Eh, I often
will opt for something gun related over a knife. I use my firearms on a weekly basis. I train and practice regularly, I work with several types, it just sucks money much more than knives. And if I've got $300 in the "fun" account that I feel like spending, chances are, I'll get ammo, or a light, a class, mags, stuff like that. If I'm saving money to get something more expensive, a knife isn't even on my radar.
$200-$300 is my butter zone for knives. More than that, and it's usually got features I just am not into enough to pay for. Less, and I probably feel like I'm settling. Those are somewhat arbitrary numbers, but you get it. You can often get good steel, good materials, and good quality from knives in that price range. I buy knives when I either need one and have defined features I want, or I just start lusting. Also have some duplicates. But they're not a priority, since I've already got what does what I need.
That said, comparing prices and values two different items isn't all that useful. Everyone has their own priorities, interests, and hobbies. If product A is what you want, who cares if you could get Product B? You'd still just want Product A if you bought Product B, and now you're out twice as much. I have a handful of Aimpoints and Surefires that I could easily turn into a literal truck load of Mosin Nagants... but then I would just need to go buy Aimpoints and Surefires again
