Wow. $100 for a China knife? Several years ago I got a really nice Byrd knife at a major knife store for $30. I didn't even look at the time and found later it was made in China. Today I got the latest Byte and it highlights the Polestar from China at $100. I know it goes up some with the name just like Ford to Lincoln but I never thought of China as a hundred dollar knife country. Is there something that makes them worth that much out of China or is that just what the market says is ok?
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What's going on with knife prices?
- Thread starter LDB
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You're comparing apples to oranges. Byte gives current MSRP prices, whereas your frame of reference is several years old and at retail prices. Retail on the Polestar is about $60, and the materials are sort of a bridge between the budget Byrd line and the base line flagship models.
Also China's just exploded recently. There's at least a half dozen companies out of China whose quality and materials are competitive with any of the other well-regarded cutlery companies in the U.S. or Europe. They obviously don't have the historical quality yet, but the enthusiasm and desire is there. Reate, Kizer, WE, Stedemon, and several others are turning out top-notch products at price points up to $500.
Also China's just exploded recently. There's at least a half dozen companies out of China whose quality and materials are competitive with any of the other well-regarded cutlery companies in the U.S. or Europe. They obviously don't have the historical quality yet, but the enthusiasm and desire is there. Reate, Kizer, WE, Stedemon, and several others are turning out top-notch products at price points up to $500.
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Why do people make unequal comparisons when making their case? Because it's weaker when all things equal?
Byrd: Not Spyderco branded, price quoted from several years ago, price quoted was retail not MSRP, Chinese steel.
Polestar: 2017 model Spyderco, price quoted was MSRP, American steel, unique G10 pattern.
So for $20 more than a $40 Tenacious retail, you get American steel and an uncommon G10. Some might consider it worth it.
How much was a BMW M3 six years ago. How much is the 2017 model?
Byrd: Not Spyderco branded, price quoted from several years ago, price quoted was retail not MSRP, Chinese steel.
Polestar: 2017 model Spyderco, price quoted was MSRP, American steel, unique G10 pattern.
So for $20 more than a $40 Tenacious retail, you get American steel and an uncommon G10. Some might consider it worth it.
How much was a BMW M3 six years ago. How much is the 2017 model?
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Sal Glesser
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Hi LDB,
Welcome to our forum.
We work on relatively fixed margins. The maker is charging more mostly because of the USA made steel.
sal
Welcome to our forum.
We work on relatively fixed margins. The maker is charging more mostly because of the USA made steel.
sal
- Joined
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You can still get a Byrd for not much more than you paid for your last one. I just sent a Meadowlark to my FIL who is doing mission work on a South Pacific island. IIRC, it was only about $30.
