High end vs all the rest?

ono724

ono724

Joined
Jul 17, 2010
Messages
1,490
Can anyone honestly tell me that a high end knife performs better at a knives most basic function, which is cutting things, than say a $60 dollar Kershaw, or $100 dollar Benchmade?

I mean, if you're out there needing to cut that rope, or cardboard, or whatever, is there "that" much difference? I understand the whole concept of "fit and finish" I guess I'm just having a hard time conceptualizing that after a certain point, the fit isn't going to be that much better...:confused:

Or is it more of an aesthetics thing? or a collectors thing? I hear so many people say that a knife is a tool, which I totally agree with. So, if that's the case do I really want to pay $500 for a adjustable wrench?...

Just curious here....not looking to start arguments, would just like to get some unbiased opinions....and please, no lame ass "that's like comparing a Porsche to a yugo" comments :D

By the way, note that I did NOT mention any particular maker. I'm just looking for opinions on a general level without pissing off anyone :)
 
Not necessarily. Just as a $6000 watch won't tell the time much differently than a $150-200 one. It's more the labour, craftsmanship, and the artistic aspects which add significant cost to the product

My sebenza is a luxury good. It fulfills all the aspects I need from a tool, but offers me those little extras which make it worth twice as much as my some of my spydies.
 
A knife is nothing like an adjustable wrench though. Knives have personality, and have a much more personal attachment. It's something most people here carry with them everyday. Sure it's a tool, and to most people a $6 is the same as a $600 knife. But to those of us unfortunate enough to get into either knife collection or just enjoy a quality tool, money becomes less important when making our selection.

Functionality between a $60 Kershaw and a $400 Sebenza is probably non existent as long as we are comparing similar steels in similar sizes. Both are made to last, have exceptional fit and finish, and they both cut things. But owning a "high end" knife is cool for some people because it sets them apart from the guy with the $6 knife. When you hold it in your hand, you know the difference. It's all a personal choice, and if you can't get over the money dilemma, then you shouldn't force yourself otherwise you'll be disappointed because after all it is just a knife.
 
For me it would have to be a Custom knife and or a Steel like S90V to make me open my wallet.
 
I dont find they cut all that much better. Often they will cut worse. A perfect example is the Hinderer xm-18 or any given strider or crusader forge. The difference is in the materials used, how they are made, as well as attention to detail. I have a lrg sebenza which is a very expensive knife. Is it worth the cash over a 60 dollar knife? It depends on what a knife is to you. If it just a tool you throw in your tool box, it probably is not. If a knife is something that you pull out several times a day often just to enjoy its feel, or presence, then maybe an expensive knife is up your alley.

Based on your question, I dont think your ready for a high end knife just yet. Often it takes time to develop an appreciation for the finer details of a knife. Much like wine I think. I personally couldnt tell you difference between a 500 dollar or 5 dollar bottle of wine (except maybe by the prettier bottle). The 500 dollar bottle of wine would be a waste for me :)
 
Thalestin said:
I dont find they cut all that much better. Often they will cut worse. A perfect example is the Hinderer xm-18 or any given strider or crusader forge. The difference is in the materials used, how they are made, as well as attention to detail. I have a lrg sebenza which is a very expensive knife. Is it worth the cash over a 60 dollar knife? It depends on what a knife is to you. If it just a tool you throw in your tool box, it probably is not. If a knife is something that you pull out several times a day often just to enjoy its feel, or presence, then maybe an expensive knife is up your alley.

Based on your question, I dont think your ready for a high end knife just yet. Often it takes time to develop an appreciation for the finer details of a knife. Much like wine I think. I personally couldnt tell you difference between a 500 dollar or 5 dollar bottle of wine (except maybe by the prettier bottle). The 500 dollar bottle of wine would be a waste for me :)
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Thanks for your reply, I'd love to see a picture of your lg Sebenza.
 
No, they do not perform any better. Oftentimes, they will even perform worse. A Spyderco Gayle Bradley will slice better and hold an edge longer than a Sebenza due to the M4 steel and hollow grind. But what sets knives like the Sebenza apart isn't so much blade steel and high tech heat treats, but the fantastic F&F of the whole knife. Everything on it will be perfect, all the parts will fit together flawlessly, etc. If you're just going for function, a Delica 4 should be fine. But if you want a work of art, there are people out there to fill the demand.
 
I find my sebenza to be the best cutter I have at least with the way I cut, but with that said it is barely noticable. I also do not reprofile my knives because it would take too long on my sharpmaker.

With that said cutting better was not the reason i got the sebbie nor is it enough to make it worth the extra cost; other factors do that.
 
you answered your own question without even realizing it.

performance is not the reason people spend money on high end knives.

those who own high end DO NOT view their knives as simple tools akin to an adjustable wrench.

high end knives have something other knives dont, and custom knives have soul.
 
What puzzles me is the plethora of high end knives with pedestrian steels and the increasing abundance of middle priced knives with super steels. It seems to me that the makers of expensive knives ought to offer some of the more exotic blade materials.
 
The same could be said of any monetary good. Does a 3000+ dollar handgun really shoot that much better than a Glock? Probably, but you probably won't notice the difference unless you bench rest it. Does a Porsche 911 really accelerate faster than a Corvette? Probably yes too, but will you honestly notice the few fractions of a second that it does?

Does a custom knife costing hundreds really cut better than a Spyderco? If you're having to ask that question, you might as well carry some scissors in your pocket.
 
In my experience, a carbon steel Opinel will out-slice nearly any high-end knife due to its thin blade, flat grind, and distal taper. Performance does not equal price when it comes to knives IMO. the one area where a higher price may provide higher performance is in edge retention, but you can get knives in ZDP-189 and M4 for under $100 bucks these days. High end knives are all about quality of craftsmanship, quality of materials, durability, and sometimes ego. There is a reason companies like Opinel, Mora, and even Victorinox have been around so long and sell so well, they are amazing performance at a very small price.
 
harkamus said:
The same could be said of any monetary good. Does a 3000+ dollar handgun really shoot that much better than a Glock? Probably, but you probably won't notice the difference unless you bench rest it. Does a Porsche 911 really accelerate faster than a Corvette? Probably yes too, but will you honestly notice the few fractions of a second that it does?

Does a custom knife costing hundreds really cut better than a Spyderco? If you're having to ask that question, you might as well carry some scissors in your pocket.
Click to expand...

I don't recall asking that question, but thanks for your opinion. I'm curious, do you own any custom or higher end knives? I'd love to see pictures....:thumbup:
 
ono724 said:
I don't recall asking that question, but thanks for your opinion. I'm curious, do you own any custom or higher end knives? I'd love to see pictures....:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I have two customs and a midtech right now and another custom that is months out. Compared to some of the other people that have knives in the thousands, mine are probably nothing spectacular. My midtech is a DDR HTM which is my most expensive knife right now. The custom that's months out will be another DDR. It will be just a hair over 7 Benjamins.

Also, I must apologize for coming off like a dick. It's just that this question pops up quite a bit.

edc01.jpg
The folder is the midtech...was around 270. The fixed blade is a custom.
 
While it is probably very possible for most people to find a knife that will do for a low price when you enjoy these things it is fun to find the one that you highly enjoy not just one that will do.
 
An analogy for this subject that comes to mind would be clothing. There are many levels of materials, quality, cost, and perceived luxury. I think it can be hard for the guy wearing levi's and carrying a case (that's me) to relate to the idea of wearing armani and carrying a high end knife. Is the guy with the expensive knife sitting around sipping champagne, smoking a cigar, and pronouncing Umnumzaan with a french accent? Probably not. Most likely he's a 'normal' guy that feels the value is justified and has the means to aquire.
 
When I buy a "$60 Kershaw or $100 Benchmade", there's always something (as small as it might be) that bothers me about it. With high-end knives, I am able to get a knife that I have no complaints with at all. The simple peace of mind makes it worth the price to me.
 
Its not just with knives but with most things.
There's an unmeasurable ROI that comes from some of the higher end items be it cars, watches, cameras, etc.

For me personally, the pleasure that I get from using these items is worth the added cost.
 
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