you plan on doing rope cutting or the like, factor that in. Second, I am not doing a lot of search and rescue, so throw is not that important to me in a flashlight. I like SOME throw, but not to the exclusion of carry. I dislike assisted opening knives because they are generally unnecessary when a knife is properly designed. More parts to break for no added benefit, as I see it. I prefer selector ring, QTC, or stage twisty UIs, but clickies, when done well, are acceptable. I do not like pure twisty (twist, twist again) style UIs.
If I don't have a link to the product that means I haven't reviewed it. In cases where I have no review, I am using the same process I have in the past during recommendation series articles, research on the Internet, checking specs and materials, and cross referencing price. Obviously people whose opinions I have used in the past to good effect are people I will rely on more heavily, especially compared to random a random YouTuber.
The rankings are based on a composite of things--the score, the product's reception among enthusiasts, and my sentiments about the product over time. There are some products that score high but lack that something special, that unique thing that makes them stand out. Then there are products that fall down in one or two ways, but nothing too bad, and stand out in others. I'd rather have something that does one thing FANTASTICALLY well than have something that is merely decent in every way. That is why, for example, the cheaper Kershaw Skyline is in the Top 5 but the Spyderco Delica 4 is not. Both are great blades, but the Skyline has that little something extra, be it the low weight or the cool flipper or slightly better steel, that makes it the knife I'd rather have.
These recommendations are made not based on score or value alone. Instead I am basically answering the question: what X should I get? Without information about the product's intended use, and assuming general EDC tasks, these are what I'd recommend. The main recommendations, the actual top 5s are price sensitive, but quality trumps price. I'd rather pay $70 for a great product than $50 for a good one.
A few general things about recommendations. When given a choice I'd never get serrations. I don't do a lot of rope cutting and thus serrations are offer no benefit to me to off set the difficulty of sharpening them. If you plan on doing rope cutting or the like, factor that in. Second, I am not doing a lot of search and rescue, so throw is not that important to me in a flashlight. I like SOME throw, but not to the exclusion of carry. I dislike assisted opening knives because they are generally unnecessary when a knife is properly designed. More parts to break for no added benefit, as I see it. I prefer selector ring, QTC, or stage twisty UIs, but clickies, when done well, are acceptable. I do not like pure twisty (twist, twist again) style UIs.