High End vs. Medium End vs. Low End

milefile said:
I’ve not been into collecting knives for very long. I’ve always had a few and been kind of picky about them, but this year something clicked and I guess I’m a bit obsessed now. There were some pricey knives I had to have, and plenty I have yet to acquire. And there are some eye wateringly expensive knives I can’t ever picture myself paying for. What’s a little unexpected, though, is how much I appreciate budget knives. Recently I picked up a QSP Penguin and a Vosteed Raccoon and they’re both great. You can for sure tell the difference between that and a Pro-Tech or an Axial OTF (a couple at the higher end of my collection), but I still really enjoy them. I have a Kizer Original Copper on the way. And I just impulse bought a Spyderco Tenacious in carbon fiber. Anyway, just wondering if any of you guys also have diverse collections of budget knives and nicer stuff or do you focus just the nicer stuff or whatever. Thanks and have a great weekend.
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I started something like that. Knives don't only cut stuff. They surgically remove impulse control and slash even the most fortified of thrifty intentions.

They massage some primal need that makes the next level justifiable in astonishingly short order. It's an amazing phenomenon, really.

Next thing you know. This is your brain at every decision. lol


Welcome!
 
scorpnsnake said:
I started something like that. Knives don't only cut stuff. They surgically remove impulse control and slash even the most fortified of thrifty intentions.

They massage some primal need that makes the next level justifiable in astonishingly short order. It's an amazing phenomenon, really.

Next thing you know. This is your brain at every decision. lol


Welcome!
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If you hang around here long enough, this is your future. You’ve been warned.
 
milefile said:
It seems like in recent years actual junk is more rare than it used to be and there are good values to be had. The assumption that Chinese made stuff is automatically garbage really isn’t true anymore. But it definitely can be.
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I think the bigger concern now isn’t as much identifying cheap junk as identifying garbage counterfeits. As prices go up, especially in the mid-tech segment, there’s a higher likelihood of counterfeits being sold as originals at enough of a discount to look legit to the less-than-expert eyes. Don’t ask me how I know. There are plenty of good quality options to be had for under $100; but if you see something for $150 that everybody else is selling for over $200, the red flags should start flying.
 
I've shared this image a few times, but it makes the point that you need a firm budget plan, not my funds nor my photo but, it fits ;)

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

North Mountain Blade makes a very well made slip joint for a reasonable price, although they also sell some that jump up because of using Mammoth scales and damascus blade I am pretty happy with these in M390 steel and desert ironwood scales

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Welcome to the forum !
Enjoy the search !
G2
 
I would argue that it's not just a metric that can be measured by money. I believe that rather than making it a financial choice, you should make it a value choice.

Some would say that a $50-00 SAK is low end........it's not. The value is enormous.

Some would say that a $350-00 CPK is expensive, it isn't. Arguably you are buying the very pinnacle of knifemaking.

For everyone we must decide what is valuable in a knife to us. There are no right or wrong answers........




Well maybe sometimes there are.......... 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
 
knarfeng said:
"power EDC'er"
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Lol 😂

I don’t buy budget knives from the country that shall not be named, but I love finding deals internationally.

I just gathered some of my favorite budget babies for this pic. Top to bottom:
Taiwan
Portugal
Germany
Taiwan again
Ukraine
Finland
USA
Nepal
Argentina

IMG_5859.jpeg
 
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Steven65 said:
I would argue that it's not just a metric that can be measured by money. I believe that rather than making it a financial choice, you should make it a value choice.

Some would say that a $50-00 SAK is low end........it's not. The value is enormous.

Some would say that a $350-00 CPK is expensive, it isn't. Arguably you are buying the very pinnacle of knifemaking.

For everyone we must decide what is valuable in a knife to us. There are no right or wrong answers........




Well maybe sometimes there are.......... 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
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Funny you used that as example. Im actually a fan of his and have 2 of his knives. I discovered him at my last bladeshow. I had been to 4 in the last two years and honestly had become bored of seeing the same ole stuff.

When I finally came across his table I was blown away by the uniqueness. I ended up buying 2 of his tamer models that are actually useable but I really appreciated his work. He takes an abstract approach to knife making which I found refreshing and daring to be different. All of his knives are handmade and while crazy looking still cut. Im pretty sure it’s just a hobby for him and only makes knives for bladeshow. But I definitely get his knives are not for everyone.
 
The longer I stick around the more high end I've bought, and low end has been sold. I rarely buy sub 100 dollar knives except for SAKs that strike my fancy. I've sold off much of even my Spyderco and Benchmade pieces. These days it's all about Chris Reeve Knives (I own 16 of their folders, 6 of their fixed blades), Koenig (3 folders, I fixed), Arno Bernard (2 folders, 1 slip joint, 1 fixed), and now an affinity for Hawk (I have a Talon.) I have another CRK ordered direct (large 31 lefty in Insingo blade with bog oak inlays) and a second Hawk Talon from the most recent drop (all titanium) which is my first time cracking the 4 figure barrier.

I work a desk job. I do use my CRK fixed blades hard doing work at home, as I have cut out a fair amount of brush and vines on the weekends. But the folders generally are package openers, food cutters, and a 7th in line last resort for a defensive encounter (after POM spray, a Sig 365XL, my light, my fists, my feet, and my voice.)

I've come to a spot where I'd rather own 1 $500 knife than 10 $50 knives. And that's not for everyone, I get it. I also have a truck with no payment, a home with no mortgage, and live a debt free lifestyle. If I don't have the cash, I don't make the purchase. I save enough on interest by now owing money to afford multiple knives a year!
 
On the flip side, and not as a generality, some of the less expensive knives I've purchased of late have proven to be every bit as good as my mid-tech knives in the $400 to $600 range.

Quality can be obtained at several price points. I've had expensive stinkers, and inexpensive gems.

I also own several high end, high dollar knives, (by my standard), which by my lights are worth every penny.
 
You really have to buy and use a lot of knives before you know what's good and what's not. A comfortable 4 finger grip is a must for me. No matter price. If I cannot get a good grip on the knife, it's not safe to use.

Good locks on folding knives are just as important as a good grip. Don't want it to close on your fingers accidentally.

That just leaves steel choice and heat treatment and IMO, Chinese Spyderco models (like the Tenacious), Civivi and Cold Steel typically have good handles, decent steel and heat treatments at very reasonable prices.

Serrations should also be a consideration for EDC. Never know what you might need to cut. IMO, SpyderCo does serrations better than anyone (even on the low end models).

Hope this info helps and enjoy the hobby!

Edit: meant to add my high end knives are Bark River, USA made Demkos and USA made SpyderCo. The most I have ever spent for a knife is around 450 (Demko AD20) and the least is around 25 (Cold Steel TuffLite). Both are excellent useful knives with great handles, locks and steel.
 
I keep my purchases on the low to mid-end of the spectrum, mostly low-ish. I can afford a couple super high end knives but see no real reason to, as someone else pointed out in another thread all knives cut ; some better than others. I have a Buck 424 bucklite, a swiss classic sd and a ladybug in my pocket today, and for me that will satisfy over 90% of what id personally run into
 
milefile said:
I have a Chinese mechanical chronograph that I paid $105 for. It’s an homage to a Breitling that costs $5000.
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No it’s a ripoff of their design.

Knives are a hobby for me and I choose to only buy and use knives made in the USA. I have a couple Swiss Army knives that were gifted to me. I would much rather have a few good knives than a bunch of crap knives.
IMG_7945.jpeg
This is my most carried and used knife.
 
I think most knife purchases come down to what people want.

Do I want more CRK, Hinderer, Demko... knives? Hell yeah!

Do I want to spend $500+ on them? How bad do you want them?

Having had my Work Sharp RMX for 48 hours, I'm questioning why I need to spend more than $150, for another folder.

It's a knife that I can see being charged twice the amount for. Yet WS made it so that everyone can afford it.

Do you need a $500+ folder? Probably not.

My Kershaw Blur has lived in my pocket, as a work knife for 10+ years. It's done everything I've needed, until I broke the tip misusing it. It's fixed now and has resumed it place at my side.

Do you want a $500+ dollar knife? Probably so, more for the looks or the steel, or the machining, maker...

How many times have you looked at a knife, thought WTF were they thinking?

Just like seeing a knife and thought, man, that just speaks to me!

Don't worry about keeping up with the Jones, where it was made or price. All comes down to you and what you like, and what you can afford.
 
I always carry a SAK, I also typically have a Spyderco or Buck on me. I try to grab the SAK first in case it needs to be sacrificed unless it's a true one hand opener emergency. I have a Sebenza that gets to go out for dinner on occasion but I'm pretty scared to actually use it. I'd say I'm a cheap guy at heart but willing to entertain the mid level with a toe in the pool of the higher end.
 
WedgeAntilles said:
The longer I stick around the more high end I've bought, and low end has been sold. I rarely buy sub 100 dollar knives except for SAKs that strike my fancy. I've sold off much of even my Spyderco and Benchmade pieces. These days it's all about Chris Reeve Knives (I own 16 of their folders, 6 of their fixed blades), Koenig (3 folders, I fixed), Arno Bernard (2 folders, 1 slip joint, 1 fixed), and now an affinity for Hawk (I have a Talon.) I have another CRK ordered direct (large 31 lefty in Insingo blade with bog oak inlays) and a second Hawk Talon from the most recent drop (all titanium) which is my first time cracking the 4 figure barrier.

I work a desk job. I do use my CRK fixed blades hard doing work at home, as I have cut out a fair amount of brush and vines on the weekends. But the folders generally are package openers, food cutters, and a 7th in line last resort for a defensive encounter (after POM spray, a Sig 365XL, my light, my fists, my feet, and my voice.)

I've come to a spot where I'd rather own 1 $500 knife than 10 $50 knives. And that's not for everyone, I get it. I also have a truck with no payment, a home with no mortgage, and live a debt free lifestyle. If I don't have the cash, I don't make the purchase. I save enough on interest by now owing money to afford multiple knives a year!
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Yep, this is similar to my journey, I do still have a lot of my cheaper knives, but mostly for sentimental reasons and because the market is so soft, I would rather give them to folks that are important to me than take a bath for a few bucks. What I am typically carrying is around $500-$1000 retail and I enjoy using them for routine mundane tasks around the office. I did however recently pay for a $1300 for a full custom and reserved one from the next run for the same 😁.
 
I prefer I guess the medium to low end range.
I can’t justify the cost of CRK or better, I try to stay around 200 or lower.
I’m carrying a 35$ ruike right now, it’s a great knife.
 
norcalAF said:
Yep, this is similar to my journey, I do still have a lot of my cheaper knives, but mostly for sentimental reasons and because the market is so soft, I would rather give them to folks that are important to me than take a bath for a few bucks. What I am typically carrying is around $500-$1000 retail and I enjoy using them for routine mundane tasks around the office. I did however recently pay for a $1300 for a full custom and reserved one from the next run for the same 😁.
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Well, as long as you get the laundry done, you can use your allowance however you want!

If you want a raise, babysit!

🙃

Economically, I agree with you in terms of knife collecting.
 
Thanks to Spyderco I have reached what I never thought I could have . . . a knife with REX 121 blade steel with a seriously good heat treat !
And honorable mention (more than mention ; hear me shouting and cheering ) goes to BBB 15V and Spyderco Maxamet.
Yes I am a blade alloy ( tool steel ) guy . . . call me a snob . . . I'm an addict .
I always thought / knew the only way I could ever see REX 121 on my person was to order a Phil Wilson Custom and for all I know he has so many orders he has closed his books and could I pay for it if I could get one ?
That and I have far more use for a folder than a fixed blade , day to day .

So yes !
I'm happy and I didn't have to spend several hundred or a thousand (or a few thousand) to get my furthest dreams to become a reality .
 
Much like wrist watches, the knife hobby demands a certain degree of irrationality and honesty. If we’re being completely frank, heck, a box cutter can take care of most of the average joe’s needs. We buy knives because we like them, and/or appreciate the craftsmanship poured by the knifemaker into the work.

If a $900 high end knife floats your boat, then awesome. If a $100 Spyderco gets the job done, that’s great too.
 
Some companies are even copying the buck 110 these days :)


schrade-lb7-vs-buck-110-1.jpg
 
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