Use of a $300 Knife?

My S90V Para2 loves boxes. It's got some of that urban camo glue on both sides of the blade.

Unless you're investing, you might as well use them. :D
 
jerm03 said:
I understand wanting something fine just to own it, and have no quarrel with that.

But when it comes down to using the knife I use mine to cut a cord, open a package, or maybe tighten a loose screw. The SAK takes care of those thinks in an excellent manner.
Except for the screwdriver the Boker Magnum I am carrying does the same things.



So for those who own expensive knives, what do you do with it that a much less expensive knife, such as a SAK, will not do?

If you like to admire the workmanship, and know it has the best steel that is fine. But how do those things translate to everyday use? Do you really tighten screws and cut boxes with it?

Thanks,
Jerry
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I have a few "$300" knives. What do they do? Hmmm.... protect me. In a way an SAK never will.
 
If the $300 knife is made with gold engraving and diamond sheath (i don't think those blings come in that cheap either) then it's not oriented as a user. It's like having a LV wallet with no notes but coins inside.

I used my Horton Camp 2 as much as possible to justify Jeremy's heat-treat, grind as well as his skills. It's my most expensive knife up to date.
If i don't use it i probably would just be another sheeple following the group. When it comes to BOB i'm sure that it's dependable.

Himalayan Imports,Horton, RMJ, Winkler Knives are/will be have my savings ready but i'm pretty sure they aren't letting me down.

Depends on your liking; bash it or decorate that nice cabinet you have but to me it's meant to be used.
Anything too expensive, it will stay as eye candy and unlikely to stay that way forever.
 
More expensive knives have better steel, which means longer edge retention (sharper for longer) AND superior geometry (lower edge angles and primary grind can be better) which creates a knife that will cut more easily, for long periods of time. Other than that, handle ergonomics MAY be involved, high end materials and finer fit and finish give more pleasure to many users (not necessarily you).
 
FlyingKiwi said:
More expensive knives USUALLY have better steel, which means longer edge retention (sharper for longer) AND superior geometry (lower edge angles and primary grind can be better) which creates a knife that will cut more easily, for long periods of time. Other than that, handle ergonomics MAY be involved, high end materials and finer fit and finish give more pleasure to many users (not necessarily you).
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Fixed that for you.
 
Tony8179 said:
Fixed that for you.
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I see what you did there ;)

By 'more expensive' I was meaning ~$300 as opposed to a Boker Magnum ~sub $60. I don't know of any $300 knives that aren't antiques that have a lower end steel than a SAK.
I guess I was a bit ambiguous, but it made sense to me :)
 
For years, my most expensive knife - at $175 -was a Buck Custom Shop 110 - in teardrop Damascus, ns bolsters, and flaming Koa wood scales. I didn't - still don't - carry it much. I carry 110's - usually plain Jane variants - the 420HC is pretty nice. I went 'big bucks' last September - $430 for a WC/CRK 'StarTac' Umnumzaan - to commemorate my first SS retirement check (... after ~47 yr of pouring $ into SS!). I regret that purchase only when that 'zaan has been left locked in the display case with the other knives not in my current EDC line-up for a few days. I only use any knife for one odd use - cutting. My MacGyver days of carrying an SAK - for that disarming a nuclear device - are pretty much behind me, although the utility of a Vic 'Farmer' finds it in my pocket frequently. If I ever need to scrape an engine gasket/seal remnant again, I'll grab that Mora look-alike red wood handled putty knife I used to scrape head gasket remnants from my first Alfa Romeo rebuild in '76 (I was a young college instructor with a family - couldn't afford a mechanic, so I became one!). The right tool for the right job. Knives are for cutting stuff. I am not afraid to use any knife - and always have something far less dear as a possible loaner, should I deem the temporary loan of such safe.

Oddly, I have a few $150-$200 knives now - they are usually in the same category as the 'zaan - they are pride-instilling examples of techno-art that I can carry and use. I wear no adornments, save my wedding band - not even a watch. My cellphone was chosen by price - zero - and the large sized displayed numbers. I still love my 8/04 purchased '05 Jeep Liberty - a 2WD Sport with basic equipment. I like S&W revolvers - and, like my knives, own no 'safe queens'.

So, some of us own an expensive knife because we could make a 'special' purchase. It's unlikely I'll add to my CRK collection anytime soon.

Stainz

PS An odd feeling often overtakes me when I fondle my nicer knives. Recalling that old SNL skit, I exclaim, "I'm not worthy.... I'm not worthy!". Weird?
 
FlyingKiwi said:
I see what you did there ;)

By 'more expensive' I was meaning ~$300 as opposed to a Boker Magnum ~sub $60. I don't know of any $300 knives that aren't antiques that have a lower end steel than a SAK.
I guess I was a bit ambiguous, but it made sense to me :)
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Yes but there are quite a few >$300 knives that don't use any better steel/heat-treating than ~$100 production knives and have crazy edge geometry or down-right ridiculous blade-shape.

There are plenty of knives in this category.
 
I use them, but would never do anything seriously stressful to them for fear of breaking them. I am pretty careful with them.
However, I do think when using an instrument as sharp as I like knives to be, you should be careful.
So in a way, using an expensive knife carefully ads a layer of caution. I have yet to cut myself to the point of bleeding!
 
Ive never paid $300 for a knife (because I make most of my own knives) but if I did I would use it most likely. Ive carried a kershaw boa for a while and just bought a slightly used emerson for a good price. I plan on carrying it.
Around here the gold standard for a field knife is " X ammount of deer" before resharpening..A lot of guys say I wont pay $100 for that knife...Then they have to sharpen a knife three times before the deers broken down and then they come back and say "ok, ok Ill take it"...
 
jerm03 said:
But what will those expensive knives do that a SAK will not do except give you the joy of ownership? The SAK will cut boxes and tighten screws. while I doubt any of you use your knives for that purpose.

Thanks,
Jerry
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The bolded part sounds more trolly than inquiring.
I use ALL my knves to cut things, be it boxes, rope, sandwiches, tape, string, wood, plastic, zip ties, wire, whatever.
I use a screwdriver with interchangable tips for tightening screws.
 
Thanks, again for all the responses. I was seeking information and thinking, and you have provided that.
I realize that a Savage 110 rifle, which is so ugly I would not own one, might provide better accuracy than a $5,000 custom rifle. But if you like beautiful walnut, and the finest workmanship there is no comparison. So utility, and price are not the only criteria to purchase an item.

If one appreciates fine knives enough to pay the price then go for them. It would be foolish for me to pay the prices because I am interested in utility, but it is not foolish for others if they can afford them. That is their judgment call, and I respect that.

Regards,
Jerry
 
by the OP's logic we would all be driving cheap cars (no BMW, Audi, Porsche, etc.) and living in shacks...all we need is a roof and a hole to shyte in, correct?

when one tries to define value (as opposed to cost) and apply their standards to others, it always get messy
the classic, 'I know better than you'...
I take care of and appreciate my cars, home, tools/knives, etc.

an example, I had an e46 M3, paid 40k with 7k miles 1 year old (MSRP was 55k)
drove it as my daily driver for 7 years, put 150k miles on it, 60k was for work ($30k in reimbursement, ~ $15k 'profit' after fuel/etc.)
sold it recently for 18k
my net 40k - 15k - 18k ~ 7k or <$90 month 'lease'...and I drove a BMW M3 rather than some econo box, and I owned it...
it averaged 22 mpg and 27 on the highway, 10k mile oil changes, and was extremely reliable (brakes, alternator at 100k, and clutch at 120k, didn't need it, old was still 50% serviceable, but I found a used one with only 3k miles on it, dirt cheap and installed it myself)

the difference between 'cost' and 'value'
 
stabman said:
riginally Posted by jerm03
But what will those expensive knives do that a SAK will not do except give you the joy of ownership? The SAK will cut boxes and tighten screws. while I doubt any of you use your knives for that purpose.

Thanks,
Jerry
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The bolded part sounds more trolly than inquiring.
I use ALL my knves to cut things, be it boxes, rope, sandwiches, tape, string, wood, plastic, zip ties, wire, whatever.
I use a screwdriver with interchangable tips for tightening screws.
Click to expand...

This is not an attack at you but you should take a step back and read the context better, he is in no way trolling or acting with hostility. IMO this has turned out to be a very interesting thread on personal 'knife philosophy.' Interestingly enough the only posts so far that seem to be slightly inflammatory are the ones scattered through the topic, making assumptions the OP is somehow trolling, poor, or cheap.

Nobody's opinion or 'knife philosophy' is right or wrong, good or bad, just different. I find it interesting to hear others beliefs and use their opinions to rethink my own. :) I assume the OP intended the same.
 
shunsui said:
My S90V Para2 loves boxes. It's got some of that urban camo glue on both sides of the blade.

Unless you're investing, you might as well use them. :D
Click to expand...


My favorite knife ever!!! It doesn't loose its edge. I haven't sharpened mine for 3 months after daily use and it will still take down a box better than my vic ever did!
 
I think that boredom plays a role here. Naturally the SAK can perform just about every task asked of it...but some might get bored with the package and start hankering for a higher-end folder or some exotic steel. We are entertained by cutlery while being ever more 'pulled' into the vortex of addiction. My $300 knife does not cut better than my $100 knife. The addiction tricks us into thinking that the higher priced blade will equal superior performance. It is a massive delusional thought process which usually thins out the wallet in a drastic way. As I have said in the past, don't let the addiction consume you unless you've just decided to spend the dough and enjoy the ride. Also, the humble Mora is a great survival knife but lacks the class of any Fehrman out there.
 
mat_890 said:
This is not an attack at you but you should take a step back and read the context better, he is in no way trolling or acting with hostility. IMO this has turned out to be a very interesting thread on personal 'knife philosophy.' Interestingly enough the only posts so far that seem to be slightly inflammatory are the ones scattered through the topic, making assumptions the OP is somehow trolling, poor, or cheap.

Nobody's opinion or 'knife philosophy' is right or wrong, good or bad, just different. I find it interesting to hear others beliefs and use their opinions to rethink my own. :) I assume the OP intended the same.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Mat, that is a pretty good summation of my intent.
I have not been involved in knifes for at least 10 years, and have not heard of some of the better makers around today, such as Chris Reeve. So my visits here have been informative.
Some have indicated to me that I am cheap when doing for myself, but generous toward others.:D

I look forward to other exchanges in the future, and have enjoyed this one. Having been a career soldier I am pretty thick skinned. Also on these forums we do not know each other personally so I do not take anything said as personal. I also don't try to remember who said what. When the discussion is over I just move on to the next one.
Have a good day.

Regards,
Jerry
 
I don't own any "custom" knives or safe queens, but I do own a few expensive ones. I won't spend that kind of money for a knife I can't use hard.
I have snapped the blade of a SAK using it in a manner for which it was probably not designed. That hasn't happened (yet, knock on wood)
with any of the higher end knives I have. A knife is normally the only tool I carry so they take plenty of abuse. For what it's worth, I live out in the country,
spend lots of time in the outdoors and work for a utility contractor in the field. I'm not just opening mail and cutting apples with my knives.
 
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