How long did it take you before you spent $400+ on a knife?

Non yet but I've saved up for a Hinderer XM-18 3.5 if I'm lucky to find one.
 
Only if i can justify the NEED to USE it...i usually only buy one for the application.

You really only need one but WANT more..
 
Five or six years. The knife the pushed me over the edge was the Busse Killa Zilla 2. The best folders I can find are still under $200.
 
It took me a long time to go past $120.00. I was always trying to get prices around $100 or just over. I think it took me about 9 years from the beginning of my knife obsession where I would buy cheap $12.00 smith and wesson knives till now when my average price range is $200.00-$250.00. I'm still surprised when I see a $375.00 to $600.00 knife and I'm not bothered by the price.

I have purchased a sebenza but I sold it, Just not for me I guess. The knife I've spent most on besides that is the strider SMF CC I got of this site for $390.00
 
About 2 or 3 years, I think. Once I discovered Benchmade it was all downhill (money wise :D) since then...
 
A $400 knife would have to take me out to dinner, a movie, and show me a really good time afterwards, too.

- OS
 
Never have, and most likely never will, unless I get to handle a bunch of custom slippies and decide I really do want that dark green micarta, backpocket slipjoint with a modified wharncliffe blade :ninja:

I've handled Sebenzas and the like, and while there is that certain *it* factor of them in feeling, it doesn't justify the price difference to me. Especially when I can get a sub $100 spyderco or Kershaw with perfect fit and finish, the same steel, and an equal or better lock... Just like I'd probably never buy a mercedes when there is a perfectly good honda or toyota out there for half the price.
 
I hope I never spend that much.

I enjoy looking at expensive knives but I wouldn't want the fear of damaging or losing one, and unless my circumstances undergo some drastic change I could always spend that money on something better.

For instance, I'd rather spend $300 travelling to somewhere cool and using a $100 knife when I get there.
 
I always carry a small SAK and a flashlight when I travel. Never know when you may need them alone in some unfamiliar place. Back in 2000 I was in Ft Worth after winning some money from the Shreveport casino and stepped into a knife store intending to get a slightly bigger knife. I knew nothing about knives at that time but was convinced by the staff to get one of the best knives around. Only years later did I realise that the knife I had bought was a small Sebenza.
 
Like most, it was a progression. Started out as a newbie, buying $50-$75 SOGs and Spydercos from the local retailers. Wanted to see and feel in hand the items that I was purchasing. Also wanted to pick the best from the lot for the model that I wanted- blade centered, pristine scales, even grind and all that jazz. Yeah, I know, all that for a sub $100 knives. I use my knives, I'm just particular when I buy something new. I want to be the one that gives it character, but at times it doesn't always work out that way- which is fine, sometimes.

Went through a phase where I wanted to know what made the $100 dollars knives worth their weight and then the $175 ones. As in any new hobby, one devours information- yet, still got so much to learn. Began to read, watch reviews and make purchases online. Mixed up my small collection from folders to fixed. Also had an inkling to try out various steels and scales, all within a budget. Started to apply some critical thinking as to what satisfied my needs, what suited me and what I expected out of a particular tool. Was content with my low-end Benchmades, Al Mar's and Bark Rivers... for a while...

Until, I came across a video about this knife called the Sebenza, ever hear of it? After much deliberation, mainly trying to justify it to myself, picked it up for $330, a small reg 21 (unstamped and undressed). It was at first to quench my curiosity as to what made it so iconic. That, and CRK was beginning to stamp their knives, and I just wasn't feel'n that and I thought I better pick one up soon. Now, it has since been one of my favorite edc's. Again, I was content...for a while...

Then, my ears caught whispers about this unicorn of sorts in the knife circles, it was suppose to be on par in quality with a Seb plus it had the added bonus of being overbuilt for hard use, it goes by the name of... Hinderer. I had the temptation in check because there was a crazy wait-list for it and the secondary market prices were insanely high. One always wants, what one can't get. So, I hawked online sites for my prey, hoping that an opportunity might present itself. As providence would have it, an online retailer had one for $450 because of some computer mishap and I just so happen to have some disposable income at that moment. And so, I took hold of that chance and without seeing or touching the knife, bought it- just asked a couple of questions on the phone. Surprised my conservative self...only for a second.

Now, my median is between $100 to $200 and if something really special comes along, it better not be more than six bills and it better be one freak'n hell of a unicorn.

Long story- short, from $50 to $450 knife... in about 4 years.

In knives and as in many things in life, to each his own.
 
"How long did it take you before you spent $400+ on a knife? "

Not too long after I got on these forums. If memory serves, I think it was a Randall I bought around '05.
 
i spent $385 on a large sebenza with free shipping...does that count?

i got a christmas bonus last year and used that plus the funds from a knife or two that i sold to cover the rest. only after visiting BF did i realize that sebenzas were such a big deal...
 
My biggest purchase will be in about a week of mt ZT 0300. Can't see spending much more but i'm sure that's what everyone says.....

ZT-0300.jpg
 
Once you get over about $250, it should be part art or investment for me. If you make money crazy fast - then no big deal or ... if it inspires you.
 
Steve of KOP said:
Good Topic, I eventually did spend 400. I have lots under that price. I feel many are a steal around that price point. I am very conscience of ever raising my knife buying to non knife people, then 400 sounds like "Crazy Time" All the time I think, it's worth it! A Chris Reeve Umnumnzaan Tanto is itching to be bought! How much Food is that? How much Gas is that? In the end it will be a knife that I will be holding and appreating deep into the future.
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I have to agree with your thinking..."how much food, or clothes, or gas" could you buy for the price of that $400 dollar knife. Yet on the other hand, my wife and I like to eat out, probably a couple of times a week. So, I'm thinking $30-40 dollars per meal, doesn't take many weeks to spend the money one could use for a high dollar knife. Plus you have something of quality to show for it, in the case of the eating out....well, no need to go there..:D
 
It took me awhile, but inflation is part of the equation. My stag handeled Randal #3 cost me less than 400 bucks. Now, they are going for well over 600. I also have a D'holder that I paid about 2 hundred for. Now, his knives are bringing scarey prices.
 
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Redeye said:
I hope I never spend that much.

I enjoy looking at expensive knives but I wouldn't want the fear of damaging or losing one, and unless my circumstances undergo some drastic change I could always spend that money on something better.

For instance, I'd rather spend $300 travelling to somewhere cool and using a $100 knife when I get there.
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Different strokes and all that jazz.
I'd rather spend $400 on a knife and stay at home.
Or go use it in the woods.:)
Of course, I spend money differently than most. I'll spend $400 on a knife, but I refuse to get a cell-phone, and I think people who spend more than $50 on a pair of pants are insane.:D
 
stabman said:
Different strokes and all that jazz.
I'd rather spend $400 on a knife and stay at home.
Or go use it in the woods.:)
Of course, I spend money differently than most. I'll spend $400 on a knife, but I refuse to get a cell-phone, and I think people who spend more than $50 on a pair of pants are insane.:D
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Agreed, my friend kept bugging me about taking a 4 day summer trip somewhere. She estimated it to be around $500. I didn't tell her I would rather spend $500 on a Sebenza, but that's exactly what I did :D :D :D

And same as you, the cell phone I have I've been using for the past 2.5 years, it's all beat up but I don't care. $50 jeans?? That's crazy, I spend $20 when they're on sale. :p

I'm the type that spends a lot of money to fund my hobbies (motorcycles, guns, knives), and I cut back on the everyday luxuries. A lot of people I know don't have any hobbies, so they spend all their money on eating out at nice places, clubbing/drinking, buying clothes, and traveling.
 
The Logical One said:
A lot of people I know don't have any hobbies, so they spend all their money on eating out at nice places, clubbing/drinking, buying clothes, and traveling.
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Very true.
Most people spend the money on something.
I just happen to like it to be something sharp.:)
 
I've been around for over 8 years and very interested in sharp, pointy things for much, much longer. I've never spent more than $150.00 or so on a knife, and God willing, never will. I know there are lots and lots of nice knives out there that break that price-point, but for me, it's just not something I'd consider doing. I have to set boundaries or I'd just go out of control. That's true for most things in life, I've found.
 
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