What is your most expensive user slippie?

My most expensive at the moment is in the upper end of the $50-$200 range. It wouldn't surprise me if I end up with some that are in the $200-$500 section in the future, and I would have no qualms about using them at all. I know myself well enough to say that I won't buy a knife that I couldn't bear to use. Some people may like to collect and look at knives but that just isn't for me. If it's not a user, then it will be gone before too long no matter how well it is made or how nice it looks.

If I could afford a knife in the higher end of the poll, I would use it. By this I mean I could afford to replace it with a knife of similar quality if something happened to it. Obviously a one of a kind custom is irreplaceable to some degree. If I had to save up for a long time to buy it and found myself afraid of the knife being lost, stolen, broken, etc., then it wouldn't be enjoyable for me.

That really is a beautiful knife, Chris. Good luck on the decision.

 

Case CV stockman at the $50 range.
Looking to get a Case Damascus peanut (thanks in large part to Carl's topic on the subject) which would top off at $100ish. But for now it's the stockman.

All of my knives are users though.

 

I use older 60's era Henckels and Hen and Roosters all the time that cost me in the 170-200 range. I dont feel bad either.

 

$12, for an Opinel that's in my briefcase always. Twelve dollars may not seem like a lot, but it's twice what my other everyday folder, a Victorinox Stylus, cost.

Wife gave me a nice Italian slipjoint a couple of years ago, retail almost $200. She made me promise to carry it; I put it in the safe instead.

I'd actually love to carry a Schrade 61OT, available on eBay in the $50-$100 range. I'm a huge fan and collector of the original Old Timers and the 61OT is perfectly comfortable, but it doesn't have a lanyard hole.

 

Generally speaking, it's the GEC knives that get used the most and they cost more than CASE or Queen, Böker, generally. So it's 90 USD-125 USD approx. One thing for me is that carbon knives scream for use, get that patina which stainless just don't. It may explain why more expensive custom knives don't feature so much, less carbon there? I think the sharpening thing is an important obligation too...

I was carrying the CASE/Bose Norfolk for a while, this at around 300 USD was expensive. However, as I've written before, quality issues and the fact that I can't really get them resolved has put me off carrying this expensive knife.

 

My small collection consists mainly of Case, GEC, etc but I am starting to pick up a few custom knives. I plan on keeping my collection small and all of my knives will be users. FWIW - there was a thread during the last year that showed folks using their custom knives and there were some pics of folks cleaning game, etc. Once you cross the line and use an expensive knife, there is no reason to think that it won't be both tough and durable and an exceptional tool as well as being beautiful.

 

I regularly carry a William Henry Desert Ironwood Kestral, or any number of high dollar Northfiled Stag knives -

 

I voted 50-200$ I've been on a GEC spell as of lately but most of my slip joints cost in the 50-100$ range maybe I'll take the custom plunge one of these days.

 

Queen "Real Cattle Knife:" Dan Burke collaboration, three blades, BG-42. It doesn't get rotated in every day, but it does get carried and used often.

 

These 2 have been in my pocket 96% of the time during the last 6 weeks

 

If I can't use it, I really can't fully enjoy it so all get used! This S&M F&W set me back $130....

 

I guess it's my Scottish blood, but I will admit to being a complete tight-a$$ with my money. I don't think I have a knife that cost me more than $35. Most of my present rotation of knives* were purchased on a popular only auction site, and a lot of them are second-hand. I love carrying, using, sharpening, talking about, reading about and writing about pocketknives ..... but I'm just not that into acquiring the high-end ones. With a mortgage and three little kids, there's just too much else to spend my money on** right now. Later on in life, who knows. There are some damn sweet looking GEC knives!

-- Mark

* This Case peanut, a Case soddie junior, Case yella trapper, Buck 303, U.S.-made Schrade 33OT and 34OT, Opinel no. 8, Victorinox Rambler, Victorinox Tourist, Victorinox Adventurer, and a Gerber LST (though I reckon that one's not technically a traditional).

** Okay, I do have some decent toys but they're music stuff, not knives.

 

Mark, your position is very understandable, and right. But if you can squirrel a bit more cash away (or rather, let it be prised out of your paws!) and get a GEC I'm certain you won't be disappointed. I like some GECs more than others, for sure, but I have not been disappointed by any of them.

 

Sway Back Jack until I get my 2011 forum knife.

 

my tk3 is in my pocket today..it's in the 200-500 range.however alot of days you will catch me w/ a case trapper w/ yellow scales or a orange bone copperhead

 

I tend to carry my custom slippies and use(as they were made to be used), but not abuse them....I also carry production knives from time to time, so the $$$ varies.

 

I'm in the upper level. My three most carried are by Ken Erickson and Tony Bose.
This one now has a nice patina on the A2 blade:


This one has a small ding on one bolster, but the CPM154 blade still looks new! And cuts like crazy! It's the one I carry and use the most - I love it!


This one is the most valuable and the most special. It once belonged to Bob Lum, so it's priceless. Yes, it gets used.