EDC Folders: As the prices go up, what do you look for?

S

Steve6387

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Jul 1, 2013
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For me, form follows function. I've got a handful of folders and a few fixed blades. All relatively cheap, but they are knives you all know. They are serviceable, and they all get used. I don't think I'll ever own a safe queen. I am trying to learn what features people with more exp (and $) really place a value on w/regard to edc folders, so:

As folder prices increase, what features / specs do you prioritize?

If I were to start looking for EDC Folders in say the $50 range and then $80, then $100. What are you all looking for as the prices increase? Do you look for better steel? Stronger lock style? Craftsmanship? Scale material? Warranty?

Any thoughts appreciated.
 
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I look for the same things no matter the money I'm willing to spend. I started with a 10 dollar Smith and Wesson SWAT II, I still have it, it cuts no matter what I do to it. Is it better or worse than my more expensive purchases? Sometimes I'm not so sure! :)
 
"Do you look for better steel? Stronger lock style? Craftsmanship? Scale material? Warranty?"
Pretty much all of the above. Pocketability is high on the list as well as aesthetics. I seem to settle somewhere between "I can bet my life on it" and "gent's folder that cuts for days". Of course I have many that hit the pocket that are on the extreme ends of that scale, but some favorites are the Spyderco GB, BM 940, Boker Ti Kwaiken, ANY Spyderco Military (I own several in S30V, M4, D2, BG-42, CTS-XHP, CruWear).
 
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Steve6387 said:
Do you look for better steel? Stronger lock style? Craftsmanship? Scale material? Warranty?
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Yes to all of that... I'll add a few more:
durability and reputation (even though that might be under craftsmanship & warranty to some degree)
as Billy said pocketability
and I'll add value retention, because if for some reason it still doesn't feel like a good fit for me, I'd like to know that I'd be able to recoup all but a slight depreciation in trying it out.
 
Very helpful and thanks. Pocketability. Interesting. I never even thought of it, and I should have. My most recent purchase was a Rat2 because the Rat1 felt a little to big for my style of edc.
 
Quality steel, expertly heat treated, simplicity in design, good warranty, build quality, country of origin, and pocket-ability all make up what I am looking for.

Here's a cool thread on the CRK Sebenza. I carry a large 21 everywhere but the office.
 
I'm not one for safe queens, so I use all of my knives regardless of price. I look for what appeals to me. Overall design, steel quality, handle materials, and the maker's reputation. Country of origin is of little importance to me so long as the quality is there. As for price, well... Good quality is going to cost you. Even better quality is going to cost you even more.
 
In addition, generally, the higher up in price you go, you will be supporting American workers, as many of the high end knives are made here in the good ol US of A. (Kershaw knives over 40-50 bucks, like the skyline, knock out, leek etc. as well as Benchmade knives and many of the Spydercos such as the Manix line and the Paramilitary)
 
My knife-buying habits are split roughly 50/50 between collecting knives that appeal to me (for a variety of reasons) and those that fill a particular role, either for a task that I don't have an appropriate knife for already or as an upgrade/replacement/spare to an existing one. More of my folders were bought for collecting purposes than for EDC or other tasks, and my EDC rotation consists mostly of sub-$50 knives, but that wasn't by design. If anything, I've simply found that some of the less expensive knives I own have certain attributes that make them better suited to EDC use than some of the costlier knives, with little or no regard to materials or country of origin.

Once I get away from the "Monday through Friday" EDC role and into task-specific knives, things like better steel, beefier locks and grip texture become more and more important, although that hasn't necessarily translated to higher price. My go-to outdoor folder, usually used in conjunction with a more substantial fixed blade, is a Coast FX350 that cost around $25. It works great with gloves on, has a very sturdy frame lock, and the flat grind is excellent for slicing. It's too bulky for EDC, but I bought it for camping and gardening, which it excels at. If the same knife was available with better steel than its 9Cr17Mov and made in the US, I would pay more for it, but as it is, I have no complaints. That goes for some of my EDC knives, specifically Kershaws. If ZT equivalents were offered, I would consider them, but that hasn't been the case lately.
 
Quality control, tolerances, materials, and craftsmanship first and foremost. Unique designs that work. Good customer service history is a must.
 
Very helpful and thanks. So it seems like it's the overall package and differs by individual, as opposed to being a single this or that people will try to gain by increasing their budget. I know it's a multi-national board, but I would probably pay a little more to support s US made product going forward.
 
The steel needs to be decent compared to the price of the knife. I like Opinel steel, SAK steel, and Buck steel...basically, if it is a good company I don't really worry about what steel it is; although for cetain knives I prefer carbon over stainless but that is about it.

Second is construction, is it going to last my lifetime of resonable use or is it going to get loose and fall apart? If it is a locking folder then the lock must not fail from reasonable use.

As far as things like blade shape, blade length to handle length, handle shape, etc. well these things are more a matter of design than quality. You can have a quality knife with all the best materials but it can still be a crappy design. An example of a crappy design (for me) is these liner locks that have handle material on one side but then just bare metal with exposed lock on the other.

PS: Customer service for me doesn't enter into it, "Ummmm why am I paying good money on a knife that is going to have to be sent back to the company?" That kind of thing means a poor knife. Sure I like Leatherman's customer service, but I have only used it because other people have abused the tool before I got it.
 
Steve6387 said:
For me, form follows function. I've got a handful of folders and a few fixed blades. All relatively cheap, but they are knives you all know. They are serviceable, and they all get used. I don't think I'll ever own a safe queen. I am trying to learn what features people with more exp (and $) really place a value on w/regard to edc folders, so:

As folder prices increase, what features / specs do you prioritize?

If I were to start looking for EDC Folders in say the $50 range and then $80, then $100. What are you all looking for as the prices increase? Do you look for better steel? Stronger lock style? Craftsmanship? Scale material? Warranty?

Any thoughts appreciated.
Click to expand...

I can normally find something wrong with every knife I look at. Basic design flaws, sub-par workmanship, lower grade steels, bad ergonomics, etc. As the price goes up, I look to see how many of these things exist in the knife I am considering. As the price goes up, problems should disappear. If not, I don't buy the knife.

Handle ergonomics and blade style are the first two items I look at most of the time. Then comes blade lock up if it is a folder. Blade steel follows. Over all workmanship and materials come in to play after that. If the knife still has my interest, the country of origin and warranty are considered.

By now, the knife is normally back safe and sound in the display case. If not, price vs El Diablo is the last part of the game. El Diablo, by the way, is the name of the cast iron skillet that my wife will use on me if I purchase another knife this year without her approval.

For me, most knives never get past grip ergonomics or blade style.
 
sabre cat said:
... If not, price vs El Diablo is the last part of the game. El Diablo, by the way, is the name of the cast iron skillet that my wife will use on me if I purchase another knife this year without her approval.
Click to expand...

Great info overall, but I love this. Thanks for the response
 
I look for materials and design but once the knife price is over $200 it has to be USA made .
 
I look for the same basics regardless of cost, but especially when cost is higher

1. quality build
2. steel suitable for the purpose of the knife
3. value
4. suitable toughness/durability based on intended use
5. aesthetics/ergos
 
knife dragon said:
I look for the same basics regardless of cost, but especially when cost is higher

1. quality build
2. steel suitable for the purpose of the knife
3. value
4. suitable toughness/durability based on intended use
5. aesthetics/ergos
Click to expand...

I agree with this, however, not necessarily in any particular order. I would also add features (I.e. lock type, deployment method, size).
 
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