Cheaper knives are punching above thier weight?

[Insipid Moniker]

They'll be back. There's just no way in cyberworld anyone could actually use 1095 and get more edge retention and toughness than they need. There's also no possible way cheapo TPE scales can pose better returns on a heavy user knife than some exotic scales can at their lower price point. Paying more always equals better, even if it's only the tiniest gain. No way you can get more for spending less. Atleast that's what I'm getting from the less expensive knives aren't punching above their price point crowd.

Your lack of comprehension is either deliberate or bordering on miraculous. Inexpensive knives can be very good. Sometimes better than certain expensive knives. But you can pay more to get more. I'm amazed I have to spell it out like that, but I guess that's what it is.

 

[RedLynx]

WOW! I certainly do NOT want to get a thread locked or anything like that. I knew my comment was off subject, so I tried to put it back on at the end. I admit I'm an "old fart" and not up on all the nuances of forum/posting protocol. Please forgive my internet ignorance, and don't punish others for my mistake. I guess I let my personal feeling of insult (see the "KIDs" profile) get out of line for GD, which is why I wished for W&C. Personal contact for instruction is welcome. Thanks.

Oh I'm not a mod, just a gold member. No worries on my end, I myself make mistakes that stray too far into personal stuff. But I'm pretty easygoing so it's hard for me to reach a point where things "get personal" (this is usually a major factor in a mod's decision to lock a thread.)

Basic rule of thumb, as a moderator would probably say: "Discuss the topic, not each other."

Also please note I'm not picking on you or saying you're the only one. Just offering some advice. When it starts getting into two or more members discussing each other, things go downhill fast. Cheers.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Oh I'm not a mod, just a gold member. No worries on my end, I myself make mistakes that stray too far into personal stuff. But I'm pretty easygoing so it's hard for me to reach a point where things "get personal" (this is usually a major factor in a mod's decision to lock a thread.)

Basic rule of thumb, as a moderator would probably say: "Discuss the topic, not each other."

Also please note I'm not picking on you or saying you're the only one. Just offering some advice. When it starts getting into two or more members discussing each other, things go downhill fast. Cheers.

Darn you and your voice of sanity. Apologies and I'm bowing out, otherwise I'll only contribute to the mess.

 

[RedLynx]

Darn you and your voice of sanity. Apologies and I'm bowing out, otherwise I'll only contribute to the mess.

Funny thing is, it seems we all agree that some cheaper knives can be better than some much more expensive knives. Better being as subjective as it is.

Knives under $40 are my favorite.

 

[LG&M]

I have found a "value" can be found no matter what your taste. Even in customs .
I like good old carbon steel and doing a little modding is fun so a Old Hickory fits my definition of punching above their weight.
Sometimes I look for " supper steel" high Tec knives but at the end of the day. I don't need em.

 

[Boris74]

Your lack of comprehension is either deliberate or bordering on miraculous. Inexpensive knives can be very good. Sometimes better than certain expensive knives. But you can pay more to get more. I'm amazed I have to spell it out like that, but I guess that's what it is.

You've come full circle. Diminishing returns are not always based on dollars spent on a graduated scale.

Two knives with no regard to price. Knife one goes 2 days (my actual experience) before a touch up. Has the ability to be touched up on a river rock with no worries and back to work. Knife two goes 2.2 days before a touch up but requires that diamond card you (lost while hiking) carry in the wallet and takes more time and attention to detail to touch up.

I don't think you understand your paying more for a more difficult to maintain steel. At a minimum more than twice the price, for a tad more retention and more difficult to touch up requiring more gear to be carried that's small and easily lost. That is a check mark in the no go column for almost every person who does serious work in places where they don't get cell service. FWIW I don't even get cell service at my house either.

I've used my $30.00 1095 blade twice since its last touch up. Once for a bit over 30 minutes and another just under an hour. I wasn't being easy on it either. Just cleaned and oiled it. Right now it's still shaving hair sharp. What more could 3V do over that?

That's what the OP is all about. It's not about changing the topic to some super steel that many here have made it very clear is not needed, even by those who would most likely see gains from it, like myself. I am reporting to the OP that yes, cheap knives are punching way above their price point. 3V is not cheap, it don't belong being mentioned in this thread. Perhaps a new thread about how little the returns are with these super steels, and that's if you actually use them.

 

[Inazone]

Not that this has anything to do with your post, but speaking of on the radar, I'm getting into smaller knives, in a way I never was before. I still need them to be pretty cheap, for example I picked up a Kershaw Half Ton (cheap steel and cheap import, not gonna lie) and it's a cool and handy little knife, and costs next to nothing. Sometimes I wonder what took me so long. But I still probably couldn't spend more than $30 on a knife less than 3.5" in length.... somehow I feel like small expensive knives cheat me out of steel.

I wanted a "hard use" folder for work, of course not wanting to inflict grievous harm on my delicate, prissy little ZTs and Benchmades, so I bought a Kershaw One Ton. I don't recall what it cost, but I'm thinking it was around $25 at Cabela's. So far, of any EDC knife I own, that One Ton is probably the hardest working knife I own. It has cut the most zip-ties, through video and CAT5 cable, plus an abundance of cardboard, foam packing inserts and various other materials. To date, I have never sharpened it. Ridiculous.

 

[RedLynx]

I wanted a "hard use" folder for work, of course not wanting to inflict grievous harm on my delicate, prissy little ZTs and Benchmades, so I bought a Kershaw One Ton. I don't recall what it cost, but I'm thinking it was around $25 at Cabela's. So far, of any EDC knife I own, that One Ton is probably the hardest working knife I own. It has cut the most zip-ties, through video and CAT5 cable, plus an abundance of cardboard, foam packing inserts and various other materials. To date, I have never sharpened it. Ridiculous.

It's amazing how many things are just easier when using a smaller knife, since I'm used to at least 3.5" blades and prefer 4" as the optimum. It has been a very cool learning experience. I love my larger knives, but another advantage is using the smaller ones around non-knife friends. No freak outs or anything as might happen with a big Cold Steel Voyager Large or something similar.

 

[155440]

You've come full circle. Diminishing returns are not always based on dollars spent on a graduated scale.

Two knives with no regard to price. Knife one goes 2 days (my actual experience) before a touch up. Has the ability to be touched up on a river rock with no worries and back to work. Knife two goes 2.2 days before a touch up but requires that diamond card you (lost while hiking) carry in the wallet and takes more time and attention to detail to touch up.

I don't think you understand your paying more for a more difficult to maintain steel. At a minimum more than twice the price, for a tad more retention and more difficult to touch up requiring more gear to be carried that's small and easily lost. That is a check mark in the no go column for almost every person who does serious work in places where they don't get cell service. FWIW I don't even get cell service at my house either.

I've used my $30.00 1095 blade twice since its last touch up. Once for a bit over 30 minutes and another just under an hour. I wasn't being easy on it either. Just cleaned and oiled it. Right now it's still shaving hair sharp. What more could 3V do over that?

That's what the OP is all about. It's not about changing the topic to some super steel that many here have made it very clear is not needed, even by those who would most likely see gains from it, like myself. I am reporting to the OP that yes, cheap knives are punching way above their price point. 3V is not cheap, it don't belong being mentioned in this thread. Perhaps a new thread about how little the returns are with these super steels, and that's if you actually use them.

I seriously recommend you check out Ankersons blade steel testing thread. It displays the massive difference in edge retention between blade steels from his cutting tests. His thread and tests are done without bias.

"CPM 10V - 2400 - Phil Wilson Coyote Meadow - 64.5 RC - .004" behind the edge
AUS-8A - 160 - Recon 1"
2400 and 160 representing the amount of cuts made.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...based-on-Edge-Retention-cutting-5-8-quot-rope

To stay on topic, I think Buck makes some extremely well made fixed blades at their price point. The buck 119 is a fantastic hunting and light camp knife for 40 dollars.

 

[155440]

It's amazing how many things are just easier when using a smaller knife, since I'm used to at least 3.5" blades and prefer 4" as the optimum. It has been a very cool learning experience. I love my larger knives, but another advantage is using the smaller ones around non-knife friends. No freak outs or anything as might happen with a big Cold Steel Voyager Large or something similar.

This is my main reasoning behind carrying smaller knives. They'll get the job done without freaking anyone out.

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

i just got a small cold steel espada for 40 shipped, and you can also find the rajah 3 for 40 shipped, these knives are great for their price.

 

[RedLynx]

This is my main reasoning behind carrying smaller knives. They'll get the job done without freaking anyone out.

Exactly. Although now I'm kind of a two knife guy sometimes: smaller and larger. I might go back to just my preferred larger. But in a lot of cases I would hesitate pulling those in public or even in a group of friends. I guess that says something right there.

 

[leghog]

How many 'expensive' knives are actually used on a daily basis? Not very many I bet.

I carry and use a Victorinox Farmer and an Ulster/Craftsman peanut daily. Those two knives together cost me well under $50. The wonders of 12C27M and 1095 steels continue to amaze.

 

[leghog]

True but, it also depends on other factors like if the money would be better spent elsewhere. For instance, if someone orders another Strider in some fancy steel instead of paying for their kids hockey or post secondary education when a knife costing exponentially less in 1095 would have covered their uses. I think people just get a little obsessed with elitism or having the best instead of using common sense sometimes. Myself included.

Since you brought it up, let's be TOTALLY honest about it. Hobby and such money can almost always be better spent elsewhere regales of whether one enters the hobby on the expensive or inexpensive end. Just open your eyes. There's a lot of suffering in the world and money can alleviate much of it --- whether in medical research, assisting in medical procedures and/or bills or buying a village a couple of goats (male and female) or oxen or a well or vaccinations... The list can be as long as you want it. Doesn't take much of an imagination and very little observation to see the needs right around us, even locally.

 

[leghog]

I figure plenty of other people are having enough kids that I don't have to. :thumbup:
If it were 20000 years ago, I'd probably have to have some.

I've found many needs (and wants) can be had by replacing kids with a great number of more practical things.

Most important thing in my life and in this world. Family. There isn't even a close second.

 

[davek14]

Kids, the toughest job you'll ever love.

Adorable.

Your grandkid, not you.

 

[craytab]

You have contributed next to nothing in this thread.

Mostly personal insults towards me:

Three cheers for Maslow :thumbup:! By the way, is craytab Kardas brother? Just wondering .

I just happened to take another glance at this thread. I wish it was whine and cheese, so all I'll say to you craytab is "KID!-KID!" you've got to be kidding me. By any measure, whether age or life experience, I doubt you come anywhere near my stature (your comment convinces me even more that there is a relationship between you and Karda). I do not wish to sidetrack this thread, and apologize if I have, but a large number of ignorant posts (and some valid ones) do not make YOU "SOMEBODY". By the way, I find that 1095, as many have said, is fine for most peoples knife usage. Desire is altogether different and that is one of the beauties of this "hobby" of ours.

WOW! I certainly do NOT want to get a thread locked or anything like that. I knew my comment was off subject, so I tried to put it back on at the end. I admit I'm an "old fart" and not up on all the nuances of forum/posting protocol. Please forgive my internet ignorance, and don't punish others for my mistake. I guess I let my personal feeling of insult (see the "KIDs" profile) get out of line for GD, which is why I wished for W&C. Personal contact for instruction is welcome. Thanks.

 

[22-rimfire]

When things get personal and poster oriented vs subject oriented, the thread eventually gets closed.

Leghog, she's a cutie!!

 

[craytab]

They'll be back. There's just no way in cyberworld anyone could actually use 1095 and get more edge retention and toughness than they need. There's also no possible way cheapo TPE scales can pose better returns on a heavy user knife than some exotic scales can at their lower price point. Paying more always equals better, even if it's only the tiniest gain. No way you can get more for spending less. Atleast that's what I'm getting from the less expensive knives aren't punching above their price point crowd.

I sort of agree about the scales. I don't have knives just to look pretty. Lots of my knives look good but also must perform. My most abused knife has plastic handles. Love them. That said, would I take g10 or micarta instead? All day long.

 

[RedLynx]

Most important thing in my life and in this world. Family. There isn't even a close second.

In general I don't disagree. Just not much of a kid person, myself. Got a niece and nephew (so far, I'll probably get a few more in the next few years) and that's good enough.