Bladeforums for snobs? I don't think so.

[Cereal_killer]

... I understand that cheap imported knives are not the bees knees, but to rather spend good money on a blade and not be sure what steel your getting just doesn't make sense to me...

Can you explain what you mean by this, are you just saying we can't be sure what steel is use cause we don't all have GC mass spec's or are you hinting that all companies lie to us? Cause I can assure you, when a reputable company states a specific steel is used that's the steel that's used.

Spyderco was the company that pretty much opened up about 8Cr13MoV, before then just about any blade from china was 440, even if it was claimed to be something else, spyderco discovered this with their lab equipment and forced their china mfg to start using real 8Cr13MoV so when they tell me the blade on my GB is CPM-M4 not only do I have zero reason to doubt them, I would bet good money that it truly is what that claim.

 

[RevDevil]

SBK, its becoming more and more where these kind of antics tend to escalate in threads you're commenting in. It'd behoove you to take a step back and reevaluate how you're commenting to people. Character is everything in a community like this. Many will give you a pass because of your youth, but sooner or later little things like this come back upon your character. Wise up youngin or this high wont last. Just my humble opinion.

I would also say that this is a very accurate and wise suggestion. One of the things I learned when I was 10-12 years old is that if I didn't know much about what was going on with a discussion, I tended to remain quite and listen and try to learn. I would ask questions and try to get clarification on the topics I was trying to listen and learn about. I made it a point to try to not speak out of term or pretend that I knew it all. I carried that lesson into adulthood and I still to this day practice that same strategy. For folks that become a constant source of aggravation, getting riled up/panties wadded over what amounts to nothing creates a drag on the rest of the community. People develop opinion on that person which may be spot on in some cases. Being argumentative just because does not earn friends nor respect here. As always, those that know the least, know it the loudest.

 

[Munzer]

I guess I'll go in another direction.........is there something wrong with being a snob on these forums? I have a genuine lack of trust regarding knives you find at the check out counter at my local army/navy store. Out of my collection of friends and aquaintenaces, I am the only real knife-aholic. I am a knife snob, i won't buy low quality knives (whether they are inexpensive or expensive), but I also wont but a knife like a Sebenza or knives like that. I have too many scars on my hands from low quality knives purchased during my youth, and i have enough experience to know that I am a user of knives, not a knife collector. Sebenza, a no doubt beautiful knife, but not for me; I wouldn't appreciate it for what it is......it has no real value to me. Yup, some brands are blacklisted, but I don't disrespect my firends that choose to carry a lesser quality knife, but I do offer to show them where and what to buy the next time they are in the market for a knife. I consider myself a knife snob, and I will steer my friends towards what I consider a higher quality (not necessarily more expensive) knife. I guess that makes me a snob in some peoples eyes, but I won't be losing any sleep over it.

 

[Yo Mama]

Can you explain what you mean by this, are you just saying we can't be sure what steel is use cause we don't all have GC mass spec's or are you hinting that all companies lie to us? Cause I can assure you, when a reputable company states a specific steel is used that's the steel that's used.

Spyderco was the company that pretty much opened up about 8Cr13MoV, before then just about any blade from china was 440, even if it was claimed to be something else, spyderco discovered this with their lab equipment and forced their china mfg to start using real 8Cr13MoV so when they tell me the blade on my GB is CPM-M4 not only do I have zero reason to doubt them, I would bet good money that it truly is what that claim.

Hey Cereal, I'm not saying we have to confirm all steel from companies that are reputable. I have no concerns there.

I'm developing the dialogue that new or not reputable companies who charge a premium, unable to verify ht or steel, and then somehow becomes superior to a cheap blade that's been around for years.

 

[James Y]

I own two CRKs, MANY Spydercos, some Zts, several Benchmades, a Pro-Tech, and several other name brands. However, I will always carry, use and love Victorinox SAKs, no matter what other knife or knives I may be carrying. They have proven themselves to me, beyond all doubt, that they absolutely work for what they are designed for (and in some ways they weren't designed for). And most of my favorite models can be had for under $30.

Jim

 

[Ken44]

I shy away from that part of the forum whose members wear top hats, pea coats and ride really tall bicycles.

What part would that be ?

IBTM, maybe.

I'm beginning to think it isn't going to be moved, Ted.



I was going to wait until it was moved, but I'll go ahead and post.
OP, I think you just need to ignore post you don't like or agree with. I don't think it will do any good to start a thread about it. Most of us often see stuff here that we may not like or agree with.

I don't care for the knives you mention either, but we can't all like the same thing. Nothing wrong with people buying less expensive knives if thats what they choose, so I do understand your point. I just think you should overlook some things, and especially when its from a very young newer member. Point out that you don't agree with them, but a thread isn't necessary IMO.

 

[Cereal_killer]

Hey Cereal, I'm not saying we have to confirm all steel from companies that are reputable. I have no concerns there.

I'm developing the dialogue that new or not reputable companies who charge a premium, unable to verify ht or steel, and then somehow becomes superior to a cheap blade that's been around for years.

Thanks for your civil reply, than makes sense.
__________________________________________

See what we did there? I disagreed with something the guy said but instead of attacking him I civilly questioned him with a direct quote so there was no confusion, he then civilly replied and all was good, no flaming needed...

 

[phxgadgets]

I started out buying cheap Chinese knives, like Ganzo, Enlan, Sanrenmu, etc... but my taste rapidly evolved and now the knives im buying are $100+, the most recent being A Les George VECP, Strinder SMF, Hinderer XM-18. I don't have anything against people buying cheap Chinese knives... thats what they like who am I to tell them what they like is crap... just look at the forum some people like case, and buck, lockback knives , some like fixed blades most... Every bodies taste is different.

 

[breakdown52]

He's got a valid question. Value is based on preferences. What may be a great knife for one person may be different for another. And vise versus. For some people a Smith and Wesson may be a great knife while to others a Benchmade 940 Osborne is a great knife. Now there are some things we can agree are quality but for the most part quality is up for debate.

 

[Spyder328]

It reminds me of harley davidson riders;the hardcore ones wont wave at you if your on a honda or suzuki,seems like the same here,hey its just another guy carrying a knife,where all in the same hobby,whats the big deal ?sometimes it seems like on these forums if you dont have a hinderer,strider,or high end knife,your nobody.

+1 Buy what you like, cheap or expensive

 

[Lycosa]

This.^
I love my Sodbuster as much as my Pohan Leu.

 

[jac_solar]

For the record? Count me down as one who doesn't buy cheap knives. S&W and Mtech? I think they're cheap, cheaply made imported trash and I won't waste my money. I don't care that you, or someone else beat on them and they stood up. Sorry, I just don't care.

Please show the class some article or thread with proof that someone bought, say, a Benchmade whatever, but instead of the claimed steel, it was cheap 440 stainless with a poor heat treat (which is what most Mtech/S&W knives consist of).

I'm a bit surprised to hear you say this; I just thought you'd be more open to maybe discussing the merits of these brands, I guess.

I've only been posting for a couple of weeks or months, and my impression is that Mtech, S&W, and similar "cheap, chinese" stuff are not really welcome here. I think I've generally tried to avoid talking about these brands, because it seems that whenever someone do bring them up, people start trash talking. But, because there are so many other brands, I just avoid talking about Mtech, S&W and the likes.

Of course, it'd be nice to be able to openly talk about and discuss those brands, though.

Buck 110 is made of 420 steel, and seems to be able to hold up relatively well, so it's possible to make a good blade out of these steels that are typically ignored or considered as lesser. So, it's probably a lot about the heat treat, and not just the steel; assuming this is true, isn't it possible that S&W, Mtech, etc. might have a couple of products with excellent heat treat, and consequently performance? And that when someone talks about one of these products as having excellent performance, they might be correct?

 

[uofaengr]

It's human nature to want to feel superior to other people...in all facets of life. BUT, just because you own or like item A that's 200% more expensive than item B does not mean you look down on those who own item B. On the other hand you'll have some item B owners that envy item A owners and try to trash items/brands they know relatively little about and possess conjecture based opinions, or you have guys that are perfectly content with item B and live and let live. Rarely does an increase in price correlate to an increase in value...or at least it does to a certain extent. Some people make every purchase value driven, and that's it. Some people appreciate both value priced items and the quality of lesser value, more expensive items and find ways to incorporate both in their budget. There will be guys who own 7 Series BMWs and feel superior and better than the guy in the Civic, and there will be the ones who have the disposable cash and appreciate well made things and don't care what anyone else drives because it makes them happy.

Go to a gun forum...it's the same there, and you've got all types. You've got the Sig guys that trash Glocks, the 1911 guys who trash anything polymer, the Glock guys who trash anything not Glock, the affordable pistol lovers who think the Ed Brown and Les Baer guys are insane, and the list goes on and on. I like Glocks, and think they're dependable, but I also appreciate the craftsmanship of a well-made, hand-fitted 1911, and it's got nothing to do with how it shoots or how many zombies it can destroy in the apocalypse. Guitar forums...Fender guys trashing Gibson and vice versa, Gibson guys trashing Epiphones, PRS guys trashing everything not PRS, Taylor guys trashing Martin and vice versa, etc, etc.

If I just wanted something based on nothing but ergos and cutting performance, I'd take my Rat 2 and sell off everything else. BUT, what started out as a quest to find a good, reliable tool has morphed into a hobby; therefore, value, in some cases, goes out the window...and spending a little more or a little less and appreciating something for what it is or isn't, is ok...on both sides.

 

[K.O.D.]

^^ The inherent problem is the I am superior to other people. Just stating the facts.

 

[Inazone]

i have enough experience to know that I am a user of knives, not a knife collector.

. . .

I consider myself a knife snob, and I will steer my friends towards what I consider a higher quality (not necessarily more expensive) knife. I guess that makes me a snob in some peoples eyes, but I won't be losing any sleep over it.

Nah, that doesn't make you a knife snob. If you are using your own experience to steer someone toward a knife of a quality level appropriate for their needs, then you're making good use of your knowledge for the benefit of others. Of course, if they say "I have a $50 price limit" and you repeatedly tell them that they're going to have to spend double that to get a quality knife, your advice probably won't be appreciated. However, a lot of people asking for knife recommendations on forums don't state what their budget is in the first place.

Then there are those folks who feel compelled to chime in on a thread where the OP does either state a price limit or is listing knives within in a set price range, and proceed to criticize any and all knives within that range. Someone who buys $10 knives at the hardware store may not have money to spend on even a $20 knife, or they - knowing their own needs better than strangers on the Internet - may realize that the better quality of a more expensive knife will be wasted on them. Hell, I deliberately bought an $18 MTech a couple months ago, for the sole purpose of using it as a utility cutting tool where a $100 or even $50 knife would be an unnecessary expense. When collecting, resale value and even long-term usefulness aren't factors, the game changes a lot.

 

[sirupatespecial]

I'm a bit surprised to hear you say this; I just thought you'd be more open to the merits of these brands, I guess.

I've only been posting for a couple of weeks or months, and my impression is that Mtech, S&W, and similar "cheap, chinese" stuff are not really welcome here. I think I've generally tried to avoid talking about these brands, because it seems that whenever someone do bring them up, people start trash talking. But, because there are so many other brands, I just avoid talking about Mtech, S&W and the likes.

Of course, it'd be nice to be able to openly talk about and discuss those brands, though.

Buck 110 is made of 420 steel, and seems to be able to hold up relatively well, so it's possible to make a good blade out of these steels that are typically ignored or considered as lesser. So, it's probably a lot about the heat treat, and not just the steel; assuming this is true, isn't it possible that S&W, Mtech, etc. might have a couple of products with excellent heat treat, and consequently performance? And that when someone talks about one of these products as having excellent performance, they might be correct?

Yea, it's "possible" that S&W and Mtec "might" have a couple of good products. Or possibly not.

Here's an idea. Why doesn't someone start a thread extolling the virtues of S&W steel, f&F, construction, lock strength etc. etc.?

I'll tell you why. It would be the shortest thread in Bladeforum history

 

[OzarkDave]

My little two cents. I buy only USA made knifes. I don't care if another country has the best made knife, I buy Made In The USA. I would like a Lionsteel but won't buy it. Buying from a company that has USA made line and a China made line is also out.

 

[jill jackson]

I used to buy cheap knives, until I came here and learned about knives. Then I progressed upward in price because I understood why a knife would cost more. I could see paying the money and I also learned which ones I could resell, if I needed to and not lose a bundle on, or maybe even make a few bucks if I choose to, in the case of some highly desired limited pieces. I don't care if some other member talks about M-Tech or S&W though. I just won't have anything to say back because I stopped using and buying that sort of knife long ago. Just as I didn't understand paying 500 for a knife at first, I now understand why I won't buy a M-Tech, or S&W. That doesn't make me a snob, just educated in what I like and why. Sort of like when I first started riding bikes and I started out with 100 dollar Wal-Mart bikes. I couldn't see spending a 1000 bucks on a bike then, but now I will. Because I know why they cost 10X more.

 

[neeman]

Good value and cheap?

When I come to the US, I visit the knife section in Walmarts, where a lot of these brand knives are 'off shore'
There a lot on non-knife folk buying these knives
These knives can't break cause folk will return them, and Walmart does not want that

I see a set of knives that are good value and cheap

 

[Munzer]

Inazone - very true about many OP's on this forum not qualifying what they mean when they start a thread. Cheap - can mean low quality or inexpensive. I used to believe that you get what you pay for, and in many cases that is a true statement. But like so many others, sometimes spending a wad of cash doesn't equate to guaranteed satisfaction. Knowing what you are spending your money on is what is important, be it 10 bucks or 1000 bucks. The rules of buying an engagement ring don't apply to knives - no ones recommending you spend two months salary to buy a knife. Quality knives can be had for very little money, but it's about priorities. Some of my friends choose to spend tons of money on beer and cans of chew, and lottey tickets. That's what makes them happy. I choose to spend my money in other ways, but we both end up with what we want. All depends on what is important to you.