less expensive or more inexpensive

Nakk77 said:
Which do u prefer? A few expensive knives or more inexpensive knives.

Would u rather have $200+ knives in very small quantities, or more under $200 knives. Just curious to see where people are on this.
Click to expand...

I choose option 3: I have sub-200$ knives in small quantities.
 
It is funny how knives under $200 are considered to be of not enough quality. Yeah, I get it, built quality or Sebenza is generally higher than $150 Benchmade, Spyderco or Kershaw. I wouldn't be so sure about Strider or even Xm18 (forgive me) and even many customs and mid-techs. There are many $150 knives that have comparable build quality to $400+ knives. Sure those expensive knives have other things going for them, I like them and enjoy them, but blanket statement suggesting that $200+ vs $200- is quality vs quantity IMHO is oversimplifying the question by a big margin.

For me, if someone gave me $600 and told me that is all I could spend on knives, I would get several to cover my needs and desires in variety. I probably wouldn't spend $300 or more on a single blade. I would definitely have several SAKs, Mora, and few Benchmade, Kershaw, Spyderco models ranging from $15 to $200.

Now that I already accumulated fairly large number of knives, I'm more likely to spend that free $600 gift on one or two more expensive knives, at that is only because I have already covered all my needs and my desire for variety.
 
effer said:
It is funny how knives under $200 are considered to be of not enough quality. Yeah, I get it, built quality or Sebenza is generally higher than $150 Benchmade, Spyderco or Kershaw. I wouldn't be so sure about Strider or even Xm18 (forgive me) and even many customs and mid-techs. There are many $150 knives that have comparable build quality to $400+ knives. Sure those expensive knives have other things going for them, I like them and enjoy them, but blanket statement suggesting that $200+ vs $200- is quality vs quantity IMHO is oversimplifying the question by a big margin.

For me, if someone gave me $600 and told me that is all I could spend on knives, I would get several to cover my needs and desires in variety. I probably wouldn't spend $300 or more on a single blade. I would definitely have several SAKs, Mora, and few Benchmade, Kershaw, Spyderco models ranging from $15 to $200.

Now that I already accumulated fairly large number of knives, I'm more likely to spend that free $600 gift on one or two more expensive knives, at that is only because I have already covered all my needs and my desire for variety.
Click to expand...

Most of my knives are under $200. All my knives are very nice quality. I wouldn't call my Manix or Emerson SOCFK poor quality at all. The same goes for my slipjoints which all but one are under $100. They are good quality knives. It's just that something like a Sebenza is on another level.
 
The build quality of a full blown $600.00+ custom is very different than the production customs of the $350-$450.00. Like wise with the $200.00 knives are worth what you pay and is a good balance. I say go full blown custom with a IKBS system or stay cheap. Knives like Striders and Hinderers xm18 are production customs. They are nice knives but will find your self comparing them to cheaper knives like ZT and make comparisons. You will never do that with a full blown custom folder.
 
Last edited:
My tastes in knives has been refined and evolved, so I have fewer knives that are a little on the "more expensive" side. My edc's range from $350-$550.
 
It just depends on what you're interested in, and what you can afford. Myself, I collect Schrade-USA Old Timer knives, most of which have been in the $20-$100 range although the prices are rising. I am also interested in accumulating a wide variety of blades from all over the world. That would be nearly impossible if spending hundreds of dollars on each knife.

If spending $200 on a single knife (which I rarely do), I'd be shopping in the "Handmade Knives For Sale by Maker" forum section.
For $600 I wouldn't expect anything less than a one-off custom.
 
I just got a kershaw oso sweet for $25, and i was pleasntly surprised, it was my first Kershaw, and AO.
it has the blade shape, and ergonomics I like te best right now. It feels cheap, and has a poor blade stel, but i still like it
 
Last edited:
I'd rather have a few $400-600 knives that a whole bunch of $100 knives. I know this because I went thru it ! I'm actually trying to whittle down my collection at the moment.
 
the most ive spent to date is 138.95 on the swamp rat RMD not including shipping. i believe that you dont need a super expensive knife to get most jobs done right. but i do look for quality though i am a pretty picky buyer, will i pay more for quality yes i will.
 
I look at a knife as something I don't plan on purchasing for a long time, as in years. When I do buy one, it tends to cost a few hundred. That said, I've already made my last or second to last purchase (relatively speaking since I haven't paid yet and haven't received delivery yet).

I'll have a DDR custom, a Keith Ouye, and a midtech DDR. I don't need or want anything other than those.

As far as a fixed blade, I plan on getting a Pohan Leu. When I do, I'll probably sell my Bill Coye. I may also sell my midtech DDR. I just don't need that many knives.
 
If these cost $600 each, and therefore I could only afford one or two, it would be the LAMEST collection ever. LOL :(

P1010307.jpg
 
I jumped into the crk pool and there's no going back. Ordered a burger, plan on putting the seb on work duty and scraping together for an acies. Benchmade, spyderco nothing else I've handled compares.
 
It's not because something is affordable that it should not be interesting for the aficionados.
For example, Opinels, Douk-Douk, Mercator knives and alox Victorinoxes are all near the bottom of the price levels, yet they are interesting and perfectly usable tools.
 
I like knives in the $150-$200 range
Not many above that I see worth it- unless you jump to the $500 plus range and I sure as heck can't afford that

So quality, just not super custom quality
 
In the past I've owned a half-dozen $300+ knives. They're very cool, but I was too hesitant to use them. Personally, I felt the value difference between a $400 knife and a $150 knife was marginal. I believe that once you start spending more than $150, you are not getting that much more in a knife except maybe in exclusivity of owning that particular product.

I want something that's cool, but that cuts well and I'm not afraid to jack up. Most Spyderco sprint runs do that for me.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I just downgraded my collection to a few inexpensive folders, a few $100+ and then the $400 and up range. Down to about 15 really nice folders. They'll last longer than me. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top