Spendy knives are all well and good, but my favorites are inexpensive!

I stuck purely with budget knives for a long time but then bumped up into the $60 to $200 and have been much happier with the quality and steel options. I still use and carry some budget options but the next tier makes me happy too, and it's a hobby so might as well enjoy it.
 
ZDHart said:
Yes, I do have and enjoy some slightly higher-priced knives (Sage, Para-Mil, Delica, some Benchmades)... but there are some really wonderful knives in the $30-$50 range, and that price range makes a lot of sense to me.

For some reason, I've never been interested in buying any "special" (i.e. very-expensive, or fancy knives). It's not that I can't afford them - I just don't see the value, personally, nor do I feel the attraction.
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The sub-$100 knives see the most use. I see little need to acquire the "expensive" stuff or what I consider expensive especially for folders. But we all have our comfort range on price. So it's different for many folks.

I'm the same but I tend to use the less expensive ones all the time. I also don't see the value of many of the $400+ knives. That includes fixed blades in general. But I certainly own $400+ fixed blades. I hesitate to use them much. Doesn't really matter as they aren't being saved for some future sell off or to give to heirs.
 
Only have 5 knives (down from 25 or so a year ago) right now but none are budget. Just cant get myself to buy nor enjoy a budget knife anymore. And when I say budget I mean under $100 and steel less than s30v


Wish I could though cuz there are many super nice ones nowadays. But I have very few needs for knives in my daily life. Can go weeks without ever cutting a thing. If I actually had a reason to use a knife alot every day I bet I would have more interest in budget blades .
 
I sometimes enjoy searching the bay, for old USA made knives, in useable condition. Colonial, Imperial, Schrade, Old Timer, and even Buck. I set my upper limit at $20 including shipping, unless I find something really special. I have gotten several good knives for under $10 including shipping. Good means not broken or the blades worn out. They usually need a good cleaning, including possibly some rust removal, then oil and sharpening.

O.B.
 
It's a hobby and the numbers have gone way beyond any kind of reasonable need. I am attracted to the engraved stuff, but I just can't bring myself to actually spend the money for something like that. The same goes for special materials like ivory. I do use my knives quite often, more than once a day for ones that I carry, but there are many that simply never get used because I am comfortable with what I routinely carry and use. I generally acquire enough new stuff that I seldom ever get around to knives I might have purchased a couple years ago. It is just the way it is and I don't care if knives ever get used.

I tend to buy folders within a select price range overall. Fixed blade prices vary a lot and subject to my whims.
 
I really like the design on the SPEW and Minimalist. Unfortunately, they are overpriced for the radically subpar steel choice of 5Cr15Mov. The minimum they should be asking for their $25 street price is 8Cr13Mov. Even then, you can get a Tangram Brevis in Acuto 440 for less.

That said, one of my favorite cheap knives is the Tonife Squirrel. The shape and ergonomics are fantastic for its tiny size. The sheath is great and its remarkably easy to carry. It's only 7Cr17Mov but that's better than 5Cr15Mov and much more appropriate for the sub-$20 price tag. (I think I paid $12.99 for mine.)
 
ZDHart said:
Indeed... it's not that expensive knives aren't absolutely wonderful. Many certainly are.

For me, it's just that my purposes are simple and un-demanding; and I'm just not motivated to spend a lot of money on a knife. (Guitars and cars are another matter!) And some nicely made inexpensive knives serve my typical uses (opening packages on a daily basis) very well.

I guess priorities is what it's all about. I happily spend $1000 on components to build a great Fender Telecaster from premium components, and have done so numerous times. (Creating music is at the center of my life.)

But when it comes to knives... I'm not motivated to spend more than around $100-ish at most - and typically not more than around $40 to $80. For my simple needs, I enjoy using the $25 CRKT Folts Minimalist Wharncliffe immensely. Awesome little knife! It needs sharpening more often than some, of course, but is quick and easy to sharpen. And... I'm only opening packages with it. :D

I'm the same with firearms and flashlights, as well. I tend to use my less "fancy", less "costly" ones more often than my fancy ones (M&P40 or Glock 30 vs. Custom-grade 1911's, for example. Or Zebralight & EagleTac vs. Surefire). Not sure why, but it just is - the "everyman" models are the ones I tend to grab, and carry daily. My daily carry lately has been the M&P40 Compact, EagleTac D25A, and Cold Steel Mini Tuff Wharncliffe - all pretty much "everyman" products.
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Do you have custom-grade 1911s or is this hypothetical?
 
Chronovore said:
I really like the design on the SPEW and Minimalist. Unfortunately, they are overpriced for the radically subpar steel choice of 5Cr15Mov. The minimum they should be asking for their $25 street price is 8Cr13Mov. Even then, you can get a Tangram Brevis in Acuto 440 for less.

That said, one of my favorite cheap knives is the Tonife Squirrel. The shape and ergonomics are fantastic for its tiny size. The sheath is great and its remarkably easy to carry. It's only 7Cr17Mov but that's better than 5Cr15Mov and much more appropriate for the sub-$20 price tag. (I think I paid $12.99 for mine.)
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Of course, 5Cr15MoV is an inexpensive steel. It isn't what one would choose for heavy use, of course, but depending on your application, it's a perfectly suitable steel. I use the SPEW and Minimalist for light duty - typically opening packages. These knives and this steel are excellent for such use. They don't hold an edge for a long time, but they are quick and easy to bring to razor sharpness.
 
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CoryMc said:
Do you have custom-grade 1911s or is this hypothetical?
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No... not hypothetical. I have a number of custom grade 1911s and Browning HiPowers. From Ned Christiansen, John Harrison, Victor Tibbets, Virgil Tripp, Jim Milks (@EGW), and Don Williams. One of my favorites is this Custom Colt Commander from Ned Christiansen. If you don't know of Ned, his work is in such demand that his wait list has been closed for many years. Most of these pistol smiths are among the more senior members of the guild.

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I carried 1911's for a good number of years, but stopped doing so about six years ago. I still appreciate them, but now, my 1911s are mostly safe-queens. My daily carry for the last six or so years has mostly been either an M&P40 or an M&P40 Compact .

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Out of the three knives I carry the most, two cost me 50 bucks or less. The other is a Griptilian that was a gift.

I also seem to have a SAK in my coat or vest most of the time. Another budget knife.
 
ZDHart said:
No... not hypothetical. I have a number of custom grade 1911s and Browning HiPowers. From Ned Christiansen, John Harrison, Victor Tibbets, Virgil Tripp, Jim Milks (@EGW), and Don Williams. One of my favorites is this Custom Colt Commander from Ned Christiansen. If you don't know of Ned, his work is in such demand that his wait list has been closed for many years. Most of these pistol smiths are among the more senior members of the guild.

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I carried 1911's for a good number of years, but stopped doing so about six years ago. I still appreciate them, but now, my 1911s are mostly safe-queens. My daily carry for the last six or so years has mostly been either an M&P40 or an M&P40 Compact .

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Very nice!!!! Who doesn’t love a good ole 1911?
 
I don’t have anything that cost even $200. I think $160 is the most I ever paid for any knife.

The funny thing is I have lately been reaching for a cheap Cutco lock back more than any other knife I own. It is the cousin to the Ka-Bar Dozier series. Cheap steel and plastic scales. The Ka-Bar goes for about 20 bucks. I paid a little more than that for the Cutco. I think I over paid.
 
sabre cat said:
I don’t have anything that cost even $200. I think $160 is the most I ever paid for any knife.

The funny thing is I have lately been reaching for a cheap Cutco lock back more than any other knife I own. It is the cousin to the Ka-Bar Dozier series. Cheap steel and plastic scales. The Ka-Bar goes for about 20 bucks. I paid a little more than that for the Cutco. I think I over paid.
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There are a lot of low-priced knives that offer incredible utility for very low price. They may need sharpening more often than those with much more-costly steel, but typically that means that they can take a nice sharp edge with little effort. And, for less than heavy-duty applications, they're quite well-suited.
 
There is some kind of satisfaction when you pay around 60€ for a knife and then proceed to beat the crap out of it for years, and it's holding up to everything you throw at it.

If I need to trim some of the bushes, cut up old tire, scrape something, cut out (or punch out) bottom of the bucket, chop down smaller branches on my trees or pines... I'll most likley grab my Recon Tanto for it, I even used it at construction site for a long time before. I mean 60€ for SK5 version and you're good to go.
It is visible on my knife it's been used.

Pic here:
https://pasteboard.co/IYp6RiJ.jpg

Edge is stained on the pic, but it was as good as new, and razor sharp again in just few mins of sharpening.
I love this knife :D
 
For me there isn’t an either/or. My favorite knives are from Victorinox, Spyderco and CRK. The two knives I always have on me are my Victorinox Spartan and Executive SAKs. The Spartan cost maybe $25 a few years ago, and the Executive cost me maybe $32 back in the late ‘90s. From the ‘80s to the late ‘90s, the only knife I carried was an older version of the Spartan (sans toothpick and tweezers) that cost me only $5 brand new in 1981 at a Christmas sale at a hardware store. That one knife saw all kinds of use during the several years I spent living overseas.

On certain occasions, I’ll swap out my Spartan for my Alox Pioneer.

On the other end of my cost spectrum, I’m not afraid to use my CRK Sebenzas pretty roughly and in some dirty conditions, though not abusive things like prying (they are knives, after all). They have proven to be extremely durable in use. Nor do I worry too much when I use most of my Spydercos.

There are different quality levels in inexpensive knives. For me, even though Vic SAKs are fairly cheap (in price), the level of quality and consistency, and the versatility, far surpasses the cost.

Jim
 
sabre cat said:
Out of the three knives I carry the most, two cost me 50 bucks or less. The other is a Griptilian that was a gift.

I also seem to have a SAK in my coat or vest most of the time. Another budget knife.
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What are your other two primary EDC blades?
 
I carry a SIG P226. Why? Because I like it and shoot it well. Price is irrelavent.Most of my knives are on the pricey side. Why? Well, because I choose a blade for a particular use, for the steel that I want, and for the quality of workmanship.

My fixed blades are mostly from Bob dozier and Bark River. Excellent steels and superb workmanship. Most of my folders are top end Spyderco, BM and ZT.

I do have a few "el cheapos" that I like, and use, like my Cold Steel Master Hunter and my Gerber Magnum Folding Hunter. But those hold their edge fairly well.

I guess that price is not important to me. Quality is. I demand a hair-splitting edge, but I will not tolerate a blade that has to be sharpened every time I use it.

My EDC gets used every day. It's a Spyderco Manix 2 made of Maxamet. It gets sharpened 2-3 times per year.
 
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