Are production knives holding you back?

Everyone's different. I seem to have hit a sweet spot for buying knives the last few years. I bought mostly Spyderco and Busse, plus the odd thing here and there. I notice prices are going up, and I've been passing on a lot of great knives this past year. Bang for the buck is one consideration, but already having all the knives you need is another.

Rather than get into more expensive custom knives, I'm inclined to get into something else entirely.
 
I started getting interested in customs but the reality is I cannot afford them. The only true custom I have is my favorite Three Sisters Forge Beast which has more of production price tag than a custom. So I am trying to get back into production knives that I can afford. The only way I'll get any customs is if I trade multiples for one which 99 out of 100 ppl wouldn't want to do.

Also the advantage for me over productions is that I know id have a hard time using a custom and not keeping it a safe queen. I want to use my knives the way they were intended. Many customs to me are just too beautiful to use.
 
I am into high end blade materials. Many custom makers and mid tech production companies do not offer them. Some "low" tech companies do. Kershaw offered an S-110-V Shallot for <$100. Spyderco offers a ZDP-189 Endura for <$100. Boye offers a Stellite folder for <$150. I shop all over the place because of my strange attraction to high performance blades.
 
While I have empathy for those who stick to production knives for both EDC and collecting, I'm on both sides of the fence. My Vic Spartan has only left my pocket because of enforced 'knife free zones' or other unavoidable circumstances, and I almost always have a custom or semi-custom handmade blade with me also. I understand and appreciate the amazing quality and performance of some of the better production knives out there, but there is something tangibly special about using a hand-built item, perhaps merely a psychosomatic 'connection' to the builder, or an egoistic delusion, but the sensation is gratifying in even the most dull of times. Once the fear of damage is overcome ('they're mine damnit; life's short!') the scratches and patina become memories-sometimes as vivid as all the 'remember when' scars on one's own body. A little nutty I'm sure, but that's part of my enthusiasm. When I was trimming off the 'runners' on my tomato plants with my stupid sharp Ray Cover slipjoint, the event seemed to me as less of a routine chore-like activity and more of a pleasant, life-affirming rite. If life gives you lemons, sure make lemonade; but use a damn cool blade to cut 'em up.
 
shunsui said:
Rather than get into more expensive custom knives, I'm inclined to get into something else entirely.
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I keep intending to find another attraction...watches, technology, etc, but there's always the next/last knife...
 
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I just can't justify spending more than $130 on a knife. The ZTs are a good example of overpriced knives that don't do anything a Benchmade won't at over twice the cost.
 
simple6 said:
I just can't justify spending more than $130 on a knife. The ZTs are a good example of overpriced knives that don't do anything a Benchmade won't at over twice the cost.
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When you are looking at higher end midtechs and customs, the higher price isn't paying for more function. It's paying for better materials and machining tolerances. In the custom world, it's also going toward the makers labor and skill that go into making the knife.
 
simple6 said:
I just can't justify spending more than $130 on a knife. The ZTs are a good example of overpriced knives that don't do anything a Benchmade won't at over twice the cost.
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And as far as comparing ZT price and Benchmade...I just ordered a ZT 0566cf for $168. The BM 940-1 sells for $264. Not necessarily apples to apples, but a $100 difference doesn't justify the difference in materials.
 
Being a somewhat new collector, I think it's more price than anything that is setting me back. Lots of production knives are pretty similar and I'm not one to collect too many pieces I feel are redundant in use or form.

To me, the appeal of custom knives lies in the uniqueness of design and materials. If I'm spending big bucks on a custom, I want it to be nothing like something I can't get elsewhere. I want something like a Graham Razel, Grismo Norseman, Stan Wilson Non-Flipper Flipper or Frank Fisher Battle. Way off the beaten path designs and/or materials. Just one man's opinion here, but why spend the money to get an XM-18 or F3 when you can get a ZT 0560? Are they really 2-3x the knife? Maybe they are as I'm speaking from a somewhat uninformed position here, but the production market appears to be offering a product that's 80%+ of the form and function for 40% of the price. On the other hand, I don't see many large manufacturers producing the intricate designs of the handful I've got listed above there. I can see ponying up the cash for something unique like that.

Just my $0.02
 
Generally, I think production folder designs are better than custom designs. I'll take a Benchmade 940 over a CRK Sebenza any day. Or a Paramilitary 2 over a Strider. I just don't get very excited when I see most custom knives. Will I eventually buy a custom knife? Probably, because of quality and collectibility.
 
I am looking forward to a ZT 0392, and I want to replace my Spyderco Domino, but besides that I can't think of any production knives that catch my eye. Maybe a CRK Ti-Lock. Once I figured out what I really like in knives, I realized that there were very few knives that I 100% wanted. I sold/traded off a lot of my collection and the only knife I miss is my Domino.

The only thing that ever held me back was not knowing what I wanted in a knife.
 
The Logical One said:
A $2000 custom doesn't cut any better than a $200 production knife, but after you start owning/handling customs it's hard to go back to production. It's kinda like driving BMW's and Mercedes and then suddenly switching over to driving a Honda Civic.
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I'm the opposite. I've owned customs and now I find myself using not only production knives but inexpensive ones at that. A SAK is my go to knife. I've tried carrying other knives but the SAK always finds it's way back into my pocket. Except for edge holding it has been superior as an edc in every reguard. YMMV
 
Since I dropped more sunglasses and Gerber MK II's into the boonies on several continents than any other G I, I decided not to carry a high end knife in the field. I still teach firearms use on several Military posts and for the County Parks and Recreation Dept. so I'm on a range 2-3 days a week not counting my own practice. The Gerber MK II is still the perfect 19D, 11B, 0311 knife as it is strong and light. It's only true competitor is the K Bar which has resulted in many fights between those three MOS's (It's possible that i may have instigated one or two when i wans't as sensitive and caring as I am now. The same with a folding knife which I advise to carry nowadays. The great majority of Combat types who have to hump their stuff is going to be as light as it can be. The PX sold lots of Air Harsey's and they did the job. Nowadays my son and nephews are coming back having carried whatI bought them which was usually a Gerber or Leatherman tool and a Gerber or SOG knife that could be replaced easy. Now I find that a pretty good number of folks are buying the Griptillian ($75 bucks at the PX.) All of these knives do the job. My cop buddies are pretty much in the same boat as rookies but a bunch like the HEST, the entire group of my assistant instructors (all Detectives) are carrying Benchmades of several types. So as bucks become a bit higher these folks respond with better production stuff. (Nowadays among us cooks, truck drivers, and yard keepers the word stuff covers everything)
Now do i and others who are in better financial positions give ourselves gifts, of course. My prize is a Randal #1. It is in a gun safe. I would very much like to get a custom made for me by any number of folks here, some really beautiful works of art. I doubt they will replace my HEST, Southard, or Ontario RAT 1 in the field.
 
Custom makers are the reason I don't own a custom. I have contacted maybe 6 or so over the past couple of years with no positive response. I decided it's not worth the bother.
 
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