What knives do you own in the $150-300 range that you feel are worth every penny?

R

ripe_turnip

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Dec 31, 2020
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I own two folders that I paid $140 and $210 respectively new. They're the only "expensive" knives I have had experience with. They have good reviews from the usual youtube suspects and they regularly sell out when available. While there's nothing wrong with them, I don't think they're worth what I paid. I think the biggest let down was fit and finish - my old leatherman looks and feels higher quality than these two. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe I have champagne tastes on a beer budget.

But I do think hype was part of the pricing. I'm not going to name names because a) there's nothing wrong with the knives b) I don't want to trash talk makers c) these knives could possibly be worth every penny and it is just me.

Do you own any knives that you feel are worth every penny you paid?
 
I have lot of knives in that price range that I feel are worth it. The first one that comes to mind is my TRM Neutron.

A lot of popular knives seem to struggle today with value vs. the dollar. The Spyderco PM2 and Benchmade Griptilian don't stand up well when compared to some similar priced imports, but there's more to the comparison than knife to knife. You have to consider warranty, support and service. Point of origin is very high-value to some folks. The status of the manufacturer in the industry is very valuable to some knife knuts. "Worth of a knife" is a very subjective evaluation.
 
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Worth every penny.
 
my spydy gb2 (with cpm-m4 blade) is easily worth every penny for me...

I honestly can't say that for other, more common spydy models (they're still good of course)

Part of that might be just me, & inflation over the last 15-20 years...
vg10 delica's today cost $85, but were about half that back then
... so back then, they would have been worth every penny ;)
 
ProTech Malibu - it was a frequent choice for 2020 Knife of the Year for a reason
TRM Neutron 2.0 - an improvement on an already exceptional knife
Massdrop/Ray Laconico/WE Keen - absurd quality and value, even years after it was released
 
Second on the giantmouse ACE grand. Just a great knife. I also love my Spyderco Kapara even though the steel is a bit lackluster running S30V at 200$. It just has so much going for it in the ergonomics and aesthetic department and the blade geometry is really fantastic.

At around 200$ as well the full size super freek from Benchmade is also really impressive. Handsome layered G-10 that have to be the best G-10 scales from a production knife I have ever held not to mention a very nice droppoint blade in M4 steel.
 
l3xxygo

Some of these knives are cheaper in the USA but all of them cost around 150-220 over here. Yes sadly even the K390 Delica is 150 here. Still it's a good knife.
Quality knives 150-300 https://imgur.com/a/l3xxygo

Edit: Guess I should name the knives, and not assume everybody knows what they are from just looking at them.

Kizer Large GTI
Kizer Shamshir
Spyderco Manix 2
Spyderco Delica K390
Spyderco Chaparrel Rafir Noble
Spyderco Yojimbo 2
Benchmade Mini Presidio II
Hogue EX-01 4"
FOX FX 121 Ti Wilson Combat collab Elmax model
 
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my favorite knife in that price range is the spyderco police serrated with stainless handles, however to be honest after years of collecting all kinds of different brands at different price ranges i feel that for me the solid mid tier knives that are under $100 to be the best quality for price. well made, reliable knives like the spyderco endura, cold steel voyagers, kershaw blur etc......these are good enough for me and can be easily replaced if lost or damaged and still have very good fit and finish, and you dont have to be afraid of actually using them.
 
JeremiahWeaver09 said:
my favorite knife in that price range is the spyderco police serrated with stainless handles, however to be honest after years of collecting all kinds of different brands at different price ranges i feel that for me the solid mid tier knives that are under $100 to be the best quality for price. well made, reliable knives like the spyderco endura, cold steel voyagers, kershaw blur etc......these are good enough for me and can be easily replaced if lost or damaged and still have very good fit and finish, and you dont have to be afraid of actually using them.
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I was very impressed with my stainless steel handle Endura, to this day I think it has the best audiable clicks and sounds, especially when closing the knife it sounds very pleasant. very good fit and finish as well. it's one of my most used folders, i've beat it up pretty badly, I might buy a police in stainless steel handles and keep it in nice condition, just because I love the build of spyderco Seki SS handle knives, they have a certain quality about them that the FRN versions don't. Only downside is they are all pinned and pivot cant be adjusted when they develop play. but mine only got play because I beat the absolute crap out of it over the span of 1-2 years.
 
I'm not a folder knife type of guy...... idk if you meant Just folders for your critique?
I'd have a hard time even spending $150 on just a folder....... sorry ;/

Fixed blade though, has no real limit..... :)

The Most bang for the buck, Best value that I can think of for a fixed blade is the Crowell Barker Competition Chopper, Browning did.
It really is Amazing. Perfect knife blade shape, stays crazy sharp. I beat mine!
One just sold here recently in the Exchange, I wish I could of bought her.....

idk what they originally went for, but I believe it was less than $100.
I've paid three times as much for knives not half as good! :(

that is probably my Benchmark for cost/valuing fixed blade knives. You aren't likely to find a better one.
 
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