Is there anything a $400 to $600 knife can do that a $100 Knife can;t"

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frankster

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After looking at the prices on some highly priced tactical knives, I started asking myself what makes a knife $300 to $400 better than a $100 knife? For example, what makes a $450 Strider better than say a $100 Benchmark?
 
Not really. And you can pretty much say the same about a $20 knife when compared to a $100 knife.

A more expensive knife, however, will in general be better built, have better fit and finish, and be made of more advanced materials. Better steel, carbon fiber/titanium/cocobolo handles, etc.
 
Danke42 said:
$100 dollar knifes can't start threads like this.
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This made me laugh. Bravo, sir.

More seriously, what you're talking about is the point of diminishing returns. These days, for me it's pretty solid at $100. I'll still cheerfully spend more than that on a knife, but I try to keep in mind that above that point I'm paying for very specific features that I want and I won't see a huge jump in performance, though you may well still see small gains.

There are certainly $400 kitchen knives that will simply cut better than my $100 French Chef but, generally speaking, they aren't going to cut 4 times as well.

The biggest gain I see with price increase like that is consistency. I have plenty of $100 knives with uneven bevels, grinds that are a bit off, imperfect centering, things that don't have a profound effect on performance, but they are little details that can really bother some people. They don't bother me so much, so I tend to stick more around the $100 price point, but if someone wants to spend more to get the details right, more power to them.
 
A $400 to $600 knife can be made to your exact specifications, including size, steel type, HT regimen, handle materials, and so on and so forth.

If you're really specific about what you want in a knife, and nothing else will do, it may be an option.
 
They probably won't cut 4 times better, but they may last 4 times as long if they really do use better materials. But usually, once you get above a certain price level, you're either buying very specialist items or you're paying for the name.
 
It can give you less problems in the long run(if used and carried a lot) because of the tighter tolerance levels.
At least that's my experience with modern knives from both price ranges that were used a lot, and bought in the 90's.
 
Most likely, you'll get better or more exotic materials and higher attention to detail.

In my experience, the $400+ ones always drain my bank account and lead to an explanation of why I needed another...
 
Knife Crazy said:
Most likely, you'll get better or more exotic materials and higher attention to detail.
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These are things you find as you move up the scale. At any price point you can find reasonably good knives, and not so good knives. Compare a good $20 knife with a good $50 knife and you will see some difference. Similarly from $50 to $120, or $120 to $250, or $250 to $450. You will find better steels, better handle materials, locks and pivots will be made better, parts will fit better, etc. Value will be in the eye of the beholder, but starting at any price point if you double the price you don't double the quality. So your $450 knife won't be twice as good as a $250 knife, or 4 times as good as a $100 knife, but it will be better and if the purchaser has the money and is willing to buy it, they can do so.

My personal price range is usually $100-200. I have bought less expensive knives and found that I liked my more expensive knives better. I have had no interest in buying knives beyond $200 or so.
 
Maybe this makes me look like a piker, but — $50 is my limit and approached only very seldom. But then for me, every knife a user knife. (Not big into showpieces, shelf/safe queens, or museum displays.)
 
It's a good time to be a knife nut, simply because there is an abundance of high quality budget knives being made these days.
 
Danke42 said:
$100 dollar knifes can't start threads like this.
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Ha! That's the winning answer!

Ya, there is.
But to keep it simple, if you look at a knife as just a cutting tool for simple EDC tasks like cardboard, food prep. ETC, then not really.
 
I have $100 knives that I really like and enjoy.They will last a life time and work wonderfully for my uses.I also have knives that cost $400 -$600 dollars that I really love and enjoy.They work wonderfully and perform exactly like my $100 knives.For some reason or another I tend to enjoy using and carrying the pricier knives more. I never show my knives to anyone and If a close friend asks me how much I paid for the knife, then I will always humbly downplay the cost.How crazy I am about knives is a personal and a private issue.What I am willing to pay for something I have passion for and love is my business.The pricier knives seem to have less holes drilled in them and generally more aesthetically pleasing overall.I tend to believe that some of the collaborations in the $100-$200 range have influenced me to take the next step and land the real McCoy.Some Older and highly desirable models that I have held for years may be sold off from time to time to fund the $400-$600 knives.This has enabled me to afford and enjoy some higher dollar knives.I am very blessed to own the knives that I have.....Generally my $400 to $600 knives I tend to enjoy using, carrying and shurly cherish more than my $100 knives.
Best,
salmonkiller
 
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You won't truly know until you own one. It's something you have to experience to understand.
 
Is there anything a $400 to $600 knife can do that a $100 Knife can't?
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A more expensive knife generally pleases me more than the less expensive knife..... It's a personal choice.

Insipid Moniker said:
More seriously, what you're talking about is the point of diminishing returns. These days, for me it's pretty solid at $100. I'll still cheerfully spend more than that on a knife, but I try to keep in mind that above that point I'm paying for very specific features that I want and I won't see a huge jump in performance, though you may well still see small gains.

There are certainly $400 kitchen knives that will simply cut better than my $100 French Chef but, generally speaking, they aren't going to cut 4 times as well.

The biggest gain I see with price increase like that is consistency. I have plenty of $100 knives with uneven bevels, grinds that are a bit off, imperfect centering, things that don't have a profound effect on performance, but they are little details that can really bother some people. They don't bother me so much, so I tend to stick more around the $100 price point, but if someone wants to spend more to get the details right, more power to them.
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The point of diminishing returns for me is around $125-$150. It is hard to put a precise number on it, but for me, any knife that exceeds $125 causes me to take a longer look before I decide to buy. You do get better materials in general and better fit and finish as the price goes up. But for sheer cutting performance, the gain is more personal that something you can define other than "I like it or I want it."

Bark River seems to capture the point of diminishing returns pretty well with many of their fixed blades. Basically, if you choose a normal sized knife with A-2 and micarta handles, it will run in the $150-$200 area. Add more exotic handles or better steel, and the price goes up. However, many would say that Buck captures that point and you're paying a lot more for the Bark River name.....

With folders, all you really need to do is look at the Spyderco line and their traditional use of VG-10 steel and FRN handles/scales. These are the more value priced knives and often half as expensive as ones with what is considered better steel and often non-FRN handles. One can also look at their Byrd line and make the same sort of comparison with the VG-10 knives. You're getting a better knife in VG-10, but not 2x as good.

So, it is all about personal choice and your comfort level on pricing and value. Better steel usually means the edge will last longer before needing to be re-sharpened.

As far as Striders, well... I have always felt they were over priced and seldom really look at their line. Essentially I dismiss their entire line from my consideration. The Strider name does not buy anything for me. Benchmade...... well, that is up to you. I personally don't own a Benchmade knife, but I suspect that will change in the future.
 
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frankster said:
After looking at the prices on some highly priced tactical knives, I started asking myself what makes a knife $300 to $400 better than a $100 knife? For example, what makes a $450 Strider better than say a $100 Benchmark?
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really this subject has been posted over and over
 
It sure has!
It's subjective. Is tgere anything a Ferrari can do that a Corvette can't? Yes, feel like a Ferrari. Whether you want to pay for that is the question.
 
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