What's the most you will pay for a knife ??

in the past, about 400 for a sebenza, in the future, i can see myself spending at least 550 or so, cuz i gotta have a TNT :D

- Pete
 
Never more than $50 on a knife. I am cheap but I buy quality. Look around on the net and you can find great deals on knives. Also, I have been tempted to "collect" knives but don't. By collect, I mean buy a knife to look at often and maybe use once in a while, all because of the "cool factor." I won't do that because I can't. Not now, maybe in a year or two.

Another thing I ask myself before I buy is: What am I going to use THAT one for? I carry my knives. I use my knives. I abuse the hell out of my knives. Every knife I buy is someday going to be "used to destruction." A $300 knife that will outlast a $100 knife will only need replacing HALF as often. Used to death, lost, stolen, confiscated, "borrowed" these are risks to my knives. Knife ownership is a gamble; I don't play what I can't pay. What point is there in buying a new knife that looks different from what I have but does the same job?

Do I want more expensive knives? Of course! I would love a mother-of-pearl/abalone stockman. But what would I use it for? I have a Voyager, Opinel, and SAK. I wouldn't carry the stockman because I have no need to. It will find a quiet place in my sock drawer and collect lint;) Sure I could "whip it out" and impress people but I'm not like that. I don't buy a fancy car to impress the ladies, so why do that with a knife? If I need anything more in a knife, I find that a little bit more blade is in order. But, I am limited to under 3" and it must fold. A fixed blade fighter? I'd love one. A medium sized Spydie? Sure. A fillet knife because someday I might want to go fishing? Of course. Just not right now.

The good news is, when I do beat the hell out of my knives I don't worry about the money to replace them. Not worrying about money is a good thing:cool:
 
Wow! I had no idea that there were so many rich guys on this forum.
I'm way outta my league with you big-spenders.

Lucky for me there are so many great knives for under $100.00, and it would be a sad reflection on the knife industry if that were not true.

It looks like the same snobs that are responsible for the Robb Report have corrupted the knife world too.
Put a high enough price-tag on anything and someone will buy it.

Allen.
 
Last night I bought a $10,000 knife but woke up before it arrived. Damn UPS :( :D
 
It looks like the same snobs that are responsible for the Robb Report have corrupted the knife world too.
Click to expand...

Well, with that attitude, you obviously do not understand, nor have you ever experienced the lifestyle which the Robb Report caters to. It's not about snobishness or high prices; very often, you get what you pay for. Sure, there are some great values out there (I just got an NIB Cold Steel Recon Tanto for $50!:D ) but there are definitely MUCH better knives for higher prices as well. It's just a matter of whether or not you can appreciate quality or not. Some people just don't understand quality. Fine. But don't knock those who do.

If I even have to explain WHY I would pay $200-300,000 (YES, that is Three hundred THOUSAND) for a Bentley, then you obviously don't get it. Same with Rolls, Ferrari, BMW and Mercedes. Same for a $10,000 Breitling.

Regards,
Strati
 
drjones;
I don't think it's about who does or doesn't understand quality, more to do with the individual's definition of quality. Some value function highest, others place higher value in appearance and craftsmanship.
Implying that allenc doesn't understand quality makes it seem as if you are looking down your nose at him, a practice commonly attributed to snobishness. I'm not trying to give you grief here, just pointing out that you may have helped allenc to prove a point rather than reject it, which seems to have been your intention.
Personally i will pay more for something that works better for me, ie suits my needs and (to a much lesser extent) taste.
I do think that allenc has a point, though maybe 'snobs' is a harsh term, i find that there is usually a price-point at which you no longer get a better product for your money. But of course the individuals definition of 'better' then comes into question.
To each his own, let's leave it at that. :)
 
Mathew - You're right, you have a very good point. Well put. I have a tendency to get on a high horse on occasion, but I mean well. :) However, I do think I was a bit harsh and out of line.

My apologies to allen! Don't want anyone thinking I'm a creep.

Sorry.
The Doctor
(Jones, I presume)
 
Weston.jpg


This was my most expensive knife - about 400.00 USD (which is BTW the average monthly income here)....

David
 
DrJones, No need to apologize, perhaps "snob" was too rough sounding.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it seems that the social-elites are having what I consider a negative effect on the knife world.
When buying a knife (or anything else really), I think you have to be honest with yourself in what you're purchasing, and why.
When you buy a Bently or Ferrari you're not just buying a vehicle to haul you around, you're buying into a certain lifestyle and, like it or not, you're broadcasting an certain image to others. You're essentially saying to the world "Look, I can afford a Bently".
The same is true of knives.
Are you buying a work of art, a piece of jewelry, a status icon, or a knife?
Let's not kid ourselves, we all know that there are alot of overpriced knives out there.
If you buy a handmade knife that has ATS-34, mother-of-pearl, diamonds, and gold, you're not just buying a knife, you're also buying the diamonds and gold and the uniqueness of the knife.
But if you're buying a production knife of G-10 and ATS-34 and titanium, you should be asking yourself if the price is justified.
Or are you just buying a name?


Buyer (picking up a mass produced factory knife) "Tell about this knife"

Vender "It has ATS-34 blade, 440 steel liners, a Walker-lock, and aluminum handles"

Buyer "How much"

Vender "$250.00"

Buyer "Is'nt that alittle high"

Vender "Well, this here knife is made by *********"

Buyer "Well why did'nt say that sooner? A *********! Wow!!!
I'll take it"


I don't want to ever see the time when American-made knives are just high-priced toys for the wealthy.
I'm very thankful that there are still companies like Camillus and Spyderco where you can get high quality at fair price.

Allen.
 
Just paid $50 for a folder that honestly is more fun than my Sebenza was...
 
Allen - Very well put, but I'm not sure I agree. Knives are just like anything else; there are ones for every price range and need. I personally only like truly functional knives. By that, I mean blades that I could actually carry, use, and if need be, trust my life to. I have no need to buy knives to impress others. If I want to do that, that's what cars and clothes are for! :D I truly do not understand the purpose of knives like you described that are covered with gold and jewels and ivory and all manner of junk like that.

1) I think they are ugly, unattractive and useless.
2) You are supposed to use knives, or at least be able to use them. I really don't think anyone would want to use such an ornately decorated knife, nor would it stand up to much punishment.

These are of course my opinions, and I fully realize that many people do see some beauty in gaudy knives like that. It would be just as easy for someone to decry my Strider purchase.

PLEASE- I'm not trying to start a battle here about custom, ornately decorated knives!!!

ANYWAY, allen; my point is this; if you want a Honda, buy a Honda. If you want a Mercedes, buy that. It's the same with knives. The presence of Benz or Bentley does not have any impact on the rest of the automobile industry. I think the same is true with knives; buy what you like and can afford.
I don't think I'm just paying for the name with a Strider, right?

Anyway, just my opinions. Glad I didn't offend you earlier!

Regards,
Drjones
 
I'm with the Dr. here. I can't seem to buy a knife that I don't use. I am not in a high enough tax bracket that I can afford a fully tricked out John W Smith folder, but if I could, I'd have to buy a pocket sheath to protect it, because I'd have to carry it. Probably not as an EDC, but on special occasions where I could show it off to people who would appreciate the artistry involved in making such a piece, even if they weren't knife nuts. I'd also be confident that if something went nasty suddenly while at that dinner party or banquet or whatever, that the knife would stand up to whatever abuse I'd likely encounter.

I haven't taken the plunge on a custom folder (yet), but have stayed with higher end production knives for the past few years. I don't have 200 knives in my collection like many guys have, but I've owned and used plenty of knives over the years. I used to be a machinist and can appreciate the precision involved in making a Sebenza or a Microtech. A Gerber SL 3.25 is not the same quality product as a William Henry Carbon Lancet. The bill of materials is almost exactly the same but there is a qualitative difference. A Benchmade will probably cut everything that a small Sebenza will, but the Sebenza feels better in my hands. I have yet to find a knife that works better than the small Sebbie for me as an EDC although I have found knives that I find more visually desireable.

I don't want to come off as a knife "snob" and I've been trying to find $50.00 knives to fall in love with, but once I've experienced something that seems better, it's hard for me to settle for less. I still have a Cold Steel small Voyager that I carried for a few years until I could afford something better. It will be my EDC for a few days next week as I'll be traveling to Washington and I don't trust the airlines to not loose my check baggage with one of my better knives in it. It will probably do everything I need and I'll feel well protected carrying it, just as I did when it was my EDC. It doesn't mean I won't miss my little Sebbie.

I bought a $12.00 Camillus 864 recently with flag themed scales. I'll never carry it, it's probably my first "closet queen" hehehe. I'm trying to embrace the less expensive side of the hobby.

The question is not, "is a particular knife worth the asking price?", but, "is it worth the asking price to YOU?". It all depends on your particular values and bank balances.

Is it really a bad thing for the industry if guys with deep pockets pay exhorbitant amounts of money to custom makers for cool stuff that they really want? Especially if this affords the maker the ability to earn a decent living and perhaps afford better equipment, get better at his craft and eventually do a collaboration with a company like Benchmade or Spyderco that the average guy can afford?

As always these are just my opinions.

jmx
 
Originally posted by Clint Simpson
WELL... Tell us what it is!! I am dieing of suspense here!
Click to expand...

It's a custom folder. Sorry, no pics. It was on the "get-it-outta-here" shelf. It is a stainless liner lock with a deep belly blade and dark handles. It is surprisingly heavy - which I like.:)

Why funner than the Sebbie? **Note: subjective response to follow** First off, I made my own sheath to match. Now, I'm swapping out the thumbstud. Then, to top it off, I'm having custom filework done on the blade. Fun, because it's a project for me to work on. The Sebbie was beautiful and well made, but came 100% finished. Sometimes, it's nice to get a "cheapie" and just dress it up yourself.

my 0.02
 
Allen,

You are way off on your assessment of many of us knife nuts.

First, $400 is not "expensive" or make anyone rich. A lot of people will save up for several months to be able to afford that $400 knife. Like Les R is fond of saying, anyone can afford a custom knife if you are willing to save up for it.

Second, just because 2knives are made of the same or extremely similar materials doesn't make the equal. A knife with ATS34, ti, and g10 from kit carson is NOT the same as one from benchmade. Fit/finish, heat treat, hand touches on the lock, etc... are a few of the things that make a huge difference in knives.

Third, you seem to imply that these things are bought as status symbols. This is extremely false. Most non-knife nuts think paying anything over $25 for a knife is silly to begin with. They wouldn't know how much the knife cost if you whipped it out in front of them anyways. I carry custom knives because i enjoy many aspects of the custom world. Working with the maker dierectly, meeting the maker, being able to pick out the materials you want, etc... are a few of the joys.

I look at it this way. A knife is a tool that I carry with me daily that may end up being needed to save my life or the life of another. When that time comes, I want the best tool I can afford. It would be like buying a $100 Jennings over a $500 Glock because they are both guns and both shoot bullets. Just my take on this thing.

JR
 
absolute max i'd pay for a knife: $200, but it'd have to be one helluva knife.

Most i'll pay for a GOOD knife: $100
Most i'll pay for a decent knife: $30

i'm a cheap bastard and I could never bring myself to use or even carry a $500, maybe i'll evolve to that level later, but i've been poor, i've been broke, and I know about other uses for that kind of money.
 
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