Most Absurd Knife Pricing

[danbot]

Makers that have paid their dues and built for themselves a stellar and much deserved (earned) reputation have the right to price their knives relative to the demand for their work. They have worked hard to make an honest living in this game.
The Makers that the OP is talking about have not done this and are laughed at by collectors and users that have done their homework and know when a knife is worth its asking price. Hence the "WTF?" reaction.

 

[Silent H]

Other than the already cited "people will/are paying that much for them so it must be market price" rhetoric I can't get how that knife can be $3800.

This thread is destined to go in circles then. "People will/are paying that much for them so it must be market price" is really the only reason they cost that much. It becomes a matter of personal opinion, and everyone is going to have a different opinion. I'm sure you know the saying about opinions...

Personally I agree with you, I don't see the value in that Rockstead. Other people do. Then again, I walk around with a $600 Hinderer Fulltrack in my pocket; why should I do that when a $35 Ontario Rat D2 will perform just as well? Objectively, the Rat D2 is a much better value than the Fulltrack, but I get more enjoyment out of the Fulltrack, so it is worth it to me. It's definitely not worth it to everybody though. That's the difference between buying for utility and buying luxury goods, because that's what all these knives are: luxury items. And a luxury item is only worth what someone will pay for it.

 

[evilgreg]

My example of this is Mad Dog Knives. I cannot see for the life of me how these knives can be so expensive. Forget secondary market, I mean table prices. Are they magic? I mean, literally, do they have magic powers? Even if expertly ground from Unicorn horseshoes, and heat treated in the fires of Mordor, and quenched in virgin blood, I would still have NO IDEA how these knives cost this much. I mean, they have G10 handles. And kydex.

You're selling them short, though. You didn't include that Mad Dog Knives are made from O1 tool steel. That's right, O1 baby. Lol.

Oh and they have synthetic handles too, did you factor that into your calculations? With space age materials like fiberglass and O1 you can start to understand why they go for thousands.

 

[evilgreg]

This thread is destined to go in circles then. "People will/are paying that much for them so it must be market price" is really the only reason they cost that much. It becomes a matter of personal opinion, and everyone is going to have a different opinion. I'm sure you know the saying about opinions...

Personally I agree with you, I don't see the value in that Rockstead. Other people do. Then again, I walk around with a $600 Hinderer Fulltrack in my pocket; why should I do that when a $35 Ontario Rat D2 will perform just as well? Objectively, the Rat D2 is a much better value than the Fulltrack, but I get more enjoyment out of the Fulltrack, so it is worth it to me. It's definitely not worth it to everybody though. That's the difference between buying for utility and buying luxury goods, because that's what all these knives are: luxury items. And a luxury item is only worth what someone will pay for it.

I think everyone agrees with "it's worth what some dummy will pay for it"; that said, why can't we have fun talking about what knives are the most overpriced?

The Mad Dog knives OP mentioned are an excellent example; one of the big custom knife resellers has a used fiberglass + O1 model listed for more than that Rockstead I posted. Now in the case of MDK knives it's probably all about rarity and materials and "hur dur SEAL knifes hur dur" type of mall ninja retardation. Still, I don't see why we can't talk about it being silly . . .

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I think everyone agrees with "it's worth what some dummy will pay for it"; that said, why can't we have fun talking about what knives are the most overpriced?

The Mad Dog knives OP mentioned are an excellent example; one of the big custom knife resellers has a used fiberglass + O1 model listed for more than that Rockstead I posted. Now in the case of MDK knives it's probably all about rarity and materials and "hur dur SEAL knifes hur dur" type of mall ninja retardation. Still, I don't see why we can't talk about it being silly . . .

Has anyone told you that you can't talk about it being silly? I think the point being made isn't that it's some forbidden topic, just that it's a bit absurd and hypocritical for a forum full of people walking around with $500 knives in their pockets to fill up a thread with smug comments about how folks are paying too much for THAT knife.

 

[Stumpy72]

Again, I'm sure many would say the same about the "expensive knives" you have purchased. I respect your passion for the knives you are willing to spend large amounts of cash on, I just don't see why when someone else does it, it is, as you say, "goofy" or "absurd.” That's "hubris.” It's pretty common here, everybody thinks their knife is the best. Do those knives sell? Then their price is appropriate. Thanks for contributing.

I am not crazy about the way it looks. And what's the hole in it for? Hence, it is goofy and absurd.

Anybody who would post two consecutive posts is by definition an insufferable gasbag.
Many thanks for confirming your status in the community.

 

[GronK]

Ok, so we all have different pricing thresholds when it comes buying knives. Many people on here cannot fathom spending thousands on a cutting tool. I get that. To a lot of folks it's a cutting tool, and the diminishing returns just don't allow for spending over a certain amount since the higher priced knife will not really outperform the less expensive knife. Or even if it does in some area (ergonomically, smoothness, sharpness etc.) it doesn't do a $2000 better job. (Let's not even take into account that at a point the materials will generally be just a minor fraction of the cost of lots of high end knives, which is another common objection).

But, even for a lot of folks who wouldn't spend over X amount they can maybe understand the price on a lot of high end customs because of the level of artistry and skill involved. I guess here I am thinking Burch, Rexford, Lambert, Lerman, Black Snow, Barker, Lee Williams, Walter Randolph, blah blah etc. etc. You get the idea.

I am also not talking about truly collectible knives here - not talking about Loveless, Moran, or knives of other makers that have entered domestic car prices for their work (many posthumously) and are highly collectible.

What I am getting at here is currently being produced semi-custom/custom stuff that just makes you say "WTF!?" when you see the pricing on it.

My example of this is Mad Dog Knives. I cannot see for the life of me how these knives can be so expensive. Forget secondary market, I mean table prices. Are they magic? I mean, literally, do they have magic powers? Even if expertly ground from Unicorn horseshoes, and heat treated in the fires of Mordor, and quenched in virgin blood, I would still have NO IDEA how these knives cost this much. I mean, they have G10 handles. And kydex.

Anyway, I thought we could discuss other knives where pricing makes you shake your head, and if someone has a counterpoint and can explain some of this (absurd) pricing, that would make for an even more interesting thread.

ADDENDUM: I have expensive knives. So I don't balk at shelling out the cash, there are just some things that defy (my personal) comprehension. And I imagine I am not the only one.

Your problem is that you are attempting to make your personal threshold the one on which to base all of our buying decisions. This is obviously wrong since the basis, as everyone knows, is my personal threshold.

 

[mt666tm]

Mad Dog was also not on my radar, ATAK is cool but certainly not worth that price point (to me), but to each their own.

I could easily buy a knife in the $2k+ range, which I have, but there is just no satisfaction to me over a vintage knife in the 100 to 500 range, or perhaps one that I've modified to make it really mine (Po-boy, etc).

Knives are just another hobby where desire and demand cloud over logic and common sense.

Anyone here into watches? Would you buy a Richard Mille or an Urwerk? Not my taste, but take a look what they go for. How about a Patek Philippe? Now we're talking!

 

[Danke42]

You guys figure out what makes folks want stuff and I predict you'll get rich.

 

[Danke42]

What's absurd to me is folks getting upset about the price of a knife they'll never buy.

Like the other thread in here about the Respect. I've seen one of the Facebook threads and it's asinine.

No one's being forced to buy Mad Dog knives or Heeter, or Grimsmo or any of that other weird stuff that makes you shake your head.

 

[marcinek]

The Rockstead is a good example of my point. $3800 for a rather unremarkable knife (to me) when you could take $3800 and get a fantastic handmade bowie with san mai and a handmade sheath for less.

Other than the already cited "people will/are paying that much for them so it must be market price" rhetoric I can't get how that knife can be $3800.

Because they feel Rockstead steel is the coolest thing ever. They find it $3800 worth of remarkable. You don't. You find a handmade bowie in San Mai and a nice sheath $3800 of remarkable. They don't.

Neither one of you, to me, is more or less "goofy" or "absurd" or "not goofy" or "not absurd" than the other.

Just different stuff gives you a warm fuzzy. Their "fantastic" is just as fantastic as yours.

 

[marcinek]

What's absurd to me is folks getting upset about the price of a knife they'll never buy.

Like the other thread in here about the Respect. I've seen one of the Facebook threads and it's asinine.

No one's being forced to buy Mad Dog knives or Heeter, or Grimsmo or any of that other weird stuff that makes you shake your head.

Precisely. There are a lot of knives at many price ranges I wouldn't pay "that money" for. Some knives I wouldn't want if you gave them to me.

But people like them. Maybe I can't understand why they do. But that doesn't make them "absurd."

 

[marcinek]

Anybody who would post two consecutive posts is by definition an insufferable gasbag.
Many thanks for confirming your status in the community.

FYI, we have been asked repeatedly to limit ourselves to the discussion of the the topic, not each other.

And there's 3 in a row for you.

 

[jceckrosh]

What's absurd to me is folks getting upset about the price of a knife they'll never buy.

Why do people misconstrue talking about something with being upset about something. I'm not upset. It's something to talk about. Knives. On a knife forum.

What's absurd is how many times a thread is created where people decide it's not an appropriate topic because they disagree or it defies the principles of a free market economy to question the pricing or whatever. Guess we need 100 more "X or Y" threads. The point I'm making here is there are lots of threads that I don't agree with or find interesting or relevant. Thats a forum for you. It's not just for me, it's for everyone.

No one's being forced to buy Mad Dog knives or Heeter, or Grimsmo or any of that other weird stuff that makes you shake your head.

Everyone is aware no one is being forced to buy anything. But that has nothing to do with talking about it.

I don't understand why people are bothered that I think this is interesting or worth talking about.

 

[marcinek]

Why do people misconstrue talking about something with being upset about something. I'm not upset. It's something to talk about. Knives. On a knife forum.

What's absurd is how many times a thread is created where people decide it's not an appropriate topic because they disagree or it defies the principles of a free market economy to question the pricing or whatever.

No one is saying this topic is in appropriate.

I am saying the answer is obvious. People will pay for what they like. And people like different things.

Of course everyone in the world should agree with my likes and opinions. It would be a better and more sensible world if they did. Honestly, I don't see how they could not.

And yet the reality is is that they do. No point in calling them goofy.

 

[evilgreg]

Has anyone told you that you can't talk about it being silly? I think the point being made isn't that it's some forbidden topic, just that it's a bit absurd and hypocritical for a forum full of people walking around with $500 knives in their pockets to fill up a thread with smug comments about how folks are paying too much for THAT knife.

You think you have me pegged, but you don't--the never-used knife in my pocket (along with carefully chosen hankie, check my instagram for photos) cost $750, not $500, thank you very much.





Actually I'm carrying an anodized ZT 0452CF from www.usamadeblade.com today, and I've used it and don't own a hankie, so all of that is a lie.

 

[Danke42]

Why do people misconstrue talking about something with being upset about something. I'm not upset. It's something to talk about. Knives. On a knife forum.

What's absurd is how many times a thread is created where people decide it's not an appropriate topic because they disagree or it defies the principles of a free market economy to question the pricing or whatever. Guess we need 100 more "X or Y" threads. The point I'm making here is there are lots of threads that I don't agree with or find interesting or relevant. Thats a forum for you. It's not just for me, it's for everyone.


Everyone is aware no one is being forced to buy anything. But that has nothing to do with talking about it.

I don't understand why people are bothered that I think this is interesting or worth talking about.

Weird. You kinda started the topic but now it seems like you don't like it.

Were you just hoping people would post pics of quote expensive unquote knives? We can do that too.

 

[jceckrosh]

Weird. You kinda started the topic but now it seems like you don't like it.

Were you just hoping people would post pics of quote expensive unquote knives? We can do that too.

Umm. No.

I was responding to your points. That's it. As to what you just said, I have no idea how you arrived at those conclusions.

 

[K.O.D.]

$1700 of WTF?!

For that much spinach, I want something truly custom, made of materials of my choosing, personal design elements, maybe some engraving, etc.

 

[91bravo]

Value is in the eye of the beholder.