Premium Price for G-10?

[Detroit1980]

Does anyone know why companies like Benchmade and Spyderco charge so much extra for G-10? Obviously G-10 is probably the most preferred handle material overall but when you see so many companies making knives with G-10 with decent steel for well under $50 and some even closer to $25, it just doesn't sit well with me. I'm so sick of seeing cheap plastic handles for $100+.

 

[Danke42]

Just for fun why not give some examples of the $25 knives with decent steel and G10 handles.

 

[Eli Chaps]

G10 isn't plastic. I'm confused...

 

[Yo Mama]

Does anyone know why companies like Benchmade and Spyderco charge so much extra for G-10? Obviously G-10 is probably the most preferred handle material overall but when you see so many companies making knives with G-10 with decent steel for well under $50 and some even closer to $25, it just doesn't sit well with me. I'm so sick of seeing cheap plastic handles for $100+.

Why would g10 be the most preferred? Handle material is just one part of the price equation. Maker, steel, grind, lock, fit and finish, customer service are all parts of how the price of a g10 knife goes up or down. Also, there are a million different ways to finish g10, from the sandpaper to smooth, with milling inbetween. G10 is much stronger than plastic, and not all g10 is equal.

 

[Detroit1980]

Just for fun why not give some examples of the $25 knives with decent steel and G10 handles.

Ganzo Firebirds

 

[Kmikaz3]

Ganzo Firebirds

I feel like its one of those thread again. Going to prepare some popcorn, brb.

 

[Eli Chaps]

Spit the hook! Spit the hook!

 

[Danke42]

Ganzo Firebirds

Well see now that's easy. Those are cheap because Ganzo steals the IP to build the knives.

When you just steal from others your costs go way way down and you can sell for a lot less.

Then you can save even more by lying about the actual "decent" steel and subbing in something sub par.

I know for a lot of people the idea of theft seems like a great idea with no consequences but that's just not the case.

Don't steal and don't support thieves like Ganzo.

Here endeth the lesson.

 

[Detroit1980]

Why would g10 be the most preferred? Handle material is just one part of the price equation. Maker, steel, grind, lock, fit and finish, customer service are all parts of how the price of a g10 knife goes up or down. Also, there are a million different ways to finish g10, from the sandpaper to smooth, with milling inbetween. G10 is much stronger than plastic, and not all g10 is equal.

I agree but I feel like every major knife company should be able to come up with a way to make some kind of decent G-10 material for a competitive price. I just feel some of these American made companies are completely opposite of what they used to be. People used to buy American made because of the superior quality and now I feel like these American companies are just relying on people to support them just because they're American made. It's unbelievable how many off centered Benchmade knives that are pumped out and have inferior quality to a lot of their competitor's knives.

 

[Detroit1980]

Well see now that's easy. Those are cheap because Ganzo steals the IP to build the knives.

When you just steal from others your costs go way way down and you can sell for a lot less.

Then you can save even more by lying about the actual "decent" steel and subbing in something sub par.

I know for a lot of people the idea of theft seems like a great idea with no consequences but that's just not the case.

Don't steal and don't support thieves like Ganzo.

Here endeth the lesson.

You're missing my point. My point is that if a company like Ganzo can make a complete knife with G-10 and decent steel for $25, there's no reason why a knife with G-10 should cost $150+.

Besides, Ganzo's Firebird series is completely different than their older knockoff models. They've been trying to redeem themselves but really should have just came up with a new name.

 

[Yo Mama]

I agree but I feel like every major knife company should be able to come up with a way to make some kind of decent G-10 material for a competitive price. I just feel some of these American made companies are completely opposite of what they used to be. People used to buy American made because of the superior quality and now I feel like these American companies are just relying on people to support them just because they're American made. It's unbelievable how many off centered Benchmade knives that are pumped out and have inferior quality to a lot of their competitor's knives.

Totally different discussion, which has little to do then with g10. I disagree with you in that American made knives can be exceptionally well made. Yes you can get a less than stellar example, this is why when you order let the vendor know what you want, centered and solid lockup is what i always ask to be checked.

G10 is just a material, cost of the end product can't be regulated by controlling one component. You're not getting just a slab of g10 (unless that's what you want), you're getting a knife put together through design to end product with so many factors influencing end price.

 

[Detroit1980]

Totally different discussion, which has little to do then with g10. I disagree with you in that American made knives can be exceptionally well made. Yes you can get a less than stellar example, this is why when you order let the vendor know what you want, centered and solid lockup is what i always ask to be checked.

G10 is just a material, cost of the end product can't be regulated by controlling one component. You're not getting just a slab of g10 (unless that's what you want), you're getting a knife put together through design to end product with so many factors influencing end price.

People shouldn't have to go around asking vendors though. They should come straight from the factory good to go.

Your point brings on a completely different subject of how unfair it is to the vendors to be receiving this junk from the manufacturers.

 

[Danke42]

You're missing my point. My point is that if a company like Ganzo can make a complete knife with G-10 and decent steel for $25, there's no reason why a knife with G-10 should cost $150+.

No you are missing the whole point.

The cost of "things" involves more than just that raw materials.

Ganzo steels the designs of other makers so they don't have that cost. Then to add insult to injury they don't use the steel they say they're using.

Trying to hold them up as an example of anything other than criminal behavior is laughable.

Later on today 2 guys are going to come in here and start patting you on the back. Don't be encouraged by that because you will still be wrong.

Now is the time to turn around the way you're thinking. You can admit that stealing stuff is wrong, a truck full of cigarettes that gets hijacked and then resold for a dollar a pack or some else's work and ideas are equal in this matter.

Or you can continue down your current path and see how this Saturday turns out.

 

[Detroit1980]

No you are missing the whole point.

The cost of "things" involves more than just that raw materials.

Ganzo steels the designs of other makers so they don't have that cost. Then to add insult to injury they don't use the steel they say they're using.

Trying to hold them up as an example of anything other than criminal behavior is laughable.

Later on today 2 guys are going to come in here and start patting you on the back. Don't be encouraged by that because you will still be wrong.

Now is the time to turn around the way you're thinking. You can admit that stealing stuff is wrong, a truck full of cigarettes that gets hijacked and then resold for a dollar a pack or some else's work and ideas are equal in this matter.

Or you can continue down your current path and see how this Saturday turns out.

I AM NOT STEALING ANYTHING. How about we just throw out the $25 Ganzos since you are so focused on them and focus on the $50 Civivis?

 

[Eli Chaps]

Does anyone know why companies like Benchmade and Spyderco charge so much extra for G-10? Obviously G-10 is probably the most preferred handle material overall but when you see so many companies making knives with G-10 with decent steel for well under $50 and some even closer to $25, it just doesn't sit well with me. I'm so sick of seeing cheap plastic handles for $100+.

I don't understand the comment, "...Spyderco charge so much extra for G-10".

You can buy a base model Manix 2 LW in liner-less FRCP and BD1N for $101. https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Manix-2-Knife--7989

You can buy a "standard" Manix 2 in lined G10 and S30V for $122. https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Manix-2-G10--4065

How is that charging "so much extra" for G10?

Or are you just saying you want all those features from an American knife for a Ganzo price?

 

[Silent H]

You're missing my point. My point is that if a company like Ganzo can make a complete knife with G-10 and decent steel for $25, there's no reason why a knife with G-10 should cost $150+.

Your point seems to be changing. Your original question was why to Benchmade and Spyderco have $100+ knives with plastic handles, and then charge more for the same or similar knives with G10. Now you're asking why Ganzo can make the same knife for $25, when the original is $150+.

That's easy to answer, in fact Danke42 already answered that one. Ganzo stole the design, uses sub-par materials, and shoddy construction.

I've seen G10 on $1000+ customs. Like you said it's a very popular handle material. But it's not the only thing that drives a knife's cost.

 

[Planterz]

You're missing my point. My point is that if a company like Ganzo can make a complete knife with G-10 and decent steel for $25, there's no reason why a knife with G-10 should cost $150+.

Wagyu beef shouldn't cost more than 80/20 ground chuck. Both come from cows, so there's no reason a Kobe steak should cost more than a 12 pack of White Castle sliders.

Besides, Ganzo's Firebird series is completely different than their older knockoff models. They've been trying to redeem themselves but really should have just came up with a new name.

The present doesn't excuse the past, especially when they're still cranking out the knockoffs.

 

[Detroit1980]

I don't understand the comment, "...Spyderco charge so much extra for G-10".

You can buy a base model Manix 2 LW in liner-less FRCP and BD1N for $101. https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Manix-2-Knife--7989

You can bu a "standard" Manix 2 in lined G10 and S30V for $122. https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Manix-2-G10--4065

How is that charging "so much extra" for G10?

Or are you just saying you want all those features from an American knife for a Ganzo price?

I'm not expecting that at all. What I expect is something around the $100 price range. Their are very few options from Spyderco or Benchmade that don't cost around $150 or more.

 

[Eli Chaps]

I'm not expecting that at all. What I expect is something around the $100 price range. Their are very few options from Spyderco or Benchmade that don't cost around $150 or more.

Why do you expect that? What is the basis for expecting these companies to provide these features at a sub-$100 price?

 

[Detroit1980]

Just wanted to say that I'm done going back and forth on this topic and I appreciate everybody's time and responses. I was really hoping this could be a more constructive thread but it's just turned into a flame war.

Anyway, you guys can keep on overpaying for your knives and I'll stick to my $50 knives. I guess the main point I was trying to make is that I'm willing to pay around $100 for American made knives to my liking but I'm just not willing to pay what so many others are paying. I guess I'm just cheap or don't have as much money to spend on knives as a lot of you guys.