First of let me start by stating that I'm a knife nut with no hope of being cured. I love the thread conversations on blade forums, there is no equal in my mind. I rarely post anything, prefering to hear rather than be heard but I have noticed a tendency to mainly suggest high dollar knives in the threads asking for advice on knives for all uses for first timers. Please don't get me wrong, the knives suggested are of top notch quality fit & finish, it just seems that many have fogotten that unless you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth we all sarted out our knife use with the blades now commonly refered to as cheap or lower end. No I'm not refering to the swapmeet strain but to brands such as buck, c.r.k.t., and so on. I mean no disrespect to the responders of these threads or to the brands suggested i'm just a little puzzled. Every one has one, (opinion) this is just mine. I hope what is said doesn't offened, that was never my intent because in no way do I consider my self an expert on knives, i'm just some one that knows that the new super steel of today will be the low-end steel of tomorrow. Time has proven this more than once.
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What happened?
- Thread starter IRON HEAD
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Kaizen1
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You'll still have supply and demand, in which case we may still see scenarios where people will suggest the most highly sought after and therefore more difficult to get (somewhat of an equivalent of the high/low dollar contrast) knives/toys. Newbies will still be screwed because they won't be able to get those either.
That being said, I think a good first knife for anyone starting out in knives would be a damascus Sebbie:thumbup:.
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you arent being disrespectfull, this is a topic that comes up from time to time.
I learned early on to buy what i like and the best quality i can afford at that time. I try not to get too wrapped up in knife envy, or telling my self i need a 300 dollar custom slipjoint because so and so says its great. Im sure it is but i cant afford it and dont let it bother me.
my edc for almost 2 years now has been a buck alpha dorado, paul bos heat treat and rosewood scales, pretty fancy for me and $60 bucks:thumbup:
and i thought i'd lost my mind when i pulled the trigger
its all relative...
ivan
I learned early on to buy what i like and the best quality i can afford at that time. I try not to get too wrapped up in knife envy, or telling my self i need a 300 dollar custom slipjoint because so and so says its great. Im sure it is but i cant afford it and dont let it bother me.
my edc for almost 2 years now has been a buck alpha dorado, paul bos heat treat and rosewood scales, pretty fancy for me and $60 bucks:thumbup:
and i thought i'd lost my mind when i pulled the trigger
its all relative...
ivan
I think the spirit of the discussion might have been lost. I personaly would love to have in my collection one or two of every high-end semi-custom and custom out there. I do not think that that the economy has any thing to do with the idea that a 400.00$ knife is any more usefull than a 50.00$ knife to some one, other than a status symbol. Steel is steel, use your knife, don't let your knife use you. If you want it, buy it, but be honest with your self, most people will turn it into a safe queen, then it's no longer a knife, it's a paper weight. Knives are tools, tools are used. And remember this was about advise to knife newbies, some one who might not have as deep a pocket as you do now. Every thing we want comes with a price, including quality, but at a some point ask your self if your paying for what you want or need, or if your just paying for the name you hear the most.
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Buy the best ya can afford.
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Yup, I agree.
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My first knife I can remember was one of those all metal keyrng knives with the screwdriver bottle opener, the first real knife was a German SAK knock off from the 60s a well built knife but still a cheap knife.
The first one I bought with my own money was in the 70s, I was 13/14 and I bought a Schrade 51OT, paid like $30 or $4o for it back the, that was a lot of money to a teen back then.
Here it is:
Stil have it, although it's retired after 20 years of faithful service.
The first one I bought with my own money was in the 70s, I was 13/14 and I bought a Schrade 51OT, paid like $30 or $4o for it back the, that was a lot of money to a teen back then.
Here it is:
Stil have it, although it's retired after 20 years of faithful service.
dc50
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IRON HEAD I see your point,as per T. Erdelyi
"Buy the best ya can afford". Is the benchmark of our society.
I drive a Subaru, but really, if I could afford a BMW, then that's what I would
drive. The Subi gos from point A to B just like the Beamer.
Same think with knives, my budget says Spyderco not a $400.00 Stryder.
I am very happy that I can afford to own my Spydies, a real quality alternative.
"Buy the best ya can afford". Is the benchmark of our society.
I drive a Subaru, but really, if I could afford a BMW, then that's what I would
drive. The Subi gos from point A to B just like the Beamer.
Same think with knives, my budget says Spyderco not a $400.00 Stryder.
I am very happy that I can afford to own my Spydies, a real quality alternative.
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Not sure what your price point is. Mine is ~$50. Plenty of good knives with good steel out there in that price range. Lots of crap, too. You just have to do your homework and find out what's a good value.
I tend to stay out of threads in which the OP starts out, "I want a $200 knife." That is out of my price range. Got kids in college and I'm trying to save for retirement. (yeah, like THAT is ever going to happen.)
yablanowitz
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Several points to consider.
1) When I was a newbie, I never asked anyone for advice on what to buy. I learned to make my own decisions and live with them. I still think that is a sound policy.
2) I learned the hard way that you generally don't save money by buying cheap tools for your own use. Buying the best you can afford doesn't work if you can't afford a reasonable quality tool. Sometimes you are better off just saving your money instead of buying something that won't get the job done.
3) Most people don't really need a knife anymore. Sad but true. For those that do, the cheapest piece of flea market junk will probably suffice. It doesn't take S125V, titanium and carbon fiber to open your mail. A few of us actually use our knives hard enough to tell the difference between premium steels, but we are exceptions rather than rules.
I believe that people who post here asking for advice on what knife to buy are past what I would call newbies. They have realized that all knives are not created equal, they need (or at least want) a better knife than they can buy in a gas station, and they have discovered that there is a truely bewildering variety of knives available to choose from. I believe they wouldn't be asking unless they have a clue that may one day grow into a full-blown appreciation for knives in all their glory. If I can save someone like that a few of my learning experiences (what I have spent on cheap knives over the years would cover several top-name customs) I will certainly advise them accordingly.
1) When I was a newbie, I never asked anyone for advice on what to buy. I learned to make my own decisions and live with them. I still think that is a sound policy.
2) I learned the hard way that you generally don't save money by buying cheap tools for your own use. Buying the best you can afford doesn't work if you can't afford a reasonable quality tool. Sometimes you are better off just saving your money instead of buying something that won't get the job done.
3) Most people don't really need a knife anymore. Sad but true. For those that do, the cheapest piece of flea market junk will probably suffice. It doesn't take S125V, titanium and carbon fiber to open your mail. A few of us actually use our knives hard enough to tell the difference between premium steels, but we are exceptions rather than rules.
I believe that people who post here asking for advice on what knife to buy are past what I would call newbies. They have realized that all knives are not created equal, they need (or at least want) a better knife than they can buy in a gas station, and they have discovered that there is a truely bewildering variety of knives available to choose from. I believe they wouldn't be asking unless they have a clue that may one day grow into a full-blown appreciation for knives in all their glory. If I can save someone like that a few of my learning experiences (what I have spent on cheap knives over the years would cover several top-name customs) I will certainly advise them accordingly.
The grief given from what I have seen is not to Buck or CRKT but to Frost Cutlery, no name China, and the like.
I would rather see a newbie buy one or two Bucks, Kershaws, CRKT than 2 dozen 5 buck cheapies.
I am not a newbie and that is what I do. I would consider myself knife nut. But I am not a collector. I am a long time knife user. I am a realist. I know that for what I use a knife for a properly sharpened Buck will do the job and do it well. I personally do not see the need to spend $200 on a knife when a $50 is more than adequate. I do not need a Sebenza for EDC when all I do is cut open boxes...
I would rather see a newbie buy one or two Bucks, Kershaws, CRKT than 2 dozen 5 buck cheapies.
I am not a newbie and that is what I do. I would consider myself knife nut. But I am not a collector. I am a long time knife user. I am a realist. I know that for what I use a knife for a properly sharpened Buck will do the job and do it well. I personally do not see the need to spend $200 on a knife when a $50 is more than adequate. I do not need a Sebenza for EDC when all I do is cut open boxes...
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I have some $200 plus Bucks, Kershaws and Spyderco knives, but what is in my pocket as I write, is a $29 Byrd. Other than a sharp edge, all of my knives share one thing in common, they represent an excellent value.
For me, $200 is my ceiling where price is concerned, but I can find the same inherent value in a $50 knife as I would in a $200 knife.
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took two replies, you guys are slacking!
I take a bit of pride knowing that I currently own some real bang-for-the-buck knives in my collection. I own some $100-$200 production blades, but I'm finding that I'm using my inexpensive knives more and more.
Some of my "cheap" knives include a Mora 2000, Mora Triflex 780 (a whopping $11!!!) a Boker Trance and Keycom and a couple Browning Ice Storm knives. Each one is a great value that gets the job done and I won't be heartbroken if one gets lost.
Some of my "cheap" knives include a Mora 2000, Mora Triflex 780 (a whopping $11!!!) a Boker Trance and Keycom and a couple Browning Ice Storm knives. Each one is a great value that gets the job done and I won't be heartbroken if one gets lost.
I agree with the fact that we all started out small (for me it was my Camilus Cub Scout knife
). I don't really think I've seen (well, lately anyways) anyone recommend a super expensive knife, unless a price point was set down.
I'll also agree with another poster in this thread that you should buy a knife you can afford, and I'll also add that a knife is worth what you're willing to pay for it.
). I don't really think I've seen (well, lately anyways) anyone recommend a super expensive knife, unless a price point was set down.I'll also agree with another poster in this thread that you should buy a knife you can afford, and I'll also add that a knife is worth what you're willing to pay for it.
Bimmer1
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Just let us know how well those cheaper knives hold up (especially liner lock folders) and how well you can keep them sharp or re-sharpen them.
Most of us did start out on the cheaper end but the more higher end knives you buy the more you tend to want. I started with production knives and now I have moved to mostly customs.
Everyone buys, collects, and uses on a different level.
Most of us did start out on the cheaper end but the more higher end knives you buy the more you tend to want. I started with production knives and now I have moved to mostly customs.
Everyone buys, collects, and uses on a different level.