Why carry an expensive knife?

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EdgeKit

EdgeKit

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Jan 24, 2010
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I'm still learning, but I get that many of you can tell the difference between good knives. For example, between titanium knives like a Sebenza and an Alias or Junkyard Dog or Military or some other titanium framelock. They're all quality products (are there any junk knives made of titanium?), but you can tell that one is better than the others. I assume this comparison is done sitting at your kitchen table studying the knives. What about when you carry and use them. Can you tell the difference then. What is the difference. In other words, why do you, or would you carry an expensive knife? I'll leave the definition of expensive up to you.
 
Expensive being relative as you said, I carry them because I don't like cheap, low quality stuff. Does that mean I buy the most expensive that I can afford, no. I like a good middle ground on anything I buy...not the cheapest and not the most expensive. Can I tell the difference between the knives of varying quality? Definitely. Can I tell the difference in performance? Also a yes.
 
Welcome aboard! I don't spend $200 on a knife so I can baby it. I spend that much so I don't have to. More expensive knives are generally built to closer tolerances, which you can feel when opening, closing and using the knife. They are usually made out of more expensive materials, use better blade steels and have better heat treatments on the steel. If you use them hard enough, you can tell the difference between even premium steels, and it is flat amazing how much difference a good heat treatment makes.
 
yablanowitz said:
Welcome aboard! I don't spend $200 on a knife so I can baby it. I spend that much so I don't have to. More expensive knives are generally built to closer tolerances, which you can feel when opening, closing and using the knife. They are usually made out of more expensive materials, use better blade steels and have better heat treatments on the steel. If you use them hard enough, you can tell the difference between even premium steels, and it is flat amazing how much difference a good heat treatment makes.
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That and, you usually get a warranty that is second to none. A quality maker or knife company will back it for life so you don't have to be afraid to use it.
 
chipm said:
(are there any junk knives made of titanium?)
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Yes.

If I told you what they were, there would be a huge fight over it, and the objective of your thread would be compromised.

So I will just say read use reviews and pay attention to the flaws that are discovered (edge chipping, hot spots, poor lock-ups, etc etc). There are plenty of knife brands that people rave endlessly about that produce dangerously poor quality knives.
 
People carry "expensive" knives for the same reason that people drive "expensive" cars. I like knives, I carry the best (for me, that is) I can afford. I don't appreciate cars as much, therefore I drive an OK car, but nothing extravagant. I like beer and whisky (and whiskey too ;)), therefore I drink the "best" I can afford/find. I don't like sweets as much, therefore I rarely eat any. I hope my post makes sense :confused:

:D
 
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chipm said:
I'm still learning, but I get that many of you can tell the difference between good knives. For example, between titanium knives like a Sebenza and an Alias or Junkyard Dog or Military or some other titanium framelock. They're all quality products (are there any junk knives made of titanium?), but you can tell that one is better than the others. I assume this comparison is done sitting at your kitchen table studying the knives. What about when you carry and use them. Can you tell the difference then. What is the difference. In other words, why do you, or would you carry an expensive knife? I'll leave the definition of expensive up to you.
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I can tell a difference while at my kitchen table and also while at work, outside, etc.

I carry expensive knives cause I like em and don't mind paying for quality.

Also I'm pretty obsessed. But, I carry and use knives from 3 dollars to over 400. I don't look down on a knife because of cost.
 
I was kinda hoping you guys would say you can't tell the difference in actual use. There goes my last excuse for not saving up for Sebenza. :D
 
Can you say Phallic Symbol? My guess is to compensate for something else 'substandard' in the pocket region..... (same reason men drive faster, more expensive cars the older they get. Which also, ironically relates to the increase of ED pills they buy. Hmmmmm.)
Of course, I have to agree that thre is a too cheap knife, and quality, to some extent, comes at a price, so I don't carry a crappy blade, but for $40-50, you can get a durable, sharp, and nice feeling knie that can do what you need it to.
Just my .02
 
chipm said:
I was kinda hoping you guys would say you can't tell the difference in actual use. There goes my last excuse for not saving up for Sebenza. :D
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It's not just Sebenzas; it's also Randalls, Busses, Ruanas, Lovelesses, Emersons, and even Buck 110s out of the custom shop. Yeah, you can feel the difference in quality the minute you pick the knife up.

As for those who are content to own $40 knives, you have my condolences. But you'll sure save yourself a heck of a lot of money.
 
you can tell , just like a nice suit or a nice pair of shoes, is the quality the reflection of the makers craftsman shift, the way it locks smooth and it holds in place , solid, the way it gets wet and it does not corrode or the way it holds an edge, is durable and well worth the investment, some so call cheap knives are OK but go to a big knife show and hold a few in your hand , open and close them i bet you'll know the difference after a while between a cheap knife and a custom expensive one, yes there is some customs that i would not buy but that you need to find out for yourself. quality is good.
 
jimh0220 said:
Can you say Phallic Symbol? My guess is to compensate for something else 'substandard' in the pocket region..... (same reason men drive faster, more expensive cars the older they get. Which also, ironically relates to the increase of ED pills they buy. Hmmmmm.)
Of course, I have to agree that thre is a too cheap knife, and quality, to some extent, comes at a price, so I don't carry a crappy blade, but for $40-50, you can get a durable, sharp, and nice feeling knie that can do what you need it to.
Just my .02
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If you really think a nice knfe says anything about your junk you're delirious. Knives are not a status symbol and most people could care less.
 
I, like anyone, could buy a cheap knife made in china that would do most anything a nice custom knife or higher dollar factory knife would do, but i have yet to find a cheap chinese knife that gives me the one intangeable thing that a good quality usa factory made, self-made or custom knife gives me; satisfaction of ownership.
 
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