Age Old Question: A lot of Cheapies or a Few Expensives Ones?

Like others have said, go with value and quality over price.
I really like the cheap imported knives, especially Kershaw. They're always top notch quality for 20-50 bucks.
You could go with a mix of blades, a few cheap then a pricey then a few more cheap then another pricey. That is pretty much what I do. I found a balance that keeps the primitive part of my brain obsessed with sharp, shiny, and or pointy things happy.

I tell myself this knife is next, I'll save for it. A few days later I get the itch for a new one and I fall in to the urge and buy a cheaper one for a temporary fix. I don't think there is such a thing as a permanent knife fix.
That is the problem though, my online wishlists grow faster than my bank account. It's a never ending downhill spiral I don't think I will ever get out of. Years ago before I was real into knives I had mental list of what I wanted, now from youtube and online window shopping and most recently this site I have so many that when I go through it here and there I am like "wait? I wanted that knife? when and why?...*clicks purchase*...thats interesting." Luckily there are more important things I must attend to that help me not spend money on knives right now. God forbid when I have spare cash though.
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
For me expensive starts around $100, and my current upper limit is $300 provided everything important has been done already. The most expensive knife I ever owned was a $600 custom. I got out of customs after I lost one.
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That's pretty close to what I spend. I notice you sell bundles of budget knives fairly often. If you like to handle knives and move along to new ones pretty regularly, then the expense is the difference between what you spend and what you resell them for. As long as the dollar difference is the same for cheaper and more expensive, then the cost is the same. If you pay $25 for a knife and move it along for $15, then it's the same as spending $200 for one and then getting $190 later. The trick is to buy knives that allow you to do that. For something to keep for years on end, the price amortizes either way. I don't believe the talk of paying several hundred as the only route for a long-lasting knife. I still have a $16 SAK that I got 20 years ago, and Victorinox replaced the scales for free. Longevity and warranties also come at many price levels. I go through folders really often, I think there is only one other in my current collection that I have had for at least 5 years.
 
My buying range generally runs from $70.00-$150.00. I have SAKS, Condors, Bucks, Beckers, Esee's, Ka-Bars, Spydercos etc. My main parameters are wood processing and outdoor use. I feel no shame in buying a $13.00 Mora stainless Companion, actually I think that it is one knifedoms great bargans. To be honest, I think that the most satisfying return for money that I have ever spent on cutting tools was for a Wetterlings hatchet and a G.B. small forest axe.
 
This is a great question, and a simple answer. Essentially, to each his own. What is the price of value to you? I buy knives as users but not abusers (unless there are no alternatives). I would rather dig a hole with a cheapy but have been known to do otherwise.

My father-in-law on the other hand is more likely to break the tip on a knife prying something he shouldnt be, if he doesnt lose it first. Again, to each his own.
 
The 561 is too heavy, IMO. I've had a 550 and a 551 and sold 'em. Too heavy for me. I've had two Southards; sold one just because. The other one is very nice, a great blade-steel and a keeper...and very light and easy on my pocket with a nice thick long blade.
 
Sonnydaze said:
The 561 is too heavy, IMO. I've had a 550 and a 551 and sold 'em. Too heavy for me. I've had two Southards; sold one just because. The other one is very nice, a great blade-steel and a keeper...and very light and easy on my pocket with a nice thick long blade.
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I've handled both the 561 an Southard several times (living 10 minutes from GP Knives has its advantages.):) I could live with either or both. In fact, I am leaning towards laying off the budget pieces and simply getting both a Southard and a 561 because all of those cheapies add up to the same amount of money anyway.
 
One last cool knife to mention: that ZT 566 is about the size of a Kershaw Knockout and looks like a miniaturized cross between the 561 and 550 with assisted opening. I'm guessing it is just a bit smaller than a Southard. I am overwhelmed with all of the good choices this year!
 
It's never been a question in my mind. I don't like cheap. Cheap usually breaks.
Buy what you enjoy. You will enjoy it if the knife works for you when you need it. Most of the time, you get what you pay for.
 
I agree that you should buy what you like. But chances are there are several more expensive knives in different nice steels and materials that you're interested in.
So why not put back the money you would spend on the cheaper knives that lose your interest or just aren't scratching your knife itch, and get a few really nice more expensive knives you know you'll love and enjoy?

I go for the more expensive ones because I simply like them, I enjoy the steels, materials, craftsmanship, etc. I feel like I get more for my money when I spend $100+ on a knife rather than buy 5 $20 knives. I'd enjoy the more expensive knife much more than I would the several cheaper knives even though they're nice as well. The simple reason being, the craftsmanship, materials, steels, fit and finish, what you get for the money, etc.

A $20 knife is usually simply just that.. a $20 knife.
When a more expensive knife often feels more expensive, could be more expensive, is built at least and a little better, and holds its value much better. I find this true for Spyderco's, ZT's, Higher end Kershaw's, Emerson's, Chris Reeve knives, Striders, etc.
 
Honestly, I've observed severe diminishing returns according to the following generalizations:

(1) Knives priced beyond $150 rarely outperform knives priced around or slightly under $150. There are enough high-end steel, handle, construction, lock, and customer service options provided by excellent production manufacturers below the $150 mark to render knives priced beyond $150 fairly obsolete in terms of value;

(2) Knives priced under $50 are of an inferior quality in terms of steel, handle, construction, lock and customer service. I would prefer 2 $150 dollar knives, or 1 $300 knife, to several knives priced at $50 or less.

So, in sum, the best bang for the buck lies around knives priced at $125-$150ish, especially when purchased off the exchange or at secondary market value. It's especially hard to beat the offerings of Benchmade and Spyderco at the $125-$150 price range.
 
Daniel Dorn said:
Been here a while, as well. Haven't spent less than $100 on a knife, for quite a while. I did buy a tiny Higonokami last week just because it's cool.

I've found that the "cheap" knives don't really do much for me for the most part, but I do have to say that A. G. Russell's Chinese-made knives don't fall into that category yet. Some of them aren't that cheap, either, but they exude the quality of a much more expensive knife.

Go ahead and get the Southard (that would be my choice) and if you don't like it, send it to me.:D
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Glad you posted this.
I've been curious about A.G.'s Chinese made knives but didn't want to get a thread locked because of hate mongers.
 
Oakengroves said:
Honestly, I've observed severe diminishing returns according to the following generalizations:

(1) Knives priced beyond $150 rarely outperform knives priced around or slightly under $150. There are enough high-end steel, handle, construction, lock, and customer service options provided by excellent production manufacturers below the $150 mark to render knives priced beyond $150 fairly obsolete in terms of value;

(2) Knives priced under $50 are of an inferior quality in terms of steel, handle, construction, lock and customer service. I would prefer 2 $150 dollar knives, or 1 $300 knife, to several knives priced at $50 or less.

So, in sum, the best bang for the buck lies around knives priced at $125-$150ish, especially when purchased off the exchange or at secondary market value. It's especially hard to beat the offerings of Benchmade and Spyderco at the $125-$150 price range.
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I agree with you, but I would raise it up to $275. At $275, you can get a factory knife all of the cool features, fit, and finish of a $400-$700 custom.
 
'cheap' doesn't always mean crap. Take the Mora knives for example or the opinel knives, both really cheap yet amazing value and quality. I've owned some more expensive knives in the past, one particular custom 'bushcraft' knife costing £225 ($335) and I swapped in within a week! Yet I kept my £15 ($24) and still use it years on and trust it to last for as long as I need it to. I still have some more expensive knives, but nothing costing or worth more than £60 because I sold all the ones that were!

I have absolutely no inetrest in owning something like a sebenza or woodlore knife, because to me I can get a decent working knife for a fraction of the price that I won't mind using. So for me, cheap (but decent) knives all day everyday! screw the fancy stuff ;)
 
Samon said:
'cheap' doesn't always mean crap. Take the Mora knives for example or the opinel knives, both really cheap yet amazing value and quality. I've owned some more expensive knives in the past, one particular custom 'bushcraft' knife costing £225 ($335) and I swapped in within a week! Yet I kept my £15 ($24) and still use it years on and trust it to last for as long as I need it to. I still have some more expensive knives, but nothing costing or worth more than £60 because I sold all the ones that were!

I have absolutely no inetrest in owning something like a sebenza or woodlore knife, because to me I can get a decent working knife for a fraction of the price that I won't mind using. So for me, cheap (but decent) knives all day everyday! screw the fancy stuff ;)
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You are right. You can buy an excellent working knife that will last for years without spending much money. If you only want a tool, there is no need to spen big dollars, however, I really like knives, and the cool factor is worth money to me. That said, some inexpensive knives are very cool!
 
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