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

[Lapedog]

This assumes that you actually ever take apart your knives. I have never done so. If I feel that I have to take a knife apart, I think it's probably broke and often a manufacturing or warranty issue.

It goes beyond that. For example I wanted to change the pocket clip to tip up on my Boker Exskelibur. The screws did not want to come out and I could have easily stripped them.

Or my Kizer Feist which came with a bunch of machining flash in the action. You can tell the knife wasn't built to be taken apart and serviced because it didn't want to go back together. (And lousy screws again).

Even if you never take your knife apart, being able to repeatedly without problems is a measure of quality.

 

[maximus83]

The finest folder, IMO, that is less than the $400 mark is the Spyderco Slysz Bowie.
That is a great knife...smooth, and with excellent CTS-XHP steel. I've had two, and if I didn't carry
a Sebbie, I would carry the Bowie.

Darn you for saying that! I'd been eyeing one of those and totally don't need another folder, but what am I gonna do now?

 

[BilboBaggins]

Darn you for saying that! I'd been eyeing one of those and totally don't need another folder, but what am I gonna do now?

Get one before they're gone!

 

[Hackenslash]

And some are under explaining this !

See what I mean? Some "get" it and some don't. Until you "get" it, it'll seem like an agonizing justification full of "ifs" and "hows".

Unless you're made of money, or have no sense of fiscal responsibility, using a $500 can pose a serious conundrum. Once you can feel the difference and can appreciate that difference, the worries and justifications drop away. That really is how it works.

Look at this, you made me use way more words than my first post to try to explain the same simple thing. That's proof of overthinking.

 

[BD_01]

Once you can feel the difference and can appreciate that difference, the worries and justifications drop away.

Then ther’s folks like me who “get it,” know and appreciate the difference, but still cant justify dropping another half-large given their current situation...even though I really want to!

ETA: In fact, that’s why for the most part I’ve stopped buying knives. I can probably afford a $150 knife now & again. But there are two specific knives around $450 that I think I’d rather have than three knives @ $150 each. Since I can’t justify the $450, I don’t even bother at $150. (It killed me to pass on the M390 PM2 exclusive that dropped this week—argh!).

On the up side, it’s put me in a position to enjoy and use what I already have in my collection—definately a good thing.

 

[V84mystang]

See what I mean? Some "get" it and some don't. Until you "get" it, it'll seem like an agonizing justification full of "ifs" and "hows".

Unless you're made of money, or have no sense of fiscal responsibility, using a $500 can pose a serious conundrum. Once you can feel the difference and can appreciate that difference, the worries and justifications drop away. That really is how it works.

Look at this, you made me use way more words than my first post to try to explain the same simple thing. That's proof of overthinking.

Are you saying “yes, there’s a functional difference” or “I appreciate how fancy they are”?
I’m not trying to worry or justify, I want to know if there’s a real world difference to spend that much money. If you just like the knife, cool. If you’re saying that a $400-$500 knife does more or works better than a $75-$150 knife, I’m not sure the consensus here agrees.

I have to be concerned about cost. I don’t buy “cheap”: I buy Surefire flashlights, Leupold and Aimpoint optics; I see the quality over bargain-bin options so I pay for the quality. And I don’t buy bargain-bin knives. I buy quality when I need it. I don’t buy $5,000 rifles just because I like it: my $1200 AR works just fine. I have rent and other bills to pay so spending an extra $300-$400 on a pocket knife when all I want is function doesn’t make sense (not dissing buying it cause you like it and it’s your hobby: I’m speaking strictly about function). Unless there’s some functional advantage, which was my question. If there’s a quality I need I’d buy it.

 

[basmca]

 

[Napthrix]

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!

You've hit the nail on the head. There are absolutely diminishing returns on cost, so the only reason to spend $400+ is that, for whatever reason, you're just taken with the knife. There are some fixed blades which are definitely worth $200+, and customs are obviously another story altogether, but a PM2 or a 940 will get the job done 99.9% of the time.

 

[GermanyChris]

I have a folding knife I carry and a fixed blade I carry since it's one of each they're both reasonably expensive. If I were going to have multiple knives I would buy less expensive ones.

 

[BD_01]

I have to be concerned about cost. I don’t buy “cheap”: I buy Surefire flashlights, Leupold and Aimpoint optics; I see the quality over bargain-bin options so I pay for the quality.

V V84mystang I get you completely! The quality : performance : price ratio is highly individualistic. Personally, the jump in price for upgrading my O-Light flashlights and Redfield optics just isn’t worth it...to me. Given the choice, I’d rather put that cash towards something else. I can still hit a target and see where I’m going at night.

That said, I can simultaneously still appreciate the Surefires and Leupolds for what they are, and understand why someone would desire the ‘upgrade.’

 

[Velitrius]

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.

This is great, Joe. Felt myself nodding my head while I read that post.

One day you spot a knife somewhere that totally speaks to you, and you plunk down the 4 Franklins with a smile on your face.

How much pride of ownership you'll gain is probably directly proportional to the amount of cash you're willing to expend. For anything really.

 

[V84mystang]

That said, I can simultaneously still appreciate the Surefires and Leupolds for what they are, and understand why someone would desire the ‘upgrade.’

For me, I just bought Surefires and Leupolds from the get go. If I had already spent money on other brands that worked I probably wouldn’t upgrade. Although I truly think Surefires are a good value. To be clear I’m buying the more entry level offerings from these companies (G2X, VX2, etc.). Again, I’m practical. I just want rugged reliability. I don’t need the bells and whistles that so many scope or flashlight or knife (or whatever product) companies try to convince you that you need. I want a flashlight to turn on when I need it, a scope to just be there and be clear and a knife to function and cut and take an edge. Anything beyond that doesn’t help me.
The warranties from such companies also attract me (and I’m a “buy USA-made” kind of guy).

You’re reasoning is sound and wise.

 

[SkrufKnifer]

What do you need this folder for? Why not carry a fixed blade? Really at a certain point your paying for a name and the right to say you spent x amount on a knife. I think $100 is a good cap considering you can get an ESEE 4 or 6 for not to much more. If you need a fishing knife any thing will do. Any SAK, sodbuster, a $10 OKC paring knife. This may seem like I'm off track just hold on. I have a 91 Ford explorer lift kit big wheels and I've rebuilt the whole thing pretty much and have upgraded a bunch I'm only about 35-4000 into it. Now it goes down all the same Jeep trails as all these 40-50,000 $ jeeps. Actually even better than those jeeps. Why because it dosnt cost $40,000 and I can scape the paint and get dirt on it. The only real difference is at the end of the day I can't go around telling people my rig cost $40-50,000 like it makes any real difference

 

[DocJD]

See what I mean? Some "get" it and some don't. Until you "get" it, it'll seem like an agonizing justification full of "ifs" and "hows".

Unless you're made of money, or have no sense of fiscal responsibility, using a $500 can pose a serious conundrum. Once you can feel the difference and can appreciate that difference, the worries and justifications drop away. That really is how it works.

Look at this, you made me use way more words than my first post to try to explain the same simple thing. That's proof of overthinking.

Well , gosh golly ! Sure hope your brain ain't got too sore from all that deep cogitation .

 

[Hackenslash]

Are you saying “yes, there’s a functional difference” or “I appreciate how fancy they are”?
I’m not trying to worry or justify, I want to know if there’s a real world difference to spend that much money. If you just like the knife, cool. If you’re saying that a $400-$500 knife does more or works better than a $75-$150 knife, I’m not sure the consensus here agrees.

I have to be concerned about cost. I don’t buy “cheap”: I buy Surefire flashlights, Leupold and Aimpoint optics; I see the quality over bargain-bin options so I pay for the quality. And I don’t buy bargain-bin knives. I buy quality when I need it. I don’t buy $5,000 rifles just because I like it: my $1200 AR works just fine. I have rent and other bills to pay so spending an extra $300-$400 on a pocket knife when all I want is function doesn’t make sense (not dissing buying it cause you like it and it’s your hobby: I’m speaking strictly about function). Unless there’s some functional advantage, which was my question. If there’s a quality I need I’d buy it.

Yes, there is a difference.

No, the sum of the parts will never equal the cost of the whole.

If you try to make the square peg fit in the round hole, it never will.

I have $25 knives that I love but I get the greatest satisfaction of carry from the CRKs (and like knives) I own.

If you're happy with the knives you carry, quit second guessing yourself. Use them and enjoy them. If you ever "need" more, it'll feel natural and normal to go get them.

And "yes", I feel the difference between a $1200 AR and $5000 AR. I use the AR infrequently and am fine with my modded Stag. If I used my AR everyday, like my knife, I'd probably be working toward buying a better longarm.

For now, my cheap-ass AR will be fine until the zombies come. The apples I cut with my knife are already here.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

After you exceed $200 for a factory knife, they all perform about the same provided they have similar construction.

Custom knives are completely different though.

 

[xyrium]

Definitely agree on CS. Recon and Ultimate Hunter are bargains if that's the range you're in.

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 .

 

[Justin Uthadude]

...... when all I want is function

Washing your car doesn't increase its function

Mowing your lawn or painting your house doesn't increase its function

Functionally, you probably don't need to own more than two pair of shoes

Yet, many people do these things.

Some people like nice

Some people like quality

If a Delica and a Sebenza were the same price, which would you take?

So like most things in life:
What's it worth to you?

 

[DocJD]

Washing your car doesn't increase its function

Mowing your lawn or painting your house doesn't increase its function

Functionally, you probably don't need to own more than two pair of shoes

Yet, many people do these things.

Some people like nice

Some people like quality

If a Delica and a Sebenza were the same price, which would you take?

So like most things in life:
What's it worth to you?

Occasional washing and waxing helps maintain the finish and extend the life of the vehicle from rust .

Without mowing, a lawn eventually becomes a fire hazard , pest harborage and loses all normal lawn functions and returns to nature , no longer a lawn at all .

Painting protects the house from damage and decay .

Your world view is amazing and fulfills an unfortunate stereotype of privilege and protection from reality ! Or maybe you are simply a normal teenager ?

 

[Justin Uthadude]

Occasional washing and waxing helps maintain the finish and extend the life of the vehicle from rust .

Without mowing, a lawn eventually becomes a fire hazard , pest harborage and loses all normal lawn functions and returns to nature , no longer a lawn at all .

Painting protects the house from damage and decay .

Did I accidentally say those things weren't of value? I'm sorry. I meant to say they don't increase the function of the item, which is why I quoted the OP saying 'when all I want is function '.
As we speak, my friend and I are pushing some fellow veterans in wheelchairs back to their rooms from a bingo game here at the VA hospital. All of us were born when there were only 48 states - hardly teenagers.
So your comment :
Your world view is amazing and fulfills an unfortunate stereotype of privilege and protection from reality ! Or maybe you are simply a normal teenager ?
Gave us quite a chuckle. Thank you for brightening our day !