When you realize how much you spend on knives...

N

nine4t4

Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
89
Since I've used knives in my cooking career I know that spending a few hundred on single knife is no big deal. My collection is the few I love and lots of stuff like CRKT. I've never bought a worthwhile CRKT (they use AUS8 or similar steels too much to be useful EDC) but they do put out some cool designs. The Nirk-Tighe is a classic CRKT, cool design with a crappy Aus8 blade!!!! People say Benchmade is expensive for mass produced but they are much better knives than most CKRTs (there are exceptions to that general statement, I know)

Anyway, today I realized that my average EDC knife is worth more than my TV. My TV is an appliance, and is about as much a part of me as a coffee maker or toaster. I take that back, my coffee maker gets higher status than a TV.

I know TV's are crazy cheap these days, but I think it's funny how we describe value. I'm still mourning the loss of a Benchmade last month. It's like the line from Fight Club "What kind of dining set defines me as a person."

I will never have a TV that's part of me the way a pocket knife or my Takeshi's and I'm fine with that
 
I hear you 100%. Most of my money is in knives and guitars. My favorite guitar and favorite knife both cost nearly the same, which is to say more than my bike (motorcycle), or all of the (non amplifier or guitar related) electronics in my house (trailer actually) combined. People have to have their hobbies. Makes life fun.

I Drink cheap beer and have a crappy phone so I can carry nice knives and play fast guitars.
guitaar.jpg
 
Last edited:
nine4t4 said:
....Anyway, today I realized that my average EDC knife is worth more than my TV. My TV is an appliance, and is about as much a part of me as a coffee maker or toaster. I take that back, my coffee maker gets higher status than a TV.

I know TV's are crazy cheap these days, but I think it's funny how we describe value. I'm still mourning the loss of a Benchmade last month.

I will never have a TV that's part of me the way a pocket knife or my Takeshi's and I'm fine with that
Click to expand...
TV's are not a hobby or a tool that is commonly carried and used. I have 5 TV's in my house and generally two people to watch them.... When one breaks, I buy a new one. I tend to buy smaller TV's these days than many. Cheaper, but reflects by attitude about TVs. When you loose a favored knife, you mourn it's passing. But like a TV, replacing it becomes important.
 
I used to put money into high end electronics but with the rapid changes and the built in obsolescence of electronics it is hard to pump that kind of money into it. I used to have a TV, Sound System, HTPC, and Blu-ray worth ~$5,500 but have sold the Sound System and HTPC off due to new technology and other changes. I find it crazier to think about how much things have shifted due to life and due to technology.
 
nine4t4 said:
Since I've used knives in my cooking career I know that spending a few hundred on single knife is no big deal. My collection is the few I love and lots of stuff like CRKT. I've never bought a worthwhile CRKT (they use AUS8 or similar steels too much to be useful EDC) but they do put out some cool designs. The Nirk-Tighe is a classic CRKT, cool design with a crappy Aus8 blade!!!! People say Benchmade is expensive for mass produced but they are much better knives than most CKRTs (there are exceptions to that general statement, I know)

Anyway, today I realized that my average EDC knife is worth more than my TV. My TV is an appliance, and is about as much a part of me as a coffee maker or toaster. I take that back, my coffee maker gets higher status than a TV.

I know TV's are crazy cheap these days, but I think it's funny how we describe value. I'm still mourning the loss of a Benchmade last month. It's like the line from Fight Club "What kind of dining set defines me as a person."

I will never have a TV that's part of me the way a pocket knife or my Takeshi's and I'm fine with that
Click to expand...
A high quality knife will last your entire lifetime if cared for properly and not abused. A TV (or any appliance really) not so much.;)
 
danbot said:
A high quality knife will last your entire lifetime if cared for properly and not abused. A TV (or any appliance really) not so much.;)
Click to expand...

Not true, really...that's your "knife bias" talking. :) High quality stove, radio, coat, watch, etc etc will also.

I will give you that your knife's technology is unlikely to become outdated. (Though its looks might...I wonder how many folks down the line are going to look at their massively overbuilt folding cleaver flipper and think 'Why did I buy this thing?')
 
marcinek said:
Not true, really...that's your "knife bias" talking. :) High quality stove, radio, coat, watch, etc etc will also.

I will give you that your knife's technology is unlikely to become outdated. (Though its looks might...I wonder how many folks down the line are going to look at their massively overbuilt folding cleaver flipper and think 'Why did I buy this thing?')
Click to expand...
Haha! Well, a TV won't! that's forsure! And those overbuilt flippers...some will wonder why the hell they ever bought it, but if taken care of they will still be in great condition!
 
I have significantly more money in my desktop PC than any knife, heck my monitors cost more than any of my knives then there's the rest of the computers :cool:
 
GermanyChris said:
I have significantly more money in my desktop PC than any knife, heck my monitors cost more than any of my knives then there's the rest of the computers :cool:
Click to expand...

Mine too. Actually my laptop is worth more than all my knives combined, but I use it a lot more, too, and is is future-proof for at least five years.
 
The TV itself is rarely a hobby like knives and other collectibles. What I like about the average EDC is the affordability. I'm not yet into custom knives which could blow the budget. I already stretch it with analog hifi equipment and mechanical watches :-).
 
I will say I appreciate quality electronics built to last but those are few and far between and often come with a premium price that would make many knife prices seem tame. If you wanted a Home Theater to rival your local Cinema you can build it and those cost would likely be north of 50k. I will say unlike knives in those insane price ranges a TV and Audio System will definitely get used but that 1k+ knife might just sit in a safe and come out to be molested for most of the owners.
 
MSchott said:
The TV itself is rarely a hobby like knives and other collectibles. What I like about the average EDC is the affordability. I'm not yet into custom knives which could blow the budget. I already stretch it with analog hifi equipment and mechanical watches :).
Click to expand...

Coming from a guy who collects analog hifi and mechanical watches, why can't you imagine TVs as a hobby? Old TVs are an active collector's market, didn't take long to find a BF equivalent for them.

My point again is that everybody has stuff that they spend too much on and cherish and hope to have forever.
 
Just stole a snippet from earlytelevision.org's "What's My TV Worth?"

"Mechanical Sets. Sets made by known manufacturers, such as the Western Visionette, are worth $6,000 or more. Baird Televisors sell for $12-20,000. Very rare sets can bring $20,000 or even more. Home made sets generally bring $2,000 or less.

Prewar Electronic Sets. More common sets, such as the RCA TRK-12, are generally worth $6,000 to about $8,000. The rarer the set, the higher the value. Less common sets, such as the GE HM-185, bring $10,000 and up. Very rare sets can be worth $20,000 or more. Obviously, cabinet condition is an important factor. A set in mint condition will bring twice as much as one in poor shape."

So it ain't just us.
 
I am new to knives and have spent about $1500-2000 in the last few months. I now have a great collection (IMO) but don’t see myself going nuts and ever getting into many knives much over the $200 mark. Maybe a Hinderer or CRK to see what the fuss is all about, but I can’t see my buying a $1000 knife to cut limes or make tinder at the trailer park.

I also have a very expensive wine collection and have a stable of bass guitars/amps that make my knife hobby seem like a rounding error.

I have no problem playing a $10,000 guitar at a bar gig, opening a First Growth Bordeaux with other wine geeks nor do I have an issue with using my fairly expensive Spydercos or Benchmades when camping, fishing or making margaritas.

I like having nice things as long as they get used and enjoyed. One has to have hobbies they are passionate about IMO. Life’s to short not to. :thumbsup:
 
CRKT knives are great workhorses and worry-free to abuse, but they make for shoddy man-jewellery. I’d hack at rusty nails with them to pry without hesitation.

CRK knives are excellent all around, make fantastic man-jewellery, but I’d never abuse one even if it would see heavy use. I would never try to Baton or pry anything with one.
 
Some people spend a lot of money on art, on horses, on cars, etc... I figure my knives are my art collection. (And then there's the Harley:p...)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top