Bought some nicer knives, can’t go back

[jstn]

I can see not wanting to carry ultra pricy customs or even hand engraved CRK’s but typical Hinderer’s, CRK’s etc are meant to be carried and used. I’d be pissed if I lost my Small Sebenza 21 but that doesn’t keep me from carrying it.

I agree. I CAN use my expensive fixed blades, but for folders, no matter how much they are meant to be used, I just see dollars signs with the expensive ones. Good on you though for using them; they are certainly meant to be.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I posted previously, #23, that I do respect CRK's a lot, but am very content with other names as well...such as Slysz Bowie and Brad Southard AVO.
The knife I bought on March 11 came in today...an excellent Slysz Bowie that has some slight signs of carry, with an excellent edge by Josh of REK. I've had two of these nib and sold them, back when they were plentiful and comparatively cheap, and have mourned the loss.
But I'm lovin' this one and it's beautiful and I will keep it, and carry it, a long, long time. I have already sold my previous carry, the excellent Wilson/CRK Starbenza.

 

[Bigbluefish]

Next week you'll put your sofa and home theater system up on Craigslist to fund a custom.
Face it, your hooked.
Though I can't figure not wanting to carry an Al Mar. Unless it's one of those Kershaw Al Mar collabs you're talking about.

 

[USMCPOP]

Yeah, I've worked my way up to $35 pocket knives lately. Some nice stuff out there. But I still have a preference for my 10 - 12" hand forged fixed knives that cost $3 to $5 each.

I had a little Al Mar pocket knife about 30 years ago, but I lost it.

 

[ATJ999]

If you continue, you will eventually get to the point where you start using your production knives again. I went all the way up to very high priced customs. After a while I lost interest, and now look for very well made productions/mid-techs that are around. I still have a few customs, but I carry my mid-techs and productions knives the most. Got into smaller fixed blades(under 10 inch blade), and got a bunch of those now. I'll make a knife on occasion too, but it takes me a while. I don't buy a knife now unless I sell a knife or knives of equal value. I keep trying to thin the herd, and only keep the best of the best, whether they are production, mid-techs, or customs, if they perform and are quality build, they are keepers to me!!!

 

[sabre cat]

Unlike some, I do appreciate fine workmanship and top-shelf materials. The problem is that I have a beer budget and champagne taste.

Even though quality materials and workmanship are nice, I am finding, blade and grip ergonomics both play a greater role in what knives I choose to use or purchase. This is a somewhat recent event in my lifelong love affair with cutting tools. Maybe within the last five years.

Could it be that BF membership has played a role in that change? Maybe. I'd like to think so. Or, maybe I just have a better idea as to what knives meet my needs.

 

[halflife78]

Either you have fallen down the hole or you have to learn to budget. My desire to keep to my budget > urge to buy a knife (or firearm). It also helps that I'm 47 and married. Wife would give me heck if I dropped $350 on a knife.

The most expensive knife we own is my wife’s antique green marfione mini matrix. She’s let’s me buy what I want so when she points and says “mine” I say “yes ma’am”

She has 3 knives now:
Mini Matri
Anthem
Megumi

 

[AF]

I like knives of varying prices.
I traveled down the road of ti framelocks on bearings until I found Reate and then I stopped. Now it takes an unusual design for me to deviate in that category. The new ZT0462 may be one.
But I can appreciate many different knives. I like Cold Steel because I think they offer a lot of value. I also like that they often benefit from a little tweaking. Modding knives can be fun.
I mainly browse knives. When I contemplate a new purchase, I consider whether a knife improves my collection. If it doesn't then I don't want it. I enjoy the researching; reading reviews, watching videos. I also like getting a good deal so if I find something I like, I try to buy used or wait for a special deal.
I used to buy a lot of Spydercos. I still love the brand but nowadays I usually disqualify a potential acquisition for one reason or another. In part I've become tired of losing money when selling a knife.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I enjoy the researching; reading reviews, watching videos. I try to buy used or wait for a special deal.
In part I've become tired of losing money when selling a knife.

I've tried a lot of what's out there and popular, and have been clearing out my stash. I did pick up another Slysz Bowie, to replace the two that I sold... as I love that knife. The grip is too slippery, however, so that may have to be modded.
"losing money when selling a knife" is the price you pay for being a big fan of this hobby. .. in my experience also. The only thing that saves me is buying on the Exchange...it lessens the blow when I sell.

 

[AF]

The only thing that saves me is buying on the Exchange...it lessens the blow when I sell.

Yep, love the exchange. The auction site is fun too because it's so vast. Have to be more cautious there.
My days of buying new from a dealer are over except when it comes to sprints, exclusives or sales.

 

[MSchott]

Next week you'll put your sofa and home theater system up on Craigslist to fund a custom.
Face it, your hooked.
Though I can't figure not wanting to carry an Al Mar. Unless it's one of those Kershaw Al Mar collabs you're talking about.

I should have been clearer, yes Kershaw Al Mar. it’s a fine knife but I’d like it better if it wasn’t assisted. I carried it the other day.

 

[Cryptyc]

I am the same as you OP. I bought a Fällkniven off the pro series and knew I like the higher qualities more. It set me on a user path (using my knives frequently and putting them into categories of use). I sold off my knives that I didn’t use or wanted to upgrade and over the past 4 months I’ve gotten my users set up. I use a Fällkniven HK9 for my hunting knife, Bark River Bravo 1 for my field knife, Bark River Teddy II for my ‘one knife fun/zombie’ scenario, and a Fällkniven F1 for my bug out bag.

They aren’t too expensive that I ever have reservation about using the crap out of them but the quality is so good. I just don’t look at some other knives I liked a lot in the past the same. I get what you are saying.

 

[22-rimfire]

First of all, I'm glad you're happy with your more expensive knife acquisitions. For me, I have purchased "nice" too. But I pretty much refuse to spend the kind of money necessary for a CRK of any kind. I stretch a little with ZT's if one catches my eye, but only one has done that so far and I suspect it is still my most expensive factory made modern folder. I pretty much keep things under $200 (no exceptions so far). That could change. I don't need the greatest, only something that I am comfortable using that won't let me down. I will say it's hard to drop down below the $100 price point and I really don't look at stuff much under that price area now anyway (except SAKs). I did drop down a little below $100 for a Fox Elite Gentlemen's knife at $75 however this past week. (Actually quite a bargain if you like it and I didn't know what they sold for elsewhere. The price was a surprise.) The Fox caught my eye and I got it. It's almost a traditional anyway and it is not uncommon to buy below $100 with good traditionals now.

 

[MSchott]

First of all, I'm glad you're happy with your more expensive knife acquisitions. For me, I have purchased "nice" too. But I pretty much refuse to spend the kind of money necessary for a CRK of any kind. I stretch a little with ZT's if one catches my eye, but only one has done that so far and I suspect it is still my most expensive factory made modern folder. I pretty much keep things under $200 (no exceptions so far). That could change. I don't need the greatest, only something that I am comfortable using that won't let me down. I will say it's hard to drop down below the $100 price point and I really don't look at stuff much under that price area now anyway (except SAKs). I did drop down a little below $100 for a Fox Elite Gentlemen's knife however this past week. It caught my eye and I got it. It's almost a traditional anyway and it is not uncommon to buy below $100 with good traditionals now.

I suggest you don’t even try a CRK. There’s a feel in the hand and when you open and close one that’s addicting.

 

[22-rimfire]

Oh, I have fondled all of the CRK's at Blade. I know how they feel...... To be real honest about it, I don't care for slabs of Ti or metal holding it. That is one of the reasons I seldom ever pick up my stainless Endura.