Determining value: When does a knife cost too much?

It's up to you to determine the value and the use. Personally, I buy my knives to use. I have carried and used my Hinderer XM-18 a ton since I got it, no reservations. I have no worries about it because it was made to be used. I also use all my Benchmades, and Spydercos, and ZTs. It doesn't matter because I bought them to use, and if they just sit in the case what's the point?
I sharpen them when I feel they aren't sharp enough. I always carry at least 2 on me, so if I mess up the edge on one I have a backup. I also use them as a knife so, they cut things. If I need to pry, or turn a screw, or scrape something I have tools for that in my tool bag. I even have a razor knife because they are better at some jobs than a normal knife, like stripping cable with cold insulation.

Right tool for the job. Knives are for cutting. Screwdrivers are for driving screws. Wrenches for turning nuts and bolts.
 
When does it "cost too much"?

When you don't have the money to buy it.

I don't know if this question plays out on car forums, watch forums, flashlight forums or whatnot.... does it?

No matter, my answer stays the same. If you can't afford it, the cost is too high.

If you have the money to pay for it, and you are happy with it once you buy it.... well I guess that's the metric I would apply here.
 
jideta said:
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.
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I work as in the trades every day and the majority of my tools and those of my coworkers are harbor freight. Only high quality tools are tools that keep me safe. High quality multimeters, electrical pliers etc.
 
I know they are, but there is no arguing that they are top quality. The wrenches are so thin yet so strong, no rough spots, nice fit and finish. It really hurts if you loose one.
 
eveled said:
I know they are, but there is no arguing that they are top quality. The wrenches are so thin yet so strong, no rough spots, nice fit and finish. It really hurts if you loose one.
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I agree with you 100% thats why most of the trades guys i know, save that stuff for their own garage.
 
Velitrius said:
When does it "cost too much"?

When you don't have the money to buy it.

I don't know if this question plays out on car forums, watch forums, flashlight forums or whatnot.... does it?

No matter, my answer stays the same. If you can't afford it, the cost is too high.

If you have the money to pay for it, and you are happy with it once you buy it.... well I guess that's the metric I would apply here.
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This is true. If you have money to burn, why not get top shelf items? My issue is with the guys who don't have enough tools to do the job, but they do have a couple high end items. This type of thinking i don't understand but to each his own, it's their choice.
 
I have no issue using my $250 knives for things I shouldn't. That's my current price limit...

Dedicated work knives for me have gotten progressively more expensive, as the cheaper ones die off. I tend to buy something I think would work better. Leatherman buying spree was definitely not cheap, may they all rest in pieces. I have always felt I have gotten my money's worth out of a work knife.

Side note...
Current Snap On is crap, there warranty is worse than harbor freight. Same with Klein Tools! I no longer buy anything from a a tool truck, all online german tools wiha and wera.
 
Lee D said:
I just remind my wife that in our 20s we used to blow thru $300 at the bars nearly every weekend. At least now I have something more than a hangover to show for the $$
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Then again you would have saved more money if you bought both a mixology book and the ingredients for making your drinks.
 
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.
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This has my vote with one addition: I have found that I don't like owning more knives than I can use. I buy nice knives because I want to enjoy the benefits of the edge retention/ergonomics/toughness or whatever the knife's claim to fame is. If I have so many that I don't use one, it goes on eBay or the Exchange so someone else can enjoy it.
 
I generally buy knives to use them. I think price while it can be an indicator of quality doesn't guarantee it though. There is a level where it becomes more art and craftsmanship than utility. Somewhere between art knives and gas station knives there is a sweet spot of quality/price.

I would say quality has saved me money at this point though. Most kershaws lasted me 4-6 months. They are great knives for the price and I could do work with them just fine. But I thought I would try a higher quality knife to see how it lasts. So far my spyderco is going on 2+ years with no issues besides that the blade is getting short from resharpening it... (And I agree, the steel is very difficult to resharpen for an everyday use knife.) At this point the spyderco has been cheaper than the kershaws I would have gone through most likely. Depending what you use your knives for, your mileage may vary.

If I have an option between breaking even carrying a higher quality blade or cheaper blade I will choice the one with higher quality though. Or even if I have to spend a touch more, I prefer to have quality over a cheaper knife just because I can. I also try and buy things made in the USA to, so I am willing to pay more to support that. But that is a personal preference, and might not make complete monetary sense.:)
 
Mohave Aviator said:
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?
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To me, a knife costs too much if I can't afford to buy it.:)
 
Snacktime said:
I have no issue using my $250 knives for things I shouldn't. That's my current price limit...

Dedicated work knives for me have gotten progressively more expensive, as the cheaper ones die off. I tend to buy something I think would work better. Leatherman buying spree was definitely not cheap, may they all rest in pieces. I have always felt I have gotten my money's worth out of a work knife.

Side note...
Current Snap On is crap, there warranty is worse than harbor freight. Same with Klein Tools! I no longer buy anything from a a tool truck, all online german tools wiha and wera.
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I think i agree with just about everything you said. Good points
 
skyhorse said:
My favorite fence tool is over 100 years old. Quality only cost once.
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That knife would cost too much for me to use for target practice ! ;)
 
For me any knife that doesn’t perform or function as intended no matter how little it cost is paying to much. As a professional mechanic for 43 years I’ve learned that a cheap tool that is poorly made and designed will cost you more in the long run than paying for the excellent quality tool that does the job without fail. Some have mentioned about Snap-on and Craftsman tools. Well there are some exceptions but I’ve had craftsman end wrenches fail and wear out when I really needed them to perform. I’ve never had a Snap-on end wrench fail me. I’ve had some that finally wore out after years of daily use but that’s expected. Especially 1/2 and 9/16 size end wrenches and sockets. I’ve had craftsman and other low cost tools break the first day !
Then there’s the gold plated limited edition versions that are made to look at. I won’t comment on them.
 
Back when I needed knives, like for work, I had a price cap of $300 per knife. I didn't have to pay that much for a knife that would serve my needs, but there were a few knives that I wanted for reasons beyond their utilitarian usefulness, and I was willing to pay up to $300 just because I really liked them (below are two of my work knives, they each cost $300).

Nowadays I hardly need knives at all. And I have all the quality "users" I could ever need over multiple lifetimes. So now how much I'm willing to spend on a knife is based entirely on how much enjoyment I think I will get from owning the knife.

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And now I'm going a bit off topic here- Why I will never buy from Craftsman (Sears) ever again.

I'm not what I would call an "activist shopper". I don't do a deep dive background check into every product I wish to buy or every company I'm considering buying from. But once in awhile I learn about wrongdoing that I consider so egregious that I will never buy from a person or company.

A man named Dan Brown, an American, invented a new type of wrench. Sears liked the wrench so much, and saw so much potential in it that they approached Mr. Brown and offered a partnership, Sears wanted to sell Mr. Brown's wrench. Mr. Brown liked the idea of a partnership with such a trustworthy American company and agreed.

After selling many wrenches together, Sears took Mr. Browns design without his knowledge or permission, had it made in China, renamed it, and then ended their partnership with Mr. Brown. Sears went on to sell Mr. Browns wrench design, but paid him nothing.

I won't type out the entire story, it goes on. The story has been widely covered by the news media, that's how I became aware of it. Anyone interested can Google "Sears steals wrench".

Sorry for going off topic. I'm not saying that anyone in this thread is endorsing Craftsman. And I don't think any less of people who buy from Craftsman or Sears.
 
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Totally subjective and relative to your interest, budget, knowledge, priorities etc..

Almost any >$100 knife will do the job, even a 1/4 of that will get you a decent blade that will cut and last a long time.

Once your interest in knives is peaked, as with anything that draws you in w/out a compelling reason (collecting, 1 does the job 50 is a collection be it cars, ceramic frogs or the opposite sex), you make decisions based on a lot of variables but they are mostly intrinsic and based on desire vs need.

A lot of people will attempt to justify a 'collection' as something other than what it is with some fairly unsound logic. Just admit to yourself that you like knives and as long as it's enjoyable and not hurting anyone and you can afford it let it be.

Collections can often border on obsession, that's when it gets ridiculous. Keep your head, plan your purchases, be selective and enjoy. When it becomes like an addiction (it can) where your hiding purchases, using credit, lying and have feelings of regret you've gone to far.

Most people have a 'thing', some have multiple, you do you and don't sweat the silly stuff.
 
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