Determining value: When does a knife cost too much?

M

Mohave Aviator

Joined
Jan 2, 2021
Messages
73
My wife asked me a question last night, after watching me go a few rounds on a different thread. Her question was basically this ( I’m paraphrasing). Why are you willing to spend 250.00 dollars on a personal knife you never use, but won’t spend over 100.00 dollars on a work/utility knife. For me the answer is a bit nuanced.


Benchmade, Spyderco, Protech etc. all make really fine knives. Unfortunately, for utility purposes, I feel some of their blades can be too hard. I use my utility blades fairly often and I work them hard. I need a blade that can take the punishment but it also needs to be able to take a quick edge. Why should I spend that type of money when a decently priced Kershaw will do the same thing? Do I really need to spend 200.00 on a knife that will cut boxes, cord and other soft material? If so, why? So I can say I have a 200.00 knife?


On the other hand, when it comes to personal defense/emergencies, I want a knife with superb blade quality. I want a blade that is at least 3.5 inches ( though 4 is ideal) with excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. I don’t care about how difficult it is to sharpen, I don’t plan on using it. If I do it’s because my plane or car crashed and I need to cut the restraints and break my way out. Or my weapon has jammed and I’m transitioning to my knife as last ditch. Maybe I got lost hiking and I need it their. My point is, when it comes to your life and emergencies, you don’t skimp on quality, and quality is expensive.


So, how do you determine value and what is worth a lit of money?
 
OP, I kinda know where you are coming from, but the logic don't make perfect sense--if you do plan on using your more expensive knives(supposedly with better quality and reliability) for all sort of emergency (plane crash, car crash, outdoor survival, etc), won't you want to carry those expensive knives and use them more often, so you are at least familiarized with them?

I know I wouldn't want to depend my life on something that I haven't personally proven effective and familiarized with.
 
There are knives built with style in mind and there are those built with function more in mind.
Large sebenza? What, $400-$500 and one of the most practical knives (outside of cost)... Spyderco delica? Like $65, not big on style but very practical. Civivi in D2? Both stylish and practical... low on cost.
Knives come in all types of varieties and cost. Finding the perfect EDC is more an individual journey for us all, not something any reviewer or vlogger can do. The biggest issue I think is living with the depreciation that using a knife has on your investment. If you’re buying them and not using them at all, there might be other commodities that retain (or increase) in value that might make more sense than knives.
 
I think everyone has to determine what is "too much" for themselves. Around $200 is the most I'll spend on a knife. If I spend more than that, I can't use it like an ordinary tool. I read all the time about how some proudly beat on and abuse their $500 knives. That's not me.
 
The cost of knives, like many other things, have a point of diminishing returns. With knives, that point is reached when the knife you want is more expensive than the price a basic cutting tool that would get the particular job done. After that it's all about what makes you smile.
 
comis said:
OP, I kinda know where you are coming from, but the logic don't make perfect sense--if you do plan on using your more expensive knives(supposedly with better quality and reliability) for all sort of emergency (plane crash, car crash, outdoor survival, etc), won't you want to carry those expensive knives and use them more often, so you are at least familiarized with them?

I know I wouldn't want to depend my life on something that I haven't personally proven effective and familiarized with.
Click to expand...

Yes...I agree with you and I should have said that. I will buy a potential emergency knife and beat the heck out of it. If it holds up, i buy another and never touch it. For day to day task though, I still use Kershaw or Gerber
 
Ironbut said:
The cost of knives, like many other things, have a point of diminishing returns. With knives, that point is reached when the knife you want is more expensive than the price a basic cutting tool that would get the particular job done. After that it's all about what makes you smile.
Click to expand...
Exactly friend, this is what i was trying to drive at. We all have our taste and to each his own. I just find it interesting how people define value and what they are willing to pay and why
 
Mohave Aviator said:
Exactly friend, this is what i was trying to drive at. We all have our taste and to each his own. I just find it interesting how people define value and what they are willing to pay and why
Click to expand...

To complicate matters more. Value is kind of subjective. For instance, I might value an old Barlow that I paid $2 for at a flea market more than a $200-something knife that I bought brand new.
 
Last edited:
Mohave Aviator said:
Ok...what is the right tool for the job?
Click to expand...

One that doesn’t break or hurt you because it’s the wrong tool for the job.

To add to my original post. I may spend extra on something fancy, but only of it doesn’t take away from the function of the knife.

Stag is a good example of what I’ll spend extra on. A fragile material would get a hard pass no matter how nice it looked or felt.
 
eveled said:
Because Snap-on are better.

I would say “Why buy Craftsman if you can afford Snap-On”
Click to expand...

Makes more sense.
I would buy Craftsman because I already got the Snap On version and I need a throw away or tools I don't care about and can lend.
Just like I bought some cheap $10 knives to leave in my car along with a SAK.
Or those knives you got for the tool box and tackle box.
Buy and forget.
 
My favorite fence tool is over 100 years old. Quality only cost once.
YpHJMtL.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top