High end knives ruin the rest?

Whats ruined me was buying a spyderco endura. It made me realize that any knife $20-$25 less is not worth buying anymore.
 
I agree with the consensus, I can go back and forth on highend to mid range. I think it did kill any love for gas station cheapies though. I love my spyderco dragon fly as much as a CRK and I love my mora Craftline as much as my Gossman
Puukko.

I actually sold all my "high end" busse knives for handmade and /or cheaper production models. So much to choose from in this day and age, there's a lot to love.
 
Only been into knives for 6 to 7 months and started out with Kershaws. Then bought a few kizer's moved up to a ZT 0450 then a Large Sebenza and finally a Shiro. I sold the Kizers and CRK kept the Kershaws for garage duty. I now carry the Shiro and would like more of that quality. So Yes the more expensive knife kind of spoiled me. I still like and carry the ZT. I wish Shirogorov would make some smaller knifes If they did I would buy more of them.
 
I wouldn't say it ruined me, but once I got into custom knives, I just pickier about what I really wanted. I just have a deeper appreciation for what a quality knife REALLY is.

Once I bought a Sebenza, that was THE standard by which I started judging all knives.
 
In my view high end production is pretty darn good these days and I think if anything many wonder if the high end handmade is really worth it compared to a high end factory and $100's less.
 
hhmoore said:
Reading this, common sense tells me I should sell about 20 modern folders (leaving myself some variety for when it is wanted/needed); but they're mine, and I like having them. Besides, why put myself in the position of having to replace them out of regret?
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Me too. That's exactly where I'm at.
 
It ruined it for me, I just have a para2 and an H1, the rest are above 500-1200, I sold about 50 lower end models I had and starting focusing on midtechs mostly, but high end knives too, my beater knife now is a Hinderer Spanto XM18
 
High-end knives made me appreciate low-cost quality knives even more. Knives are designed as cutting tools and sometimes paying more does nothing but give you bragging rights.
 
I went from production Spyderco's to sprint run's to full blown customs and have come to appreciate the value of well made production knives.

Started in the 100.00 range productions to customs well over 1000.00 and have found my niche in higher end productions in the 150.00-300.00 range and find I get my most "bang for the buck" right there.

Just could not justify carrying high dollar customs. So no they have not ruined it for me, on the contrary they made me appreciate all the more a well made production knife,and the value they have IMO.
 
Screwdriver said:
High-end knives made me appreciate low-cost quality knives even more. Knives are designed as cutting tools and sometimes paying more does nothing but give you bragging rights.
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I couldn't agree with this statement anymore than a fish loves water.

I've worked my way up to mid-tech knives and I'm looking at getting a sub $100 Cold Steel Recon 1 in XHP for my next "user". I love having higher end knives and I'm definitely not afraid to use them but in that sense, before I do use them I always think to myself is this the best tool or knife for this specific task. I often think about it alot more than I should.
 
Been thinking about this a bit........I honestly enjoy carrying, and using, these 2.
One is $400, the other was about $80.
The Sukhoi is literally just about perfect in every way.....centering, action, lock up and over all build quality. The thing flicks out like a shot!
The Link??? Can't center it no matter what I do.....doesn't rub though. Little side to side play no matter what I do. I couldn't care less! It's a really cool little knife that looks good & cuts very well.
I enjoy carrying both.......but damn, that Sukhoi is such a sexy bitch!!
Joe

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Quite the opposite. If I want S110, S125, 3D printed Ti, or 4 axis milled Ti, I have to go with factory knives.
 
I have many collections many of which are no longer as important as others.

My take is knives is the middle of the knife market is where you get the best value for your money. That doesn't mean that the high end doesn't offer something to some but what they offer is generally a very small increase in everything people use to rate knives. $100 dollars could mean a increase of only 5% in quantifiable quality increase. Most people can't tell the difference between a $150 and $225/250 knives. The problem is there is no consistent creditable information regarding how to make a value judgement when comparing the differences between knives.
 
It depends. $100-300 knives do ruin most of the sub-$100. But they hold their own against the $400+.
From a functional standpoint, there is very little that differentiates the two. Steels used tend to be the same, many of the materials tend to be the same. Lock strength tend to be the same. Cutting performance tends to be the same. etc
But the higher end knives do look better. There are some more unique materials that look better. Some have unique locking systems.

The funny thing I've noticed is that I've held some high end knives and was left utterly underwhelmed.
 
Not at all. I have gone up to very nice customs and back down. I love my new M4 mini grip, cru-wear PM2, maxamet Manix 2, H&K Patrol, and Microtech LUDT. All great knives!! They all have their place.
 
Like many others, Ive had the expensive ones, CRKs, Striders, Customs, etc... Right now I only carry my Waved Endura. Best fits the role of a modern folder in my opinion. Otherwise I prefer a slipjoint or fixed blade depending on the task.
 
Some people are going back from expensive knives to budget knives, and not because they have worse job.
 
Some production knives are of such high quality now (ZT, high end Spyderco and Benchmade) that I actually prefer them over the midtechs I've owned, and even some customs.
 
I find useful applications for both production and mid-techs. As i found out while answering a different thread (Average cost per knife), my average is around $275 now - so the trend up is clear for me. I tend to have lower cost knives in my car, toolbox, desk drawer, backpack, etc., and higher end knives in my EDC pocket rotation.

Still, i feel like a knife and flashlight snob these days. Things I would always look at and consider for purchase in regular stores around town in the past now hold nearly zero interest these days. Blade Forums, dedicated knife stores and other Internet resources have won.
 
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