How much is too much for a 'user' knife?

[Pointshoot777]

I don't know, I guess like twenty bucks. I just get a new batch of knives off of QVC once a year and throw out any that are left over from the year before.

Hilarious !

You might be the perfect candidate for some Moras (if you don't already have them) - - give you some good steel and you won't even hit your $ 20 budget ! - - -

 

[topher]

Interesting question. I guess I can honestly say that I would spend a bit over $300, as last week I got my beautiful new Graham Brothers Razel with desert ironwood handle scales. It is one of the most beautiful knives I've ever seen, and I've carried it every day since I got it. I intend to continue carrying it daily, and also continue using it daily, probably until I pass it on to a child I hope to have.

I'm pretty sure this knife will outlive me, regardless of how heavy I use it. Do I think $300 is too much to spend on a top notch tool that I will potentially use daily for the majority of my life? Nope, I guess not.

 

[wutitiz]

If a $300 knife is the top end of what would be appropriate for your daily use, and it will hold up for you for five years to come, that ends up being, what? 16 cents a day for a really nice knife that makes you happy. If it holds out ten years, that's 8 cents a day.

I like that. In Seattle, Mayor Nickels frequently justifies spending on civic projects by describing the cost as 'less than a latte per day per person.' I think a latte costs about $4, so that's $1460 per year ($1042.86 if you don't count weekends).

I'd say that is an entirely reasonable knife budget for anyone.

 

[AfterTFD]

$100 shoes are gone in a couple of years.

I've been wearing the same $80 shoes for about 7 years now. :p

Personally the most I would spend on a user would be about $35. I just don't have any use for a knife that requires greater quality than what is available within that price range. There's nothing I've used a knife for in years that a kitchen/steak knife, mora, or sak couldn't handle.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Life is all about priorities , while some might want that BMW M series to drive back and forth to work each day , most will never ever push it to the limit of what it is capable of , but yet they still buy one anyway , why ? Maybe cause they feel they deserve it , rewarding themselves to have someone other than the avg car , or perhaps they appreciate it for what it is. All about what you feel is acceptable to you.

Spending big $$$ on something I can only look at ( collector piece ) is not something in my priority , I need to be able to use it and enjoy it , and while I do enjoy that lil $30 Kershaw in my center console , I find I enjoy my Strider's and other more pricier knives much more.

and while a $30 watch may do the job of a $1500+ watch...one thing it won't do ( most of the time ) is give you a sense of pride... and sometimes you just gotta splurge a bit.

Too each his own , just please don't bag on someone for using a $500 knife while you stand there with your $400 I-phone and your blue tooth headset , with your 60 gig I~pod , while wearing your Air Jordan's...you got your fancy stuff , let us have and enjoy our knives.

When I need a fixed blade , I don't worry , I have one one me , same with a stout folder ( Strider AR ) , and also a sheeple friendly knife as well ( PT , Case or City Knife ) and always a 45...cause sometimes somethings just need more than cuttin

 

[mhawg]

Hell, all the clothes on my back, shirt, pants, socks, belts and boxers aren't worth more than $50 but my boots, watch, pen, Blackberry and folding knives are probably good for the down payment on a decent mid size car!! Throw in my carry piece and we're up to a well appointed SUV!! On the other hand most of the guys at work are sportin' $300 or $400 worth of threads, including those slicky bottom office boy shoes and they use their stinkin' phone for a watch and might have a tiny SAK or two blade Schrade pen knife.
If I had to be one of them I'd just step out in front of a bus.

 

[proguide]

My cutoff for a user is at the Sebenza pricepoint. I won't pay much more than that.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

if I had to be one of them I'd just step out in front of a bus.

Rock on bud , rock on !!

 

[knarfeng]

There's nothing wrong with being a collector and/or user of expensive knives.

I don't happen to be one, but there's nothing wrong with it. More power to you.

My price point is ~$50. That's all I need to spend to find a folding knife with a 3" blade that cuts well, is ballanced and comfortable in my hand, holds an edge well, and has decent fit and finish.

I've found several for quite a bit less than that.