The One Million Dollar Utility Knife...

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
This is a concept.

Th knife that one spends far too much for, but defends to the death because they spent far too much.

What do you think?

It seems to me that the lack of logic shown in buying the knife is perpetrating itself in the lack of logic defending that knife.

No one wants to admit they spent too much.

And especially when they spent that much, too much.

------------------
Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Talonite Information and Resource Page, including other cobalt materials.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
I run into people, including people who are a long way from being poor, who think a Spyderco Delica, with a mid two-digit price, is a high-end luxury knife.

If you use it, it's a using knife, and if you aren't having trouble keeping up with your bills then the chances are you didn't spend too much money on it.


------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
This has happened to me more times then I care to remember...mainly when I had to show the new purchase to my wife...

The line WAS 300$ but it was crossed, and nothing has been the same since
wink.gif



 
Regardless of whether a knife is a user or not, we have to admit that the prices we pay for knives cannot be justified solely interms of quality or usefulness. The prices we pay can only really justified by the love we feel for knives. Personally, I have more than few knives that are over $100 and two (a Microtech SOCOM & Emerson Commander) that cost $200. There is no way on earth I would have spent that much for a hammer or a broom. Realistically there is virtually nothing that a Sebenza, for instance, can do that an Endura can't do at a much cheaper price. Our love of expensive knives stems from ingrained tendencies that have existed in all cultures where the blade was not a tool but symbol of one's status as a free member of society, and an emblem of personal style. That is why we pay the prices we pay, not the the mere utility of knives.
 
I personally don't really care if someone else spent too much. And how do I judge that they've spent too much? It wouldn't bother me plus that's not my call to make in the first place. There would be no need to defend, as I wouldn't attack their decision in the first place.

As for myself, I've spent a lot on knives, like most of us. It's a hobby for me and doesn't get in the way of my M-F, 8-5 responsibilities financially or otherwise. If I buy a two hundred dollar knife and I'm disappointed with it, then I can always find a trade or sell it here on the forums. My gut usually keeps me pretty honest when evaluating my purchases.

I think it's rather obvious we've all spent too much at least on some basic level. That's why we are here, isn't it?

clip

 
Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro:
Regardless of whether a knife is a user or not, we have to admit that the prices we pay for knives cannot be justified solely interms of quality or usefulness....
Click to expand...

smart words indeed.

the probelm is - when one has more then one hobby i.e. knives, guns, motorcycles etc etc - this is becoming an issue..

well - this is what we are working for (oh yeah - and to feed the kids, that too)
 
well when I first started out with getting knifes Spyderco was a high end too expensive one for me (40 dollars) then after that I went on to more expensive and more, untill I have bought a Microtech Mini Socom for 125$


THEN microtech changed their prices
frown.gif
(I'm still kicking myself for that one.)

who knows how far I will go, but currently that mini socom has curbed my appitite for knifes.................mainly because I'm broke from buying it!
biggrin.gif
 
Just a couple of points.

Sure, a Chevette can and will get you back and forth to work, but if you've worked your hiney off, why not take the Caddy or the Benz? As a hobby, something you work hard for, shouldn't you (within reason?) get yourself something something deservedly nice?

Here's the caveat though, and I'll use my mountain biking as an example. I started out on a $200 used aluminum frame with lower end parts. As I used the bike more and more, I eventually began to notice a few shortcomings. For the most part, as I upgraded, the upper end parts felt or worked better, lasted longer, or weighed less. I'm now riding a titanium frame beast with front shock and a slew of carbon fiber parts. Having started where I did, I can appreciate the quality of the new parts better. Can I go back? Sure, well maybe. I still have the old bike and ride it occasionally. While I appreciate the technology invested in my new bike and it's parts, there's something to be said for the simplicity of the older bike and the nostalgia it brings back.
 
It really depends on the person.

In my unbiased opinion, I am rational (of course!) whereas many others aren't.

But seriously, like Timmy, I slowly made my way up in expense with knives as I drooled over the features, comfort, and finesse of the knife in the price category above the one I was at. Each purchase decision in the next level was wrenched from my wallet after much deliberation, and I really have no regrets because at my point in life, money is too hard to come by for me to make expensive impulse buys.

That said, I know of several people who have jumped up one day and come back home with a very expensive knife that ends up in the back of their closet because after all their expectations and money, it was only a knife. To save face, they'll never admit they made a purchase they weren't happy with, but I think they know.

------------------
-Gregory Zolas
tinsta@hotmail.com
 
Eye.
This concept of yours has too many holes in it.

quote;
“Th knife that one spends far too much for, “

Now, do you mean spent more than fair market value for? What determines the price of something is, what the seller is willing to sell it for, and what the buyer or buyers are willing to pay for it. Now, a buyer that buys something and doesn’t do some comparison shopping, is probably a little foolish, and may pay too much.
I think your trying to confuse intrinsic value with worth. That’s not something that lends itself to logic. Now we’re talking about knives, that in many cases could be considered as Art. There area lot of other things that people collect and pay a premium for that in my opinion are a lot less sense, coins, stamps, beany babies etc. Why? Because personally I’m not interested in those items, that doesn’t make me right and them wrong.
You can actually pay what a lot of money for a knife, and really be getting a bargain.
It’s all relative and not logical.

------------------
"Will work 4 Knives!"
 
Knives needn't be defended. Value needn't be defended. The exercise of one's own motives in pursuit of happiness needn't be defended, unless that exercise jeopardizes others. The perception that such defense is needed only places undeserved power in the hands of those against whom the need for such defense is imagined.
 
Eye; you mean to say that it is actually possible to pay too much money for a knife? WOW!! What a concept!

Let's see; the last knife I got was a Kit Carson large U-2 dive knife in Talonite. The alloy alone, since it was 1/4" thick, and that thickness is special order, was $350. But that knife is a real beauty, and I love it. Even though I don't dive (well, haven't for decades).

I think that you should consider what Bob Dylan said: 'I know about your debutante; she knows what need, but I know what you WANT!'

Eye, you need, IMHO, to get rid of your Protestant Work Ethic, or Catholic Guilt (as I did), and start viewing your purchases as 'stimulating the economy.' You will be a lot happier. Walt
 
Actually, Walt,
the "Protestant work ethic" can be integrated into knife collecting in a wonderful way--you just have to see knives as God's reward to you for having worked hard! lol
smile.gif

 
You have brought up a point all of us should acknowledge. A knife or any other "thing" cannot bring joy and love to life, only family, friends and God can. Yes we can enjoy knives for their beauty and utlilty, but keep them in the right place in our lives.

------------------
"Fear God and keep His commandments for that is the full duty of man"
 
My knives bring loads of joy into my life,just like having Bladeforums does.I love my knives and Bladeforums.The question was what is too much for a knife?Anwser-There really isn't such an anwser.What may be too much for me,may be a bargain for someone else.Certainly how knowledgable someone is about knives can make a difference on how much is too much.The maker also puts a value on their work,the collector decides if the craftmanship warrants the cost.I think and (please Iam not trying to start a bashing thread),but this is a good example to me.In my opinion for what a Mad Dog knife will cost you,there are alot better choices out there at a fraction of the cost.Yet people swear up and down that at 700.00 they got a good deal.I don't know but for that money you can get a couple of Randalls or customs.I guess to answer your question though, about people maybe not wanting to admit they paid to much.I've often wondered if thats why MD owners were ready to rip someone apart if they dared say anything negative about his knives.Well just my two cents.Ralph
 
i think this is really silly. logic? spending far too much for a knife? Why do so many ppl here only see things as worth a certain amount for what they are? if price per item is all you think off, isnt $70,000 for a car absolutely insane?

what a meaningless thread to even start! good thing every man throughout history didnt think like this or we would have no art museums, or cultiral treasures because they would have all been illogical and way too expensive!
frown.gif
can you just imagine the fool who spends several million for a silly painting by rembrandt?? sheeesh

i am not just saying this because i make art knives either as i feel this applies to many things. every man places his own value on things so it seems to me very silly to pay too much for anything then whine about it to defend your choice?! as if you made a huge mistake. sorry, i just cant understand this type of thinking.

tim

[This message has been edited by HermanKnives (edited 02-13-2000).]

[This message has been edited by HermanKnives (edited 02-13-2000).]
 
Yeah Eye, let's think before we post.
wink.gif


Tim, before I buy a Rembrandt, or a $70,000 car, I will definitally be buying one of your knives. In fact, I may already be a Winner from Publishers Clearing House, so anytime now.
wink.gif
 
MDP,

I think that your question is so true, that many of the respondents can't understand the question. Let me try and put it another way. Many times people buy things that are very expensive and the buyer does not get value out of them proportionate to their expendature. They may not admit this to themselves conciously, but subconciously they feel guilty or that they have failed. The reaction is NOT to go out to their buddies (much less their spouse) and say, "I could kick myself for spending so much on the XYZ widgetmobile". Rather, the tendency is to say that "Nobody in the world makes a better widgetmobile than XYZ, and the million dollar model X27 is the best investment in my life."

Psychologists have done experiments with people justifying actions that they feel guilty about. It's a favorite topic.

So I interpreted your question/topic as asking, "Do you ever find that you praise a knife, more because you feel defensive about how much you spent than because it offered great value for the money?" Or alternately, "Do you see that sort of thing happening?"

It seemed like the question hit such a nerve that people started defending the whole idea of spending top money for top quality, which wasn't the question. The question is more whether you find yourself giving top praise if you spent top dollar, regardless of whether you felt really good about the value deep down inside. This is all independent about how other people evaluate what you bought. This is more a question of do you start trying to justify your actions to yourself and the world if you secretly think you've made a mistake.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top