What is your point of diminishing return?

Gusmanb said:
Cool Blades

I am curious what is the knife 2nd one from the top, center, that one has a vary cool blade!
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Thats a Frank Fischer Battle XL. It's the only one like it and has a handmade damascus blade by todd & Frank. Thanks bro!
 
I am happiest at about $400 for folders, and I have no need for fixed blades apart from kitchen knives. If I spend more than that, I won't carry 'em and get jittery having them in my little pathetic rotation. I once spent $1K on a folder, only to sell it quickly because I couldn't handle the possibility of mucking that up and losing lots of $$ on resale. :o

Lots of good perspectives in this thread!
 
Wow and my friends and wife think I'm but spending 400 on a knife 8000 dollar knife is worth more than my car you are a lucky person.I say I can not fathom it but if I were able I would also do the same.I would love to see some pics of your collection!
 
$100 to $150...tons of great knives for less than this.

In many instances besides loving knives there is also a sense of exclusivity around the hobby and I don't see the point about this aspect of the hobby. I see the loving and appreciating knives piece but the feeling good about oneself because they own an exclusive material object is not part of my philosophy for buying and owning knives.
 
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I could see hitting the $500-ish mark for a high end folder, maybe $300-ish for a fixed blade but they better be pretty special. Practically, $200 range would be my point.

Kind of depends on why you're buying. For pure collecting or investment, sky's probably the limit. For hobby collecting, soothing your OCD or just enjoying a lot of shiny things to look at, it doesn't make sense to spend too much. For knives that get used a lot or for work, there is definitely a point of diminishing returns. I couldn't see spending $200 on a folder to open boxes, slice cord, etc., for instance, when I can get a $50 knife that is just as comfortable and durable. But hey, everyone has their reasons, budgets and desires. It's your money, spend it how you want.
 
Currently, it's about $500 on a folder, and $250 on a fixed. I have calmed down quite a bit since I realized I had to pay back the knife bills.
 
Pittknife said:
I have a BSME and a MBA, life has been good, no complaints. Teaching pays well, you can make a lot as an adjunct while having a cush corporate job.

It's like everything else, my friends make fun of me for spending thousands on knives but don't think their Rolex or Patek watch is a bad spenditure. Some others think dropping $10k to go to the Super Bowl is not a bad investment. I choose to used extra play money on knives. If They become devalued, at least I can cut something with them, lol
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I'm impressed dude! BSME (or any engr for that matter) coupled with an MBA makes you one of the most sought after combos in the biz. You got the technical chops and the business mind everyone's looking for. Me- took me long enough to get my BSME and i got outta school like a bat outta hell! 20 years later I think I shoulda followed your footsteps...but I digress. My budget went from $50 Kershaws to CRK to $600 entry level customs and now just delved into full customs. My friends think I'm nuts. They spend their money on things that go bang, and are measured in caliber instead of geometry of grinds, blade steels and scales. They like knives too, but couldnt care less if it was 440A made in Pakistan. I catch my yaya's researching an alloy, its composition, metallurgy and heat treat going into blade steels. (My focus in school was material selection and corrosion) so this hobby is right up my alley. I appreciate the skill, engineering, and design that go into a well executed custom knife and am willing to pay a maker for that work.
 
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I've spent over 2k on a folder so that's the limit i guess. Im not much of a fixed blade guy but I'd say around 1200 bucks would be the limit.
 
This is a good, subject. Makes me pause for a second and re think this obsession I have. The most I have spent on a folder is about $400 and fixed blade is $200. I don't see quality improving significantly beyond that. At that point it becomes more expensive materials or exclusivity. Then you are talking art, which is a whole other thing.
 
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