What makes a $400 folder worth it?

I currently have 3 expensive custom knives. They weren't $400 but were very close. One is from a well known maker and the other two are from a knifemaker I found here in the forums. All three are made from somewhat exotic materials and have anodizing done on them. All I can say is I was sort of disappointed with the high end makers knive, compared to the other two for the price. For me what makes a knive worth the extra money is the attention to detail, fit and finish , materials. The two from the maker I found here has jeweling done on the inside of the liners, filework on the inside of the backspacers .. places were the average person would never see. The transitions from the handles to the bolsters/liner is flawless when running your fingers across them, very good machine work. And the materials , Titanium, Damascus, Stingray, Armidallo , these can't be cheap materials and working with them can't be too easy. But in the end it's all in how you feel about the knives. For me I was disappointed with the one, and feel I got a deal on the other two.
 
"what differentiates them physically from their lower-cost, more mainstream little brothers? Quality of steel?"
Yes, quality of steel sure makes a difference. Think of production costs.
The overall quality should also matter.
The grade of the finish, the other material that goes into the product.
It also matters where it was made.

As stated above the design and the name also adds to the price.
It's also a question of numbers produced.
To get to you desision, make a list with pros and cons. Try to handle the knives before you decide - feel them!
In the end the price-performance-ratio should fit.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks guys; though I still can't understand someone paying $400 for a knife; I am beginning to. I have always been a believer in supply, demand and value but two exceptions have reared their ugly head. Chinese ownership of the US on the backs of their people and "limited editions" where supply is limited for the express purpose of driving up the price.

Though I won't be a party to either of those situations; my next knife will likely cost three times what my last one did and, no thanks to this forum, a $400 folder is no longer out of the realm of possibility despite my unfortunate penchant for loosing knives.
 
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I've bee hanging around these forums for ten years. I have owned every knife I've had real interest in other than a Scott Cook Lochsa. The most I've paid for a knife is $475. ...had a few customs, but mostly high-end USA made productions. In all honesty... In ALL honesty when the honeymoon is over and I've carried, used & sharpened a knife for a few months many of them become more of an asset than a tool. To me this is what actually differentiates a knife as a valuable tool vs. a valuable asset. There has been ONE (though I've owned many) knife that actually fits the bill for me. The CRK Sebenza is it. I completely understand (& thank God) that it is not for everybody. I've been very happy with several lower priced knives, but no knife really has everything I want in an EDC... A very functional blade, high quality, durability & carry comfort in the pocket and in the hand. At the end of the day, can I afford to lose a $385 knife? Absolutely not. As far as the arrangement of my personal priorities, it is what makes me happy and I CAN afford that.
 
To me, it seems to be mainly aesthetics. Damascus blades, ivory inlay, exotic woods, etc. That really seems to be to be the main difference between say, a 200 production knife and a 400 production knife or custom. Basically, more expensive materials and more of a "collector" fit and finish, and you'll see a higher price tag.

Personally, I can't really see spending $400 on a "user" knife. If I'm going to get a really pretty 400 knife, it's honestly probably not going to see a heck of a lot of use. I'll be honest with myself, I'm eventually going to end up with one or more. And I'm going to play with them. But they probably won't get used like I would use an EDC.
 
Really very little. They can give you nothing a high end Kershaw can't, including fit and finish and exotic materials. The Ti Tyrade or the Ti Bump, among others, basically have no peers until you get to the custom range.
 
Nothing makes a folder worth $400, NOTHING. But if you find something you like & can afford it & won't care too much if you lose it, then go for it. My personal price point is around $100 for any knife. I have gone to $150 once, but it is not a folder & i would trust my life to it in a minute. If i was to get a high end folder, it would be the Tops/Buck folder for $99.
 
It's unfortunate that folks who have never owned, or if they have, really carried/used a Sebenza feel they can make a comment on them.
Assuming that F&F is close (and its really not) Does this "equal" knife have a pivot bushing, thick pins that snugly go through both handle slabs, hardened stop pin sleeve, hardened Ti lock face, ceramic ball detent, milled clip recess, Ti clip, Ti serrated thumblug, jewel-like jimping, a warranty that says "Here's a tool, please take your knife apart!", and finally... Has it won the Manufacturing Quality Award from The Blade show... I dunno... NINE times?
 
TwinStick said:
Nothing makes a folder worth $400, NOTHING. But if you find something you like & can afford it & won't care too much if you lose it, then go for it. My personal price point is around $100 for any knife. I have gone to $150 once, but it is not a folder & i would trust my life to it in a minute. If i was to get a high end folder, it would be the Tops/Buck folder for $99.
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NOT true sir, paying 400 for my umnumzaan gurantees a FEW things that ARE wortth 400. one is the customer service and warrenty that you get with a quality co. or knife. i can send in my CRK umnum for any reason more or less and have it refurbished or fixed for FREE. i have owned kershaws and spydies as well as buc and benchmades and NONE of them had the edge retention, strenght of pivot or ease of cleaning and dissasembling. Depends on what you use your knife for and how long you want to keep it as close to new as you can. So basically , you can buy a 100 dollar knife and if you use it hard have a scratched dirty knife that wiggles a bit in 6 months, or you can spend 400 and when its scratched send it in to be reblasted or reground or resharpened to a factory edge and will never be in a conditon where you will need another one. You get what you pay for in high end knives the majority of the time.
 
Toyz said:
I think for us enthusiasts it's an evolution in the hobby.

If you're at it for any length of time, you evolve up into the $400 "semi-custom" range of knives out of curiosity. You read and research until you push yourself to hold the knife in your own hands and do your own testing.

I like the fit and finish of my $400 knives. I am very frustrated when I get a Buck that has an off-centered blade, or a liner lock that is inconsistent with the lock up. How about a blade that is sharpened off-center, or the edge is burnt, or the grind is inconsistent as you run the length of the blade? How do you feel when there is blade play even as you are pulling it out for the first time. How many times did you take a new knife apart to clean it, only to have the screws stripped that hold the g10 scales together? How about carbon fiber handles that are cracked as they sit new in the box or display case? What about jimping that is not consistent.

These things bother me, and no matter how hard I try I dwell on these things every time I carry that respective knife.

Do I think $400 is too much for a knife? For certain makes and models I do. For others I don't. I've had a lot of fun buying / trading / seeking out the various models and doing my own homework.

Let's face it - I would be fine with my Victorinox Climber for 95% of what I need a knife for from day to day. All of the knives I have owned / traded / sold were strictly to satisfy my appetite for the hobby.
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I would have to agree with the above post. This knife 'thing' is as much about collecting, or experiencing what's out there as actually using a knife. It's true that if you stay at it long enough your tastes will eventually evolve until you've tried quite a range of knives (with regard to price, quality, functionality, fit & finish). I think that sometimes it just comes down to knowing that what's in your hand or pocket is some of the best stuff out there, and sometimes it just makes you feel good to own something of value.
 
RYP said:
have you looked at the DPx HEST/F ? $175 and runs circles around most $400 knives.
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Well thats a bold statement sir. i think you need a video of your knife out preforming the top high end ti folders for this to be taken as true. seeing is believing.:cool:
 
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concreteadaptation said:
Well thats a blod statement sir. i think you need a video of your knife out preforming the top high end ti folders for this to be taken as true. seeing is believing.:cool:
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you should keep in mind he made that statement before anyone had the knife in hand and production issues were discovered and made public.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
you should keep in mind he made that statement before anyone had the knife in hand and production issues were discovered and made public.
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Which only reinforces the idea that it's a blod(whatever this means) statement. Though I suspect it would take a bit more for that knife to unseat the ZT 0550/1 from its throne:D.
 
I guess it is like someone who pays for warrenty work in advance then, right. Thats what it sounds like to me. Kind of like the high end cars having a complete bumper to bumper for x amount of years, that includes wiper blades & brakes. Lets not forget I also said if he has the money & likes it, to go for it. I ask "what can you do for me" from my knives, not "will the company refurbish it for me". I have sent knives back to Buck & OKC & have always received satisfactory service---even for a $50 knife. It's also kinda like owning a 200 mph car in the USA, where the speed limit can be reached in 1st or 2nd gear of said 200 mph car. Really, what is the point ? Cool---to be sure. But really, where can you do 200 mph in the USA on the street ? We can discuss price point. It is different for diferent people. I guess my ppoint is around $100. I have only ever had 2 knife failures. I have seen some serious $300-$800 fail, complete with pics on the internet. Most were replaced free of charge---as they should be, for that price. OKC would probably do the same, as would Becker. Catagorize me as a "best bang for the buck, or a good value kinda guy." :D
 
Noctis3880 said:
Which only reinforces the idea that it's a blod(whatever this means) statement. Though I suspect it would take a bit more for that knife to unseat the ZT 0550/1 from its throne:D.
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fully agree.


i'm actually not sure how any knife could run circles around another.

none of mine have feet or wheels.
 
Nternal said:
Personally I probably wouldn't pay 400$ for a folder under any circumstance but I'm new to collecting so...
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See I would with out a second thought. Though I can't ever save that much up for one. I continually buy a 200 dollar knife every month or so. :grumpy:
 
TwinStick said:
I guess it is like someone who pays for warrenty work in advance then, right. Thats what it sounds like to me. Kind of like the high end cars having a complete bumper to bumper for x amount of years, that includes wiper blades & brakes. Lets not forget I also said if he has the money & likes it, to go for it. I ask "what can you do for me" from my knives, not "will the company refurbish it for me". I have sent knives back to Buck & OKC & have always received satisfactory service---even for a $50 knife. It's also kinda like owning a 200 mph car in the USA, where the speed limit can be reached in 1st or 2nd gear of said 200 mph car. Really, what is the point ? Cool---to be sure. But really, where can you do 200 mph in the USA on the street ? We can discuss price point. It is different for diferent people. I guess my ppoint is around $100. I have only ever had 2 knife failures. I have seen some serious $300-$800 fail, complete with pics on the internet. Most were replaced free of charge---as they should be, for that price. OKC would probably do the same, as would Becker. Catagorize me as a "best bang for the buck, or a good value kinda guy." :D
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Ahh so if talking trucks you would buy a 2wd, standard cab, 6cylinder, no pwr windows, no AC, manual trans , type of a truck instead of a loaded up quad cab diesel , leather , pwr everthing type of truck. Because you get the most bang for the buck with the lesser vehicle...:)
For me , the few customs I have I only wear to work which is in an office environment so I want them kind of dressy along with my flashlights. I've paid more for a custom Ti flashlight then any of my custom knives. I just prefer to have something unique and fancy. If I'm up north snowmobiling or something I carry a production knife and light. Nothing fancy then.
 
You know I am new here too,I have the knife bug bad, I have bought everything you guys have mentioned. We we are on the truck forums and the question comes up whats better Ford /Dodge/Chevy generally speaking thy are all good now and its a matter of ergonomics, how it feels to you. I still like the feel of a $75 Case Russlock knive or a Case Trapper lock. they feel good to me. and I have a nice Cocobola Sebenza and 40 other knives, So what I am saying is shop go feel touch, if a $80 case feels good thats your ticket, it will cut /rope/ tape you next knive box open as well as a sebenza. Just dont but a mass market off shore piece of rat dung. Buy american,except Syderco.
 
I have one custom fixed blade I spent about $300. A few folders that I spent a tad over $200 on.
I am pleased with them , yea. The fixed blade I will never , ever use. It is a "safe queen" and is actually getting ready to be sold to pay off a bill.
You can't take them with you...

I have come full circle here , from the guy that was so interested in this that and the other , whats coming out when.. etc.. Latest designs and blade steels , blah blah.
I know of knives that I can score for under $60 that will do what a $400 knife will do. I've proved this to myself over and over. I love the idea of becoming a semi-minimalist.
I have diminished my collection by half ( giving away and selling ) in the last three years , I'm getting ready to do it again real soon.
I have no use whatsoever for a drawer full of knives , 95% of which I never carry or use aside from how cool I perceive them to be.
In the last three months I have finally found my brand. The brand that works for me and will continue to do so for many years. Guess what, most of the knives they sell do not fall into the $400 range.

I aint tryin to impress anyone here or anywhere else. Not trying to fit into the 'cool kids club' by blowing my cash on knives that never see actual use in most knife lovers hands.

The whole thing is sort of humorous if you ask me , I've been observing this for over a decade now under various forum names on various forums.

Yes , I am still very much a knife guy - I'm just not buying into the cult anymore.



My two cents..

Buy what you like. Who cares what anyone else thinks.

Tostig
 
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