The Best Money Can Buy

[golok]

A long time ago, a wise old man advised me: "Buy the best, my son, because the best also means it will last the longest, and serve you the best."

Now that I am knee-deep in this knife hobby, those words come back to haunt me. I find the word of advice quite true.

The best knives in the market right now are usually the pricest. Translated into reality, they are usually top of the range. And excellent knives stand head and shoulders above all the others.

Of course, this means buying holes in both pockets but if it brings true appreciation of what is fast becoming more than a hobby, then I thought - buy the best and the pastime will take care of the rest.

But frankly, we all start somewhere and it's usually not far from the bottom. We all learn eventually that the best knives come with a price. As we go along, eventually what we desire will come within our reach.

But truly how many of us have got the best or somewhere close to the top.


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Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.

 

[HJK]

I really don't know what the "best" is in the context of knives. There are too many different ways of looking at it. Some would say Busses are the "best"; others might say a Moran. Some say the Sebenzas are the best; others might say a Walker. I have the Busses and the Sebenzas, but I very much doubt I would ever spend the money on the "best", even if I could actually find it for sale. Masamunes aren't that easy to buy

I do think it is worthwhile to spend the extra money, within reason, for quality, if there really is a difference in quality and not just a more expensive name or decoration.


[This message has been edited by HJK (edited 06-08-2001).]

 

[sgtmike88]

A slight takeoff ... Buy the best you can afford to replace.

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.

 

[Buzzbait]

I completely agree on buying the best. I do this with many things that get constant use, but this is particularly expensive when it comes to knives.

I was looking for the ultimate hard use "folding prybar" kind of knife a month ago. I needed something very durable for use on my camping trips. A knife that could withstand my constant beatings, and still be good enough to pass onto my son. I needed a knife that could be repaired 25 years from now. I chose the venerable Buck 110, and had Buck make up a custom version for me with all of my favorite features. It was expensive, but nothing close to what many production folders cost. Some may dispute whether it's the best or not, but it's absolutely perfect for me. Value is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[golok]

Congratulations on your customs Buck 110, Buzzbait.

I too have a personal liking for Buck 110, but your special Buck 110 is a wonder to behold.

I bet 20 years from now, your purchase will still be a conversation topic in family circles.




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Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.

 

[Roj Avon]

I've never been sorry that I saved a little longer or paid a little more to get better quality. Unfortunately its not often as simple as buying the most expensive thing and getting the best.

However, to me the best thing about the internet is the ability to research products..be they knives, camping gear, chess computers.....whatever you are interested in and get many different and often independant opinions with which you can arm yourself to make a decision with.

These are a few guidelines I use to find a balance between price and quality of nearly anything that I am not already familar with.

1. Really decide what your purpose is for whatever item you are planning to buy.

2. Do lots of searches using varous search engines and visit local stores or dealers to actually see what you are learning about.

3. Recognize that any spare can make a website so don't put too much trust in any one source until you have verified their information.

4. There are usually independant "reader review" type sites for almost any item. Read lots of these.

5. Take a good look at what is apparently the most popular choice for the item you are looking at but keep in mind the hype and fashion factor. Make sure there is substance behind the "legend".

6. I've had the best luck with items that were very well reviewed by other users but are fairly hard to find. Frequently its worth your time to track down "holy grails" as I call them. There is usually a good reason that some items seem to have a small "cult" following.

7. Once you decide what you want find the best price you can and buy it no matter what it costs.

 

[alex_111]

"i don't care too much for money... money can't buy me love."

aleX.

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"i flip you... i flip you for real..."

 

[Pergatory]

Hahaha... I believe that saying should be more specific. "Buy the best of what you need." This works for me much better. If you need a timepiece, buy a Seiko. You don't NEED a Rolex with Diamonds. If you buy a knife, Darryl Ralph or Crawford or Mayo or Dozier will get you one H-E-L-L of a knife. Do we really need anything more? Not really, anything beyond the basics is a hobby or luxury.

 

[Bugs3x]

I do think it is important to be wary of items that are at, or near the top price-wise. Sometimes, the basis for the exalted position has up and gone. Nevertheless, people continue to buy them and brag them up.

Best example I know is the experience of a cousin, a long-time mechanic at a Cadillac dealer. He said it simply: "Cadillacs are the most expensive POS money can buy."

Years before that, his brother worked for a couple years in the parts section of an Oldsmobile plant in or near Lansing, MI. When he came to visit us, he couldn't hide his glee in telling us that the majority of the nuts and bolts, simple/basic type parts, that went into the Olds had previously been rejected by Chevrolet. He said the theory was that Olds owners were a lot easier on their cars, so they could get by with substandard parts.

And then, of course -- this too may be too long ago for many -- I will never forget when Ford -- around 1979 or 1980, I think -- suddenly announced that they had just improved the quality of Fords by 48%. I believe Granadas were still being sold, and advertized as better than Mercedes in several important categories. I always felt kind of sorry for dealers selling used Fords. (I know that few folks call Fords or Oldsmobiles the "best." Still, they have their adament supporters.)

Am sure that these experiences are largely figured in my skepticism about the gray turds.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs

 

[SIFU1A]

i dont think any will argue that a CRK seb and a Crawford Kasper, carried w/the kasper as a fighter and a seb as utility is hard to beat imho - and plenty high$$ too - i wouldnt spend more - this amount of $$ should get ya something very suitable for your needs, actually a lot of $100 to $150 factory knives will do also if ya pick the right models for your needs - and as far as rolex vs seiko, for about 1K ya can get a good used rolex (or tudor) that is certainly a helluva lot better watch than a seiko, or TAG, etc - i got a datejust for 1K at a pawnshop, had it serviced, new crystal, polished - it looks new - and i guarantee ya i can get my $$ back out of that watch MUCH easier than a used seiko, which 5 yrs from now will be worth, maybe $100 if you are lucky - it just depends on what ya want/need - if ya can get a good deal on rolex go for it!!!!

sifu




[This message has been edited by SIFU1A (edited 06-09-2001).]

 

[medusaoblongata]

Personally I don't feel I need the best of everything I own. I wear a $28 watch and I'm thrilled with it, mostly because it's on a thick leather band with 14 silver spikes on it. I own more expensive watches but I don't like them as much. The timekeeping difference between my $28 watch and someone else's 1K or 8K watch is negligible to me. I'm not a watch fanatic, I just need to know what time it is.

I usually spend between $100 & $200 on a pair of boots and beat the hell out of them daily for 2 to 4 years and then buy a new pair. I don't need them to last longer than that, I don't need better quality than that, and I don't need more than one pair at a time (plus a backup pair that doesn't leave the closet).

Having been a college student for the last 6 years I've worn a backpack at least 5 days a week. I usually use a leather backpack that Marlboro sent me for miles. I've also been very happy with PM Sport brand backpacks. The only place I've seen them for sale is at Kobey's Swap Meet in San Diego. They sell for $12 and last me about 2 years. 2 years with the way I treat a backpack is excellent, and I prefer a $12 2 year backpack to one that will last forever. My attention span is finite.

I buy $5 sunglasses at gas stations. They block the sun and if they get lost or broken I don't mind a bit. I, personally, couldn't fathom spending $100 on a pair of sunglasses. It is well known among those who know me that I always have my sunglasses with me, and if it's bright enough for me to see with them on, I'm wearing them. I was at a friend's house a while back and she handed me her brother's sunglasses and asked my opinion of them. I was unimpressed and preferred my own. His were some name brand $150 sunglasses. I'm sure he enjoyed them.

I carry a $2.50 squeeze light in my jacket pocket, I think I got it at Safeway. It's not an $80 Surefire, but it lets me see in the dark. It suits my purposes well.

To each his own.

I am a knife knut. I buy the best, most expensive knives I can afford. I could get by with less (quality or quantity), but I chose not to, because I am a knife knut.

Another way to look at all of this, and this is an oversimplification, but I own roughly two types of items: those I take care of, and those that take care of me, or, assets and liabilities. For me, a 1K watch or $150 sunglasses would be something I had to take care of, and that's not what I want to do with them. For the most part I prefer items that take care of me. My boots, jeans, leather & oilskin jackets, take care of me, and I thrash them pretty well. With only one exception, my knives take care of me. I keep them sharpened and oiled and don't abuse them too much, but I don't baby them and I know they are here to protect me, and not the other way around. The one exception is my D.R. Good custom damascus finger bone friction folder, which I love, but it doesn't get much use. I don't want a watch or sunglasses that I have to protect or baby, and if they were way expensive I would. I might feel the same way about an $800 knife, no matter how darn tough it is. Maybe we should say, "Buy the best you won't be afraid to use, lose, or break." If I owned a $350 Busse I wouldn't be afraid to use it because I know I'm not strong enough to break it, but that doesn't apply to most expensive things.

There is not a significant difference between the best and the cheapest to all people and in all respects. There is definitely something to be said for quality, but sometimes "the best" isn't necessary, and wouldn't work any better. Would those children in Japan be more dead if that psycho had used a $5,000 knife? I don't have any problem with anyone buying the best of whatever they want. I know the enjoyment that comes with owning quality products and the trust that can be placed in them. I also know the benefits of having things that can be easily replaced, or lost in a stress-free manner. Each person decides where to spend their energy, and where el cheapo is "the best" way to go.

Their is no "best" knife anyway.

Happy collecting!

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault

 

[nifrand]

In the old days I used to "ride Harley Davidson,drive new Corvette's,shoot Brownings,and carry Randalls.
The names have changed on some of the topics but the philosophy has not changed.

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have a"knife"day

 

[judge]

I do have the tendency to get what I consider "the best"; problem is my funds right at the moment are quite limited. For me, getting the "best" (whatever that may be...) is some kind of ego problem

that I know will cost me lots of money in the future, but better spending 3k on a Fisk or Moran knife than on psychotherapy. The thought of having acquired something for a price that most people would consider completely insane is kind of "applied anarchy", a small act of revolt even. And it´s fun, a mindsoothing bath in inverted capitalism. I can´t take my money with me when I die, why not spend it on things that bring me joy.
And Jason,
about that sunglasses thing: Do try to test your sunglasses for UV blocking ability. Often, cheap sunglasses block the visible spectrum of the light, but are inadequate at blocking UV wavelenghts. Your eyes get tricked into believing that it´s safe to open up because it´s "dark", but get even more fried by the non-blocked UV. Although there´s lots of expensive sunglasses that are bad at UV filtering too, inexpensive glasses tend to be worse. Try to locate an optometrician that offers UV transmission analysis of sunglasses. New eyes are hard to get.

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"Peace is not without conflict; it is the ability to cope with conflict" - Leo Giron

 

[zerodrop]

My theory is if you like it buy it. Who cares what it cost! you wanted it and you got it and now your happy. Theres always going to be someone who has one for a cheaper price after you all ready have one.
So you can play the waiting game or be HAPPY!

 

[allenC]

I'm very skeptical of overly high-priced knives and such. All of my knives are "blue collar" knives and not pieces of art (except maybe my Spyderco micarta Calypso). I really don't understand folks who look down on brands like Camillus, Buck, and Schrade. They make great knives at a reasonable price. I have recently been buying traditional pocket-knives and I was surprised at the prices. I think some makers are simply asking too much. I compared alot of knives at Smokey Mountain Knives and was disappointed with the craftsmanship of a few brands (Boker especially--which I think have priced themselves out of the American market).

I guess you have to look at it this way:
Compare a 50.00 dollar knife and a 100.00 dollar knife. And ask yourself, is the 100.00 dollar knife twice as good as the 50.00 dollar knife?
A friend of mine told me Cadillac is coming out with a truck...I just can't picture a farmer hauling around pigs in his Caddy!

 

[Buzzbait]

Okay, maybe I better rephrase my last response. I buy high quality items that receive constant use. "The best" is just too theoretical. I got tired of cheap $15.00 knives this winter and purchased a CRKT Point Guard as a weekday carry around knife. I purchased a high quality knife for average small cutting tasks and threw away my POS knives.

 

[MAURICE]

I too agree with buying the best you can afford.
i used to buy the cheap little POS knives,and dont have any of em any more.i dont set a limit as to the lowest amount of money ill spend,as i have been surprised with the results fairly often (crkt for expample) i picked up a tiny little ka-bar folder at blade for 2 dollars (!). i figured how could i go wrong.its tons better than some of the pos knives ive seen.another one i picked up was a cammilus 2 bladed slipjoint for a great price (thanks will

)
i cannot find anything wrong with it AT ALL.

buy the best you can afford,but not the most expensive.

 

[samo]

Hey! I love them Buck 110s too!!

Got them for a STEAL!! Best in the world...

But I guess "BEST" is a state of mind. As long as you are happy with what you have, you won't yearn to compare with others. There goes a saying : "One man's treasure is another man's junk!" So, if you are pleased with your RM20 folder, that'll be a "BEST IN THE WORLD" feeling!

Sam

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have spydies
will travel...
AKTI Member #A001148