Decision to purchase expensive knife?

N

Nightshifter

Joined
Jul 27, 2010
Messages
458
I realize we all come from different socio-economic backgrounds. My question is; How do some of you make the decision to buy that expensive($300-$600) knife? I know that there are knives more expensive...and alot less expensive than that. The most I've spent on one knife is around $100 and I thought that was high(too frugal I guess). I really like the Busse line and a few others. I'm not poor,nor rich either, just middle-class. Answers and thoughts please?:confused:
 
I've never bought a $300 knife. But the decision to buy an expensive knife often comes down to, "Would I rather have this $150 knife, or three $50 knives?" The answer can go either way with 50/50 odds.
 
everyone spends their money on something.

stay within your means, and buy what you like.

my first high price knives were crk's. i bought a green beret, warrior, and lg sebenza all within a couple weeks.

i was able to handle them at a local shop, and not having them kept me awake at night.

;)
 
I've always gone with the idea that if you're going into debt to buy a knife you don't need the knife that badly. If you have an extra $400 sitting around, you've already put a little away in savings for the month, then buy the knife.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
everyone spends their money on something.

stay within your means, and buy what you like.

my first high price knives were crk's. i bought a green beret, warrior, and lg sebenza all within a couple weeks.

i was able to handle them at a local shop, and not having them kept me awake at night.

;)
Click to expand...

That is sound advice right there. I will offer the following ideas as well.
If you buy 3-4 production knives, and they total say around $330, that could have been a NIB Sebenza or SnG. It's all a matter of how you choose to distribute your finances on knives. You can either spend a little at a time and over months you spend the same amount as you would have had you purchased a semi-custom knife in one shot.

As long as you stay within your means, you will be fine. Do not spend money that belongs on another expense on a knife. That is irresponsible, obviously. If you can afford knives in this catagory regularly without feeling a hit, more power to the person. If not, it does pay to scrimp and save if that is truly what you'd like to own. :thumbup:
 
just buy what feels good, and what feels right. i think a lot of these higher end knives like sebenza, hinderer and ddr are awesome, but to be honest i personally just wouldnt feel right carrying around a 300-400 dollar knife. the most expensive knife i ever bought was the DDR HTM gunhammer and it was 250. while i love the knife, i am too scared to even really enjoy it. i dont want to scuff it up or lose it. however, a 50 dollar endura i can use and carry every single day without any real worry. these more expensive knives arent totally out of my reach, i could afford them if i saved a few paychecks, but bottom line is i wouldnt feel as comfortable carrying and using them. there is really nothing wrong with buying more affordable knives, there are just so many great deals in the knife world.
 
when i want to buy an expensive knife. i initially tell myself i don't need it and can go without it. then as the days go by, i find myself researching every thread i can on that knife as well as trying to find more photos and youtube videos about it. then i end up buying the knife so i can do other things on the internet.
 
You also need to know why you want to buy that knife.

Do you want to build a collection of knife-shaped art objects?
Did you get caught up in the excitement of an online discussion?
Are you looking for capabilities that no cheaper knife seems to provide?
Have you increased your earnings and want to carry affordable but expensive toys?

These are are all perfectly legitimate reasons. I have a few knives that I prize for their excellence that I don't use. I think I would, but I have others that cover for them. I have a few around that $300 mark that I use because nothing else is quite as effective -- but this goes for some less expensive knives too. Use the best, whatever or however little it cost.

Do not spend that money just because you've got it. If you have enough for one high-end knife, bank it till you have enough for a few -- then buy one. Do not buy a knife as an investment unless you know the market and its trends. Today's hottest items or makers can be all but forgotten tomorrow. Since you are new at this, you should probably buy less expensive, but decent quality knives from different manufacturers and in different styles. That's how you learn what's out there and what you like.
 
I have one knife in the $300 range (Strider) and the rest are from $30 to $150. Looking back I kind of wish I hadn't bought the Strider. It's a good knife and all but for me the massive price increase wasn't worth it. I didn't get the same satisfaction from it as I do my $25 Vic Soldier. One good thing about buying it is that I found out what I really like in a knife and I don't take the ones I have for granted anymore. I don't consider myself a collector and all of my knives are users so I really doubt I'll ever shell out the cash for a really expensive custom.
 
My most recent purchase was a William Henry Spearpoint, to the tune of $425. Carry and use it every day. Plenty of safe-queens already.
 
I don't safe queen any knives, and usually I don't spend more than $200. I bought a strider SMF and I carry it everyday, no regrets. It's a tank and isn't supposed to look pretty.
 
Thanks for all the answers folks. Alot of good advice there. I really like to USE my knives, and I too would feel like I'd have to baby a real expensive one. I guess I'll stay in my comfort zone and keep buying what I'm accustomed to. It's always nice to look and see what's out there though. Who knows...someday perhaps?
 
My first knife was a Chris Reeve Mountaineer 1. I researched it for weeks, and then took the plunge. I waited three months for it to be made and shipped. Several months later no regret spending the $200 it cost. Now its more. Two months ago I bought a Busse SAR 3 for $215, kind of a small regret b/c I already had a fixed blade knife, but once I received it, no regrets. You'll know if its worth it, and plan on buying a high quality knife that you will carry and use for a lifetime.
 
I like to see really expensive knives, I like the look and the finish. But for my own preference a $100-150 knife will give me the same satisfaction of ownership as a $500+.:)
 
Last edited:
I prefer quality over quantity. That being said, I own less than 30 (prolly closer to 20) knives. Most expensive knife I own is a MT Nemesis 4 @ $625 or so.
 
Last edited:
I started with some upper scale Spydercos and made my first big purchase, CRK Sebenza Small 21. Since then I've gotten a large Seb 21 and 2 Mnandis.

If you can afford to have more expensive knives and would like to then I'd say go for it.
As already said Live Within Your Means. An expensive knife is not worth not eating for a week.
 
i look at it like this. no matter what i will want the nice stuff, sebenza strider etc, i can buy a knife that has the same materials for less but at the end of the day it isnt what i want. personally i would rather wait to get what i really want.

i try to buy what i will like. i would rather save up and get something special that i like to use and own, and for me that happens to buy higher end folders :D
 
Last edited:
Nothing against those that spend a lot on knives but I prefer to buy what I consider "bargain knives" which are knives that use the same materials as the higher end customs but in a much less expensive production knife. To each his own I guess but I wouldn't feel comfortable scuffing up a $300 or for me even a $200 blade.
 
I buy more expensive knives when I'm looking for a level of quality that can't be found in cheaper knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top