What knives do you think are not worth the cost?

[Brules1]

Three knives come to mind: Busse, Sebenza and Striders, just my opinion. I've owned Busse's, and handled Sebenza's and Striders. I like all three, but they're not for me for the price.

 

[chuckinohio]

Three knives come to mind: Busse, Sebenza and Striders, just my opinion. I've owned Busse's, and handled Sebenza's and Striders. I like all three, but they're not for me for the price.

The price puts alot of people off those knives, and they seem to be perfectly happy with what they buy as substitutes.

I like Busse knives, don't like Strider knives, and can't really see spending up for a Sebenza, and I am happy as a lark

Chuck

 

[elkins45]

Cabela's, and yep, that really is what they're charging for it.

That's too much, but in Beretta's defense this knife is the absolute zenith of AUS 8 performance.

I'm not lying when I say that I like my Beretta Loveless better than my Busse SAR5...but I don't see the need for the quince handled version when I can get the more functional zytel version for 1/3 the cost.

 

[Sal Glesser]

I don't want to hijack the thread so I'll be brief. The UK is high because it's a low volume, high cost mfg. piece with a lot of R&D to get it to the market. It is the prelude to a low cost FRN version with a less expensive steel. Tooling cost will be high (USA made) but we believe long term volume will help.

The Urban is made is Seki-City and the mfg. cost came in higher than the UK. (Yen/dollar not favorable, expensive maker, USA made G-10, etc.). We dropped the margin (not really favorable) to match the UK to avoid heat. The Urban also is a prelude to an FRN version with a less expensive steel. There is also a 2.0" blade version in the works that will come out high to begin with and test the market for a lower cost version.

sal

 

[hardheart]

I am infinitely interested in frn (linerless) spydercos. As stated before, I have no questions of gouging or unfair pricing i any way by Spyderco, I just don't see the value in the particular models mentioned, especially compared to other knives in the catalog. But, that's why there are discontinued knives every year, we don't all find the same value in the same products.

 

[elkins45]

I don't want to hijack the thread so I'll be brief. The UK is high because it's a low volume, high cost mfg. piece with a lot of R&D to get it to the market. It is the prelude to a low cost FRN version with a less expensive steel. Tooling cost will be high (USA made) but we believe long term volume will help.

The Urban is made is Seki-City and the mfg. cost came in higher than the UK. (Yen/dollar not favorable, expensive maker, USA made G-10, etc.). We dropped the margin (not really favorable) to match the UK to avoid heat. The Urban also is a prelude to an FRN version with a less expensive steel. There is also a 2.0" blade version in the works that will come out high to begin with and test the market for a lower cost version.

sal

IMO any company that can put a knife like the Manix 2 into production in the USA and get it out on the street for around $80 could NEVER be accused of gouging.

 

[Finedges]

All full-auto knives are over-priced, loose and strength compromised. I wouldn't even own one for novelty, regardless of brand.

 

[stabman]

I don't want to hijack the thread so I'll be brief. The UK is high because it's a low volume, high cost mfg. piece with a lot of R&D to get it to the market. It is the prelude to a low cost FRN version with a less expensive steel. Tooling cost will be high (USA made) but we believe long term volume will help.

The Urban is made is Seki-City and the mfg. cost came in higher than the UK. (Yen/dollar not favorable, expensive maker, USA made G-10, etc.). We dropped the margin (not really favorable) to match the UK to avoid heat. The Urban also is a prelude to an FRN version with a less expensive steel. There is also a 2.0" blade version in the works that will come out high to begin with and test the market for a lower cost version.

sal

It's responses like this which make Spyderco the classy company it is.:thumbup:
I appreciate the fact that the head guy actually takes the time to respond to us knife enthusiasts when he certainly doesn't have to.
A stand-up guy at the head of the company and a cool line-up of interesting products is a couple of reasons why Spyderco's are NOT over-priced.

 

[babakanoosh45]

All full-auto knives are over-priced, loose and strength compromised. I wouldn't even own one for novelty, regardless of brand.

A Protech Godfather or Godson are loose and strength compromised? I don't think so. As for the price, most knife.com sites have excellent values on these and many other quality autos.

 

[Dekz]

IMO any company that can put a knife like the Manix 2 into production in the USA and get it out on the street for around $80 could NEVER be accused of gouging.

I agree that the Manix 2 looks like a very nice knife, and excellent value for $80.

But then look at the Poliwog G10. Comparable steel, same handle material, same lock, blade is over an inch shorter, price: $115

 

[Josh K]

I agree that the Manix 2 looks like a very nice knife, and excellent value for $80.

But then look at the Poliwog G10. Comparable steel, same handle material, same lock, blade is over an inch shorter, price: $115

Price for shipping G-10 to Seki is expensive.

But really the price and the thickness turned me off of the poliwog.

 

[Brules1]

It's responses like this which make Spyderco the classy company it is.:thumbup:
I appreciate the fact that the head guy actually takes the time to respond to us knife enthusiasts when he certainly doesn't have to.
A stand-up guy at the head of the company and a cool line-up of interesting products is a couple of reasons why Spyderco's are NOT over-priced.

I agree, Spyderco is a very good company, and it starts at the top.

 

[Sonny]

Come on 3G, stop being so timid and politically correct, just bite the bullet..... and say what you really think !

Hahaha...ok that made me laugh. Apologies and no offense to anyone, it's just that it reminded me of Butch Cassidy's humor. Awesome.

Well I'm more of a lurker/researcher vs a poster, but I guess I'll comment and share my opinions on this one.

Personally, I do not consider some of the knives (crk/strider) and items listed here as mall ninja junk (low quality/high price). For me, I see some of the higher priced and high quality production knives such as crk and strider as a definety semi-luxury/luxury niche. And in this niche, you are paying a premium for the name along with the product's manufacturing/labor costs itself.

As far as firearms go, I have a sig p226, and a glock 29 10mm. Both are great high quality pistols. Again, personally I disagree that this is a mall ninja junk item. While the sig costs more than the glock, I don't find it to be a significant difference and to me they are both are considered value (high quality/low price) items not luxury (high quality/high price). I've handled my friends' custom kimber 1911s and they are very nice luxury items. And while I respect the quality build and have never put down their purchase choice, it's not for me. But I still respect their choices, and expect them to do the same.

Watch collecting is another good example. I'm a big fan of IWC and started my collecting with omega seamasters. Some people think it's crazy that a non-gold watch costs 5-10k or more. But keep in mind it's really a "to each his own" thing. If you can afford it, then good for you. Some people just go crazy over high quality/high priced items (Luxury ie. semi custom CRK Sebenza 21/custom DarrelRalph MadMaxx), some people go crazy over high quality/low priced items (Value ie. Spyderco's Endura (hands down the most high value folder IMO)). The same thing applies with so many items; clothing lines, cars, even electronics.

Some people question why they should choose to buy a luxury item or a value item when they are both equal in terms of quality. The answer is it's really to each his/her own (they pursue their source of happiness).

Also +1 concerning Sal's class. I as many others do consider him a pioneering force and founding father of so many social concepts in the knife-making business.

 

[OD-SnG]

Stupid question....People who make big money dont even blink at dropping 400 plus for a strider or CRK. People who make little bucks say they are not worth it. It all comes down to how much is to much for your pocket. an off shore race boat prop is 2000.00 and all it is , is stainless steel; but people who buy race boats dont blink at 2000.00. So if striders and sebenzas are to rich for your blood say you cant afford one, dont say they are over priced shit.

 

[batosai117]

I've been reading through this and wanted to give my .02 about all this.

As a knife enthusiast (obviously ) I have gone through my run of knives starting from the $5.00 junk knives up to the almighty Sebenza, Unumzaan, SnG, and SMF. All were great knives and I do regreat selling a few of the in-betweens, but I am more educated and learned from my purchases.

I'd have to say that Spyderco and the ZT line from kershaw has me spoiled . I'll start from the beggining:

From the beginning (of time ) I started with a good ole buck 110. Probably the be-all-end-all knife if it only had a damn thumbstud . Excellent knife and quality for about $30.00 and comes with a nifty leather/nylon sheath. You buy one of these and you know it's Great. Moving on up the ladder of money, you get into Spyderco Enduras/Delicas, TONS of stuff by kershaw such as the blur, blackout, whirlwind, speed bump, new g-10 tyrade, etc...You buy any one of these knives and you know,"hey this is good quality and bang for my buck."

After having the $75 ranged knives, you graduate to the $100+ range and get a spyderco Military, Spec bump, Lone Wolf T-2, etc, ZT0200, and ZT MUDD....You get these knives and notice the Excellent quality and blade steels are second to none,"who could ask for more?" This is probably the best price point out there, $100 - $200 range = excellent knives, superior blade steels, and great warranties.

Once you decide to break the $200 mark, you look at the ZT0300 line, Perhaps an emerson or two, even a Microtech Socom. This range is probably the last lineup where you get the most materials for your money. ZT0300 is like a tank, and easily comparable with anything in it's class of beefy knives. Microtech Socoms are excellent and have D-2 steel and are also bank vaults with glass breaker tips.

After going through these knives (yes, I've owned them all, and then some ) I purchased my first Sebenza 21. Excellent knife, my dream blade, and got it on sale used This was the mark for me where the bang for buck stopped. I had the same S30V blade steel as the $120 military, The same titanium handle as a BM skirmish, and felt great to hold, but wasn't the most comfortable thing I had ever held. So, this to me was the price point where I was buying a piece of "art" so-to-speak. It was my grail knife and I felt that once I had achieved it, there was a lot of other knives I could have in my possession that would have done the same thing and more for half the price. Don't get me wrong, the sebenza is the apiphany of my collection, but for money vs. whatchagetting there are other things out there.

I don't look down on anyone who spends $XXXX.XX on a knife, hell, I almost dropped $500+ for an XM-18 but decided "No" at the last second (this was weeks ago and I wasn't thinking straight ) It's all about what you think you are getting out of it. I'd happily buy 20 sebenzas and a dozen spyderco military's if I had the cash to drop.

I'm done with my storytime, take care, J.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

So if striders and sebenzas are to rich for your blood say you cant afford one, dont say they are over priced shit.

I understand what you are getting at, but we at the lower end of the food chain can have an appreciation for a good knife too, and probably use it more and get much more out of it than a crusty upper crust who will 1/2 the time not even use it [a shame indeed] ....we can't drive the kind of car we want but knives are a bright spot, we actually can own the knife we want incl. Strider etc. just that after breaking our asses for a paycheck we need the $200 they overcharge to buy some medicine for our children, so, we bitch about the price, in hopes that the knife gods will hear us, and answer us. It's kinda like a boycott, or lobbying for a price break which in our hearts we know will probably never come but we can dream.....what we are doing is we are praying for Striders, Sebs, and so on... have a heart will ya?

 

[TheCarbideRat]

A Protech Godfather or Godson are loose and strength compromised? I don't think so. As for the price, most knife.com sites have excellent values on these and many other quality autos.

ever seen an Infidel dissected? the springs [albeit titanium, but nontheless] are tiny, minute.....the blade is a bit on the flimsy side as well, all the guys who paid $600 - $800 when it was first released by BM are total fools, I saw one on craigslist for 300 but I bet the dude would jump at 200....

 

[batosai117]

I understand what you are getting at, but we at the lower end of the food chain can have an appreciation for a good knife too, and probably use it more and get much more out of it than a crusty upper crust who will 1/2 the time not even use it [a shame indeed] ....we can't drive the kind of car we want but knives are a bright spot, we actually can own the knife we want incl. Strider etc. just that after breaking our asses for a paycheck we need the $200 they overcharge to buy some medicine for our children, so, we bitch about the price, in hopes that the knife gods will hear us, and answer us. It's kinda like a boycott, or lobbying for a price break which in our hearts we know will probably never come but we can dream.....what we are doing is we are praying for Striders, Sebs, and so on... have a heart will ya?

I had to literally ROTFLMFAO when you posted this. This is exactly how I feel and wish that prices would drop a little for the semi-custom stuff.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

All join hands now....and let us pray.....

 

[GrinderMcgee]

I'm going with what I read in an earlier post. It all has to do with budget, if I have to spend all the money in the bank and borrow against my house to buy a knife, it isn't going to be worth it. There was a time when $100 was the limit for me. Things change.

That being said I have never liked the no handle Strider FB. If there was two parts to a knife, the blade, and the handle, I should get a strider for a least half what they charge.