What's the difference? budget knives, high end production, midtech, custom

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Sonnydaze said:
Quality of handwork and precision of machining operations.
An experienced knifemaker can make a knife that clicks all of the boxes. You may use the knife for yrs and NEVER have a moment's problem with it. For example...my Brad Southard AVO. Similar pride in ownership will be found in CRK owners.
IMO, I have found no folder to equal the precision, fit and finish and smoothness of a Chris Reeves Regular Sebenza...
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Well said I'm not a huge Sebanza guy (I like them don't get me wrong) but I have to say that as I flip my 0452 beside my Tolk there is no question which one is superior even though I really like both.
 
clearkevin said:
I enjoy starting threads about subjects that I'm interested in I imagine you do to. I could care less about tickling feathers but I know I've been asked about cost of knives before and if I have maybe other knife guys have as well. In terms of videos if you check how many video's I have compared to how many I've posted on here you'll see that I don't post much here unless I think the video would be good for conversation. Anyway thanks for your comment as it really contributed.
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What do you find to be the biggest difference between budget and higher end mid tech knives? I think overall craftsmanship (materials, designs, QC, etc.) is what separates a budget knife from a high end, without going into too much detail.
 
clearkevin said:
Well said I'm not a huge Sebanza guy (I like them don't get me wrong) but I have to say that as I flip my 0452 beside my Tolk there is no question which one is superior even though I really like both.
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Superior? That's the wrong question. What everyone should strive for is to use the right tool for the job. My $1,000+ custom may have all sorts of advantages over the $20 utility knife that I purchased at the local hardware store. I am still not going to use it to cut sheetrock, unless it is a matter of life and death. It is a poor tool for the role, its advantages are not material enough to justify the cost difference; I could buy 1,000s of utility blades for the same investment, which would collectively out perform the high end knife by a wide margin at that activity.

In other words, even the best and priciest flashlight, would be a poor substitute for a hammer. Use the tool that is made for the specific purpose.

n2s
 
As with many other things from watches to cars the law of diminishing returns really comes into play. A new ZR1 does a 13 mile lap around Nurburgring about 23 seconds slower than a Porsche 918 Spyder. The ZR1 is probably around 100k the 918 is a million dollar car. Not exactly the same thing with knives but you get the idea.

Mike
 
Seneca18 said:
What do you find to be the biggest difference between budget and higher end mid tech knives? I think overall craftsmanship (materials, designs, QC, etc.) is what separates a budget knife from a high end, without going into too much detail.
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I think your word craftsmanship says it best because it encompasses careful design good construction and some extra detail that is above and beyond so yeah I think the biggest difference is craftsmanship
 
Does a 4k cutom "out preform" a 1k midtech? probably not. Does a 1k midtech "out preform" a $500 high end production? probably not. Does a $500 high end prodution "out preform" a $130 budget high production? Maybe. Enough that the avg person would notice? doubtfully. Does a $130 doug ritter in m390 "out preform" a $25 rat 1 in aus-8? As far as blade steel goes I would say yes. Will a rat1 do the same thing? yes, but for a shorter amount of time. Would the avg person notice? maybe, maybe not, depends on how much they use it.

Who cares how much people spend on knives. Who are we to judge others for what they like and how they spend their hard earned cash. Why would I spend nearing 5k over the past 2 months on 10ish knives when 1 $130 knife (that I dont even own (yet :D ) because Im too busy blowing all my money on more expensive knives) will last me the rest of my life? Because they turn me on. And I love having quality crafted tools. To each his own :D
 
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Deer said:
Does a 4k cutom "outpreform" a 1k midtech? probably not. Does a 1k midtech "outpreform" a $500 high end production? probably not. Does a $130 doug ritter in m390 "out preform" a $25 rat 1 in aus-8? As far as blade steel goes I would say yes. Will a rat1 do the same thing? yes, but for a shorter amount of time. Would a avg person notice? maybe, maybe not, depends on how much they use it.

Who cares how much people spend on knives. Who are we to judge others for what they like and ow they spend their hard earned cash. Why would I spend nearing 5k over the past 2 months on 10ish knives when 1 $130 knife will last me the rest of my life? Because they turn me on. And I love having quality crafted tools. To each his own :D
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Thanks man I do think as you say there are some differences although not always very obvious and I can't speak at all for customs as I've never owned any but yep buy what you like and enjoy.
 
Seneca18 said:
Seems like you enjoy starting threads that will tickle some feathers and then stop contributing once you've got a few clicks on your YouTube channel. Sorry just my impression of your recent started threads.
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I have to agree with this assessment based on the types of threads the OP has started....

The difference between these "categories" or basically, all knives is a fine blend of:

Materials/supply v. demand/level of craftmanship/marketing/hype/collectibility/etc.
There's market segments that come with a price point, there's market segments that don't.

I think you already know this man, I just find it incredibly in bad taste that you continue to try to promote your channel in this fasion.

If I am wrong, and you where truly interested in learning about the difference, I would assume you would have asked the question, then made your video....
 
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JR88FAN said:
I have to agree with this assessment based on the types of threads the OP has started....

The difference between these "categories" or basically, all knives is a fine blend of:

Materials/supply v. demand/level of craftmanship/marketing/hype/collectibility/etc.
There's market segments that come with a price point, there's market segments that don't.

I think you already know this man, I just find it incredibly in bad taste that you continue to try to promote your channel in this fasion.

If I am wrong, and you where truly interested in learning about the difference, I would assume you would have asked the question, then made your video....
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JR88FAN I think your misunderstanding the question, I like higher end knives and I know many others do as well, essentially what I'm asking is why what is it about particular high end knives that people find appealing enough to pay high $ for them. My video was sharing my take on the subject not everyone else's so I didn't ask here first. I have asked questions here first before and that works too for some discussions. There are also many times that I have done a bunch of reading here then used that for inspiration for a video. That said the last thread I created had no reference to my videos and someone asked about it. Anyway think what you like does it really matter if its chicken or egg. I would like to hear what you find appealing about higher end stuff or if you don't like it at all that's great too.
 
Budget knives are those you get to open a can of paint, puncture barrels, do minor electric maintenance etc.

High end production are those you kept mint in their box, hoping to sell them or trade them in the future

Midtech are those you fondle and make you smile every time you cut a piece of paper with, doodle with the action, or carry as an EDC

Custom is the one most of us dream about.
 
So that knife is better than this knife? As that's what you are saying.

You go through basic sales points of the knives shown but don't actually ever say which the knives are. I guess so. Not much there. Don't assume the viewer knows.

Not sure whether that's intended but if you are asking if I can see a difference between 2 unidentified marks from your video, the answer is no. I guess so. That better than that.

Yeah, might want to work on that.
 
How many $500+ knives actually get carried and used? I would bet VERY little! That is the difference!
 
So you solicit YouTube views from us, then hope that we give you money towards your Patreon.com crap???

Take you dodgey threads somewhere else, you imposter:thumbdn:
 
Blues Bender said:
So you solicit YouTube views from us, then hope that we give you money towards your Patreon.com crap???

Take you dodgey threads somewhere else, you imposter:thumbdn:
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Really man? I don't care if you watch or support or whatever I thought it was an interesting discussion to have, further how would a knife enthusiast posting in a knife forum be an imposter? Yes I secretly hate knives and don't have any or care about them. Maybe you should find a cause to be emotionally invested in in case you haven't noticed this is just an internet forum, a good one admittedly but you seem to really care what I post, sorry you don't have more important things to do.
 
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In case anyone is wondering what Patreon is, here you go:

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