In the age "BI-before internet" I would go to local brick and mortar store and spend hours fondling all the knives they had in display case, so purchase decision was based 50/50 feel & looks. All of theses stores are gone now in the area I live in today.
Today I live in age of "AI-after internet", so all my buying decisions are primary based on how it looks in print or on PC screen, form and function, does the handle look ergonomically comfortable in any grip, is the blade shape and grind look like it would be great performer, etc?
I try to visualize how given model would fit into my hand, if it doesn't then I skip that particular model. ex: Spyderco knives have ergonomic BUT too long handle for my hand size which means awkward grip changes under stress, no spydie for me!
I can't hold them in my hand to see if I like it. One of the reasons I don't like Chris Reeves knives is because handle shape doesn't look very ergonomic and comfortable for me, even though I love his blade shape/grind!
It must look functional, which usually means it's clean simple visually attractive design! It doesn't need any bells and whistles to look cool but be fugly and useless non-functional at all!
On paper it may sound great ex: premium materials, f & F, cs, manufacturer etc, but if it looks non functional than I'll NOT buy it!