Ever been priced out of your EDC?

U

Uberpat

Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
5
I haven't purchased a new knife in quite a while and haven't kept up with the latest and greatest. I was recently looking to pick up another microtech mini-socom which was EDC for many many years and was surprised to find that they are now somewhat more expensive than when last I checked (paid $98 for the one in my pocket). Basically I feel like the monetary risk in losing it is too great to carry it all the time and need ("need") a new knife. Anybody else suffer from sudden-onset loss anxiety?

Reading reviews it is very strange how much things have changed. Where's all the ATS-34? I assume it's become antiquated due to other steels beating price/performance but it makes looking at new pocket knives a bit of a process when I have to do a separate search on the components being used. I've narrowed my list down to

Benchmade Bone Collector
Ritter RSK 1
Spyderco Paramilitary 2
Emerson Mini-Commander (nostalgia choice)

Any suggestions for great pocket knives I've not stumbled across?

Regards,
Patrick
 
Yes I have. My edc for about 15 years has been various benchmades, but now they have doubled and tripled in price. My next edc may be a CRT at about the price I paid for my first benchmade.
 
My EDC is an AG Russell Hunters Scalpel. Those things haven't changed price in decades, it seems, even after the recent redesign and a move up in materials.

There is one brand that I own but haven't carried that has left me behind with their higher prices, Bark River. :(
 
Spyderco Paramilitary 2
Benchmade Bone Collector

These are the best bang for your buck if you ask me.
 
Any of those knives are very good knives and you couldnt go wrong. It just depends on which one you like best. I personally Dont carry a folder anymore and If I do its just a case copperlock.
 
I think you are looking at prices for NIB or LNIB vintage mini soccoms. Yes they are expensive because they are collectable but the high priced ones are in new or nearly new, not used and carried for years condition. Your mini would need to be in excellent condition to be worth top dollar and if you've been carrying it that long it likely has significant wear.

I would not worry about it and just keep carrying your knife. It's a great knife that was designed to last a lifetime and you bought it for yourself. Just know if you lose it you would have to pay a lot for a nice example to replace it or simply buy a new EDC knife at that time. Or you could buy a new EDC of your chosing and swap them out whenever you feel the need.


Precision

Edit: I think I may have misinterpreted your OP. Maybe you were talking about the financial risk of carrying a new mini purchased today. In that case then yes, it's likely not worth paying the high collector value for a discontinued knife to use as an EDC. That being said, IMO, there are actually much better EDC knives being made today. The mini was great at that time but I think there are better designs to be had today at a fraction of the cost of a collectable Mini Soccom. Also with this in mind you may want to consider purchasing multiple copies of whatever new design you may decide on. This will avoid a repeat of this problem in the future.
 
Last edited:
It's more the cost of replacement. I'll still carry it for all the reasons I have for the last 10 years or so but the cost of getting a new one should I lose it is.. worrisome. I'm mainly looking now for a good replacement that won't cause my wallet undue heartburn should I lose it.

Thanks to everyone for their input.
 
I know what you mean. I paid ~$75 for my mini AFCK... ...now, as you say, it's somewhat more expensive, and so it sits in it's box.
 
I buy some knives for users and some for collecting. The most expensive user knife is a Para 2 stock one for about $100 or my Delica for about $50.

If I was really concerned about losing them because I dont worry about that as they are clipped to my front pocket, then I would just buy something like a Persistence for $30 and only carry that.

Also, just to clarify, the ones I collect are not necessary the most expensive but I would consider them rarer so hoping they might be worth more some day! :D
 
bang for the buck gets no better than a buck vantage pro
s30v steel g10 handles unquestioned lifetime warrenty all for 85 bucks

or you can get a zt 0350 blem for the same price
 
If losing it is a concern, maybe check out a Cold Steel Voyager or American Lawman. They're both very nice knives and quite affordable to boot. Spyderco Delica or Endura are very slightly more expensive, but you get better blade steel in exchange. If made in the U.S. is a concern maybe try a Griptilian or a Manix 2. You seem to like ATS-34 and those both use 154CM which is the exact same thing.
 
bdmicarta said:
I checked prices on the Para 2 today and didn't find any new ones anywhere close to $100.
Click to expand...

They are available for around that price at a popular jungle themed website. I personally snagged one about a month ago for about $105.
 
bdmicarta said:
I checked prices on the Para 2 today and didn't find any new ones anywhere close to $100.
Click to expand...

I just received mine the other day from Ebay for $100 shipped. There are also some listed on here from time to time for $100 or alittle less, like new condition, cut paper only, ones!
 
sir_mike said:
I just received mine the other day from Ebay for $100 shipped. There are also some listed on here from time to time for $100 or alittle less, like new condition, cut paper only, ones!
Click to expand...

I spotted I think 2 today on this site for $100 or less, both sold immediately. I check the site frequently but not nearly frequently enough to catch these deals.

One on ebay right now for $93 with almost 48 hours to go. It will likely go much higher in the last minute. Of course it might close at $93 but as much interest as there is in these things I think there will be a flurry of sniping at the end. I've been an ebayer for a long time and I know that sometimes they can sneak by, in fact the ones where I'm usually not available at the end of the auction are the ones that manage to sell for less than average.

I checked the jungle, cheapest I found was $118 + shipping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top