Knives in catalogues

[golok]

I always wonder if the knives shown in catalogues are as good in reality as they look in the pictures.

Photography has improved so much in recent years that even a mediocre knife can look like a million dollars if the lighting and clarity are above average.

Would the prices of the knives in the catalogue be an indication of where the knife quality?

 

[trane fan]

Would the prices of the knives in the catalogue be an indication of where the knife quality?

Prices are so subjective (IMHO), they can vary greatly from dealer to dealer, web site to web site and catalogue to catalogue. This makes it very difficult to know if you are truly getting a fair price. Also, your point about the pictures is quite valid. Ninety-Nine percent of the time pictures, not to mention the accompanying descriptions, are intended to portray the item in the most flattering way possible. Ultimately, nothing other than using a knife will tell you whether or not it was/is worth its price. Short of that I think it is always preferable to at least examine a knife at a store or show prior to purchasing it. I know that isn’t always possible that’s why I said it should be a best practice.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Buying a completely unknown product from a catalog is taking a chance. Buying a knife manufactured by a known company at least gives you their previous products to compare it to. The best picture can make a knife look good, but if you know the company that made it, you have an idea of the solidity, the fit and finish, and a reasonable price range. It's not hard to run through a few good knife dealers online and compare prices, at least, compare them to the catalog ad.

 

[MacHete]

-What Esav said. I would take it a little further and say that I will buy "known commodity" products from a catalog or vendor I know, rather than save a buck or two from an unknown dealer. I recently bought an SAK from 1SKS that I could have bought for about two or three dollars cheaper elsewhere. I paid the extra bucks for a little peace of mind because I know Kevin will take care of me and be accountable.

 

[fulloflead]

I always wonder if the knives shown in catalogues are as good in reality as they look in the pictures.

Photography has improved so much in recent years that even a mediocre knife can look like a million dollars if the lighting and clarity are above average.

Would the prices of the knives in the catalogue be an indication of where the knife quality?

No offense, but I gotta wonder how somebody with 3600 posts could ask these questions. You must spend a LOT of time in Whine and Cheeze!

 

[Kickaha]

I agree that even a junky knife can look incredible in a catalog. That's why I always read the product description carefully, to glean as much info as I can about the materials and design.

As to price, it may serve as a general guide, but if you search on the net you'll often find quite a variation in prices on the same knife.

 

[MelancholyMutt]

Like the direct correlation between beer and how attractive that chick is at the other end of the bar is, the cheaper the price, the prettier the knife picture...