There is a difference between low end and high end knives.

I don't know anything about Kershaw or Sebenza, but as a balisong enthusiast, I will say that there is a very noticeable difference in the quality of a $30 bali (i.e. Jaguar or Bear MGC) versus a more expensive bali (i.e. Benchmade or Microtech). Can either cut things? Definitely. However, the way a balisong manipulates is an aspect that cannot be ignored, and the more expensive pieces undoubtedly surpass the cheaper models. For balisongs, it is important for the handles to rotate smoothly around the blade. However, the $30 or less balis tend to have handles that are either far too tight or far too loose, resulting in "blade play" and unavoidable wobbling. Additionally, the cheap materials found in inexpensive balisongs causes the handles or pins to often break after repeated use. Expensive balisongs, on the other hand, are much sturdier (thanks to better materials) and they operate in a more ideal manner because of improved design and construction. It is no wonder that those interested in balisongs are often encouraged to save their money for a $100+ bali rather than buy a cheaper piece, and I doubt it has anything to do with being a snob.
 
I guess some of us just don't believe in a free market. Some knives are more expensive because they are valued more highly. It is just that simple, accept it and move on.

Before you make too much noise; just remember that most of us started with inexpensive production knives and moved up. You will be there soon enough, so try not to say anything you wouldn't mind swallowing later.

n2s
 
not2sharp mentions an interesting point: value.

You don't necessarily hear "value" as much on these forums as you would like. The concept of value. Worth vs. the dollar. Quality vs. dollar.

I have said it before and I will say it yet again: I can't possibly imagine a better value of quality folder than an Al Mar SERE 2000 for a mere $116. It makes one wonder about those $350 folders out there.
 
Dear, you should've changed your password. ***********

Love,
Esther Kim

P.S.
I HATE YOUR **** GUTS!!!

I hate it when that happens. :D (edited for lauguage)
 
Comparing the Kershaw Vapor to the Chris Reeve Sebenza is like comparing a Ford Focus to a Ford Mustang. For someone who wants high performance and can spend the money, the Sebenza will do. For the average Joe on a tight budget, the Vapor will do just fine.

I've picked up 2 more Vapors at my local Walmart to give away as gifts for some upcoming birthdays and I feel that the Vapor is a great buy for the money. Can you show me another custom designed frame-lock folder in the $20.00 range?

I know a several knifenuts who carry expensive custom folders and/or high-end production knives everday, who end up using them casually. They might open an envelope here, open an bag of candy there and rarely put them to any hard use. Heck, I can do the same thing with a Victorinox Recruit.

Still, I have no problem with that since I know that they receive pleasure in owning such knives. But the fact is that the vast majority of people who work day in and day out with knives will often select an inexpensive production folder. One that can be used often and be expendable to a certain degree and one that will not cost an entire paycheck to replace if lost.

If you can afford a Sebenza, good for you. But don't slam a $30.00 knife just because it does not meet the standards of a $400.00 folder. Many people will enjoy owning and using that $30.00 knife.
 
When someone can buy a knife and get satisfaction out of carrying and using it, that is all that matters. Personal satisfaction is key in owning any good.
I get satisfaction out of carrying and using my small Sebenza. I also enjoy carrying my SAK Tinker and Schrade (Uncle Henry) Senior Rancher.
Preformance and Value are all in the eye of the beholder.
I bet that one of my friends gets the same amount of satisfaction from using his 25+ year old Buck Stockman as I do using my Sebenza.
That is just the way life works. People get satisfaction out of the things they enjoy.
 
if some of you consider $30-40 cheap knifes,just go spend 38 and get a buck 110 hunter folder.fit,finish and quality are second to none,not to mention the fact that they are scalpel sharp right out of the box
 
I agree with many posts here, I especially like what Anthony says. I am waiting for delivery of a Victorinox Huntsman and a Busse Steelheart, obviously for different reasons.

I'm excited over BOTH of them!
 
A knife, $30 or $300 is ultimately too expensive if it fails you. Until then, you have not exhausted its value.
Martin
 
I find it funny that some people who won't carry a knife that cost less tahn 600 bucks try to bargain shop when it comes to guns. Trust me, if your life depends on it, you are better offspending the 600 on a Glock, HK or Kimber and carrying the cheaper knife.

Another interesting thing: people who buy inexpensive knifves to use and collect the more expensive ones ( which could do the job a lot better) because they are "too expensive to risk damaging." When stakes are high, I want the best tool available, collectors value be damned.

Am I going to buy a Sebenza soon? No. I'll spend my knife money on a Randall and a Cuda EDC instead. Do I think Sebbie owners are snobs? No, but I think they have a bit more disposable income than I do right now.

Buy what you can afford, but use the best you can.
 
Originally posted by akiramasamune
A knife is used PRIMARILY as a tool that cuts. It's SECONDARY function is a weapon (just like any makeshift weapon).

Therefore, what biohazard and some others have said is valid.

A cheap knife will get the job done as long as there is a sharp edge. These knives are very expendable and useful for abuse.

Thank you. Now I'm no longer self-conscious about my $20 Old Timer. :)
Click to expand...
 
I'm on the fence with this issue. Having owned and enjoyed productions and customs alike, Hell I love 'em all.

My thing is this; somebody threw out a $400.00 figure above in reference to a Sebenza...

If you're paying more than $265.00 for a new-in-box small Sebenza or more than $280.00 for a new-in-box large Sebenza, you're not frequenting the For Sale By Individuals Forum here.

Most of the time they can be had for less than that, especially considering the current market!

Professor.
 
Originally posted by swede79
I agree with many posts here, I especially like what Anthony says. I am waiting for delivery of a Victorinox Huntsman and a Busse Steelheart, obviously for different reasons.

I'm excited over BOTH of them!
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, Swede...I just got a Satin Jack and a Queen MOP peanut in the mail the same day...to sorta quote you...equally excited about both of 'em :)
 
After reading the updates and stuff, I think what you saw was probably a pretty banged up display Vapor.
I've actually bought the Vapor before (I returned it because I couldn't stand the finish on the handle, keeps fingerprints on pretty bad), and it never touched, pass a mild spine whack test near the tip on my fingers (of course my fingers are out of the way) and it's sharp as hell. I was surprised that kershaw was able to heat treat a lower end steel to put on such an edge.
Or maybe it might be a ripoff....
 
I work in an office and carry a small Sebenza every day. It doesn't get worked very hard in the office, but if one day I have to cut my way out of an elevator shaft, I sure as hell would rather have the Seb. than a much less expensive Mirage ($25), or an otherwise very high quality Spyderco Mouse ($80).

If, on the other hand, I'm going out on a Saturday to lay tar paper on a roof, I'll take the Mirage, or even a box cutter because I know that what ever I take will be highly abused by what I have to cut all day long...

Then again, if I'm going into the woods for a week and had to take only a folder I'd be back to the Seb. again (besides a SAK) because, as with the elevator shaft, I might have to rely on it for more than simple cutting jobs...

Bottom line... I'll take the more disposable tool if I <i><b>know</b></i> I'm going to abuse it routinely, but the stronger (and more expensive) tool if I <i><b>might</b></i> have to abuse it to save a life!
 
First of all, I believe there is a difference between high-dollar and low-dollar knives when it comes to quality of materials, fit and finish, and attention to details....up to a point.
Sometimes you get what you pay for and sometimes you just pay more for no real advantage.

It does'nt have to be either a $5.00 chinese special or a $500.00 custom-built work of art.
There are so many great knives to choose from these days.
It's not difficult to find a very high quality knife with excellent fit-and-finish, and built of first-rate materials for less than 150.00 bucks (American).
Spyderco, Buck, Camillus, CRKT, SOG, Victorinox, and Gerber (just to name a few) make great knives for a reasonable price.

Some folks use the "if your life depended on it" justification, but simply put, a Sebenza will not save your bacon any better than a Buck 110 or a Spyderco Police will. And the Buck 110 and Spyderco Police knives both have outstanding build and quality, and they're affordable to the everyday blue-collar working folks.

Allen.
 
a $30-$50 knife will do everything you need.

The claims about toughness in more expensive knives are irrelevant. If it breaks you get a new one. If you are in a survival situation if it breaks it won't shatter you'll still be able to use it. one thing that set me straight on this issue was watching videos of primitive tribes in south america, they have cheap thin machetes and do a hell of a lot more then we will ever do with them.

If someone has a custom survival knife and doesn't know squat about survival it won't help their situation one bit. If someone has a custom fighter but doesn't train, it won't fight for them. if a hunter can't skin a deer but has a custom skinner, that old savy hunter with a cheap a$$ folder will out do ya every time.

That said if I won the lottery I would have multiple orders to custom makers.
 
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