$65 knife vs. $165 knife - big difference?

I

Ilyusha

Joined
Oct 21, 2005
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So I still haven't ordered the knife I thought I settled on (the Buck/Mayo TNT/172). I have been looking at some other knives that are about $100 less and wondering if, to the casual knife user, there would be a huge difference in quality, cutting ability, etc.? I am looking for the sharpest blade, along with a nice design, which is why I almost ordered the Buck; however, now I'm thinking there may be too small of a discernable difference for me (casual knife user) to spend the extra $100. Thoughts?
 
Howdy! Well, I have the Buck 172, and its a honey of a knife. Great design and a very well executed knife for the money. I'm sure others will tell you that worth is subjective. I think you can get a lot of knife for $65, and if you're into pure performance, I'd go with something like a Spyderco. I like Tom's knives, but can't afford the $5-700 his knives command. So, I have the Buck version. It's a nice knife, but if you're looking for PURE performance, there are cheaper knives that will perform just as well. Hope that wasn't too vague.

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
For about $70 you can get a Spyderco Native with S30V steel blade. It is light and fit my hand like a glove. I love this knife. At least check on out if you can.

Ron
 
Well, the knife I will be getting won't be used very heavily - it will be mainly something to carry around, show friends, cut stuff for fun, etc. I'm sure it will be utilized for "serious" stuff at some point, but for the most part it will be a vanity knife.

I do not want a Spyderco because I already own one. :)
 
There are some really good knives for 65$ obviously the 165$ will better if you do your homework however, it might not be worth it for you. Usually the extra 100$ will show in the long run and will be much less obvious when you first own the knife. As long as you do the research I think a less expensive knife is way to go for a casual user perhaps and Benchmade or with a bit more money a Lonewolf. If I were you I would buy a BM and when I really know what I want and have enough $$$$ I would get a more expensive knife that I know I will like because you will probably become addicted ;)
 
I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Sometimes you get what you pay for, and sometimes you just pay for a name.
I don't shop price so much as I shop features.

I can understand a big price difference between two knives, one with a micarta handle and VG-10 blade-steel, and the other a zytel handle with 420 blade-steel.

But what I cannot accept is a big price difference between two knives, one with G-10 scales and titanium liners and 154CM blade-steel, and the other with G-10 scales and titanium liners and ATS-34 blade-steel.

Allen.
 
The Buck/Mayo is a great knife. Yea, some knives can be $100 less. But, you'll not find a better hollow ground knife, and if you include Ti handle in a frame lock you can not find better for the knife for the money. But what it comes down to is what you like.
 
The Buck/Mayo TNT is very cool, but I actually do think you can do better for the price, even if you do include titanium. That's different than saying it's not worth it, but I don't consider it to be a top value. Take the Skirmish or Mini skirmish, for instance. Framelock, titanium handles and S30V blade, roughly 150 dollars.

More important than value, though, is that you get the knife you *want.* I mean, if you can't afford it, then get the knife you need, but I'm certain the TNT will be capable of meeting your requirements if it's the genre of knife you're looking for.

Pay *very close attention* to quality control...I'm learning quickly that just because you pay 100-200 dollars for a knife is no indication whatsoever that it won't have "cosmetic defects." Ask newgraham.com to thoroughly check a few out and give you the best, though I know not of any defects in this knife.

Will you notice a big difference between that knife and a good 70 dollar one? S30V is a really great steel, I've just started using it myself, but I don't think it's that huge a difference over a good steel like VG10. I think that if you like a Benchmade D2 Griptilian or a Spyderco Centofante (VG10) roughly as much in looks and ergonomics, then no, I don't think the super high end knife will outperform them in any discernable way.

Mostly, you're paying for the titanium handles and S30V steel, which is going to be pricy no matter where you get it.

Hold the knives in real life, choose the one that has the materials you find acceptable (steel or handle material), good ergonomics and looks good to you. That might very well be a beautiful knife like the TNT. Mind you, you don't have to *buy* the knife in real life...just try.
 
Yeah, I actually got mine for 45 (in the mall too! amazing), an M16 11K, and it's a fantastic knife. Great ergonomics, absolutely top notch QC, decent steel (AUS8), and the best flipper/action out there....

definitely try one.
 
It sure is a nice looking knife, and I've never been let down by Buck in the past. I've thought about buying one, but decided against it after handling one. Granted it's a nice knife and the ergos are good, but to me it was too light because of the Ti. I like a little more heft to my knives, so it wasn't for me.

That said, if it's your thing then go for it, you won't be disappointed. Great steel, wonderful blade shape and nice handles (make the blade a wee bit longer and put it in a 110 handle and I'd be a happy boy).

But like others have said, if you want a worker, you can get a less expensive knife that'll do just as well.

But hey, if buying the knife won't harm you financially, and you've got your heart set on it, get it and be happy. Like I said before, it's a good knife (if it were a little heavier, it would be mine) and you won't be let down by Buck should something go wrong.
 
Thanks all.. I don't think the $180 Buck is for me - too much money for an enthusiast to spend on a first purchase.

What do you all think of the CRKT M16-14SF (the Special Forces one)? Seems nice, and I like the way it looks, but some people in past threads have said that it's hard to carry in the pocket due to the guards, and that the line lock gives out easily. Any truth to these claims?
 
I haven't tested the SF specifically, but I have tested my M16/11K in all sorts of different ways that will definitely exceed real world usage and it was fine. It's in a post called "It's hell being a liner lock"

Stirred up quite a fuss.

Everyone still disagrees with me, but hey, the results stand. Other people repeated them also in my review of the knife with similar results.
 
you should go to a shop and try both.
Then you'll decided.
At first, i was like you...
"why should i spend more money for a knife, if almost the same (cheaper) could do the job?"
But at the end, i always ended with my 120 usd BM940 in my pocket, and most of the time my cheap 50-60 usd knifes (BM/Spydie) stay at home....
But you have to be sure of your choice !
(because i have several "over 100 usd knives" that i don't use that much ! :D )
 
I wouldn't compare Buck Mayo TNT and CRKT M16SF. CRKT is a nice knife but this version is not especially practical IMO. Do you need such a big guard and tanto/combo blade?
If you want a great cutter and a great looker, get the Mayo. High hollow grind makes it the best cutter on this side of Sebenza. If you want just good cutting abilities but don't care about the looks, check out the Spyderco Paramili (100$) or Benchmade Griptilian 550 (60$). Both should satisfy your needs.
 
I'd condier looking for a used 172 for $130 or so. I had one, I don't think any knife comes that close to it.
 
Ilyusha said:
Thanks all.. I don't think the $180 Buck is for me - too much money for an enthusiast to spend on a first purchase.

What do you all think of the CRKT M16-14SF (the Special Forces one)? Seems nice, and I like the way it looks, but some people in past threads have said that it's hard to carry in the pocket due to the guards, and that the line lock gives out easily. Any truth to these claims?
Click to expand...

I found one for 145.00 if that helps.....

I wanted to see what it looked like and I found this vendor selling the model 172 for 145.00
 
Ilyusha said:
Thanks all.. I don't think the $180 Buck is for me - too much money for an enthusiast to spend on a first purchase.

What do you all think of the CRKT M16-14SF (the Special Forces one)? Seems nice, and I like the way it looks, but some people in past threads have said that it's hard to carry in the pocket due to the guards, and that the line lock gives out easily. Any truth to these claims?
Click to expand...

I just got the M16 14M ( I think that's the number) , large folder, black tanto blade and olive aluminum scales. The quality is first rate and beyond my expectations, I bought it because of the rave reviews the m16 series gets here. The single "flipper" is very easy to use and with a little practice can be opened quickly. But it's a little too big for me to carry in dress slacks so I carry it on weekends when I wear jeans.
 
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