High end folders worth it?

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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And it gives you plenty of time to save up and hide the money really good too so there is no way the next one will ever find it, know about it etc... :thumbup:
 
As someone who just bought (Fathers Day gift, but I bought it, you know how that goes) my first Sebenza, a Large 25, I can honestly say for me, it was worth it.

I like bigger knives, so prior to buying the Sebenza, I rotated a PM2 (I have 2), ZT 561, and Emerson CQC-8 randomly from day to day. I work in an office, all upper management and scientists, so I only carried a Cadet in my pocket at work. The Sebenza, while still a bigger knife, seems to come off more gentlemanly than tactical, so I'm comfortable carrying it at work on days I don't wear dress pants.

The Sebenza 25 is the "smallest" feeling, "bigger" knife I've ever felt. Meaning, it has plenty of blade length (3.6") to satisfy my enjoyment of bigger knives, but is practically unnoticeable in the pocket, contrary to the 561, CQC-8, and even the PM2. The almost 1:1 blade to handle ratio and overall thin and narrow size are attributed to it's feel in the pocket.

It's hard to explain, but if you're feeling like making the jump, my suggestion is to try one out. Find an online retailer that will let you return or exchange if you don't like it.

Another selling point for me was, a Sebenza can be sent back to CRK at any time to be completely refurbished for about half the price of a Delica. So although it cost me $445, it's built to last a lifetime, and can be made to look new again any time I wish, or not.

In the end, I value the quality, so it was worth it, to me.
 
I would say it depends on the person. A guy that made his fortune is more likely to decide better, than a guy that inherited his fortune.
 
It also depends on how much experience you have collecting. I've been buying $100^ knives since I registered on this site. I bought my first Darrell Ralph custom while I was in Iraq late 2003. I have refined my tastes enough that I know exactly where to go.
 
I'm picking up an insingo at the end of summer. But as a knife lover its not going to stop me from enjoying my knives in other price ranges.

Crk's are curious things. They have better f&f then many custom models three times their price. And like what many have said. If you enjoy the very best in engineering a knife that is durable, utilitarian and built to be simple yet ingenious you'd be hard pressed to find something that does any more than a crk. I'm still going to be whipping out and carrying my Delica, UKPK and slip joints just because I like them!
 
Completely agree with the statement below. I have a BMW and a LandCruiser, and they are definitely good value in their own rights. I have a lot of folders in the 400+ category including several customs, and my EDC is an absolutely beautiful Alan Davis custom in ironwood, that many say I am crazy for carrying it all the time, with those beautiful scales. But the lockup and function is so satisfying to me, that I carry and use it everyday, and it's damsacus blade does enough for it's uses. I love my Sebbie 25 and prefer the regular handles on it, and it is definitely a benchmark blade.

Capt.Canuck said:
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.
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I was wrong in my earlier post.

I walked into my local knife shop today to get my 25 sharpened and walked out with a micarta 25 also! They happened to have one in stock from Blade Show.

Man, get one of these. Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable. You will NOT be sorry. The pictures do not do it justice.

Toughness and beauty in one package. A "complete" CRK!
 
jmclfrsh said:
I was wrong in my earlier post.

I walked into my local knife shop today to get my 25 sharpened and walked out with a micarta 25 also! They happened to have one in stock from Blade Show.

Man, get one of these. Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable. You will NOT be sorry. The pictures do not do it justice.

Toughness and beauty in one package. A "complete" CRK!
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The Micarta 25 does feel great in hand.

I'm not a collector but the good thing about high end knives is you can pick them up on the exchange and try them out and as long as you keep them in the same condition you get your money back or lose very little. In the past 4 months I just got into Hinderers and started with a Spanto. Loved that knife but found that I would probably get more use from the slicer grind. So I bought a slicer grind XM-18 and compared and sold the Spanto for a $10 loss. Small price to try something out to see if I liked it. Since then I have tried two other Hinderers and sold them as I find the slicer grind is the one that works for me. I've also bought two CRKs from dealers because I had no intention of ever selling either and wanted to put all the wear on them myself. I still have my Spyderco and a few benchmade but I rarely carry them because I don't mind using the mid techs for everything. I don't think I'll ever wear these things out. So if you're willing to spend the money and don't mind using them then I say go for it. I don't regret it one bit. Plus you can always sell them on the exchange if you find they aren't for you. Good luck with your choice.
 
Bigfattyt said:
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What does the finished brand look like? I have always thought those things were neat.
 
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. 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.
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My audi A6 drives a lot nicer than any accord i've driven. I think high end knives are worth it to a point. I believe in spending decent amount on something I use day in day out.
 
2001 Lexus GS300

 
I think you guys all make valid points.

Its the same with any hobby really. I remember when I was obsessed with paintball. I played 30-40 weekends out of every year for 3 years. I had at some point 20 paintball markers some I had never even fired or played with that cost $1,200.

No matter what I had a few favorites and would always go back to those three markers. I find knives to be the same way although this is not going to be the same for everyone.
 
Charlie Mike, that baby huey looks great. I bet it cuts really well.
OP, I'm glad I bought some higher end knives. They give a good reference point. The Sebenza is the gold standard for me.
 
Thanks! Dunno what SJ stands for but for mine, it means Sex Juice!
 
bld522 said:
Here's what I'd do if I were you.

I'd buy a CRK Sebenza 21 . . . Large or Small, whichever you prefer. To my way of thinking, the Sebenza is just about at the top of the heap for production knives and easily edges into custom territory, particularly in terms of fit and finish. For me it serves as the barometer against which I judge the quality of every other knife in my collection. And it has served me very well in that capacity.
:)
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Exactly...
 
To me it usually comes down to whether knives are tools for you or they're a tool AND a hobby. Many of us hobbyists start out in a certain price range then want to see what else is out there. It's natural. If you can afford it and it makes you happy, then go for it. We might as well enjoy a few things while we're on this earth, and the knife hobby including high end knives is one of them for me. It's funny how some folks with $2000 worth of $50 knives will tell you one $400 knife isn't worth it. I used to be all about bang for the buck and then one day that went out the window. I have and carry both a Delica and Sebenzas. One is a tool and the other is a tool made for a lifetime and the cost reflects that. Once you make the jump to that first midtech you'll find yourself wanting to try a Hinderer then a Strider to see what each one is all about. It's addicting, but fun.

There are threads all the time about are the expensive sharpening systems worth it when this stone I found at Walmart can do the same thing for $15. To me sharpening is a hobby in itself and it makes me happy investing my time and money getting crazy OCD symmetrical and polished edges to a zillion microns so I can treetop peach fuzz. Worth it to me.

Bottom line is if it's not hurting you putting food on the table or keeping the lights turned on, then go for it. Use it, scratch it, love it.
 
Holy shit I just pulled the trigger on a large 21 CF. I'm on cloud 9, Saturdays mail can't get here soon enough.
 
I just have a bad feeling that this is going to lead to more than my wife will be happy with me spending in the future. Thanks for all of your input.
 
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