$400 for a stinkin' folder. Are you nuts?

[Hair]

Sorry to keep giving retorts when unasked... but...

Knives are *FAR* more useful in most daily lives than firearms. I am not saying it is stupid to spend money on guns. Like always: BUY WHAT YOU WANT (be it a gun or a poodle). But I don't understand why people say expensive knives are not good buys just because you could buy a gun for the same price.

An expensive knife is so much more useful than *ANY* gun that I actually think it should be the other way around. Why buy a gun when you could buy a great knife for the same price?

Obviously, I am not into guns. For people that are, buying a gun makes sense (duh). But I have to use knives all of the time and I have never needed or wanted a gun. So for me... why buy a useless gun when I can buy a knife (or several) for the same price? Yes, some expensive knives are in gun-price territory, but even if they cost 50 times more, they'd still be a much better buy for me.

So if you are into guns, get a gun. But don't imply that guns should be worth more than knives or that knives that cost as much as guns shouldn't be bought. For me, knives are worth far more than guns. I'd rather buy a creappy knife for 10 grand than a gun for a dollar. When comparing something useful to something useless, price doesn't matter.

Again, I am not putting down guns. Some people like them and some people need them. But I don't. So the knife-costing-as-much-as-a-gun-thing is, to me, just silly.

By the way beef, this isn't really aimed at you. It is just a general rant as I have seen the "knives should be cheaper than guns" thing many times on this forum and I just plain disagree with it. I think knives are *worth* way more than guns. Of course it is reasonable that guns cost more in general since they take more time and money to make.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I think if you like a knife and you are willing to pay the price for it then it is worth it to you.

I'm sure at some point I'd like to buy a knife for $400 if I could.

Right now however I'm still a "newbie" if you will. I've been collecting/using/loving knives for about 1 year now. In a few years I think I'll be a bit more mature with my knife habits.

Similarly, I still love the simplistic essence of the $25 Swiss Army Knife that you can use every day for 20 years +.

 

[Hair]

Joe, I have been into knives for less than a year. But I don't really have any other hobbies right now. All of my "extra" money goes into knives. Without any other hobbies or interests to draw my money, buying an expensive knife makes more sense. I am really obsessive. When I was really into guitar I would practice 5 to 10 hours a day every day and did so for about 10 years. I got very good. Now I am into knives, and my collection has grown very fast. I obsess on one thing. I will not skip buying an expensive knife one week so I can get an Xbox 360.

There is no shame in just not wanting to buy an expensive knifes because you want that money for other hobbies. My point is to buy what makes you happy. If that is a combination of less expensive knives and other hobbies, cool. If you prefer a lot of less expensive knives versus a smaller amount of more expensive ones, that's cool too.

I will tell you, though, that once you get a Sebenza, Titan, SMF, Firetac, etc... you will have the sickness. They give a knife rush that even great knives like a Military, 710, and Spec Bump cannot give. I still buy knives like that- my next knife is going to be a Spec Bump. But I really enjoy buying high-end knives now and *IN GENERAL* I would rather spend 400-800 bucks on a very special knife rather than several less expensive ones. There are, of course, exceptions since some less expensives knives like the Spec Bump appeal to me very much- about as much as some more expensive knives.

Also, I still enjoy my inexpensive knives. I like simplicity and find simple elegance in many inexpensive knives, and expensive knives. I love my SAKs, my Opinel, my 110, my Buck Mayo Cutback etc... but I also love my Buck TNT, Sebenza, SMF, and my Titan. They are all simple and fantastic... some just cost more than others.

 

[Walking Man]

I used to be of the mentality that a $400 isn't worth it.
I still think there are some really nice production knives that can be had for $100 that will do everything a $400, $600 or $2000 can do.
EXCEPT please you. I know it sound stupid, but I enjoy something just for a becoming member of the exclusive club.
There's also fit, finish, looks, and ergonomics.
Yeah, it's worth it.

 

[allenC]

some $400 folders actually perform better than $40 folders. And even if they don't, you can still use them to cut, slice, chop and pry, or even stick one in some a-hole's neck if you have to.

Yeah, right....

IMHO...."I paid $400.oo dollars for a knife" = "I'm a total idiot, and a loser".

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

Yeah, right....

IMHO...."I paid $400.oo dollars for a knife" = "I'm a total idiot, and a loser".

LOL!

 

[beefangusbeef]

Knives are *FAR* more useful in most daily lives than firearms

It depends on who you are and where you live. Besides a firearm can be carried daily and not fired and it is the peace of mind/possible defense that it brings with it that is it's main use. There are many people who carry firearms daily and are integral parts of their jobs/lives. I do have a few firearms that cost less than some of my my knives, I was not making a statement about which is better to spend money on. You could go on and on about collecting this, or that, or stamps, or coins, but go for what makes you happy I thought that was the point of the thread?

 

[ranger88]

No knife in the world is worth 4 bills. It better be able to walk and talk and make sweet love to me if I ever spend that much for it. Just get a good buck folder. No thumb studs, or weird shaped blades, just a knife that cuts. there is also old timer, case, and lots of other under $100 brands that have one thing the high end newcomers don't. A good track record.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

I notice that most people who see nothing wrong with Paying $400 or more for a knife also see nothing wrong with buying cheaper knives (in fact most do buy cheaper knives as well) They find no fault in those people who don't want to spend that amount. Why is it that other people feel threatened by "expensive" cutlery and feel compelled to lash out with idiotic statements and negativity? Why be so uptight and narrow-minded? Different strokes for different folks. Buy what you like, let others buy what they like.

 

[barrabas74]

I will tell you, though, that once you get a Sebenza, Titan, SMF, Firetac, etc... you will have the sickness. They give a knife rush that even great knives like a Military, 710, and Spec Bump cannot give. I still buy knives like that- my next knife is going to be a Spec Bump. But I really enjoy buying high-end knives now and *IN GENERAL* I would rather spend 400-800 bucks on a very special knife rather than several less expensive ones. There are, of course, exceptions since some less expensives knives like the Spec Bump appeal to me very much- about as much as some more expensive knives..

Hair I completley agree I buy a custom knife and you just get this feeling of I dono, its prolly what a woman feels with a daimond. The rush doesnt end for me after I buy the knife, usin it, showin it, lookin at it, its my man jewelry. I admit I love kimbers but I will buy 2 customs before I buy 1 kimber cuz I know I can use my knife everday when I might get a pistol out a few times a month.

I agree Rat I dont down on people for buyin what they want even if it is cheap, its what they want. I tell my customers buy what you want exactly how you want it, cuz if it aint you'll regret it. I want quality, comfort and good materials and if I pay 20 bucks or 1000 bucks its my perogative. I too endulge in cheap knives even lile 2 dollar frost's cuz its a knive and I can have it, I'll just throw it in the tackle box. But yes I do wish that people who dont want to spend much on knives would just understand that I do and just leave it at that, I dont understand 5K watches my friend buys, and he doesnt understand knives, but we understand WHY we do it.....its our thing, no on elses, so let me do my thing and i'll let you do yours.

 

[Hair]

IMHO...."I paid $400.oo dollars for a knife" = "I'm a total idiot, and a loser".

Well, IMHO, you are either joking or a fool.

It depends on who you are and where you live. Besides a firearm can be carried daily and not fired and it is the peace of mind/possible defense that it brings with it that is it's main use. There are many people who carry firearms daily and are integral parts of their jobs/lives. I do have a few firearms that cost less than some of my my knives, I was not making a statement about which is better to spend money on. You could go on and on about collecting this, or that, or stamps, or coins, but go for what makes you happy I thought that was the point of the thread?

That is why I said "most daily lives". Of course a gun is more useful to a LEO, soldier, or avid hunter. But in "most daily lives" a knife will be needed far more often. I do not disagree that it is about what makes you happy. That was actually my only point.

No knife in the world is worth 4 bills. It better be able to walk and talk and make sweet love to me if I ever spend that much for it. Just get a good buck folder. No thumb studs, or weird shaped blades, just a knife that cuts. there is also old timer, case, and lots of other under $100 brands that have one thing the high end newcomers don't. A good track record.

You are wrong. Plain and simple. No knife may be worth $400 to you, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth it to other people. My SMF, Sebenza, and Titan are the best money I have ever spent. They have brought me more joy than anything else I have bought, including things costing much more. They offer *ME* the best price/joy ratios in the world. And they aren't worth it? Yeah, if I want to be sad they aren't worth it, but I prefer to be happy. You are wrong about track records. CRK, WH, and Strider have great track records. Much better than Buck, Old Timer, and Case. Those companies may be older, but I buy quality not years of so-so knives.

 

[Hair]

Rat, barrabas74, I agree.

I think some people that cannot afford or do not want to afford "expensive" knives lash out against them to make themself feel better about their choice. They know that their knives are not top-of-the-line (whatever that means), and they fear being seen as inferior. They think their toys aren't good enough in the eyes' of others, so they try to make themself secure by putting down the choices and expenses of others. People have to feel secure in their choice, so they put down other choices. I think this also goes for lovers of traditional knives, cars, guitars etc... who put down anything modern or new. It is fine to like traditional knives and dislike modern ones. It is fine to like cheaper knives and not want to spend more than $70 bucks on a knife. But putting down the items that you do not prefer and the people that prefer them instead is just pathetic.

I am just generalizing and not trying to profile anyone on this forum.

I hope I never come off as an elitist. I buy expensive knives because knives are my only hobby. They are the only thing I spend my "fun" money on, so I don't have to decide between a Native and an Xbox or a Sebenza. I can get a Native and a Sebenza and forget about the Xbox, Glock, Rolex, etc... I have a cheap watch and cheap jeans. So it isn't like I need to have the best of everything.

I also do not have a lot of bills or responsibilities. I am 22 and only have to take care of me. People with a wife and kids, or even just a girlfriend (which I don't have at the moment) have to spend a lot of money before knives that I do not have to worry about. They also have to worry about saving money more than I do as people depend on them.

And lastly, I work 2 and a half jobs. A 50-hour a week job, a 35-hour a week job, and I give guitar lessons (around 5 a week). That's 90 hours a week I work to pay all of my "needs" and have enough left over to buy the knives that make me happy. I may be foolish to like knives so much, but given that I have this sickness, I don't feel like a fool for buying what makes me happy.

I buy a lot of cheap knives, too. Or rather, I have bought a lot of cheap knives. But now I am moving up and finding that cheaper knives do not give me the same thrill. Yes a Buck 110 can do everything I need a knife to do, but you know what? So can a flea market junker. I used flea market junk for years and it never let me down. Being "enough" to do the job doesn't mean it makes me happy. A cheaper knife can do everything an expensive one will do, except give me the same thrill and the same joy (I have officially stolen that line from you Walking Man- it is pure genius). And that is what I am paying for: joy, a trill, a fix for my addiction. I am not buying a knife to cut stuff with. I already have 95 of those. I am buying something to make me happy. Another part of my collection. My "cheap knife" collection is pretty much done, so I am working on more expensive knives.

Like I said above, being addicted to buying knives or having a knife collection may be "silly" to some people. But given that I want to collect knives, does it make more sense for me to buy 1,000 knives that will do the job, or to buy 100 more special knives that make me more happy and make for a more special collection (that I also use to do the job)?

As I expanded my collection of less-expensive knives, I found that the joy was going away. Having 50 Natives didn't get me off (of course I don't have 50 Natives- I mean 50 knives that are great users, cut well, and are inexpensive, though not very special). I had to move up. I didn't buy a Sebenza because CRK S30V is magic and the Native's S30V sucks. I didn't buy a CRK because the FRN of the Native will not hold up to my tough routine of cutting boxes and I need titanium. I bought a Sebenza because it made me happy while buying $385 of Natives would have seemed, well, as silly to me as buying a Sebenza might seem to some of you.

What is funny is that pretty much everyone has had a collection or hobby of some sort in their life, yet people always raise an eyebrow over what other people spend on theirs.

I have a friend that spends a lot on paintballing, but he thinks I am strange for buying an SMF. You can insert any collections of hobbies there. Collecting stamps, baseball cards, or going fishing, playing videogames... people outside of that hobby will never understand.

 

[untamed]

No, not really. Here's why:

1. you work your hiney off all day long, or have done so already for 40 years, and dagnab deserve a nice knife if you want one.

2. you get a pretty good feeling from having a nice knife, gun, multi-tool, flashlight or whatever in your pocket; good feelings aren't so easy to come by these days.

3. some $400 folders actually perform better than $40 folders. And even if they don't, you can still use them to cut, slice, chop and pry, or even stick one in some a-hole's neck if you have to.

4. life is too short not to carry a nice knife; in 5 years or or 39 years, you're going to be worm food and no one will know or care that you dropped 4 bills on a knife way back when.

Moral of the story: if you want a nice knife, save up your $20s in a cookie jar and get yourself a nice dang Sebenza, Strider or whatever.

cheers!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: from a fellow flashaholic and knifenut!

 

[Gringogunsmith]

I can't convince myself to spend $400 on a knife. But I will buy eight $50 knives over the course of several months.

That was one of my Grandpas theories.
When he died nearly everything he had went in the trash or to the flea market.

My dads dad, on the other hand, left some things to my dad, that are now in my hands and my sons hands and will be in the grandkids hands some day.
GOOD stuff.
Quality knives, fishing gear,tools, guns, cast iron cookware, watches.tobacco pipes.etc.

He didn't have near the money that my " cheap" grandpa had, but he spent it very wisely.

They're both gone for many, many, years but dads dad will alwayse be remembered by some of the " heirloon" stuff that will ( hopefully) be in the family for many, many generations along with a story about the items..

It's 613 am according to My Hamilton pocket watch gramps carried as a conductor on the Nickelplate Railway back in the early fifties when I was just born.. ** shiver** see what I mean

 

[mnblade]

For $400, I'd rather buy a $50 knife and put the rest of that dough toward some cool EXPERIENCE where I can use the knife, be it a camping or fishing trip or some travel adventure.

Sitting around knifesturbating with a bunch of high-end folders doesn't interest me one bit. 'Course maybe it's just that even though he's been gone for quite awhile now, I'd still be able to hear my grandfather (an old Florida Cracker who wore down a number of good, solid workingman's folders over the years) laughing at the rube who would spend $400 on a pocketknife.

 

[shaldag]

I have spent more than $400 on a knife (that I carry).

I also regularly spend a lot less--I do my best to keep Mr. Glesser happy, for example, as well as those nice Swiss folks at Victorinox. And I might just like to walk around with one knife from each group in my pocket at the same time.

Why is this ridiculous. Knifesturbationg? Well, maybe. But it's what I want to do with my money.

I'm sure that some folks posting on this thread might laugh at someone buying a
Sebenza rather than a Spyderco fo about the same size. Waste of money, huh? It is, after all, just a knife. A tool. What will a Sebenza do that a Manix won't?

Do you think the same of someone who buys a higher-end car? It is, after all, just a car. Transportation. What will a Ferrari do that a Toyota won't? (legally).

Of course it's ridiculous to think that Chris Reeve has fooled the public into wasting their money on all of those expensive Sebenzas and Mnandis. (and by the way, I do not own one. Yet.) I know a lot of people who carry those knives, and every one of them are satisfied. Maybe they know something that the rest of us don't. Or not---it is a matter of taste.

 

[Nordic Viking]

Of course it's ridiculous to think that Chris Reeve has fooled the public into wasting their money on all of those expensive Sebenzas and Mnandis. (and by the way, I do not own one. Yet.) I know a lot of people who carry those knives, and every one of them are satisfied. Maybe they know something that the rest of us don't. Or not---it is a matter of taste.

$400 for a Superman knife???? , pffft... I can get you a Chinese Superman Knife for $99.

 

[flipe8]

The only reason I haven't spent $400 on a knife so far is that I always end up spending my savings on a $100 knife before I reach the $400 goal. It bugs me when guys knock those who'd spend more than them on a knife and it comes off as nothing more than sour grapes, quite frankly. Reminds me of the guys who knock Harley Davidsons as they ride their Hondas that look and sound just like them. For the most part, who do they think they are kidding? Not me, for one. I also like the "I really use my knives" explanation. Based on what I've read, the overwhelming majority of us use our knives for mundane tasks that could be performed with box-cutters, so why bother with anything more than that? No thanks, I'll use my $100 knife for now and look forward to getting that Sebbie in the not so distant future.

 

[Gringogunsmith]

You are if you don't buy one from Todd Davidson

 

[Gringogunsmith]

For $400, I'd rather buy a $50 knife and put the rest of that dough toward some cool EXPERIENCE where I can use the knife, be it a camping or fishing trip or some travel adventure.

Sitting around knifesturbating with a bunch of high-end folders doesn't interest me one bit. 'Course maybe it's just that even though he's been gone for quite awhile now, I'd still be able to hear my grandfather (an old Florida Cracker who wore down a number of good, solid workingman's folders over the years) laughing at the rube who would spend $400 on a pocketknife.

I concur..BUT
Sitting around" knifesturbating" to a pile of Walmart folders you will never use and will DECREASE in value is even more.. well.. no comment...

One Orvis flyrod rig is a FAR better investment that 10 Kmart fly rod rigs.
A gentleman that has had 15 Craftsman chainsaws instead of one commercial grade $600 Stihl he rebuilt 3- 4 times over the years is a... no comment.. well "potential politician" comes to mind