Are $400 knives worth it?

[Ankerson]

Actually, your definition of art is completely wrong, if you're going by the literal definition of the word "art."

Art is defined as the expression or application of human creative skill or imagination. I'm pretty sure knives are the application of human creative skill, so therefore they are art.

What is Art is an opinion and that is an individual thing.

 

[stabman]

They totally are.
And they totally aren't.

"The opposite of a Great Truth is also true."

Whoa, who knew that knife discussion could morph into philosophy?

 

[Ankerson]

They totally are.
And they totally aren't.

"The opposite of a Great Truth is also true."

Whoa, who knew that knife discussion could morph into philosophy?

Yeah, then they bring art into it. LOL

I have seen some so called art that I would hang on a hook in an outhouse. ROFL

 

[tueller]

I disagree with you 100%. One should look to buy a $400 knife, not a $400 paperweight.

By definition, something is only considered art when it serves no other function than to be itself. A knife can be artistic, but not art.

Yes, we do disagree. That is good; opinions that don't vary are not opinions at all.

However, I believe your definition of art to be very flawed. By your standards there is no art at all because everything has multiple functions. For example, the most commonly considered form of art is a sketch or painting. Other functions... sure how about scrap paper, kindling, hell I could fold it and make an envelope.

Art can serve other functions and that is why I consider my custom knives to be art even though they can cut, I consider my custom motorcycle to be art even though it can get me from A to B, I consider martial arts to be art even though it can be used as a self defense, I consider my daughter's drawing of our family to be art even though we used it as a greating card, etc. The list could go on for ever.

But if you prefer to use your expensive knives and not let them sit, all the power to you and I hope they serve you well. I find my $100ish knives fulfill my needs just fine and prefer to enjoy my more valuable customs as art.

 

[stabman]

Yeah, then they bring art into it. LOL

I have seen some so called art that I would hang on a hook in an outhouse. ROFL

I saw some art at some prestigious gallerries that looked nothing like art.
There was a room full of different sized rocks...a bunch of us moved them around into different locations. I guess we're all famous artists now.
There was also a "portrait" made of carpet (I kid you not!), flappy bits of carpet.
I'm not going to say what it looked like.

My personal favourite though is Black on Black. It's a large canvas, painted black...for 1.5 MILLION dollars!!!

Suddenly, $400 knives look like a great deal.

 

[The Logical One]

This is truly a subjective matter, and can vary from person to person. Two years ago I would have told you it's insane to spend more than $200 on a knife, but now I'm buying knives that are $500. And whether I will carry and use that knife is dependent on the rarity and not the value.

I have a spyderco that was discontinued 10 years ago, serial numbered, in mint condition that only has a 2ndary market value of around $300. For the fact that I would not be able to find another one like the one I have, I will NOT carry/use it. However I have a $430 small sebenza coming in the mail that I am planning to use the SH*T out of. It has a higher monetary value but if I somehow break it or lose it, I know I am able to go buy another one.

One other thing to consider is that a lot of the guys who are anti-expensive knife also happen to be the knife hoarders. Their logic is that for the price of one good knife they can buy a dozen "so-so" knives. To each their own, but if I had to choose I would rather have one really nice knife instead of a bunch of crappy ones.

 

[OrangeDrink]

As someone who grew up in a working class home, spending $400 on anything gives me heartburn. I can't help thinking about how many hours of overtime my dad would have to work to pay for something that's basically a toy.

 

[Ankerson]

I saw some art at some prestigious gallerries that looked nothing like art.
There was a room full of different sized rocks...a bunch of us moved them around into different locations. I guess we're all famous artists now.
There was also a "portrait" made of carpet (I kid you not!), flappy bits of carpet.
I'm not going to say what it looked like.

My personal favourite though is Black on Black. It's a large canvas, painted black...for 1.5 MILLION dollars!!!

Suddenly, $400 knives look like a great deal.

Yeah that was the idea I was getting at.

What is art to one person could be TP to another.

I have laughed at people before when they talked about some piece of artwork, you know how they can go on and on......

I was laughing the whole time.... Really? Seriously? ROFL

 

[Reeek]

Isn't art primarily for looking at and admiring? Artsy knives may be relegated to display cases by default

 

[bdmicarta]

If you have to ask the question, then maybe it is not worth it to you.

If you have the money to spend and you are wondering about it, then only you can answer the question. There isn't much you can do with a $400 knife that you can't do as good or almost as good with a $100 knife, or maybe even a $50 knife. You might find a $50-100 knife with the same size, look and feel of the $400 knife and carry it, but you will know it isn't the $400 knife that you wanted and you might never fully appreciate it or be happy with it. You could buy the $400 knife and really appreciate it for a long time. But OTOH you might buy the $400 knife and always regret spending the money, and you might never use the knife for fear of losing or damaging it. You might not really know the answer until you actually spend the money on it.

I am friends with a lot of watch collectors and they face the same issues. You can buy a pretty nice Seiko for $150 that will do 99.9% of what the $6k Rolex will do, but every time you look at it you will know that it is not the Rolex that you wanted. Basically you have to take your own guess and risk your own money.

If you buy knives because you like the look of them, you might be better off spending your money on 2 or 3 less expensive knives. Again back to the watch collectors- most are the same way and buy the watches that have the look that interests them. They might spend all of their money on a very expensive watch but it will not satisfy their longing for other watches that they see that they want. It might seem funny that a person would buy a $6k watch and then lust after a $200 watch that they see. People on this forum would probably think it odd that someone would buy a $400 knife and then lust after a $50-100 knife, but that's just the way we are.

 

[Aidansdaddy17]

It is good to hear that!

I can easily have 30-50 hours into a $400 knife not including my communication time. Add on $80 worth of belts, $100 in supplies and 10k of equipment and it is actually a bargain for the buyer.

We can all agree on this. So true. I was there with the $50-100 SOG's and others. Which are actually not great in fit and finish. Spyderco does the $100 dollar range well. ZT just proved you can have an amazing frame-lock from $200-$260. For the custom or semi custom $300-$500 for great quality and communication with the maker is really great. As long as you are able to still have that when you get the final product with any QC issues within reason.

 

[ec9]

The SJ is a nice blade for EDC. I enjoy how it fits in the pocket as well as the ergos when using it.

 

[newknife]

There isn't much you can do with a $400 knife that you can't do as good or almost as good with a $100 knife, or maybe even a $50 knife.

Exactly. Someone may like the feel and materials of a $400 knife but I guarantee you that you can find a knife for less the $100 EASILY that will do all that a $400 knife can do. If someone is buying a knife purely with common sense; just looking at the ability of a knife and the cost, then a $400 is not worth it. You could spend less that $100 and get what you are looking for. However, if you like knives, special workmanship, rarity etc then maybe $400 is justifiable to you. It all depends on how you look at it.

 

[stabman]

I guarantee you that you can find a knife for less the $100 EASILY that will do all that a $400 knife can do.

No.
Up to $150-$200 you do get more for your money if you shop smart: better edge retention/toughness/ergonomics, whatever traits you're searching for.
Once you go above $200, you're solidly into the realm of diminishing returns.
But you won't get a knife for under $100 that outperforms the higher priced ones which are actually worth the increased price.

I have knives ranging from $20 to around $600, so I've been able to find out what you get at various price points.
Nothing wrong with a $50 knife, but unless you're getting gyped, there's a reason it costs less.

 

[newknife]

No.
Up to $150-$200 you do get more for your money if you shop smart: better edge retention/toughness/ergonomics, whatever traits you're searching for.
Once you go above $200, you're solidly into the realm of diminishing returns.
But you won't get a knife for under $100 that outperforms the higher priced ones which are actually worth the increased price.

I have knives ranging from $20 to around $600, so I've been able to find out what you get at various price points.
Nothing wrong with a $50 knife, but unless you're getting gyped, there's a reason it costs less.

I disagree. I'm not particularly a cold steel fan, but tell something and American lawman can't do that a Sebenza can do? Sure the Sebenza will have better edge retention but won't be as easy to sharpen. However, as far as the abilit to perform a cutting task or even a prying task, how is the $500 Sebenza better at the task? An American Lawman is about $60, the Sebenza is about $500. Is there really $440 more "knife ability" in the Sebenza? I would say there is none.

 

[CrimsonTideShooter]

What is Art is an opinion and that is an individual thing.

Just about everything is subjective even if clearly defined. It's what makes the world go round.

I was just debunking his definition of art, since what he outlined isn't even close to any definition of art I can find.

 

[CascadeSam]

I generally only use my knives to open packages and other light tasks

I can of course only reply from own subjective opinion based on my own values and needs, and my answer is no. I would not spend $400 for such taks. I might spend up to $200 on one of the fine hand made knives made by one of the craftsmen on Blade Forum, and then donate $200 to the Boy Scouts of America.

 

[22-rimfire]

OrangeDrink said...As someone who grew up in a working class home, spending $400 on anything gives me heartburn. I can't help thinking about how many hours of overtime my dad would have to work to pay for something that's basically a toy.

I remember my brother in law bringing Randalls and some other custom knives (including a Moran) along when he visited my family's home prior to getting married to my sister. At the time, a Case folder was pretty expensive to me and he was showing these beautiful knives that cost $100's each and treating them like they were ho hum. This laid the groundwork for a common attitude my family had about him being used to things that working people could never afford. So, I can easily appreciate the above statement.

I like knives and my brother in law definitely affected my perception of knives. It was not long before I owned several Randall's and I thought them outrageously expensive at the time and so expensive that I would never carry one out in the woods and use it for its intended purpose. I just wanted them.

Now in this thread, the $400 knife question comes up. As been said, if you have to really think about it, you probably aren't ready for a $400 knife because it is unlikely you will use it. What if you chipped the blade the first time you used it? How will you feel? It can happen.

 

[stabman]

I disagree. I'm not particularly a cold steel fan, but tell something and American lawman can't do that a Sebenza can do? Sure the Sebenza will have better edge retention but won't be as easy to sharpen. However, as far as the abilit to perform a cutting task or even a prying task, how is the $500 Sebenza better at the task? An American Lawman is about $60, the Sebenza is about $500. Is there really $440 more "knife ability" in the Sebenza? I would say there is none.

It ain't all about the Sebenza ya know.

Spyderco Gayle Bradley will outperform the hell out the American Lawman in every task you can think of.
It costs somewhere around the $150 mark.

People seem to fixate on the Sebenza when discussing expensive knives and forget about all the others.
Like the S90V Spyderco Military for instance.

To reiterate, the Sebenza is not the only---or even the best---expensive knife out there. The sooner people realize that, the less silly these threads will be.

 

[22-rimfire]

Spyderco Gayle Bradley will outperform the hell out the American Lawman in every task you can think of.
It costs somewhere around the $150 mark.

How so?

But the fact remains that you don't have to spend $400 to have a high quality knife.