What Production Knives Do You Consider To Be Over Priced?

[Hackenslash]

I agree. Comparing Horizon D CF ($400) with ZT 0804cf ($280) and District 9 plus ($270) with ZT 0801Ti ($200), you'll find it is hard to justify the Reate prices, especially when you take into consideration warranty service (or largely lack of by Reate). This is also why I have only one Reate but multiple ZTs.

Yup, I'm the same way too. The only Reate I've bought recently is a Wave when Blade HQ had them on major mark-down around Christmas. There are just too many other options in imported blades that offer similar quality for a lot less money. As a result I've got all these old Reates that I fondle fondly while remembering what a good deal they used to be.

But dang...that Reate Future is a hawt, sexy knife

 

[Mo2]

I agree. Comparing Horizon D CF ($400) with ZT 0804cf ($280) and District 9 plus ($270) with ZT 0801Ti ($200), you'll find it is hard to justify the Reate prices, especially when you take into consideration warranty service (or largely lack of by Reate). This is also why I have only one Reate but multiple ZTs.

This all depends on the milling, the time that went into programming it into the CNC and the time it takes to actually CNC it. for example the D has a lot more milling and takes up the machine longer, plus the carbon fiber is harder on the tooling requiring replacement to happen more often. you can take this example and use it for the other models. for example an integral will cost more because of how long it takes to mill out and get good tolerances. they are STILL cheaper than the equal from america. but... the 804CF, is NOT anywhere near the same milling. its a flat surface.

i do agree that the chinese knives are marked up a bit, this has to be done for resellers and dealers and warranty etc. but again, if you were to take the USA replica of it, with the same milling, it would be far cheaper.

but its hard to go from simple $200 Chinese knives to wayyyy more intricate chinese knives at 400. you guys are just dumbing it down to simple slabs of material, its much more than that.

 

[goldie]

The handles of the B model has intricate machining and was still only 200.00,i can see a slight increase in the D model for the m390 and ano'd hardware but not double its price.I think they are jumping on the overpriced bandwagon like Medford,crusader forge,shirogorov,and some other makers.

 

[sharp_edge]

This all depends on the milling, the time that went into programming it into the CNC and the time it takes to actually CNC it. for example the D has a lot more milling and takes up the machine longer, plus the carbon fiber is harder on the tooling requiring replacement to happen more often. you can take this example and use it for the other models. for example an integral will cost more because of how long it takes to mill out and get good tolerances. they are STILL cheaper than the equal from america. but... the 804CF, is NOT anywhere near the same milling. its a flat surface.

i do agree that the chinese knives are marked up a bit, this has to be done for resellers and dealers and warranty etc. but again, if you were to take the USA replica of it, with the same milling, it would be far cheaper.

but its hard to go from simple $200 Chinese knives to wayyyy more intricate chinese knives at 400. you guys are just dumbing it down to simple slabs of material, its much more than that.

There are indeed some valid points here, but still they do not fully justify the prices. Last time I checked ZT 0920 also has 3D machined ti handle with a bent ti clip and is selling for $240. One can argue the steel is better (cpm 20cv vs s35vn) and the blade is longer than District 9 plus which again is priced $30 more with easier/simpler machining.

 

[22-rimfire]

I stay away from the so called "high end" Chinese knives. I would expect that warranty service would be next to impossible and just not worth the effort relative to buying from US branded knives. You see I am basically lazy. Normally, I don't bother with warranty issues, but at $400 I would and I would likely be unhappy overall.

 

[W_cole]

Benchmade, Rockstead and Shirogorov. The three that automatically come to mind when thinking about over priced knives. I own Benchmades and Shirogorov and Rockstead knives and will never sell them. I have to be realistic with my self and admit that they are overpriced. That's OK though, it's my money and they bring me happiness.

 

[AF]

I've been wondering about Reate too. The newer more expensive models don't seem all that much better to me. I have newer and older. ZT seems like a much better value especially when US-based warranty is considered.
Many Benchmades are overpriced.
High-end Seki made Spydercos are often overpriced.
Some Al Mar knives seem overpriced.

 

[straitr]

I don't think any knives are overpriced if they're selling. It seems they're worth it to some people, not worth it to others. Most companies know exactly who their target demographic is and what they're willing to pay. Custom Mayo vs gas station knives for example. I don't ever see myself paying thousands of dollars for one knife as some people do, but I've happily bought guns that most consider overpriced. I don't value plastic guns or plastic knives put together with rivets, yet some people love both, neither of us are wrong. Value is an individual assessment.

What is "overpriced" is the value some people place on their opinions, which is why they have long lists and a lot of responses in these threads.

 

[Cutlover]

I don't think any knives are overpriced if they're selling. It seems they're worth it to some people, not worth it to others. Most companies know exactly who their target demographic is and what they're willing to pay. Custom Mayo vs gas station knives for example. I don't ever see myself paying thousands of dollars for one knife as some people do, but I've happily bought guns that most consider overpriced. I don't value plastic guns or plastic knives put together with rivets, yet some people love both, neither of us are wrong. Value is an individual assessment.

What is "overpriced" is the value some people place on their opinions, which is why they have long lists and a lot of responses in these threads.

I think people generally think something is overpriced if they are paying more for the brand name than the product itself (Example: Beats). Value is definitely subjective, but there are some general rules.

 

[straitr]

I think people generally think something is overpriced if they are paying more for the brand name than the product itself (Example: Beats). Value is definitely subjective, but there are some general rules.

Yet many people happily purchase Beats products to the degree that Apple payed $3Billion for the brand in 2014. They may not offer the same value to you (and me) as a pair of Brand XYZ's, but they're not overpriced if people are buying them in accordance with Beats' (Apple's) business model. I have a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35's, expensive yes, overpriced, not to me. They're heaven on a plane and in the office, and that extra bit of peace and quiet in an otherwise crazy environment is something that I value immensely.

It's all value perception, which as you agreed, is purely subjective. This thread is an exercise in people sharing their value metric, then trying to get as many people to agree with them as possible. Probably for affirmation of self-worth, but that's a whole different topic altogether.

 

[22-rimfire]

...It's all value perception, which as you agreed, is purely subjective. This thread is an exercise in people sharing their value metric, then trying to get as many people to agree with them as possible. Probably for affirmation of self-worth, but that's a whole different topic altogether.

I can only speak for myself but the thread IS an exercise in value perception. But that's okay, and it IS purely subjective to most. I don't particularly care if people agree with me and I certainly am not looking for any kind of affirmation of my self worth or how highly I value my own opinions. The forum software does not have the "like" button as many do now.

 

[palonej]

Along with knives, I am also an avid pool player and love high end air rifles.
People look at me like I have 12 heads when I tell them how much I paid for a custom pool cue.....you can just use a free one at the pool hall....or what I paid for a German made .177 air rifle and scope.....you can get a Red Ryder for $25.....and knives.....a $9 knife will cut just as good.
If these things sell, how can they be over priced?? If someone enjoys them, isn't it worth it to them??
I could go on and on, but if the items are selling I don't see them as over priced.
JMO

 

[Quiet]

Yet many people happily purchase Beats products to the degree that Apple payed $3Billion for the brand in 2014. They may not offer the same value to you (and me) as a pair of Brand XYZ's, but they're not overpriced if people are buying them in accordance with Beats' (Apple's) business model. I have a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35's, expensive yes, overpriced, not to me. They're heaven on a plane and in the office, and that extra bit of peace and quiet in an otherwise crazy environment is something that I value immensely.

It's all value perception, which as you agreed, is purely subjective. This thread is an exercise in people sharing their value metric, then trying to get as many people to agree with them as possible. Probably for affirmation of self-worth, but that's a whole different topic altogether.

Wish there was a Like button. :thumbup:

 

[22-rimfire]

Or a thumbs down button.

 

[Cutlover]

Yet many people happily purchase Beats products to the degree that Apple payed $3Billion for the brand in 2014. They may not offer the same value to you (and me) as a pair of Brand XYZ's, but they're not overpriced if people are buying them in accordance with Beats' (Apple's) business model. I have a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35's, expensive yes, overpriced, not to me. They're heaven on a plane and in the office, and that extra bit of peace and quiet in an otherwise crazy environment is something that I value immensely.

It's all value perception, which as you agreed, is purely subjective. This thread is an exercise in people sharing their value metric, then trying to get as many people to agree with them as possible. Probably for affirmation of self-worth, but that's a whole different topic altogether.

Very true, very true. Taking advantage of people's emotions and technical ignorance is an excellent business model, which explains why people in general purchase products that aren't necessarily technically optimized for their price bracket, be it knives, headphones, flashlights, cars, etc. Getting a famous popstar to advertise a product will woo orders of magnitude more people than a product aadvertised solely based on superior technical specs.

As a side note, good choice with the Bose :thumbup:

 

[straitr]

I can only speak for myself but the thread IS an exercise in value perception. But that's okay, and it IS purely subjective to most. I don't particularly care if people agree with me and I certainly am not looking for any kind of affirmation of my self worth or how highly I value my own opinions. The forum software does not have the "like" button as many do now.[/QUOTE

Oh for sure, it's definitely okay, and can be pretty enjoyable for the most part. I find the different opinions and points of view (value measurements) in threads like this interesting, and often some that I never considered. Some are helpful, some are not.

Wish there was a Like button. :thumbup:

Appreciate it. The BF beta software has a like button. =)

Or a thumbs down button.

Even more useful than a Like button. haha

 

[goldie]

The Benchmade gold class knives, even with their Damascus and fancy handle material still seems way overpriced,compared to a lot of customs, some reaching 1000.00.With their new anthem model at 425.00 which is just a producton knife, is this going to be the new standard level for some of their models like Reate,Rike and some others are doing ? if so I will not be a buyer, I just cannot afford 400.00 every time a knife comes out....

 

[straitr]

Very true, very true. Taking advantage of people's emotions and technical ignorance is an excellent business model, which explains why people in general purchase products that aren't necessarily technically optimized for their price bracket, be it knives, headphones, flashlights, cars, etc. Getting a famous popstar to advertise a product will woo orders of magnitude more people than a product aadvertised solely based on superior technical specs.

As a side note, good choice with the Bose :thumbup:

I would like button this.

 

[AF]

I don't think any knives are overpriced if they're selling.

Saying that an item isn't overpriced because some people buy it is a little silly, IMO.
First of all as consumers we don't generally know about the sales trends of specific models. We can only guess at what is popular and what is not based on how quickly they sell on the exchange and how often they're recommended or panned.
Take this as an example. Let's say you have a knife with black g-10 scales that sells for $100. The company also sells the same knife with blue g-10 scales. The blue version sells for an additional $30.
It seems pretty likely that a certain number of people are going to buy the more expensive blue knife. It also seems pretty likely that the black one will be more popular.
So is the blue one overpriced? People are buying it so it can't be overpriced? Wrong. It's overpriced and that's why fewer people are buying it.
Or think of a house that is priced higher than comparable homes. It sits on the market for longer. It may eventually sell but not as quickly. Why? Because it was overpriced.
Wait, let's make this even more simple. Two of the exact same knife sold by two different reputable dealers. One is priced higher. Is it overpriced? It sells, just at a lower volume.

 

[straitr]

Saying that an item isn't overpriced because some people buy it is a little silly, IMO.
First of all as consumers we don't generally know about the sales trends of specific models. We can only guess at what is popular and what is not based on how quickly they sell on the exchange and how often they're recommended or panned.
Take this as an example. Let's say you have a knife with black g-10 scales that sells for $100. The company also sells the same knife with blue g-10 scales. The blue version sells for an additional $30.
It seems pretty likely that a certain number of people are going to buy the more expensive blue knife. It also seems pretty likely that the black one will be more popular.
So is the blue one overpriced? People are buying it so it can't be overpriced? Wrong. It's overpriced and that's why fewer people are buying it.
Or think of a house that is priced higher than comparable homes. It sits on the market for longer. It may eventually sell but not as quickly. Why? Because it was overpriced.
Wait, let's make this even more simple. Two of the exact same knife sold by two different reputable dealers. One is priced higher. Is it overpriced? It sells, just at a lower volume.

Now you're talking about more complex purchases and purchasing scenarios. I'm not pitching a fast and hard rule about anything that has a price. Of course there are things that are overpriced (IMO), but we still buy them... healthcare, gas, utilities, etc. Wants vs needs. Take your Black vs Blue scale scenario, and think about how fast sprint runs and/or limited edition knives typically sell out. It's not the Blue scales that people are willing to "overpay" for, it's the exclusivity, but they do it happily. Again though, it's a personal perception of value.