Emerson and Strider: Production vs. Custom

[misterjuiceman]

I'm getting interested in the custom knives of these two makers. I'm wondering how they differ from the corresponding production versions. I'm aware that Emerson uses micarta and titanium bolsters on his customs, and the blades are hand ground, and that MSCs and DDCs have nightmare grinds and carved handles sometimes, but I'm more concerned about the difference in fit and finish and overall quality.

There's a Strider custom I've sort of had my eye on (no specifics will be mentioned because I don't want it getting snagged ), but I'm curious as to why these customs are so expensive compared to the production versions, especially for Strider where they're already semi-custom. It seems there's many custom knives for cheaper, from some very big name makers.

This post isn't meant to be inflammatory in any way, I'm just wondering what makes them so expensive. I understand exotic materials, but mostly I'm talking about just the standard Emerson custom (154cm blade, no damascus, etc) and the average Strider custom. I also understand that knives are worth whatever people will pay.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

the secondary market for emerson customs has always been to basically double (at least) the cost from ernie himself.

if you get one at a show, they are normally all $550 for the "standard" bolstered versions.

 

[misterjuiceman]

the secondary market for emerson customs has always been to basically double (at least) the cost from ernie himself.

if you get one at a show, they are normally all $550 for the "standard" bolstered versions.

yeah, I'm aware of the cost from Ernie. mostly I'm wondering why the secondary market prices are so high. I didn't mean to make the post sound like Strider and Emerson are overpricing their folders. that is NOT the case. most standard, non-decorated folders from the big names are around that price. I'm mostly interested in the secondary-market price. it seems like there's a very decent supply of them, but they're still very expensive. unlike Hinderer customs where supply does not meet demand and besides the blade grind, the production is more or less equivalent to the custom version.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

basically, availability.

most people can't make it to the shows, and even then are not guaranteed a knife. the secondary market becomes the only place to acquire a custom.

the result is very high prices that people are always willing to pay.