Why do Fixed blades cost more than a Folder.

STDK

STDK

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Jul 31, 2006
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Hi Guys,
This is an honest question, I have been checking out the Case Desk knife but was kinda taken aback by the price. Maybe some of the Custom Makers could tell why this would cost $25-30 more than a comparable slippie. Like I said I know nothing about knifemaking but this seems like a simple knife with reduced labor to make and not a lot of cost to the maker.

http://www.redhillcutlery.com/product_info.php?products_id=2310
 
I've never made a knife so I can't comment from a makers perspective...
However, the two things I can see that are obvious about the knife that you mentioned are, it is 154 steel which is not a steel that is commonly used by Case and the leather sheath.
Other than that, I don't know.
 
338375 said:
I've never made a knife so I can't comment from a makers perspective...
However, the two things I can see that are obvious about the knife that you mentioned are, it is 154 steel which is not a steel that is commonly used by Case and the leather sheath.
Other than that, I don't know.
Click to expand...

What he said. 154CM is a premium steel. And the sheath costs $$ to make. The desk knife price seems reasonable to me. I want one! :D
 
Thanks for the replys guys. I noticed that the steel was 154 after I posted this. I wonder what the actual price difference would be to a manufacturer compared to their usual steel. Beleive me, I am not tryong to put Case down, I am just wondering about the actual labor and cost to make a Fixed blade in comparison with a slippie.
 
154CM takes longer to grind, but I suspect the real reason for the cost increase is that it also wears out grinding equipment faster than CV or TrueSharp.
 
RobbW said:
154CM takes longer to grind, but I suspect the real reason for the cost increase is that it also wears out grinding equipment faster than CV or TrueSharp.
Click to expand...

Thanks Robb,
The grinding taking longer would never have occurred to me. Anybody else have anything to add, I am really curious about this.
 
154 is harder to grind, ie it eats up more abrasives so a percentage of that replacement cost is probably added in. It is also more care involved with the heat treat I have heard.(I've ground a bit of it, but don't do my own HT)

One other point I can think of, with these fixed knives, that spendy steel runs the full length of the knife, handle and all... a folder of the same size has half as much steel in it.

G.
 
I think the increase cost of the desk knife is due to:

The sheath, which looks like a premium sheath to produce
I suspect also your paying a premium for start-up costs on a totally new pattern and sheath
I also suspect Case looked at the projected sales and adjusted the price to be able to recoup start up costs with-in a certain time frame

I think that Case is about making a profit and if they can make a bigger margin on this knife than a new slipjoint pattern that would enter into it. Of course they are taking advantage of the popularity of the Bose desk knife. In my opinion good business.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Ken
 
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Good points, Ken.

Also consider that there is a much larger market for most folding knives than desk knives, so there must be a larger margin (mark-up) for the manufacturer to make a profit in spite of the smaller sales volume.
 
Thanks guys,
All good points on the start up and profit margin on these knives. Don't know if I am convinced on buying one yet. But I do appreciate you giving me some insight on it. :thumbup: It sure is pretty though.
 
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