Magazine Reviews....what do YOU do?

**NoSweat88** · 05-25-2010, 05:44 PM

Recently, as I began to purchase items in my quest for preparedness, I began looking at knives (Mods...bear with me a minute on this). I had an older issue of Tactical Knives magazine and, after reading some reviews, decided on three knives:

Remington Zulu Military Folder
Microtech Currahee (tanto point)
Tom Brown Tracker 1

I should mention that all three of these are in the same issue, but it wasn't the only magazine I looked at. It's coincidence that they are all reviewed in the same magazine.

I absolutely LOVE the Currahee. I wish I had the clip point, but the knife is hard to come by and, at the time, the tanto was the only one I could find.

I'm pretty disappointed in the Remington. Not nearly as "sturdy" as I would like. At $109, the price didn't kill me, but still....

Now, after reading a ton of posts on the Tracker, I'm pretty sure I'm going to pass on it and find something else.

My question is this: are most magazine reviews suspect? How do you determine if a review is good or not? Obviously, forums like this should be a major source of information for a newbie like me. After going back and looking at a LOT of magazine review, most are positive. That, to me, isn't good. Although I bring up knives here, it seems the same is true for most gear...firearms, backpacking gear, etc.

Comments? Suggestions?

NoSweat88

**RangerXanatos** · 05-25-2010, 05:58 PM

Whenever I look at websites or magazines and get reviews, in the back of my mind, I'm always thinking that a person could've been paid to say that and nullify the actual rating.

Whenever I consider purchasing a new knife, I look on the internet to get individuals' opinions on the knife. I will also youtube it and see how big it is compared to other known objects such as rulers or drink cans and how it fits in a person's hand. A lot of times, a person will shoot a video of them using the blade and you can get some idea about how well it will perform.

**crashdive123** · 05-25-2010, 07:10 PM

Research the specifications - look at reviews - talk to people that have actually used it. If the reviews and the "boots in the field" experience match up that may tell you about the reviewer. It's important to keep in mind that paid advertising could influence the flowery words that may be written - one of the reasons that Consumer Reports takes no advertising.

**crashdive123** · 05-25-2010, 07:15 PM

I should add - even doing what I suggested, you can end up with something that does not fit your needs. Ask as many questions as you can - even to the point of being annoying. What one person thinks is great, another may find that there is a "quirk" that makes it less than desirable. Maxpedition Fat Boy comes to mind.

**2dumb2kwit** · 05-25-2010, 07:38 PM

A magazine may introduce me to a product, but my research is done else-where. I know of magazines writing, or re-writing, reviews and stories, to sound a lot more favorable to there advertisers. I have heard this from the horses mouth. (The writer's of test/reviews.)

**hunter63** · 05-25-2010, 07:45 PM

I wouldn't depend on "reviews" printed in the same publication,.

I depend on reviews here or from friends that actually have and use them, whatever it may be.

Then I will make my mind up.

Fact is, I have a lot of gear that I like, so it would have to be the "BEST ONE IN THE WORLD" before I get swayed, then I would start wheeling a dealing.........etc.

**Sarge47** · 05-25-2010, 09:19 PM

Fair question, well thought out; ergo do we trust reviewers to make our decisions for us? NO!!! The 1st thing is that they are not you & in all likelihood will not be using the knife for the same thing that you will. They don't live where you do, they don't have the same grip you do, the same needs, and so on. Here's an example using the "knife model" that you started with.

I really like the Kukri, especially one made by Cold Steel. It's affordable, very well made with top grade steel, & will get the job done. Reviewers have given it top marks all the way around, but I probably won't buy one. Why? Because the odds are I'll never be in the jungle, & that's where this type of blade is best in.

Same with Ontario knives. I really like the RAT-7, but bought Ka-Bar's Bull Dozier for less money. I really like Ontario's R-TAC 2, but bought Ka-Bar's Becker 9" Combat Bowie instead for less money. All the Ontario/RAT products get well-deserved top marks in reviews, but I also have a budget to consider, & Ka-Bar also makes great knives but for less cost!

The problem with reviewers is that they leave YOU out of their conclusions!

**Alaskan Survivalist** · 05-25-2010, 11:02 PM

I don't put much stock in magazine revues. I bought a 72 Chevy Vega after it was Road and Tracks car of the year two tears running!

**crashdive123** · 05-26-2010, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by Alaskan Survivalist

I don't put much stock in magazine revues. I bought a 72 Chevy Vega after it was Road and Tracks car of the year two tears running!

I had a 72 Vega. I think I owned all of the cars that you weren't supposed to get - nver had any problems with any of them. Maybe I'm lucky. Vega, Pinto, Fiat...........

**Rick** · 05-26-2010, 07:01 AM

Reviews are just another tool for me. I read them. I read customer ratings and talk to folks that I know have what I'm looking for if I can. If you do your homework then you're pretty much guaranteed you'll still buy the wrong thing. The truth is you'll make some good purchases and some bad ones in your life time. Learn what you can about an item and then accept whatever happens. If you can sell a bad buy then sell it. Otherwise, consider it the cost of an education.

**NoSweat88** · 05-26-2010, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Ask as many questions as you can - even to the point of being annoying.

Now THIS is something I can do! Sure you don't want to take it back??? For the sanity of the forum members????

**trax** · 05-26-2010, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Alaskan Survivalist

I don't put much stock in magazine revues. I bought a 72 Chevy Vega after it was Road and Tracks car of the year two tears running!

review run longer than the Vega AS?

**crashdive123** · 05-26-2010, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by NoSweat88

Now THIS is something I can do! Sure you don't want to take it back??? For the sanity of the forum members????

The reason I say that is - what works for me may not work for you. There may be some quirk, or feature that would be a deal breaker for you, that doesn't bother me. If I tell you I love it, you may think it stinks when you get it because of that one thing.