The Myth of the Overpriced Knife

Charlie Mike said:
I feel sorry for everyone who bought a production Hindered for $800+ ... Now people have trouble selling them at $350 :D
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If people thought it wasn't worth $800, they shouldn't have bought it.

If they did think it was worth $800, what's changed? They paid $800 for a knife they felt was worth $800. It's not as if they've lost anything. No one's forcing them to sell at a loss.
 
sabre cat said:
And, don't try to tell me that one is worth more if someone is willing to pay the cash, either. That's a crock. The Cutco is just plain overpriced.
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Exactly.... the idea that an item is not overpriced because some dumbass is willing to pay the price is just plain ridiculous. Cutco is an entirely different story altogether. For decades high pressure sales have ambushed ignorant people, in their homes no less, and shoved these expensive, mediocre knives down their throats. That said, I have a Cutco spreader/ spatula that I like so much I went to great lengths to buy another on the secondary market. . but, guess what. I didn't pay 40-50----80 bucks for it. 12 bucks, shipped. Best sandwich spreader ever made....seriously!!
 
At a certain point you just can't get any more knife for your money.
If it holds an edge satisfactory for my needs, has no blade play, and general fit and finish is good, then there's no improvement to function that more money can get me.
Beyond this all I would be paying more for is the style , handle materials, and work going into the knife.
 
Bob W said:
If people thought it wasn't worth $800, they shouldn't have bought it.

If they did think it was worth $800, what's changed? They paid $800 for a knife they felt was worth $800. It's not as if they've lost anything. No one's forcing them to sell at a loss.
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The rub on something like this for me is that if something is priced like that, I trust that it's supposed to be worth that new. If I see a rifle for $800 that appeals to me, since I do have a reasonable grasp of value on such things, I could make that value decision for myself. But if I am looking at a picture, know the manufacturer, and making a judgement entirely on what some body else says, it is very easy to be taken. Knives are tougher for me, since you can get some really high quality knives for $150 and what makes the $800 worth it.... only the name for the most part and I am no judge of that.
 
KennyB said:
Is a ten thousand dollar can of caviar over priced?

QUOTE]

Well....not just yes...but Hell yes. Just because some people have more money than sense, is irrelevant regarding actual value. Can't imagine anyone thinking differently.
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ichor said:
Exactly.... the idea that an item is not overpriced because some dumbass is willing to pay the price is just plain ridiculous. Cutco is an entirely different story altogether. For decades high pressure sales have ambushed ignorant people, in their homes no less, and shoved these expensive, mediocre knives down their throats. That said, I have a Cutco spreader/ spatula that I like so much I went to great lengths to buy another on the secondary market. . but, guess what. I didn't pay 40-50----80 bucks for it. 12 bucks, shipped. Best sandwich spreader ever made....seriously!!
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My moms aunt used to sell cutco, and according to my grandmother ( she used to be the live in caretaker for her ) the ones that my great grandmother payed a butt load for didn't seem to hold an edge worth a crap.
On the other hand my aunt has had a set in her kitchen for as long as I can remember and have never heard her complain, but sometimes people won't be honest with themselves about a product because it cost them a lot of money so who knows.
 
How about a $10,000 bottle of premium vintage wine? To me no, because I could never appreciate it to make a judgement in the first place.
 
ichor said:
Exactly.... the idea that an item is not overpriced because some dumbass is willing to pay the price is just plain ridiculous. Cutco is an entirely different story altogether. For decades high pressure sales have ambushed ignorant people, in their homes no less, and shoved these expensive, mediocre knives down their throats. That said, I have a Cutco spreader/ spatula that I like so much I went to great lengths to buy another on the secondary market. . but, guess what. I didn't pay 40-50----80 bucks for it. 12 bucks, shipped. Best sandwich spreader ever made....seriously!!
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I have considered the spreader myself. I do own the 1891 lock back. I like the knife but the blade steel is not the best, certainly not worth what Cutco ask. I keep the knife around because I like it's ergonomics. I also keep it around to remind me just how good my other knives are.

The Ka-Bar Dozier is a great knife for the money. You are better off buying it over the Cutco.
 
Hickory n steel said:
My moms aunt used to sell cutco, and according to my grandmother ( she used to be the live in caretaker for her ) the ones that my great grandmother payed a butt load for didn't seem to hold an edge worth a crap.
On the other hand my aunt has had a set in her kitchen for as long as I can remember and have never heard her complain, but sometimes people won't be honest with themselves about a product because it cost them a lot of money so who knows.
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I have extended family that think they are just great.

For the money, you can do better. Just my 2 cents.
 
Sometimes the value is in the high price. Conspicuous consumption, letting the world know you have that money to throw around, typical of luxury items.
It doesn't have to be about the inherent value of the item.
I suspect Hinderers fell into this category, & have now fallen out.
 
mtangent said:
Sometimes the value is in the high price. Conspicuous consumption, letting the world know you have that money to throw around, typical of luxury items.
It doesn't have to be about the inherent value of the item.
I suspect Hinderers fell into this category, & have now fallen out.
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The manufacturer always said it was a $400 knife.
It's a good knife for $400. :)

Some people were willing to pay ridiculous amounts more...eventually supply met demand, and now a $400 knife is a $400 knife.

I'm enjoying my $400 knife. ;)
 
stabman said:
The manufacturer always said it was a $400 knife.
It's a good knife for $400. :)

Some people were willing to pay ridiculous amounts more...eventually supply met demand, and now a $400 knife is a $400 knife.

I'm enjoying my $400 knife. ;)
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$400 knives should sell for less on the xchange, which is what is happening, I think. So it now sounds like the right price.
 
mtangent said:
$400 knives should sell for less on the xchange, which is what is happening, I think. So it now sounds like the right price.
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Pretty much. :)
I would have felt silly if I'd paid hundreds of dollars more back when supply was less...but if I had stupid amounts of cash, I might have done it to have it sooner.

People spend hundreds of dollars for a night out on the town; people blow tons of cash at the Casino not too far from where I live, and have nothing to show for it.
If they feel happy afterwards though, it wasn't a waste.
 
To do a weekend in Vegas "properly" ... I'm thinking $10k is required.

To do Blade Show "properly" ... $25k.
 
Lots of overpriced knives.

Go on Ebay and buy any knife from the super gouger selling them with a red background (good old LK who was banned here).

Take that same knife and list it here at the same price.......


It won't sell.

Many knives have prices that I find don't match the quality (or warranty, or customer service, etc). But if I feel that, I just don't buy one.

I've owned customs, and higher priced productions.

Much of what goes into my consideration on knife prices includes calculating whether I can afford to lose or damage the knife.

Mostly my range is limited by my income, and bills (student loans being a major factor!)
 
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Charlie Mike said:
To do a weekend in Vegas "properly" ... I'm thinking $10k is required.

To do Blade Show "properly" ... $25k.
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Properly depends.

I went to France and back for less than $1000.
Of course, I was only there for 26 hours, brought protein bars to avoid buying food, and didn't stay anywhere (or sleep...God I was tired :D).
I did manage to buy a knife though...my wife said it was fine because I was on the other side of the world. :)

To me, that was properly. :thumbup:
To people who like tourist attractions and eating the local cuisine, they wouldn't agree.
 
$10k includes a suite... VIP service at the club... Drugs... Hookers... And possibly some gambling.
 
$25k at Blade Show is for one Todd Redford folder.
 
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