What price knives you would normally buy? For what purpose?

[Kizer Cutlery]

This week's discussion is that the price of your knives, let's hit it!

 

[DangerZone98]

$80 - 150 is usually my range for user knives, both folders and fixed. Once in a while, I go nuts and get something just a little over that range.

 

[Hickory n steel]

If I count the used vintage traditionals I acquire off Ebay here and there I have to say from $10 to my most expensive knife so far being $75.
The purpose is just mundane everyday utility, no collecting or reselling or trading.
If I don't end up liking or using it much I give it to someone who will.

 

[Henry Beige]

My most expensive knife cost $160. It is an outlier. Maybe four or five others cost more than $100, including a few Forum knives. By far the majority of my knives cost less than $20. Most of the rest were under $50. I have almost no interest at all in buying modern folders. There are a couple of Benchmades I would not mind having, but I would not use them enough to justify the outlay.

 

[Zulus]

Normally ??
I'm all but normal.
But OK - I may spend $20-30
If it's chinese made in any/all ways - $10 is a limit !
I got some better knives, but bought them 20-30 years ago, just was young & stupid.
Anyway no chinese stuff these times, so was safe :^D

 

[Kizer Cutlery]

$80 - 150 is usually my range for user knives, both folders and fixed. Once in a while, I go nuts and get something just a little over that range.

Lol, how was that knife?

 

[gazz98]

I'll say $40 to $150 but rarely go over $110ish for a folder or fixed.

I have 44 knives. I think 7 or 8 were over $100.

No M390, Maxamet, Cruwear, S90V, S110V, M4, etc in my lineup. I'm content with ATS 34, 154cm, VG10, and D2.

 

[Shorttime]

My upper ceiling is $150.00. It is still a tool, it can still get lost, stolen, or broken, and I don't feel comfortable tying up that much gasoline and groceries in a purchase which holds no substantial advantage over an $11.00 knife.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think we have beat this topic to death in the past in one form or another. If you want to sell lots of knives, keep them priced below $100 and well made.

 

[craytab]

I'm usually in the $20-$300 range. Never paid more than $500. Price doesn't really matter as much to me as perceived value. This is a weird calculation in my brain that combines price, quality, materials, company reputation, etc... into a nice value ratio. Of course I am the only one who can calculate and interpret this ratio and it is subject to change based on how I am feeling at any given moment

I've been on a Pro-Tech and Auto kick lately. Buying on the secondary market so that helps, but about $150 seems what I am paying for what I want to get right now. I went up to $325 on the Autocrat, still a deal given the new from a dealer price. Siren LNIB for $150.

 

[Bastler]

I don't expect to buy another knife any time soon, so the answer for me is $0. I used to spend over $100 on knives, but I came to my senses when so many companies instituted MAP. I have enough stuff to last the rest of my life, including knives.

 

[Omnius]

I usually try to find something decent within my local equivalent of $25-$40 range.
My standard limit is around $65-70, but if it is very good quality, useful and interesting design, good and less common materials and has none of my dealbreakers, I can sometimes go up to $100.

I used to buy much more expensive knives, but after one really overpriced so called grail, I decided it is pointless waste of money for me. From now on, only sanely priced and easy to replace users that I won't be afraid to scratch or loose.
No more safe queens that only sit in a box and cost more than a new laptop.

 

[Lee D]

Depending on the sales pitch, I can spend $20 - $600, but everything I’m buying nowadays is for my pocket. No hunting knives, no fixed blades, just daily carry. I have a new XM-18 in my pocket now, and I’ll probably swap it out for an Opinel when I get home and put on some shorts.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

$300-$500 seems to be the sweet spot for the folders I like & use. If I really like a certain knife and it is more(up to $1000) I will still buy it(and use it). After $1000 I start to get real nervous. I almost bought an $1800 Shamwari the other day. I wanted it a lot, but just couldn't justify it-try as I might( and I am real good at justifying ). You can certainly get knives cheaper than I pay that are fine cutters, but these offer me more than just cutting. I like quality also, and although I use there is a collecting factor also. I buy high end productions and customs-many discontinued or semi rare.
Fixed blades I am not nearly as into and many are sub $100 and top out around $300 for full customs
This is how I have been doing it since joining knife forums and trying all the goodies. Prior to that the $ spent and amount of knives spent on were significantly lower

 

[BillZee]

Well........price limit was $50.......then $75......
.$100.......I swear, I tried to stop at that amount ! I bought a couple at $125 - $150.
Now I want the BM bailout. Yeah......

 

[guy g]

Chris Reeve at the top, along with a custom at 300$ and my Randall at 325$. Then Benchmade and Spyderco 100$-150$ range, then my Buck knives, none over 125$
And of course my Saks

 

[K.O.D.]

Currently, most are between $100 and $350. I've gone as high as $500.

My mean average is probably $220 in todays dollars. Many of mine are unique and/or long discontinued.

 

[colin.p]

Unfortunately, you've hit me at the end of my knife buying frenzy as I have retired (3 months early) due to the shenanigans going on. However, when I was working, I bought a lot of Benchmade's so that'll give you an idea as the average price I payed. I did buy one Kizer, so I'm at least somewhat, very slightly, supporting your brand.

Now however, I'm going to settle back and enjoy the (more than I can really ever even begin to wear out) knives I have and maybe every once in awhile buy something for a bargain price. Got to have enough for cat food.

 

[TX180SX]

so far nothing more than $350. At some point I'll get something that costs a bit more, but that might not be this year. Got a Hogue OTF on me right now.

 

[Quiet]

I don't have a normal price window, I just buy what I like. That said, I wouldn't buy a Kizer at any price.

As for purposes, general EDC duties only. I have all of my other knife-specific needs handled already.

I'm carrying my Bob Dozier Custom today, like most days.