Help: $400+ folders vs. not-so-expensive ones

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V84mystang

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Jul 23, 2017
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Please educate a fellow knife enthusiast. I want to have an open mind:
I’m not exactly new to knives but I’ve always been a pragmatic user/purchaser; I don’t buy cheap but I don’t spend more than I have too to get the job done. For folders I tend to use brands like Kershaw and Buck and I like Benchmade, all in the $40-$150 range. All my “hard-use” fixed blades are basically in that same range. Another reason for not spending more than I have to is I’ve lost knives before: $400 of steel sinks from a fishing boat just as fast as $50 of steel.

A friend of mine just bought a Medford (I think the Praetorian). Quite a beast and quite a price tag.
My question is, from a practical standpoint what does this knife (or any folding knife coasting over $350) do that a Benchmade Grip or spyderco PM2 won’t do? You know, something a fraction of the price.

I’ve tried and failed to grasp any practical differences between a well designed $100 folder and a $500 folder. I know folders like the Praetorian boast ruggedness, but it’s still a liner/frame lock. Not that those are overly prone to failing (and not all frame locks are created equal) but at the end of the day they do somtimes fail under hard use, it’s just a basic kick-stand principal. My thinking is if you need a fixed blade, get a fixed blade. In fact, I EDC a fixed blade Becker due to once having a folding knife’s lock fail and cut me badly (SOG Trident).
And I get that the blade is thicker than most folders and tougher in that respect. But 4x-6x the price tougher?? Some of those Medfords run over $600 which makes a hopelessly practical guy like me go (!!!!!!). I could buy a BM Grip and a sturdy fixed blade and hire a kid to help me carry them around for that!

I would also think that a folder like a BM Adamas or one of ZT’s or Spyderco’s rugged folders are about as tough as a folder can get and those can be had right around $200.

Please understand that I’m not saying that I think pricy knives are pointless or bad or anything. I’m not putting down collecting high-cost knives. I’m very pragmatic with knife purchases and I can’t understand what the practical advantage or everyday-use differences there would be to a knife in such a high price range.

I totally get it if it’s just part of a fun hobby or knife collecting or you have it “just because you can”. I’ve spent tons of money on sports cars which was sort of “pointless” in the grand scheme of automotive transportation: it was just a ton of fun! I have some expensive hobbies, so I would get that. I’m not asking about knife collecting, I’m asking about price to usefulness ratio.

My question is am I missing something as far as practical differences between a descent quality $75-$150 folder vs. one of the extremely expensive folders? Is it purely a collectors prize? Are they really as reliable as fixed blades (I wouldn’t really believe so)? Aren't there less costly knives that are just as rugged? Is there a purely practical reason I should consider adding one of these folding tanks to my arsenal? Am I likly to not notice any difference in general knife tasks, or even moderately heavy knife tasks, between something like a Praetorian and something like a BM Griptilian? (Feel free to answer all these questions generally, not necessarily specifically)

I want to have an open mind. Thanks guys!
 
Reality is that fixed blades rule...no folder can match them, not even Cold Steel with the Triad lock. Nothing really beats, IMO, a Grip or PM2 for a useable folder. They’re my 2 most carried folders, PM2 in M4 and Grip in 20CV. I’ve got lots of the “$400” folders that I just like in my collection and even use and carry them. Usability differs for many. Some think a Hinderer is the most usable knife ever and some think it’s a Delica. I’m in between the two and am throughly enjoying the hobby. :thumbsup:
 
The main difference is the ability to show off to other knife guys.

There may be a few other minor practical differences - better quality control, better heat treats on the steel, better customer service - but no, for a user I don't think the $400+ price tag is at all justified.
 
More power to ya if that's your mentality on knives, or anything in life. You pay for quality, and designs, materials, and name brands, no different than if you buy expensive clothing, alcohol, cars, houses, etc. A $250 bottle of wine isn't going to get you anymore drunk than a $15 bottle of wine. A $75,000 car isn't going to get you from point A to point B much differently than a $20,000 car, but that's never the point. Live within your means, and buy what you like. I simply prefer higher quality and more expensive things throughout all areas of my life.
 
This pretty much applies to any goods. What can a pair of $200 jeans practically serve that a $20 pair cannot? What can a $2,000 LV bag hold that a $40 CK cannot?
 
I think you're right-on in your thinking about practical knife value in terms of using. We have discussed the diminishing returns topic a few times relative to knives. I think you basically get 90% of the $400 knife with a $100-$150 knife if you want to speak in generalities. To me, the difference in the price tag is not worth the difference in "quality" for cutting something. But everyone has different budgets or ability to buy knives and place their personal value to these things. I say.... just keep doing what you're comfortable with.
 
`br4dz- said:
A $75,000 car isn't going to get you from point A to point B much differently than a $20,000 car, but that's never the point.
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Well, speaking as someone who’s not what you’d call wealthy, it somtimes is the point.
And I think living within your means means different things to different people, even those that are wealthy. I think I’d spend the money for a $75,000 car if I were able to. But parts of me are still just practical with certain things and I might not spend money on it even if I had it.
Great example: I do property maintenance and one of my clients is a well-off doctor (he helped invent some well-known medications). I kid you not, he drives a 15 year old suberban with 450k+ Miles on it (a testament to GM). He ownes several nice properties and the guy cold drop $100k on a new SUV like nothing happened, but this car works and he going to run it until it stops.

I have another client in a similar financial situation who drives a new $90k SUV. Some people see quality vs. practicality vs. value differently.
 
As with lots of things, many people say there is a law of diminishing return as knife price escalates. Among my most frequently carried knives are a SOG Zoom Mini ($60), a Spyderco Southard ($250), and a Chris Reeve Umnumzaan ($425).

The difference in materials, fit, finish, and quality between the SOG and and the Southard is pretty great; between the Southard and the ‘Zaan, not nearly as much. Diminishing returns.

All three cut. The SOG has to be sharpened much more frequently, but it’s super easy to do and it gives me a sense of satisfaction to know that the super sharp edge is mine. If I loose the SOG, it’ll suck. If I loose the ‘Zaan I’ll be devistated.

So, if they all cut, why do I need anything more than my SOG? I don’t. But, there is a pride of ownership and use that comes into play. The “nicer” knives bring me a sense of joy that the SOG or my even cheaper CRKT Drifter do not.

Everyone is different, but for me the performance curve starts to flatten around $100 and the materials/quality curve does the same around $200. There are some individual exceptions, of course.

Incidentially, up until 2 years ago I thought that anyone spending more than $100 on a knife was either foolish or crazy. My nicest knife at the time cost me about $50 (a knife I still like, btw).
 
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Being as probably 98% of users will never use ANY knife to its full potential, I'd have to say no, there is no practical difference. BUT, if you like a particular steel, or handle material, or style enough, you have to pay what is asked to get it. Buy what you like, and enjoy using it, whether it be $50 or $500. Or more....
 
Lots of great input and insight so far guys. Thanks. Please keep it coming.

Sounds like several of you see it sort of like I do or used too. I may likly “evolve” to want more costly knives one day. But I’ll probably never say that a $400 knife is 4x better than a well made $100 knife.

I think in the case of my friend who bought the Medford, he really thought it was the best option and good value, sort of like buying a Cadillac SUV thinking it’s twice the car a Chevy SUV is, when it’s actually just twice the price and shinier: still rolls down the road and will last just as long. But buying a Cadillac because you really like a Cadillac is cool too.
 
How true Marcus!!!
I figured almost $200 for a BM 940 was insanity......I now have 4......2 with custom scales!
Going from ~ $75 to $400, couple of Sebbies, didn’t take very long at all.
Seeing the quality in a high end production knife from a great American company with excellent CS just feels good to me.
Carrying one of my Sebbies, or any of my others costing over $300 gives me the same feeling as wearing a nice watch.
Joe

marcus52AR said:
Its a question for your subconscious..

I had no idea I was comfortable spending 400+ on a folder until one day I was.
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I had a silver '95 Lincoln Continental, 6 cylinder, great gas mileage, very smooth and comfortable. But, it had no character, it was just a car. I really LIKED my matte black primered, white vinyl roofed '75 Continental with the 460 and dual 4 barrels that got 9mpg whether in town or on the highway. People saw THAT one coming and just got out of the way...
 
V84mystang said:
Please educate a fellow knife enthusiast. I want to have an open mind:
I’m not exactly new to knives but I’ve always been a pragmatic user/purchaser; I don’t buy cheap but I don’t spend more than I have too to get the job done. For folders I tend to use brands like Kershaw and Buck and I like Benchmade, all in the $40-$150 range. All my “hard-use” fixed blades are basically in that same range. Another reason for not spending more than I have to is I’ve lost knives before: $400 of steel sinks from a fishing boat just as fast as $50 of steel.

A friend of mine just bought a Medford (I think the Praetorian). Quite a beast and quite a price tag.
My question is, from a practical standpoint what does this knife (or any folding knife coasting over $350) do that a Benchmade Grip or spyderco PM2 won’t do? You know, something a fraction of the price.

I’ve tried and failed to grasp any practical differences between a well designed $100 folder and a $500 folder. I know folders like the Praetorian boast ruggedness, but it’s still a liner/frame lock. Not that those are overly prone to failing (and not all frame locks are created equal) but at the end of the day they do somtimes fail under hard use, it’s just a basic kick-stand principal. My thinking is if you need a fixed blade, get a fixed blade. In fact, I EDC a fixed blade Becker due to once having a folding knife’s lock fail and cut me badly (SOG Trident).
And I get that the blade is thicker than most folders and tougher in that respect. But 4x-6x the price tougher?? Some of those Medfords run over $600 which makes a hopelessly practical guy like me go (!!!!!!). I could buy a BM Grip and a sturdy fixed blade and hire a kid to help me carry them around for that!

I would also think that a folder like a BM Adamas or one of ZT’s or Spyderco’s rugged folders are about as tough as a folder can get and those can be had right around $200.

Please understand that I’m not saying that I think pricy knives are pointless or bad or anything. I’m not putting down collecting high-cost knives. I’m very pragmatic with knife purchases and I can’t understand what the practical advantage or everyday-use differences there would be to a knife in such a high price range.

I totally get it if it’s just part of a fun hobby or knife collecting or you have it “just because you can”. I’ve spent tons of money on sports cars which was sort of “pointless” in the grand scheme of automotive transportation: it was just a ton of fun! I have some expensive hobbies, so I would get that. I’m not asking about knife collecting, I’m asking about price to usefulness ratio.

My question is am I missing something as far as practical differences between a descent quality $75-$150 folder vs. one of the extremely expensive folders? Is it purely a collectors prize? Are they really as reliable as fixed blades (I wouldn’t really believe so)? Aren't there less costly knives that are just as rugged? Is there a purely practical reason I should consider adding one of these folding tanks to my arsenal? Am I likly to not notice any difference in general knife tasks, or even moderately heavy knife tasks, between something like a Praetorian and something like a BM Griptilian? (Feel free to answer all these questions generally, not necessarily specifically)

I want to have an open mind. Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

At the higher prices you get pride of ownership and quality of construction. One huge pet peeve of mine is that even in many 150-200$ knives they still use lousy screws. Good screws don't often show up until the knife gets rediculously expensive.

And that is another thing you are paying for, quality of the item and manufacturing process. If you get a Sebenza you are partly paying for the fact that the knife is made with tight specifications and so it will likely be very similar to everyone else's 425$ sebenza. Also at the higher prices you are hopefully getting a knife that like the sebenza can be taken apart easily and every time it goes back together exactly perfectly.

I have had screws strip while disassembling ZTs. Reassembling my Kizer Feist was a nightmare. So hopefully, but not always, when you go from 200$ to 400$ you are getting a knife that is just built better. There are 200 dollar knives that appear to be made from the same materials and they also have a bearing system and this and that, so it is easy to think "why should I pay extra?" That extra cost often goes into things like build quality and warranty.
 
I've had many folders between $150-$400. Same with fixed blades.
My EDC is always a large Sebenza, but my additional cross-draw fixed is a Bradford Guardian 3 at about $170. I use the Bradford more than the Sebbie, simply because both work well, but the fixed blade is quicker for me to get to.
I enjoy the "magic" of the CRK...you take it apart and clean it, put it back together and the blade is always perfectly centered.
They're all good...a matter of personal taste...
 
My 2 main EDC's as of late are a $40 Kershaw and a $50 Gerber. I have a few knives in the $250-300 range and yes, the quality is there..you can physically see it and feel it.
It's all personal preference as well as budget. My lower budget knives perform just as equally as my $300+ knives come cutting time. Longevity might be another story but depends how and how often you use em.
 
The perfect answer to all of this of course in the sale forums right here at bladeforums. Most active members take great care of their knives, and I'm willing to bet that many knives sold over there are in better shape than they were when they left the factory.

If I may share my prime example:

I was in the mood for a nicer folder, but I didn't have the big dimes to toss around very liberally, so I started checking in. It's an exceptionally active board, and deals, good and not so good, come up nearly every few minutes.

After just a few days, I was able to pick up a ZT 0456 for just a little north of $150 from a very generous and ethical member here. It fit the bill perfectly for my intended use, and he was able to roll over his inventory relatively quickly, making good use of his assets as well. (I used to be a purchasing agent. Many sellers would do well to understand the true value of a quick inventory turnover.)

In short, I got a great knife, for a great price, from a great guy. Go over there and shop around.
 
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Bling , aesthetics , bragging rights , exclusivity , art , excitement of being on the bleeding cutting edge !

From a practical , purely functional standpoint you ,will gain some advantages with "super steels" .

I have <$20 knives that will do most of what most people actually need functionally .

Cold Steel makes some super steel models, very reasonably, that will outperform most others at any price .
 
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