Why buy expensive knives?

I loved knives when I was your age and still love them. I have lost a lot of knives and have broken a knife too from abuse. Do you want to endure a story of my youth? If so, read on. When I was in Jr. High School I went to a hardware store (Longs I believe in Danville, CA). I bought with my own money the largest Buck knife they had. It was called "The General". I loved it. It was the closest thing to a Tarzan knife I could find (in hind sight I think about how much has changed now - I mean being able to purchase a knife like that without my parents). Well, I was throwing that very knife into a tree in my back yard and the blade snapped in two. It broke where the blade meets the tang. Because I was a dumb kid I just threw the knife away. I never regeretted throwing the knife at the tree - I regret throwing the knife away! I probably could have gotten another one sent to me. Live and learn.

But, I now have a 14 year old boy. If he wanted to buy a $100 knife with his own money, I would let him. But, if I advised him otherwise, I would hope he would heed my advise. Lots of studies have been done on children’s ability to "wait" for rewards. If you can develop the ability to see beyond your nose, and delay gratification, you will be happier and wealthier (so the long-term studies indicate). Anyway, enough of the lecture. Good luck either way.
 
It takes time to convert a Dad who doesn't believe in expensive knives. I've been fighting that battle for 5 years. But, remember to tell him that it is your money, and that you have been responsible with your Tenacious. REMEMBER TO CHECK ALL LOCAL KNIFE LAWS BEFORE BUYING.

Welcome to the forums as well.
 
Others have already stated, but will you know the difference, who knows. You may, you may not depending on your task. When you throw out the "why" it really is a matter of personal opinion and reasoning.

When i was your age, i had a bunch of interest, and if i saved my money from odd end jobs, my dad would let me buy it. I had a nice SAK, old school pocket watch, video games and other random things i would save up for. I think it came from seeing my father have random interesting things and i wanted something unique and interesting to say was mine and take care of. I was never someone that lost things so it wasn't something i or my father was worried about. But i did have things stolen from me :/

So i say go for it as long as dad is okay with it. Enjoy things that you can while you're young. When you get older responsibility is going to smack you like a brick, and you'll have to start choosing what you want as opposed to what you need.
 
Ok! I am a Dad, I think you should play good kid, good kid, be a good Son but tell your Dad that you respect his thoughts on the knife but you really want it. The Dad seeing you being a good Son may end up getting it for you for a special day like your Birthday. Remember to gently remind him that you really want the knife, good things come to those that wait.
 
My dad said yes!!!! I will wait and look on the fs section and other dealers websites. I will see if I can't get a sprint run manix 2 or paramilitary 2 if not I will get a normal para2
 
RickJ said:
Ok! I am a Dad, I think you should play good kid, good kid, be a good Son but tell your Dad that you respect his thoughts on the knife but you really want it. The Dad seeing you being a good Son may end up getting it for you for a special day like your Birthday. Remember to gently remind him that you really want the knife, good things come to those that wait.
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My dad definetly will not buy it for me. My bday is in a few days but he already got me a very expenisove bass for my bday. Plus he is all about me doing things for myself and I respect that 100%
 
You have a good dad and you are a great kid.
for 13 you are mature, intelligent and wise way beyond your years. The fact that you work for what you want speaks volumes about your character.

I would also recommend saving your money and continue using your Tenacious. With respect, you need to ask yourself, are you getting a more expensive knife to be cool or because you need something better for the cutting chores you may do?
(That's entirely your business. unless you choose to tell us)

If you choose to upgrade to a better knife I would hold onto the $100 and save up a bit more. You may find something better you like more. If you still want one of those 2 then cool (both are great knives)
The PM2 and Manix 2 is not going anywhere :)
 
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Thanks. I will probably go to the Dixie gun and knife show and hopefully see them both in person and maybe buy 1 there. Il see how it turns out and keep you Guys and girls posted
 
I would suggest you completely ignore anybody who's not directly answering your question. It is true your father is in charge and ultimately, whether you like it or not you will have to do what is expected of you, but that does not mean you have to agree with him.

You sound like a very intelligent young man with a trusting Father. being a father of two boys myself (10 and 8) I have always been sure to respect my children as much as I expect them to respect me. Inorder to do this I *invite them to make their case if they truly believe in something. *Even if it differs from my own unique point of view. What has resulted is now I have two amazing little dudes who make intelligent decisions.

Unlike some of the other four members who have responded to you I am going to give you the respect you deserve and asume*that you and your father have a trusting*relationship based on mutual respect for each other and each others opinions.

So that's sad.

You should be proud of yourself for being the kind of kid who would spend the time to seek out real information. There are a lot of 13-year-olds out there who would be happy backing up their reason for wanting a Para2 with "because it's cool"

In my opinion if having a Para2 in your pocket gives you confidence and makes you feel good*then that's reason enough. Especially for a 13 year old kid who's primary use for the knife is to build confadance while you transition from an adolescent to a man. *Any kid can scrape together 30 bucks for a knife but you are not just any kid when it comes to knives. You care about things like steel, ergonomics, locking mechanics etc. Wanting a Para2 is about you growing up and figuring out who you are and that is the most valad reason than any to spend you 100.

If this is the reason a $100 knife is better than a $30 dollar*knife then go back to your father and explain this to him in your own words.

I look forward to reading how you like your new Para2

Cheers!

Hey kid. Maybe you should ask some of*these guys to give you tips on what kind of manipulation tactics they use on their wives in order to allow them to buy $1100 Striders
 
Your dad is right, you don't need an upgrade, you want an upgrade. If you want the PM2 really bad get a job and save up for it, then the decision will be yours, and if you do lose it, it's on you.
 
When I was your age my thing was sunglasses. Expensive ones, Vuarnet and Bolle. Names no one cares about now. My folks crapped a brick when they found out what I spent my hard earned cash on. Guess What? I still have those glasses, (in fact, every pair Ive ever bought) and they are in great condition. Now its all about Oakleys but who cares, this is a knife forum. I say get your knife that you want after getting your parents blessing, and I will bet ya that when youre in your 40s like me you will still have that knife and all the others coz you take care of your stuff. Good for you, you sound like you can tell the diff between quality and crap- that extends to girls, jobs, and life in general.
John
 
Maybe he can tell the diff between quality and crap. Or maybe he just wants to buy what other people consider "the best" because that's cool. I'll save my judgment on this kid until he posts again in 10 years. I definitely see red flags here. I don't think he's "being the kind of kid who would spend the time to seek out real information." Frankly, I think he came on here for support and isn't interested in differing opinions. I'm also curious as to how a 13 year old worked and saved up $2,000.
 
Daddyo16 said:
Yes, especially when Dad's footing the bill.
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is dad footing the bill though? he never said. if he is then yeah he's got the final say, if not then whats it matter what he thinks? my dad always tried to direct how I spent my money when I was younger, I couldn't spend money on what I deemed important but had to drop fat stacks on whatever he figured I needed, and he was rarely in sync with my needs. eventually I realized that if it was my money that I earned myself I could spend it on whatever I darn well chose!

anyways, will you feel a difference? between some knives in the price brackets maybe, but between those two I don't really think so. I got my hands on a para and I was very unimpressed, I figured with all the hype it gets I would be blown away, but it was really unspectacular to me, especially at the price. the tenacious on the other hand blew me away with the quality you get at the price. best thing would be to get your hands on one at a store or something and see how she feels in the old meat mitts, I would suggest something else if you're getting a more mid to high end knife though. cheers!
 
It has to do with the pride of value of owning them. You get a $20 and abuse it, replace it, whatever. You get a $400 knife and you baby it. Something about makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. One day, you'll understand :D
 
When I was 13 I was hell on wheels. I stuck with slipjoints almost exclusively. My dad's reasoning was the only way to learn how to use a knife correctly was to get cut, and if you don't treat a slippy right that is exactly what will happen.

But buy what you like when you can and use it. Because when you are gone whoever ends up with it will. Only they might not truly appreciate what they have.

Least that is my excuse to buy expensive things
 
Magnaminous_G said:
Maybe he can tell the diff between quality and crap. Or maybe he just wants to buy what other people consider "the best" because that's cool. I'll save my judgment on this kid until he posts again in 10 years. I definitely see red flags here. I don't think he's "being the kind of kid who would spend the time to seek out real information." Frankly, I think he came on here for support and isn't interested in differing opinions. I'm also curious as to how a 13 year old worked and saved up $2,000.
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I came here because I want to make a good decision and I saved up that much because I do chores get presents and do jobs in my neiborhood. I also don't waste my money. Don't know what you did at my age
 
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