So, why high-end knives?

I do indeed love the Leek. One of my favorite Kershaws. Like I said though, I don't love it enough to sell off my knives for a bunch of 'em. Enjoy them though man!
 
I acquire mostly used knives, so my higher end knives often are not that expensive. I can get the variety of materials I like, a solid warranty, and great users from a use POV. For example I purchased an Elishewitz Damasteel folder with G10/micarta/carbon fiber handles in the exchange for around $200. I've used it extensively and love it. Just because it is high end doesn't mean you can't find top shelf materials for decent deals either. The performance I demand, the esthetics I like, and a price I can afford.

But I like all knives, so it isn't uncommon for me to have a $10 knife riding alongside a multi-hundred dollar knife. They all get used and appreciated. I refuse to pay for names any more, but will pay for quality.
 
Because at a certain point you tend to appreciate craftsmanship.

Like this from Hiroki Ohta:
ohtawclf.jpg


Or this from Bob Papp:
PappFighter.jpg


Or this from Don Cowles:
dcowles-reverse01.jpg
 

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Eisman, great knives! I actually want to pick up one of Ohta's friction folders in carbon fiber. I saw a few at NYCKS back in November and they're very nice knives. All of his were.
 
either for artistic value or as a phallic substitute. Too many great knive that cost less to say it's all about quality.
 
jimh0220 said:
either for artistic value or as a phallic substitute. Too many great knive that cost less to say it's all about quality.
Click to expand...

You can't just like something and want it without seeing artistic value or bigger junk when looking at it?
 
I think people have money to spend, and it's burning a hole in their pockets, so they spend it on something they want. Most people build up from inexpensive to expensive knives because of either (a) they start when they have no to low income and can only afford cheap knives at first or (b) they run out of inexpensive knives to purchase that they like, so they move onto more expensive knives.

It's pretty much like everything else in the world. You can get a pair of jeans from goodwill for $5, or you can buy new Carhartt or designer jeans for ten times that or more. If I had the money to spend on high-end knives, I most definitely would purchase them! Along with a bunch of different firearms, because I like those, too.

Life's short and then you die. Spend your money while you can (responsibly, of course). You need to save some cashola for your chitlins because last time I checked colleges do NOT accept knife collections as a form of currency...YET.
 
I think at first, starting out as an uneducated knife user, it starts with the appeal of the brand. Spyderco, Benchmade, and Kershaw, were more than sufficient given all the models they have. But as you collect them, you start to do more research, and then you start to learn and appreciate the materials and craftsmanship and art and functionality (lock types, blade styles). And through going through so many different kinds of knives, you start to find out what you like and you start to gravitate towards those styles. For me, it was titanium framelocks and tactical folders and so the natural progression as I researched it more and more was CRK, Strider, and Hinderer (The Big Three). But I also fell in love with Emersons. Then after seeing the high end productions, I started exploring the world of customs. And those have been kind of hit or miss for me.

It also boils down to what we love. Obviously on this forum we all love knives, so we all want to get something bigger or better. I drive a Toyota. Because I really don't care too much about what I drive. But I care what I carry in my right hand pocket. It just feels good to have titanium hanging in my pocket.
 
It's like driving a BOX CAPRICE with a 350 engine (majority came 305)
It's like smoking RED MARLEBORO only from soft pack
It's like owning a RUGER revolver
It's like buying only HELLMANN'S mayonnaise
It's like the only thing which I want is a NMFBM LE
& the list is long
There are things which we just stick to it
No explenation what so ever
And thats the uniqe & fun of it



Thanks
 
For me its the satisfaction of knowing you have a great knife that's not going to let you down in the woods. I just started collecting recently (i own a bk-2,3,7,9 and a lmf2) and I can see the quality in these blades for less than $100. And then I think to myself...if these blades are that good I wonder what a busse or some other great blade makers knives are like. And that's how it happens for me lol
 
quality, quality, quality...knives are like cars in a way. a ford focus will get you around, but a lamborghini will do it faster, and with style. could do this analogy all day! ever had cheap hiking boots? a few select brands will last, but most are useless after one season. high end hiking boots from a reputable company can last ten years. while not exactly the same, the same principle applys. high end=better quality.
 
adam sneh said:
It's like driving a BOX CAPRICE with a 350 engine (majority came 305)
It's like smoking RED MARLEBORO only from soft pack
It's like owning a RUGER revolver
It's like buying only HELLMANN'S mayonnaise
It's like the only thing which I want is a NMFBM LE
& the list is long
There are things which we just stick to it
No explenation what so ever
And thats the uniqe & fun of it



Thanks
Click to expand...

But I prefer Best Foods



:p
 
Bishop2Queen's6 said:
Why do you start with a Honda Civic and progress to a BMW 5 series? It comes to maturity, passion, and education.

As you mature as a collector you learn to appreciate the finer, minute qualities of higher end blades. You gain the appreciation of fine craftsmanship and engineering that comes with a higher sticker price. You also learn about what makes lower end blades inferior, and the weaknesses associated.

is it pretentious? or do better quality materials provide a better quality product?

Note. The higher the cost doesn't necessarily mean better quality. This leads to snobbery and is a great example of pretentiousness. Its really the education you gain over time.
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is it pretentious? or do better quality materials lead to a better product?
 
For me it's all about the build. Even simply removing a screw from a Spyderco or Benchmade and comparing with a CRK or Strider there is a difference in that screw and how it is used.

Honestly, what it all boils down to is when the higher end companies design a knife they design excellence & roll the dice in hopes that people will notice the difference & pay $400ish. When, say, "the big three," design a knife the design begins its life on paper as "affordable." The corners cut are easily evident. I also don't support outsourcing (IMO a corner cut which makes knives more affordable). In-House made knives are typically more expensive. Four Spyderco Para2s would likely outlast one Large Sebenza but I don't enjoy acquiring "many," I enjoy carrying "great."
 
archieblue said:
For me it's all about the build. Even simply removing a screw from a Spyderco or Benchmade and comparing with a CRK or Strider there is a difference in that screw and how it is used.

Honestly, what it all boils down to is when the higher end companies design a knife they design excellence & roll the dice in hopes that people will notice the difference & pay $400ish. When, say, "the big three," design a knife the design begins its life on paper as "affordable." The corners cut are easily evident. I also don't support outsourcing (IMO a corner cut which makes knives more affordable). In-House made knives are typically more expensive. Four Spyderco Para2s would likely outlast one Large Sebenza but I don't enjoy acquiring "many," I enjoy carrying "great."
Click to expand...

Sal Glesser posted a long time ago that the difference in the high end knives is there, but sometimes not noticeable to the naked eye.

Also if Spyderco tightened up the tolerances to CRK levels their knives would also be in the $400 price range.
 
I'm with you. I remember when I thought that a $35 knife was expensive. Now, I'm trying to save up for a DDR custom, and my EDC is a $300 knife. Kinda scary. Fortunately, the only fixed blades I really buy these days are Beckers, which are inexpensive (or customs, which are not). Probably won't buy any more folders outside of customs either. I've got a space reserved for a peter r, and a couple spaces for a custom Madd Maxx and a custom Gun Hammer. I am so satisfied with my current Gun Hammer that I'm probably going to be selling off most of my others, even the ZT0350. Only gonna keep the Spyderco Manix 2 in S30V and a couple BM models (Ritter Grip and Monochrome, for nostalgia's sake).
 
I guess my experience has been different. I've owned several higher end fixed blades including a few from makers here on the forum and noticed that the performance and ergos weren't as good as my cheaper knives. Same with folders. Now I use 2 fixed blades in 1095 and edc a sak. People tend to equate performance with what silly abuse the knife can take. I measure performance by how well it cuts and the overall geometry of the blade/handle and the cheaper knives have won out on both accounts. I also think having a "super steel" isn't very important at all. I think people would be surprised at how well the loley 1095(or any basic steel for that matter) works when the geometry is done correctly.
 
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