Pros/Cons of high end folders??

antonio_luiz said:
Too true. Funny how our perspectives change with experience - but I must admit that I'm more likely to carry an Endura or Opinel than one of my highend folders since these are more than sufficient to meet my EDC needs and the pleasure I get from using them is from how well they cut, not from how much they cost.
Click to expand...
I've been carrying an opinel since the day I got a #7, it performs remarkably in the kitchen and at practically any task I can throw at it. I know some of you aren't going to like this statement but I might even have to admit that it outperforms the sebenza in cutting ability and the high carbon steel holds a razor's edge for an exceptionally long time! Sure, it might not look as good or open as easily but it's a damn good knife and without a doubt worth more than $8. Would last just as long as a sebenza without abuse, I know someone who carried the same opi for 30 years!
 
an opinel will outperform any modern industrial folder i know in pure cutting performance because of it's thin blade and very thin convex grind. but it's also quite fragile. the tip won't stand any sort of prying even light, the edge is very thin and even if the steel is tough it's easy to damage it.

it's a very simple and efficient tool for cutting. nothing else. if you are looking a no nonsense and cheap simple cutting tool the opinel is the very best choice period. you can open it one handed with a bit of practice, it cuts like a dream, very easy to sharpen, XC90 is comparable to 1095 with a bit less carbon (0,9%), it can be locked open and closed very safely .... what more do you need ?

i own a n°10 and i edc it sometimes, love the handle shape in hand, just a bit bulky in the pocket. a n7 would be better at that but for me it's just good at cleaning nails ... ;)
 
Last edited:
Well guys, I am screwed. I am into games, booze, knives, flashlights and "the latest and greatest" technology toys. :D

For me there's no cons to having high end folders. Of course I worry about flying with them in my checked luggage but I haven't had problems yet and there are plenty of less expensive knives I am happy to carry when risk of loss is high. On the other hand I find them incredibly satisfying to own, fun to use and excellent investments.
 
I'm 23 not a college student (drank myself out of college, poor choice but hey I can't help it). I have a Strider SMF as my first " high end knife" and I'm definitely now allocating a lot of funds towards more HIGHER end knives, of course there's the high end booze and a new pistol that need to be purchased but meh...I'll get all 3 no doubt.
 
I'm 20 in college, managed to save up enough to have a Strider SnG, Burger EXK1 (including his $40 shipping), and getting ready to sell my SnG to get an XM-18.
 
I'm 21. At this point I'll say the least worthwhile purchase I made was my MT OTF auto.
Lost its allure after a few months, but the only reason I'm not getting rid of it is for the sake of having an OTF in my small collection.

But I do think there are knives that aren't worth the money and despite all their praise, there's almost always a suitable substitute. Trading or getting stuff secondhand also helps.

Autos:
Microtech Makora II, Kershaw/Emerson Commander

Folders:
ZT 0301, Emerson Super Karambit, Benchmade Rukus 610, CRKT M21 SF

Fixed:
Entrek Force Recon, Benchmade Nimravus, Ontario RAT3, Kabar tanto
 
al3xd4gr34t said:
Pshh. Games and iPads are overrated. Quality knives are what I'm spending my money on and I'm an 19 year old college student.
Click to expand...

Likewise.

21 college student and don't buy games anymore (well maybe the odd 1 a year). Just blades as a hobby :cool:

Beer and girls on the other hand....well that's just an expense you can't completely get rid of. One has to be practical.

EDIT: I recently picked up a small sebenza. For me it was worth it. It did however set me back on future purchases for a long while. However I'm the kind of person who would rather own 1 knife I like a ton than 3 knives I just 'like'. I've contemplated selling a few of my blades since I don't see them getting used much anymore.
 
I say that if you're not in a rush go and buy a really nice quality folder that's used and try it out! If you don't like it or think it's not worth the dough sell it on and you won't even have to waste a penny.
 
Cynic2701 said:
I saved up a good while for each and every knife. But, I don't own a television or xbox360 or anything else like that.
Click to expand...

Same here! Also a student and it took me three years of saving to buy my first Sebenza. It feels great saving and then finally getting your hands on what you have waited for so long!

Have been struggling to get a part time job and balancing my second degree so cash has been tight and cant afford anything new at the moment though I have cash stored away for the day my Bone Collector finally arrives at the dealer.

One day I will own a Strider SMF Digicam and a small CRK regular Sebenza (again), Mnandi and a XM18 to name 4 of the 10 I still want. I have a list I need to fill up. For me it is about pride of ownership and I dont care to have the newest pc, car or tv. As soon as you buy that its old again. Knives innovation moves at a better pace I can keep up with.

O. I also insured all my knives to cover theft. Losing....well thats my own stupidity.
 
I EDC a Sebenza and use it for any task at hand. I thought it was too expensive when I got it but looking back believe it has saved me money. I have not bought another folder thinking it would make a great EDC because I have not seen one that I believe would work better for me. I can't remember how many different folders I owned when I bought the Sebenza but I'm sure that the total dollar amount if added together would be much more than I paid for the Sebenza. I have friends who wouldn't spend over $20 for a pocket knife and they are happy with what they use. If you are like I was and always looking for a better EDC you will be better off to save and buy the knife you really want.
 
Another college student weighing in here. I personally don't see the point of a $200+ folder, however, I also refuse to buy Wal-Mart junk knives. I may carry up to $100 worth of knives on me at any given time, but that's spread over 3 knives, which is perfectly adequate for me.

Like others have said, it's all in what you feel is appropriate. When I bought a Fenix LD20 flashlight (for $55 shipped), most of my friends made fun of me and asked why I didn't just buy a Maglite for $10. I was just hoping that $55 was enough to spend on a decent flashlight! For me, it was worth every penny because it outperformed everyone else's $10 hobby lights.
 
If you want to fly with an expensive knife, turn it into a kit. Put the blade and one side of the handle in your checked luggage. Put the other side of the handle, the screws, springs, bushings, spacers, assembly tools, etc. in your carry on. Most thieves are too lazy to monkey with an incomplete knife kit. Not every knife lends itself to this strategy. I like to EDC expensive knives because of the combinations of features that are not available in less expensive models. These include but are not limited to: premium blades, smooth actions, light weight, corrosion resistance, pleasing designs, good ergonomics, good fit and finish, etc.
 
I never realized how many other college student knife fanatics there were. Thought it was mostly an older crowd thing. Pretty cool :thumbup:
 
kawr said:
I never realized how many other college student knife fanatics there were. Thought it was mostly an older crowd thing. Pretty cool :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I'm surprised, too, but it's nice to see.

As to why higher end, I'd like to say that usually it's not something one does right away. In this thread & others that are similar (There's a current one about what price-point ceiling one has for knives they actually use, not collect), many start in a similar way (Myself included). Many start off getting a knife they can afford (Whatever price-point that might be), then get more & nicer knives, until, before you know, you're not really bothered that you're considering, say, a $200+ knife.

Economics obviously weighs in. With the economy as bad as it is & "most" people feeling it, people don't seem as willing to spend as much.

As to the OP's question & what one gets for their $200+ knife, I guess if one isn't a "knife nut", then there probably isn't a good reason. Like most things, people rarely get into a hobby starting off with high-end stuff (Unless they're wealthy, & even then, probably not initially).

If you have to ask, then it's probably not for you & no amount of "weighing" the pros & cons are going to change your mind.

OTOH, to a point, a higher end knife is going to be better designed, made, & less likely to break/fail. If you use your knife as tools, especially for work, that right there is reason enough to spend a little more. However, at what price-point is too expensive, is purely subjective.

When I buy a gun (Which I EDC & use for work), I don't try to get the cheapest one & that's the same line of thinking for a knife. However, I also don't buy the most expensive, nor necessarily the prettiest, either. It's whatever provides the features, performance, & reliability that I want/need (A good warranty/CS factors into that).
 
i have a gen6 sng but my regular work use is a rat 1; but i have no prob using an sng considering striders warranty...
 
keep the 69 ss in the garage; take out the super duty 455 ta; or putt around in the 89 iroc z. I 'll do all of that while in the Grand National.
 
I'm 19, have no job(don't get any pocket money either...) but have managed to have about 5 Sebenza's and a whole bunch of busse family knives pass through my fingers over the past couple of months. I EDC a lrg classic with desert ironwood inlays and that hollow grind slices sooo superbly! I say fuck video games, get a girlfriend instead! :) It probably won't work out cheaper but at least you'll be living a little. I was wandering around town with m'lady till about 6 last night and then we went back to her place for a good time ;)
 
THE PUNISHER said:
i use them high end knives it is worth every penny to me,a pos knife to use or for self defense.........puke
Click to expand...

this is the only post you really need to pay attention to in this thread. a real operator knows that it's unpossible to successfully deanimate a BG who's trying to take that delicious calzone you just got a sbarro with a knife that cost less than like $400.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top