High end folders worth it?

XDSteve said:
are they worth the large price jump
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Functionally? No. A $450 knife does not cut any better than a $40 knife. Ask an apple if it was just diced with a Delica or an Umnumzaan, and it won't be able to tell you. It will just stare back at you with those big, sad, diced apple eyes.

Does spending $450 on a knife make you think its "better"? That's a purely subjective question that only you can answer. In my view, its mostly smoke, mirrors, marketing and premium pricing. The S30V and titanium you get on a $450 knife is the same S30V and titanium you get on a $120 knife. If there is something that makes a CRK or Hinderer or whatever "better" than a Sage 2, it is the feeling you get from playing with, carrying and using a knife that costs a crazy amount and has close tolerances.

My CRKs and Striders are nice knives. But when you get right down to what it is that knives are supposed to do - which is cut stuff - they are no better than the entry level or moderately priced stuff. Just ask the diced apple.

Apple-Green-Diced_zps657c284b.jpg

Kershaw or Hinderer? You be the judge.
 
XDSteve said:
Ok I'm finally in a position in my life that I can afford nice things. I have a nice collection of mid level folders and am contemplating making a jump up to the CRK, Hinderer, customs etc level . I've never had the opportunity to handle one and there's no where in my area that carries them. Anyways my question is: are they worth the large price jump from the $200ish level that I'm at now? Or do I just keep buying at this level? Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice.
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Totally worth it if the money is not an issue.... You can use any crap knife (including an old plastic handle steak knife) for most of your cutting duties, that doesn't mean you should want to based on the cost of it. You buy a mid tech for the fit and finish, their use of fine materials, the attention to detail given to the blade grind, the precision and the engineering that goes into making it and it's assembly. Another great thing about a mid tech like a Sebenza is that you won't loose a great deal of $$$ if you decide it's not for you. Just make sure you keep everything that comes with it, if you buy it new, make sure you put the receipt in the box too (in case anyone doubts your knife is legit) Best of luck and welcome to the world of $$$ knives (may the powers that be have mercy on your bank account :)
 
I don't think that they are. To me, it's like the guy who drives the BMW as a status thing when it doesn't do things any better than a Honda Accord. I'm a form follows function kind of guy. A BMW or Audi will not do anything better for me than a Honda Accord or a Jeep. A $900 Hinderer doesn't cut any better than a $120 Spyerco Paramilitary 2.
 
Your opinions are very helpful. I guess the way I should have phrased this post is "when you made the jump to high end folders what were your feelings? Where you happy or did you feel it was a bad choice? If you refuse to make that jump what are your reasons?" many of you answered these questions without me asking them. I appreciate everyone taking the time to type out long and detailed responses. I kind of expected to be hammered for my "stupid question". I've been a lurker here for a while and have heard stories of how rude this board was. You've proved them wrong. Good stuff.
 
XDSteve, I firmly believe this group is intelligent and welcoming....if you are. This crowd does not suffer fools well. However, if, like you did, you come and ask an honest question, I think folks will take the time to give the best advise they can.
 
It was definitely a journey for me, Steve. It's still difficult for me to buy high-end knives if for no other reason that, as others have pointed out, there are so many fantastic knives available at very reasonable price points. But when I've got one of my Sebenzas or William Henrys in my hand or my Laconico Slim EDC or my Alan Davis Titanium Trapper or my Chuck Gedraitis Medium Puffin or my Ken Steigerwalt custom lockback, there's a feeling I get that's indescribable. It's a combination of pride of ownership and awe at the incredibly fine piece of craftsmanship I have the privilege to be able to hold in my hand. Don't get me wrong. I truly understand those who say any knife can cut. I actually count myself among them . . . my last knife purchase was a $30.00 CRKT Ken Onion Wrinkle. In my world, value is value and there is no set price point on value. But boy oh boy, wait until you buy your first REALLY nice knife. Then you'll know what I'm talking about. :)

One more point about the Sebenza. The reason I continue to recommend it is because thousands of satisfied owners can't be wrong. It's not only a great knife, it's probably the safest high-end knife recommendation I can make. And as others have pointed out, if you don't like it, you can sell it for nearly what you paid for it. To be honest with you, I don't have a better recommendation to make to you than that.
 
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There is exactly a 1:4 ratio in price on these folders.

 
XDSteve said:
Charlie Mike, I've admired your daily carry since the first time I seen your setup on a Facebook page. That Rolex makes me drool.
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Thanks!

(There's another 1:4 ratio... the total of both knives multiplied by 4 would equal one of those watches.)
 
If you have a bunch of $200 folders already. You don't NEED any more folders, period.

However, given you do own a bunch of $200 folders, I think the real question is what would make you happier - buying another 2 $200 folders, or finding out what F&F refinements are involved in a good $400 folder? Plus, as others have pointed out, choose sensibly, and you can always get rid of it at close to what you paid for it, so there is little downside.
 
I have a custom slip joint folder that I carry and use that was significantly more than a nice production.

Shoot, I've even used it to castrate cattle.








But I still take great pleasure from a well made production knife. I still carry them, and use them. Even when I am carrying a much more expensive knife I still like to pocket an Opinel or two, and maybe a production slip joint. Often, cutting items I would never with a custom.



I have carried a CR and Hinderer (both pass around).

Price them out. I, honestly, would just go straight for the customs. But, as others have said, the high end production so help establish a quality control baseline. I have seen many customs at similar prices or even higher, that were not up to the quality established by some of the higher end productions.
 
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Brummie said:
If you have a bunch of $200 folders already. You don't NEED any more folders, period.

However, given you do own a bunch of $200 folders, I think the real question is what would make you happier - buying another 2 $200 folders, or finding out what F&F refinements are involved in a good $400 folder? Plus, as others have pointed out, choose sensibly, and you can always get rid of it at close to what you paid for it, so there is little downside.
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I definitely don't need any more. But I just sold a ZT0300 and Contego. Which means very little out of pocket :) I'm leaning towards a Large 25 with CF inserts....
 
It's about how it makes you feel. If you look at a CRK or Hinderer or whatever else and see the workmanship and appreciate the machining and smooth, balanced lines then it speaks to you. If you look at a knife scales and only see that it's made of titanium or G-10 then it's probably not with the extra money. It's like a watch, my G-shock keeps better time longer with less fuss than my mechanical watch, but I don't find myself fading off at meetings admiring the movement and aesthetics of my casio the way I do my mechanical.
 
David Lowry said:
I don't think that they are. To me, it's like the guy who drives the BMW as a status thing when it doesn't do things any better than a Honda Accord.
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That's not a statement that anyone who has driven both a BMW/Audi and then a Honda hard, would make. If you're comparing taking them to the grocery store and back, similar experiences sure - but push them hard and they are worlds apart.

The same is true with knives. If you're comparing how well they open envelopes or cut packing tape, of course most anything will do.

My advice - buy the best you can afford.
 
Luis G. said:
Does under $1k maker price but $1+ market price count?
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Sure!

The only reason I'm not swimmin in women is my sponsor says no relationships in my first year of sobriety ;)
 
Charlie Mike said:
Sure!

The only reason I'm not swimmin in women is my sponsor says no relationships in my first year of sobriety ;)
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Extremely smart sponsor. Also I was glad to hear you've been clean for quite some time now when I came back to the forum, way to go.
 
I've tried to carry expensive folders many, many times. I tried to carry a hinderer. I tried to carry a strider. I tried to carry a sebenza (longest successful carry time out of these), and several limited editions and mid-techs. Ultimately, even knowing I could afford to replace them AND have yet to misplace or lose a knife, I still couldn't get over that "you're using a $400 tool for something your 0801 would handle just as well."

Basically, ZT is my go-to brand when I feel I want a solid and precisely-made knife. I'm much more utilitarian about such things than I would honestly like to be. I would rather feel pride and comfort carrying a 0777 or 0801CF, but even those just look like wasted money to me when I look at them rationally.

Maybe one day, when I really have almost no concerns about money - but for now, I've tried enough that I just have to stop and accept it.
 
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