Do y'all still carry cheaper knives once you've bought higher quality ones?

[jill jackson]

I have established hiking trails and cat breirs grow in low brush, climbing small trees when a tree falls the nasty vines often fall into the trails. They aren't big only about a quarter inch thick at most, but they're extremely resilient to being cut.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I have established hiking trails and cat breirs grow in low brush, climbing small trees when a tree falls the nasty vines often fall into the trails. They aren't big only about a quarter inch thick at most, but they're extremely resilient to being cut.

Yeah, I rarely do any real bushwhacking, but my preferred trails are established, but rarely used. I don't get a ton of vines in my area, but the trails often get fairly overgrown. I've actually taken to carrying the simultaneously ridiculous and sublime Rajah 2 on those hikes, as I rarely want to bother with strapping on a machete, so why not take one I can throw in a pocket?

 

[DAVE_M]

Yup... Everyday

 

[NearlyNormalMike]

I have established hiking trails and cat breirs grow in low brush, climbing small trees when a tree falls the nasty vines often fall into the trails. They aren't big only about a quarter inch thick at most, but they're extremely resilient to being cut.

I have similar situation, but here in south GA, many of the vines I have to cut are poison ivy. Occasionally they are up to 3 inch diameter. I learned long ago I should NEVER cut any poison ivy with a pocket knife. I use a gasoline pole saw for that!! A might big for pocket carry though.

 

[Rapt_up]

I hate having knives I don't/won't use... And its not so much about cost as about functionality...
If a knife dulls quickly, or doesn't work well for what I want to cut then it rapidly gets released back into the wild. No point in me having it when someone else may like it much better.

I love the Kershaw Blur for shape and handling and the assist, and I hate that most of the steel options don't hold an edge very well... so I sold all my blurs. I love the hand filling shape and size of the ZT300, but didn't like how the thick blade sliced so poorly, so they went bye bye...

I like my customized Spyderco Farid K2, or 710 in M390. I cut open and break down a lot of boxes, I score wood for marking, I cut and trim hard plastic moldings and pipe.
and every few months I sharpen them.

Same with fixed blades, I have gradually worked my way to thinner blades in very hard steels that hold an edge for ages. For example I have an S90V knife I cut up boxes for the fire (I use it for heat) for an entire winter without having to sharpen.

 

[Inazone]

I don't have any knives that cost much over $200, as I can't really justify the greater expense in most cases. However, I eventually reached the conclusion that most folks already have, which is that knives - as with any tool - are meant to be used. Sure, I have a few "safe queens" that I bought strictly for aesthetic value or for eventual handing down, but if I bought a knife with the justification (to myself) that I'd use it, then use it I shall. As such, I'm just as likely to use a $10 Coast or Guidesman from the hardware store, or a $150 ZT that I preordered right after the SHOT or Blade show announcement. Today, it's a Kershaw Cyclone tanto just because I like it and want to have it on hand.

 

[Sillyship]

A lot of people carry a 500$ phone that lasts a few years, so if you look at it that way, a 500$ knife that lasts a lifetime isn't that expensive.

Not exactly a valid point since a $100 phone will NOT do what a $500 phone will. A $100 knife will do What a $500 knife will do. Now, there are exceptions and some knives are going to last longer, but that's the kind of experiential information I was hoping for.

 

[JackstrawIII]

My carry preferences are all over the map, and I try to carry something appropriate for where/what I'll be doing in a given day. With that said, I have a Sebenza in my pocket at the office today... because it's nice. And if/when I need to cut something, I want people to know that I have good taste in knives. Maybe that's vanity, but so be it.

With that said, when I'm doing chores around the house I use a beater Benchmade because there's a much higher likelihood of damage (dropping, chipping, dirtying, etc) and it makes sense to use something less painful to replace.

Don't worry about it, just enjoy the knives you have and use whatever you want.

 

[Sillyship]

I have to admit that at times, I carry a Bad Blood Dreadnaught once in a while.

I just cannot bring myself to carry any of those 8cr13mov blades after too many experiences with CRKTs where the blade dulled and I was stuck with a folding pocket prybar until I got to the sharpener.

 

[Sillyship]

I have a cheap CRKT that I don't use mostly because it feels incredibly cheap. I have a Cold Steel Hold Out 3 that costs the same and I gladly carry and use it. The Hold Out's lock is going to be stronger than most framelocks and AUS8A, despite all the steel-hype out there, works just fine. I've owned (and used) >$1k customs also. At this point for me it's more about changing up for variety's sake.

That variety thing is my main impetus for changing out blades from day to day, but I'm beginning to narrow down and only a few blades feel "right" anymore. I just trust them better. My Reate Horizon A in M390 is just something I know I can rely on. I'd like a CRK sooner or later, but they are kinda spendy, even on the used market. Back to the point though, is it just natural that we shy away from knives that are cheaper, 8cr13mov for example, because they inherently "feel" wrong? At this point, and I am still fairly new with modern knifes, I'd rather take the chance on devaluing, or even losing a great knife than feeling like an idiot because I'm carrying a POS and get caught out.
For example, I'm a construction worker, born and bred into it literally. I'd much rather pay a lot more for a good hammer or screwgun, knowing I'm gonna need that value sooner or later. My Bosch is the best gun money can buy and proves it daily. Why would I switch it out for "variety"? Why do we do that with knives? What makes that part of the hobby? The whole "edc rotation" thing?

 

[Sillyship]

Not sure how you managed that, but hacking at vines maybe isn't suited for a small to medium folding knife?



However to the OP and coldmrk (whom I agree with), I've carried a XM-18, a SMF, and a Sebenza 21. Loved em all and had no problem carrying any of those however I also occasionally carry an endura or a case hobo in combo with an emerson Cqc-12 or CFS. I just picked up a ZT0200sw and plan on carrying it daily after a mod to make the liner lock easier to get to and maybe some aftermarket scales. Ultimately if I own a knife I'm going to carry it and the only exception is a Warren Thomas custom and that's because it's huge and I just haven't felt like carrying it for the last few months.

How many folding pocket knives do you have though? Maybe this is just a matter of a persons consumerism?

 

[Sillyship]

I like each of my knives for different reasons; the budget friendly and the more expensive. I like to carry each of them in a loose rotation without feeling obligated. Keep it fun and useful.

Good answer. You obviously have it figured out for you. I wish I was there, but I'm having trouble justifying knives that just don't make the grade. I love my CRKT mah eraser, but the quality kinda sucks and so now I'm thinking of maybe seeing if I can find a custom by him? Is that necessary? I dunno.

 

[evltcat]

Absolutely.
I always have a SAK in my pocket in addition to whichever expensive folder(s) I happen to be carrying.

 

[Sillyship]

My carry preferences are all over the map, and I try to carry something appropriate for where/what I'll be doing in a given day. With that said, I have a Sebenza in my pocket at the office today... because it's nice. And if/when I need to cut something, I want people to know that I have good taste in knives. Maybe that's vanity, but so be it.

With that said, when I'm doing chores around the house I use a beater Benchmade because there's a much higher likelihood of damage (dropping, chipping, dirtying, etc) and it makes sense to use something less painful to replace.

Don't worry about it, just enjoy the knives you have and use whatever you want.

And you sir, are the first to mention vanity. Hell yes you have good taste in knives, all of us do. It took study and experience to learn how to explain that taste, whether it's the nonchalant, "yeah, it's just a little $25 victorinox, but it gets the job done" or the "It's called a Shirogorov, it's a pretty exclusive knife. The Price? Oh, I wouldn't want to get into that..." One way or another we can all be proud of our choices in carry and can justify those choices. In essence that is the answer to my original question. I mean basically fucky y'all's opinions (and same goes for each of you to the rest of everyone else) it's what that little piece of steel in my pocket means to me. If I'm questioning carrying that blade then it is affecting my pride and that's what counts. My pride isn't just vanity (although it's a part of it), it's about what makes me feel good and I have to trust those instincts the same way our ancestors trusted their fears. If I don't like carrying a blade then off to the exchange that lil bad boy goes. I'll have a rotation, but it'll just be a smaller circle of blade "friends".

Thank you all for helping me to get to the necessary place to let go and move on. CRK, strider and Hinderers are next. Of course, my mah eraser is fine for the house and my closet ninja games.

 

[James Y]

My main one-handed EDC is a large plain CRK Insingo.

I also EDC SAKs: a Victorinox Executive and a Spartan.

All see use on a day to day basis. But I actually end up using the SAKs for more stuff, NOT because I'm afraid of using the CRK, but because more things come up where their tools/features are more appropriate.

Jim

 

[Spyder59]

I carry knives. I don't consider how much they cost except before I make the purchase. When I get prepared in the morning, I think about what I am going to do that day, and I choose my tool or tools I will edc that day. I never even think of the value, but most of the time, I will not be carrying my very cheap knives, because my better knives are usually more appropriate for what I'll be doing that day. But there are always exceptions. For example I almost always will have my 30 dollar Leatherman Wingman with me. If I don't have that, I would carry my SAK in addition to whatever else I might select that day.

 

[willgreenzilla]

Yep. Carrying a rat 1a right now and a reate horizon d ti (bf passaround knife for a week).

 

[Jasonsdman]

Most of my daily duties can easily be accomplished with a sub $100 folder with ease, but I was carrying my ZT0392s for most days just because of how much I love them. I've recently been rediscovering my BM940 again. I bought it pre MAP pricing for around $125. The point is, for as much as the 0392 costs, I still feel that the 940 is an equally capable EDC, and I love it just as much. Crazy, right? Well, I guess I don't see the difference quality wise between them. I have not tried to buy anymore knives due to the fact that I believe that the quality and usefulness of more expensive knives will not be worth the extra cost. Seeing the response from most of you guys/gals on carrying a SAK confirms that.

 

[Shotgun]

Sak or delica at work and svord peasant for the weekend. The more expensive knives are better at edge holding, not cutting. In fact the more I use the svord the more I see how well thought out the design really is. Every hand hold is natural and comfy and it cuts like a demon.

 

[timberweasel]

My most carried combo for EDC is a Vic Rambler on my keys, a Vic Pioneer and a CRK Large Sebenza 21 Insingo. But I own other knives that I also enjoy, and they range in size, function and price. I'll swap out just for variety's sake on occasion. Sometimes, I want to carry a Spyderco Delica instead of the Insingo, other times maybe a RAT-1 or a Benchmade 940. Maybe my Pioneer will have a day off and I'll carry a more expensive traditional slip-joint, like a GEC, Queen or Case, or perhaps just a $20 Buck folder. Good knives come at many different price-points! :thumbup:

-Brett