Need some basic Info and opinions for a new guy!

B

BMF

Joined
Aug 28, 2013
Messages
3
First wanted to say hello. I hope the people here are as great as on some of the gun forums. Some basic info/opinions I was looking for. First off looking for a knife as a gift around $50. This gift is for my brother, single blade, standard use. I don't need specific models I can do the leg work. I am more looking for 6-8 brands to look at. I am familiar with Buck, Kershaw, Spyderco. Companies like SOG, benchmade etc I don't know a lot about. So your own personal opinions of a handful of brands would be appreciated. Second question, bumping up to $100-$150 does that change brands to choose from? Is there a ton of difference?
 
BMF said:
First wanted to say hello. I hope the people here are as great as on some of the gun forums. Some basic info/opinions I was looking for. First off looking for a knife as a gift around $50. This gift is for my brother, single blade, standard use. I don't need specific models I can do the leg work. I am more looking for 6-8 brands to look at. I am familiar with Buck, Kershaw, Spyderco. Companies like SOG, benchmade etc I don't know a lot about. So your own personal opinions of a handful of brands would be appreciated. Second question, bumping up to $100-$150 does that change brands to choose from? Is there a ton of difference?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forums! I would just like to address the second question. From $50 to $150 is where you'll see the biggest increase in quality and F&F. Going from $150 higher is already going to that diminishing returns thing. JMHO though.
 
I have very limited exp with more expensive [>$150] knives, the reason being is that (talking strictly production knives and NOT customs) I have found the $80-$150 range to be the sweet spot. Again this is my opinion only but a spyderco or benchmade in that price range will fit my needs/personal preferences better than a more expensive knife from other brands.

For ~$50 you can get your friend a decent knife, by no means will it be a POS/cheap feeling/low quality knife but if you wanted to spend another $25-30 you could get him a really nice knife. I know your only asking for brands but might I suggest either a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian (555) or a spyderco Native 5, either will run you about $80 and while they are very different knives I'm sure your friend would be more than happy receiving either and both are GREAT knives. I would be estatic to receive a good knife from one of my friends, no matter what it is, they are all to cheap lol.

Edit: I'm sure you know this but in the [production] knife world, like wih many other things, MSRP is rarely Internet [but authorized] dealer price, if you are browsing manufacturer sites rarely will those prices be the actual price you can expect to pay unless you want to order directly from the MFG or walk into a B&M dealer.
 
Last edited:
Understood, and it's for my brother, if $25-$30 gets me into that tier of knives so be it. And I guess that's what my question should have been. What brands are the top tier brands.
 
in the <$50 range some of the top brands are Kershaw, Boker, Spyderco and Ontario. IMO SOG knives just are not on par with other knives in the same price range, their low end knives just have to many QC issues. I also know that many love Buck knives in this range, while Im not much of a fan of their knives I can see their value is decent. I do agree with what Singularity35 said about diminishing returns after $150 there are many knives that are just barely better at $300 then the $150. There is also some definite exceptions to this as well, I wouldn't give up my SNG or my small Seb. When a knife appeals to you so much then there is no diminishing return.
 
I would agree with people here that if you are willing to spend another $30 you will get into the sweet spot of knives we all love. If you do that I would stick with Benchmade and Spyderco, SOG and Cold Steel are usually not worth the money in my opinion since you can spend the same amount of money and get better materials and better fit and finish from Benchmade and Spyderco. Sticking around $50 I would go with either Kershaw, Spyderco, or Spyderco's Byrd line. There are some other brands like Emerson or Al Mar that you might just barely be able to get to in your price range if you get lucky too.

P.S. A note on buying Benchmades, Benchmade won't sell to to dealers that list their knives for less than 15% off MSRP so thats what you will see online. What you want to do it find a dealer that has a code to put in at checkout, like knifeworks.com, and you will get the real price then which will be considerabely lower. You can also get a lot of knives on the for sale forums here for a good deal that are in great shape.
 
I concur with tempey. Kershaw and Spyderco have some great knives in the price range you are looking at.
 
I want to thank everyone who gave their opinions and advice! I think I can narrow down a good option from there!
 
The sweet spot for a quality knife lies around $80-$120. Knives in that price range support great quality and features for the price. You start hitting enormous diminishing returns beyond that price.

The best manufacturers in that price range are Benchmade and Spyderco. Benchmade has a stronger warranty service and superior lock system on most models. Spyderco knives usually slice a little better but the blades tend to be shorter compared to the handle.

Best knives in that price bracket: (1) Benchmade 940; (2) Benchmade 710; (3) Spyderco Para 2; (4) Spyderco Stretch; (5) Benchmade Griptilian/Mini-Grip.

Kershaw and Cold Steel also produce great knives around that price point.
 
When you guys mention a denomination sweet spot ($80 - $120 etc.), are you saying MSRP or lowest price found anywhere?
 
Lowest price found. You should never pay msrp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top