Last year,I decided to take the leap and focus on the iconic knives from U,S. makers. I was able to purchase knives made by McNees, Spartan, Hinderer, CRK, and LG. Like a previous poster, the LG Talos was shockingly good and edges out the Inkosi as my favorite. But I still enjoy my Chaves, Vero, SBD, CKF, Pena and others. I guess the next step for me would be Arius (thanks op) or Craig Brown FSD. or Oz Rosie or something else in the $800 to $1200 range. I'm hesitant taking that step because I don't want a knife I'm afraid to carry and use.
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My First Koenig, and Thoughts on the Collection Journey
- Thread starter BK14
- Start date
ChazzyP
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Interesting thread topic,
B
BK14
. I have a lot of range in my accumulation of knives which has grown to about 130 pieces, all folders. For many years I carried SAKs or Buck look-alikes, only getting into modern folders in the early 2000's with $40ish pieces, then moving up into BMK's and Spydies. After joining BF and encountering enthusiasm for CRKs I scratched my head as to how one could sanely spend all of 300 bucks on a pocket knife. Well, I did after a while and the rest is history.
Presently, I've still got a few cheap pieces in one bottom drawer and top out $-wise at my Russian Dr Death. I've got a bunches of Shiro's, Cheburkovs, CRKs, RHKs, a growing collection of SHFs, along with a few ZTs, Biryukovs, real Al Mars, CKFs, some Italians, Giant Mice, and Bucks. I've also got singles by the likes of Strider, RJ Martin, Les George, Gerry McGinnis, Brad Southard, Arno Bernard, and my latest, a Koenig Arius, which is why your thread title caught my attention. On top of all that I've got a couple dozen Benchmades and around 30 Spyderco's.
So what gets carried and used? Basically all but 3 drawer queens--one CRK bocote pre-Idaho, one gorgeously pimped ZT 0801 which is too pretty and easily marked up to carry, and a like-new black bladed AFCK that I can't bear to see marked up. Work users include three Shiros, three CRKs, a couple RHKs, an SHF, my WC Les George Eagle, an Al Mar SERE, plus a few of my Benchmades, Spydies, and a couple others--all good knives. Those get used pretty hard without regard for scratches or dulling, but not for things un-knifely like prying, screwing, scraping, cutting drywall, or up against masonry. I've got several retractable Stanley razor knives to abuse. Everything else is for more or less for walkin' around, EDC use--just normal, everyday cutting tasks. I figure knives like my RDD, Cheburkovs, engraved Spartans, Hinderers, etc, and sprint or customized Spyderco's and Benchmades are just too good and enjoyable to use to sit in a drawer, only occasionally to be taken out to fondle and wipe down. They're well-made tools that are meant to cut stuff.
As to any hierarchy, I don't really think of one as better than another based on price. I like each for what it is. I've got some that I've bought new, but the majority of what I pick up is off the secondary market. I try to buy everything--new and new-to-me--at good prices and usually exercise patience when there's something specific I'm looking for, both for cost and features. I'm pretty much a mid-tech guy at this point with Spydies and BMKs in the mix too. My newest, that Gen 4 20CV patterned Arius, came at a very good price after watching the Exchange for a few years and I was lucky to see it 15 minutes after it posted.
I've spent a lot more in the past, though all my Shiros, for example, came for considerably less than retail. I'm mostly in the $300-600 range now and have slowed way down as I'm pretty happy with what I've got now. We all know how that goes, though....
One work user today and one in an EDC role.
Presently, I've still got a few cheap pieces in one bottom drawer and top out $-wise at my Russian Dr Death. I've got a bunches of Shiro's, Cheburkovs, CRKs, RHKs, a growing collection of SHFs, along with a few ZTs, Biryukovs, real Al Mars, CKFs, some Italians, Giant Mice, and Bucks. I've also got singles by the likes of Strider, RJ Martin, Les George, Gerry McGinnis, Brad Southard, Arno Bernard, and my latest, a Koenig Arius, which is why your thread title caught my attention. On top of all that I've got a couple dozen Benchmades and around 30 Spyderco's.
So what gets carried and used? Basically all but 3 drawer queens--one CRK bocote pre-Idaho, one gorgeously pimped ZT 0801 which is too pretty and easily marked up to carry, and a like-new black bladed AFCK that I can't bear to see marked up. Work users include three Shiros, three CRKs, a couple RHKs, an SHF, my WC Les George Eagle, an Al Mar SERE, plus a few of my Benchmades, Spydies, and a couple others--all good knives. Those get used pretty hard without regard for scratches or dulling, but not for things un-knifely like prying, screwing, scraping, cutting drywall, or up against masonry. I've got several retractable Stanley razor knives to abuse. Everything else is for more or less for walkin' around, EDC use--just normal, everyday cutting tasks. I figure knives like my RDD, Cheburkovs, engraved Spartans, Hinderers, etc, and sprint or customized Spyderco's and Benchmades are just too good and enjoyable to use to sit in a drawer, only occasionally to be taken out to fondle and wipe down. They're well-made tools that are meant to cut stuff.
As to any hierarchy, I don't really think of one as better than another based on price. I like each for what it is. I've got some that I've bought new, but the majority of what I pick up is off the secondary market. I try to buy everything--new and new-to-me--at good prices and usually exercise patience when there's something specific I'm looking for, both for cost and features. I'm pretty much a mid-tech guy at this point with Spydies and BMKs in the mix too. My newest, that Gen 4 20CV patterned Arius, came at a very good price after watching the Exchange for a few years and I was lucky to see it 15 minutes after it posted.
I've spent a lot more in the past, though all my Shiros, for example, came for considerably less than retail. I'm mostly in the $300-600 range now and have slowed way down as I'm pretty happy with what I've got now. We all know how that goes, though....
One work user today and one in an EDC role.
For those that really cannot tell much difference between a Spyderco and an Arius ... I am open to trades.
My Arius knives have some of the best fit and finish, and smoothest action in my collection. The Arius design is also one of my favorite as you may be able to tell from all my dupes.
Ok great I have 5 spyderco you can have for 5 of those arius'''............
Thats how I read it.....
norcalAF
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And I'll swap ya some oceanfront property I have in Arizona for them Arius'sOk great I have 5 spyderco you can have for 5 of those arius'''............
Thats how I read it.....
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I tend to live in the $300 - $600 range. I'm not saying I would never pay more, but I got the opportunity recently to handle a Koenig Arius, and though it was very nice, I wasn't feeling like the $850 price tag was justified.
It's just me I guess, but I didn't feel like it was really that much (if at all) better than a CRK. Sure it had some excellent fit and finish, like a seriously mirror polished edge, but I just wasn't seeing $300 more than a CRK.
It's just me I guess, but I didn't feel like it was really that much (if at all) better than a CRK. Sure it had some excellent fit and finish, like a seriously mirror polished edge, but I just wasn't seeing $300 more than a CRK.
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Self Discipline!
You have it. Don't have to explain it.
You have it. Don't have to explain it.
I'm also at that price plateau and (over)thinking about "what's next?". I live in BFE and do all my research (more overthinking) and purchasing online. Before they came to me, I had never touched a SHF, Hinderer, CRK, or LG so it kind of took an act of faith to get to that $400 - $600 level. For me, doing that seems harder with a knife that's $800 or more. I don't know if the Arius is worth $300 more or not but when I unboxed my Inkosi, I felt like there couldn't be anything better, or even close out there. And then my LG Talos arrived.I tend to live in the $300 - $600 range. I'm not saying I would never pay more, but I got the opportunity recently to handle a Koenig Arius, and though it was very nice, I wasn't feeling like the $850 price tag was justified.
It's just me I guess, but I didn't feel like it was really that much (if at all) better than a CRK. Sure it had some excellent fit and finish, like a seriously mirror polished edge, but I just wasn't seeing $300 more than a CRK.
norcalAF
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That was how my journey went! I have another VECP in the mail to me as I typeI'm also at that price plateau and (over)thinking about "what's next?". I live in BFE and do all my research (more overthinking) and purchasing online. Before they came to me, I had never touched a SHF, Hinderer, CRK, or LG so it kind of took an act of faith to get to that $400 - $600 level. For me, doing that seems harder with a knife that's $800 or more. I don't know if the Arius is worth $300 more or not but when I unboxed my Inkosi, I felt like there couldn't be anything better, or even close out there. And then my LG Talos arrived.
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- Aug 21, 2013
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3 Of my 4 favorite knives were over $400.
My RH Knives Tasca 2 is amazing, and is the only knife I've ever owned that I want a second one. Mainly because the Damascus is beautiful and I'd like an Elmax version I'd be less worried about damaging.
The others are:
Biryukov #7 (S390)
Cheburkov small Strizh
Spyderco Kapara
My RH Knives Tasca 2 is amazing, and is the only knife I've ever owned that I want a second one. Mainly because the Damascus is beautiful and I'd like an Elmax version I'd be less worried about damaging.
The others are:
Biryukov #7 (S390)
Cheburkov small Strizh
Spyderco Kapara
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2013
- Messages
- 21,992
This is a sentiment that countless others have come to find out the hard way here, that's for sure. Literally everyone here has purchased their "grail" knife, the one they've lusted after for however long (maybe years!) and then within a couple weeks, they're using that grail to open a box containing another knife. Just the way it goes.
Like others here, in my collecting "career", I've gone from buying inexpensive knives to buying very expensive knives and I have a knife case full of knives costing several hundred dollars or more. But honestly, these days, super expensive knives just don't wow me like they used to. As for Koenigs specifically, I stop by and examine the Arius' every year, and watch the table price continue to climb far past what I think they bring to the table value-wise, I'm just not impressed enough to buy one. That money tends to go towards makers whose knives fit me better. I mean no disrespect towards anyone who loves 'em, but for me, the handle shape is uncomfortable so they just never clicked with me.
That said, don't mind me. While my Olamics, Les Georges, SHFs, various Customs/midtechs, and other expensive knives sit in their knife chests unused most days, I'm usually carrying a GiantMouse, Spyderco, Buck, or other knife that cost a couple hundred bucks at most. I'm in that phase of my collecting that's something akin to burnout. The perfect knife for me is something that is made of good materials, a blade made of a modern higher end steel, and whose ergos fit my hand perfectly, and a lock mechanism preferably that keeps my fingers out of the path of the blade when closing. Problem is, I have so many "perfect knives" in my collection at this point, even when trying to carry and experience some use with something different, it still means I've got a lot of great knives that just don't get carried. I'm dreading getting old and having to begin the inevitable "cleanout" phase.
mitchnola
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I find midtech knives in the 8-1k range to be outta my budget but handmade customs by small makers in that range or a little more seem to be cheap, almost like I’m stealing from em.
Considering the amount of work they put in, cost of materials and overhead etc, they may only be making a couple hundred bucks on something they’ve been working on for months. I only have a few of these but it really makes me appreciate the time and effort put into them. No doubt they’re doing for the love of the process as much as the end result/profit.
I currently have one on order, although pricey I’ll be tipping on top so at the very least I can buy em a beer or two and maybe a nice dinner.
Considering the amount of work they put in, cost of materials and overhead etc, they may only be making a couple hundred bucks on something they’ve been working on for months. I only have a few of these but it really makes me appreciate the time and effort put into them. No doubt they’re doing for the love of the process as much as the end result/profit.
I currently have one on order, although pricey I’ll be tipping on top so at the very least I can buy em a beer or two and maybe a nice dinner.
Hmmm. That is a good question. Maybe pick a respected member of the community to consign and sell them when the time comes and pick a charity to pass the funds along to? Or, find a younger member in the hobby who would absolutely appreciate some of them being passed along!
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I could not agree more! It is an incredible bit of engineering. The practical side of me (and my fiance) just like to point out how similarly my Koenig and my Delica cut an apple.For those that really cannot tell much difference between a Spyderco and an Arius ... I am open to trades.
My Arius knives have some of the best fit and finish, and smoothest action in my collection. The Arius design is also one of my favorite as you may be able to tell from all my dupes.
Beautiful knives and I love your perspective! I have really been enjoying the Aries, and getting more and more comfortable using it. My only safe queen is a GEC 65 recovered in a beautiful abalone that was a gift from my late grandfather. Every other knife gets used.
That is what I have been feeling too. It is nice. Very very very nice. But I paid $285 for my used Small Inkosi, and that is about as good of a user as I can imagine. Granted, I paid more for a Magnacut blade but the point stands lol.I tend to live in the $300 - $600 range. I'm not saying I would never pay more, but I got the opportunity recently to handle a Koenig Arius, and though it was very nice, I wasn't feeling like the $850 price tag was justified.
It's just me I guess, but I didn't feel like it was really that much (if at all) better than a CRK. Sure it had some excellent fit and finish, like a seriously mirror polished edge, but I just wasn't seeing $300 more than a CRK.
That is kind of where I am at. Where do I go from here does describe my feelings! I don’t think I will stop buying knives, but don’t see myself getting higher in price anytime soonI'm also at that price plateau and (over)thinking about "what's next?". I live in BFE and do all my research (more overthinking) and purchasing online. Before they came to me, I had never touched a SHF, Hinderer, CRK, or LG so it kind of took an act of faith to get to that $400 - $600 level. For me, doing that seems harder with a knife that's $800 or more. I don't know if the Arius is worth $300 more or not but when I unboxed my Inkosi, I felt like there couldn't be anything better, or even close out there. And then my LG Talos arrived.