I might get killed for this.

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

thrashin302

Joined
Apr 6, 2013
Messages
30
Like everyone here i love quality knives, spyderco's, benchmade's, KAI. I believe a knife is a tool, and a quality tool is worth investing in, and since im a knife addict i have several of them for differant uses. But theres a point when the price dont justify the work you get out of knife. Sebenza's, microtechs, emersons might be top notch materials and construction but there are plenty of knives for a lot cheaper that will hold up just as well as those, and honestly cheap bucks, byrds, and kershaws will be capable for 90% of the tasks a knife should have to do. My grandpa carried the same plain ol Schrade knife everyday for as long as i knew him and thats just a basic well built knife. The reson i bring this up is because my cousin just spent $200 on a benchmade osborne and yes its a great well built knife, but so is my Griptilian for over a $100 bucks cheaper. I think the high dollar knives become less of a tool, and more of an accessory. I dont mean to bash anyone or high dollar knives, but i liken it to women and purses. My gf will spend 20-30 bucks at a department store on a purse and its everybit as useful and lasting as a $500 designer purse, theres really no reson other than the bling factor. Maybe i'm just jealous but when i come across people who are talking about why you need a sebenza and talking about why there so much better, i just shake my head. Theres no way i could get $400 worth of work out of a knife, espicially when something like an endura/griptil/pm2 can do the same thing and is also proven to last. Sure, i'm being a little hypocritical since i have more knives than i need, and people can spend thier money however they want thats not what this is about, but am i the only one that thinks when a knife starts getting up there in price (for me its about 130-150) that they are getting away from what a knife really is meant to be and loose appeal in it no matter how awesome its supposed to be.
 
Last edited:
That's fine. No one is making you buy a more expensive knife. Yes, a Spyderco can cut just as well as a Sebenza but the Sebenza has an intangible value that's a bit hard to explain...maybe "fulfilling" would be the best way to describe it. But anyway, there's nothing wrong with a Benchmade or Spyderco etc.
 
The thing I look for in a knife is design and aesthetics first. Then I check price. If the knife has that "wow factor" then I will consider it. If it doesn't, then I move on with my life. Also, everybody is entitled to their own opinions, and it is unlikely that a gun will be held to your head forcing you to buy a knife.

I find the Sebenza most CRK's be visually unappealing (but I can dig the groove texturing of the Umnum), and Striders to be ugly as sin. I love the simple elegance of the Spyderhole. Those are just my thoughts (except the ugly as sin part, you can all admit it). Multiple companies and models exist because every person likes something different. Some people call me crazy for carrying multiple knives at once (usually a beater and something classier), but that is my prerogative. So long as I am not harming or imposing my opinions, nobody can have a legit problem with my beliefs.
 
I agree in some ways... I think for me it's that "one" knife, you know the one that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up that i'm after, and for some people that knife is a CRK or microtech and costs a arm and a leg. Just be thankful that you are happy with less expensive knives. I have a couple higher end blades and they are "accessory" blades for light use and dinner with the wife, but I carry a zdp endura at work, a nice GEC slipjoint off work and I think they all have their place. I too agree with you that in the production knife game there are a ton of choices in the $100-$175 that are as good as a $500 folder, and there is a turning point where you are paying for a name. I would never pay $400 for a production knife, but customs are a different story..
 
I understand where you are coming from OP, but I just try to remember 2 things.

1) My income to expenditure ratio for this product may not be the same as someone else's income to expenditure ratio. Therefore, it is less of a "hit" for some than others........making the purchase less...........exorbitant, from the financial perspective. I mean to say that if you make 100,000 a year, a $200 knife reduces your wealth by less % then if you made $35k a year. Less of a luxury item.

2) What I get out of a thing may not be the enjoyment someone else gets from the thing. My enjoyment =/= their enjoyment. Maybe it IS worth it to them, but not to me. I am sure that I am spendy on things that they are not.......this is the whole "my gf loves shoes, I love knives" thing
 
[video=youtube;4QiEnhA3n0A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QiEnhA3n0A[/video]

[video=youtube;Nj6p8p6vfZQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6p8p6vfZQ[/video]

Listen to what Chris says says around 10:15 in part 2.

When you see all the work and attention to detail that goes into making some of these knives you'll understand where the price comes from. There is intrinsic value in them. The tolerances and precision is unbelievable. So no, I wouldn't compair high end knives to designer purses. In that case you're just buying a name.

However, yes you are right. My Benchmade 707 will tackle everything my Small Sebenza will too. But there is something about having that feel and precision that you just can't explain. Hell I've spent more money on stupidities in the past. You can pay $400 bucks for a smartphone you'll have for a couple years, or you can spend $400 bucks on a knife that will literally last a lifetime and come with a lifetime warranty as well.
 
Last edited:
The more expensive production and custom knives bring with them a pride of ownership that you just don't get with other knives.
 
Good post Moxy... and I have an affinity to the 707 and small Seb also, good example.

I enjoyed those vids when I first saw them also.
 
Functionally, I can't see myself spending so much for a CRK or Hinderer when the mid-market ones (or even cheaper) will more than suffice. Aesthetically, I would choose something like William Henry folders that look more like pieces of art (or jewelry that happens to cut :) ).

However, as the saying goes, "Different strokes for different folks." I guess if the owners are happy, everything's cool. Now, if only some of these owners of CRKs (and the like) understand that we are really not that into said knives and don't appreciate the condescension.
 
et2cetera said:
Now, if only some of these owners of CRKs (and the like) understand that we are really not that into said knives and don't appreciate the condescension.
Click to expand...

Who's condescending you for buying cheaper knives? I hope that's not the case. I would never look down on anyone, or consider myself better than anyone else for carrying a high end brand.

I absolutely LOVE my cheaper Kershaws. Most of my collection consists of knives that are less than $60. My G10 Kershaw Leek is one of my all time favorites and it's in my pocket just as often as my most expensive knives.
 
There is also a difference between collecting and using. Some folks do carry very high end knives but they don't seem to be hard use working knives. Pocket show and tell. Just like the guy who owns a BMW vs. the guy who owns a civic. Both do the same thing but one is about status and style. The other utility. It's all good.
 
People choose to spend their money on whatever scratches where they itch. Cars, houses, clothes, food, drink, entertainment etc. can all cost what many would consider an impractical price tag. A knife is no different. So long as the buyer is comfortable with their purchase then value is achieved.
 
We live is a world of extremes, there is only hard use and safe queens. I wonder what grandpa would say if I asked him what his hard use folder was...
 
99% of people can survive all day with a simple Vic Pioneer. Only costs 20 euros. But it's not cool than a Sebenza, of course.

Anyway, some day in the future i'll buy a "high end" pocket knife, i'm sure. :D
 
Welcome to bladeforums Thrashin!
When I first started looking around here, I thought it was crazy that people spent more than $30 on a knife. The first time I decided to stretch to $60 it took about a month of watching reviews and deciding.
Then I got a couple that cost $80. $100 isn't much more so I tried some in that range.
Well then those $150 spydercos started looking really nice, they have better steel and fit/finish. $150 isn't really that much more than $100...

It just ratchets up slowly, and before you know it you're looking at the exchange thinking, "$350 for that knife? What a steal!"

Many of us have felt the same way you do in the past. I suggest you hit the logout button and never come back if you don't want to ever spend that much on a knife. :-) If you decide to stick around, this will be an interesting thread for you to revisit in a year or so.
 
i thrash on all my knives i buy them and carry them for the utilitarian reasons. the pleasin asthetics are the added bonus, and personally i like my knives to look worn in and used. i guess i never really looked at a knife as a "show and tell" piece . My topic wasnt about if someone can afford it or not or if its overpriced, whatever someone buys is thier own buisness and i could care less, it was more so that is a super high end knife really a tool that will justify its cost, and i still think it isnt, but now i see there are other reasons that justify the price to others. I guess its the same with expensive watches. I've always looked at it like showing my grandpa or 'John Wayne' some fancy $200-300 knife and then telling them how much it costs and watchin them laugh, while they pull out thier ol' trusty, Looking at knives and seeing the limitless prices got me thinking that there is only so much a knife can do and didnt see why they justified the price, i get put off on a high price not becauze its expensive but because a less expensive knives would do the same thing, but if people want the high end knife just to have "the one" than its a lot more understandible why it commands the price tag.
 
My 2 cents:
I guess it all comes down to the thin line betwen desire and price point. As long as you have the cash to satisfy the desire of a "high end knive"...and that makes you happy... it's ok.
Some people can also be happy with a 20$ knive and that's also ok.
I dont think it's fair to judge what people spend theyr $ on
 
CF Sebenza 21 finds your lack of faith disturbing.

IMG_0022_zpsda85b5f4.jpg


Once upon a time, I purchased and used only $30-$50ish knives. My first "real" knife was a Cold Steel model that is now discontinued ($50). At the time, I thought the knife was the pinnacle of perfection and knife design. Several years ago, after beating that CS knife into failure, I purchased a BM Grip ($80). Then a 950 ($110). Then a PM 2 ($100). Before you know it, I was purchasing many different knives to fulfill different use needs [Spyderco Gayle Bradley ($130); BM 940; Sage 1; and BM 275 to name a few].

Eventually, I amassed a solid collection (12ish knives in that range) and thought to myself, "those CRK/Strider/Hinderer fools, the cost of all of these $100-$150ish outstanding knives with better steels and locks surpasses the one or two knives I could buy for the price of this entire collection, bwahahahaa."

And then CF Sebenza 21, depicted above, was gifted. From the moment of unboxing and initial handling, I could not believe the quality of the knife I was observing. People talk about things like "tight tolerances, great fit and finish, good performance," but those are things that must be felt and observed in person to appreciate and understand. The craftsmanship and attention to detail justified the steep price without question. And, performance wise, the CRK 21 sliced better, possessed better ergos, and carried better in the pocket than any other knife I owned, easily.

I still, on occasion, kick myself in the shin for waiting so long to own a knife that I once thought unreasonably priced.
 
I agree with the OP. More expensive knives are not just a tool. That's fine though. I don't see anything wrong with that. I doubt I will ever own a Sebenza, but I bet they are sweet knives.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top