bikerdoc
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That will be a useful knife !
To those of you who have really expensive knives.
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That will be a useful knife !
JTW Jr.
Member
This happened today , and I thought of this thread.....
friend who is always bustin my chops for carrying a couple $200-$350 knives declined to help someone move a TV as he didn't want to risk scratching up the bed of his 4 year old pickup. Now that is funny !
Told him at least I use my toys for what they are designed for
friend who is always bustin my chops for carrying a couple $200-$350 knives declined to help someone move a TV as he didn't want to risk scratching up the bed of his 4 year old pickup. Now that is funny !
Told him at least I use my toys for what they are designed for
sm
member
For me...
I appreciate fine craftsmanship.
My background includes being under apprenticeship, where I started sweeping floors, then worked up doing "my craft-n-trade" by hand. I HAD to learn to do things by hand, before I could use a "powered tool". I hate to mention this, and don't take it wrong, but I am a Craftsman in my own right, in fact a Master Craftsman in some things. No. I don't do this anymore...
My point being, there exists for me a Brotherhood if you will. I am humbled and all to have been and still am respected for "my works" by those doing other Craft and Trade, including Custom knives.
WE earned it. WE really did, and do.
Life is Life, Reality is Real, and I don't have the Customs I once had. Tornadoes, Fire, and other "Life Stuff" Mother Nature dishes out happens.
Sentimental Value is what hurts me, in fact I am trying not to shed a tear thinking of some of the Customs I had, the folks that made them, or gave them to me, that have since passed.
I appreciated and used, the fixed and traditional folders I have. Funny, I just shared with a member of Staff recently about the ivory handled fixed, and traditional folders I carried and used.
One one occasion, that same piece of ivory tusk, also made custom stocks for 1911s, K frames, J frames and Beretta Jetfires and Bobcats...
Okay, gotta go, I got more than one tear now...
But before I do-
I gots one Custom fixed blade now, 01 with Micarta handles, and the good friend is retired from making knives now. I chose to put it up and set it back, along with the custom sheath.
But...I gots three customs coming in the near future...
I appreciate fine craftsmanship.
My background includes being under apprenticeship, where I started sweeping floors, then worked up doing "my craft-n-trade" by hand. I HAD to learn to do things by hand, before I could use a "powered tool". I hate to mention this, and don't take it wrong, but I am a Craftsman in my own right, in fact a Master Craftsman in some things. No. I don't do this anymore...
My point being, there exists for me a Brotherhood if you will. I am humbled and all to have been and still am respected for "my works" by those doing other Craft and Trade, including Custom knives.
WE earned it. WE really did, and do.
Life is Life, Reality is Real, and I don't have the Customs I once had. Tornadoes, Fire, and other "Life Stuff" Mother Nature dishes out happens.
Sentimental Value is what hurts me, in fact I am trying not to shed a tear thinking of some of the Customs I had, the folks that made them, or gave them to me, that have since passed.
I appreciated and used, the fixed and traditional folders I have. Funny, I just shared with a member of Staff recently about the ivory handled fixed, and traditional folders I carried and used.
One one occasion, that same piece of ivory tusk, also made custom stocks for 1911s, K frames, J frames and Beretta Jetfires and Bobcats...
Okay, gotta go, I got more than one tear now...
But before I do-
I gots one Custom fixed blade now, 01 with Micarta handles, and the good friend is retired from making knives now. I chose to put it up and set it back, along with the custom sheath.
But...I gots three customs coming in the near future...
Valkman
Member
Aw come on Steve, use that knife! LOL Yes "custom knives a comin'" is a neat feeling.
Zach S
Member
I had a really nice benchmade folder there for a while, cant recall what I paid for it. I almost hated the fact that I used it, and it showed it. The well-used looks didnt bother whoever stole it though.
These days, I carry a $35 Kershaw Skyline from walmart, I have two actually. I thought I left my first in a Caravan that was going to the crusher, so I got another one, and found my first behind the back seat of my car.
It doesn't keep an edge quite as well as my benchmade did, but works well enough for me.
These days, I carry a $35 Kershaw Skyline from walmart, I have two actually. I thought I left my first in a Caravan that was going to the crusher, so I got another one, and found my first behind the back seat of my car.
It doesn't keep an edge quite as well as my benchmade did, but works well enough for me.
mittenman
Member
I have a handfull of knives in the $200-$350 range to me their well worth it. I enjoy have a nice looking knife with sambar, ivory, or exotic wood scales on my belt or in my pocket Vs. functional but boring to the eye synthetic materials. Nice knifes to me are a bargin. How many other things can you have custom made to your specs that will last a lifetime and can then be given to your children to use?
Gordon
Member
"01 with Micarta handles"
Well it doesn't get much better than that combo IMHO!
Well it doesn't get much better than that combo IMHO!
Valkman
Member
I made a lot of knives from O1, and got those much sharper than I could ever get any stainless knives. O1 edges are like a razor!
Sniper X
Member
Just like the 1911 market, there are knife snobs as there are 1911 snobs. I can say I have both high end 1911s and have had a few high end custom knives. Neither work any better in real world use than the other. Shoot, I have a $75.00 Boeker that is every bit as good at everything I have used it for as a $500.00 custom knife almost exactly like it. I also have built myself a 1911 for about $600.00 that shoots as well as a Wilson pistol I bought new for almost $4000.00. A lot of it is prestige and so on. I do feel more like a gun and knife connoisseur when I carry a custom knife and my Wilson Super Grade, but feel as well armed when I carry a RAT 3 and a Rock Island Armory 1911!
Sniper X
Member
BTW I had a guy arguing with me when I bought the RAT 3 that his ESEE 3 was SOOOO much better. I challenged him to try to break both, guess which one broke? Not my RAT 3.
I got a Microtech Socom that had a retail price of over 300 bucks , I got it at a pondshop new for 100 bucks.
It is a great knive and gets used a lot.
I like Spydercos because of their steel and the ability to hold an edge and they usually run between 50 to 100 bucks.
You pay for what you get. A 20 dollar knife wont hold an edge or sharpen back up as a good quality knife and you don't have to spend 300 bucks to get quality IMHO maybe 250 unless you buy custom.
It is a great knive and gets used a lot.
I like Spydercos because of their steel and the ability to hold an edge and they usually run between 50 to 100 bucks.
You pay for what you get. A 20 dollar knife wont hold an edge or sharpen back up as a good quality knife and you don't have to spend 300 bucks to get quality IMHO maybe 250 unless you buy custom.
Myles
Member
I have a fixed blade Barry Dawson 101 that I paid $120 more than 20 years ago. At the time, it struck me as very expensive, but well worth it. Today, if I had to replace it, the closest model (Freedom Fighter, but it lacks the sharpened reverse edge/spear point tip of the 101) now costs $490. I am happy with that investment. It is an extremely robust knife and has seen a lot of rough work and still looks and functions as well as it did when brand new. I bought it to use, not to sit in a drawer.
I haven't had a chance to read through all of the posts but did see a lot of good points on both sides of the equation. To me, as someone who has both collected knives and currently making them, everyone has a point where a knife (or gun, or anything) stops "being worth it".
I know guys that buy a $1200 rifle then put a $50 WalMart scope on it. I know guys that carry a $600 custom knife daily but feel anything more expensive than $350 for a gun is a waste of money. Same goes for cars, motorcycles or whatever drives mans passion.
I'm also a firm believer that most products will achieve 95% of their capabilites within a "reasonable" price point. Getting that last 5% of performance can cost as much or more as the first 95%. We see this in guns, knives, cars, RC cars... whatever.
With that said, I personally see the value and pride in ownership of having custom and high end knives. My daily carry is usually a custom slip joint from one of a few of my favorite makers and a Bob Dozier Workhorse Folder with the tab lock, which in my opinion is one of the finest tactical folders ever made.
I know guys that buy a $1200 rifle then put a $50 WalMart scope on it. I know guys that carry a $600 custom knife daily but feel anything more expensive than $350 for a gun is a waste of money. Same goes for cars, motorcycles or whatever drives mans passion.
I'm also a firm believer that most products will achieve 95% of their capabilites within a "reasonable" price point. Getting that last 5% of performance can cost as much or more as the first 95%. We see this in guns, knives, cars, RC cars... whatever.
With that said, I personally see the value and pride in ownership of having custom and high end knives. My daily carry is usually a custom slip joint from one of a few of my favorite makers and a Bob Dozier Workhorse Folder with the tab lock, which in my opinion is one of the finest tactical folders ever made.
Gordon
Member
Here is a $1500 Colt and a $1500 Terzuola
I look at them as a tool and nothing more. For me, the hardest use a knife sees is cutting a plastic package open. I don't use them for fun or as art. I use them only to cut the small things I run across in life that need cut open. Honestly, if those razor blade knifes weren't so bulky, I'd just carry one of them. That's not to say I buy the cheapest knife I can find, but I have real trouble justifying anything over $50 or so. I understand if it is your passion but for me it is not. It's just a tool that sees little use. Give me something small/thin with a decent blade that holds up under mild use for the least money possible and I'm happy.
I've had knives from Kershaw, Gerber, Benchmade(their non-USA made model), Buck, even a Browning branded knife, that have all been satisfactory and held up to what I put them through. I find I end up loaning them and not getting them back as the most destructive thing I put them through, which is another reason I hate to spend much on one.
I've had knives from Kershaw, Gerber, Benchmade(their non-USA made model), Buck, even a Browning branded knife, that have all been satisfactory and held up to what I put them through. I find I end up loaning them and not getting them back as the most destructive thing I put them through, which is another reason I hate to spend much on one.
High end production knives don't really do anything for me, so don't see myself ever spending much on a production knife.
Customs are something totally different for me. A custom knife is blood, sweat and tears that have gone into creating something from basically nothing.
I suppose I revel in the art of the craft. That is what makes it "worth it" in my eyes.
Customs are something totally different for me. A custom knife is blood, sweat and tears that have gone into creating something from basically nothing.
I suppose I revel in the art of the craft. That is what makes it "worth it" in my eyes.
LOL... THANK YOU!
wheelgunslinger
Member
Meh. To each his own. If you work for your money, buy what makes you happy.
I appreciate the work that goes into custom knives, but would probably never buy one unless it just really spoke to me.
I don't get the whole thing of reading about a cool knife, ogling pics, and then ordering something and waiting for it to show. I get seeing, holding, and maybe test driving a knife and having to have it. But, to each his own.
I appreciate the work that goes into custom knives, but would probably never buy one unless it just really spoke to me.
I don't get the whole thing of reading about a cool knife, ogling pics, and then ordering something and waiting for it to show. I get seeing, holding, and maybe test driving a knife and having to have it. But, to each his own.
TimboKhan
Member
Ha! Everytime I see a knifemaker that carries something he or she didn't make, I always think it is a little odd. I know that is an unreasonable and dumb view, but it is always my first thought.
JTW Jr.
Member
Keep in mind , that many knifemakers are also friends and will trade with their friends. I carry a custom folder made by someone else because I haven't got folder making dialed in yet , but I have been carrying one of the small fixed blades that I made , and have been carrying it for 3 years.
The reason most knifemakers usually don't have something they made on hand is most people will try to buy it right out of their pocket or off their belt. I have seen it happen time and time again at various knife shows or get togethers.
Grousefeather
Member
expensive knives
I have a older Blackjack drop point. Hard to tell by looking its not a Randall.
I also like the Ka-bar leather handle models. I have a Marine hunter, and a little finn.
I have a older Blackjack drop point. Hard to tell by looking its not a Randall.
I also like the Ka-bar leather handle models. I have a Marine hunter, and a little finn.
Deltaboy1984
Member
I use knives as tools so I always look for the best bang for the buck.
Byrd666
Member
I guess that would really depend on the purpose for the knife. Is it just going to be an everyday utility knife, or a daily carry pocket knife? Then I would seriously doubt it. I've been carrying a 3" Gerber that cost me about $15 years ago and has never failed me. And I still occasionally carry my Buck 4" lockback that may have cost me $20 when I was in the Navy.
Now the knives I had when I was in the kitchen full time cost me around $400 over 30 years ago, those were definitely worth their weight in gold. The balance, the shaping, the metal, and the handles and tangs made all the difference in the world compared to a $5 p.o.s. Unfortunately those were stolen when my apartment got broken into. Replaced a few but, can't afford to replace 'em all.
So as I see it, it depends on the use and or purpose of the tool.
Now the knives I had when I was in the kitchen full time cost me around $400 over 30 years ago, those were definitely worth their weight in gold. The balance, the shaping, the metal, and the handles and tangs made all the difference in the world compared to a $5 p.o.s. Unfortunately those were stolen when my apartment got broken into. Replaced a few but, can't afford to replace 'em all.
So as I see it, it depends on the use and or purpose of the tool.
TimboKhan
Member
Oh, I know! I also kind of have to force myself to remember that most (I would assume all) knifemakers are also fans of knives in general. I fully admit that it is a faulty thing to think, but when I see some of the awesome stuff you guys make, it just strikes me as funny is all.
JTW Jr.
Member
Curious as to why you feel a kitchen knife is worth it but a knife used for daily tasks outside the kitchen is not ? Kind of like saying an Escalade is worth it to haul stuff to the construction site , but not being able to see why someone would spend the same on a Vette.
If daily utility is where it is used , it makes sense to buy and use what you feel is the best. Cutting is cutting , kitchen , loading dock , outdoors , etc.
What I have learned from this thread is there are those that don't own pricier knives cause it is not worth it to them , but to those of use that do , we feel it is worth it.
In the end , if you like it , buy it , if not , don't. Buy at your comfort level , either way , keep em clean , keep em sharp and enjoy.
Byrd666
Member
JTW Jr. -I was in no way putting down an expensive knife. My thought though was that if a $20 knife can do the job of a $300 knife without fear of destroying or chipping the more expensive knife, then use the cheaper one. I'm not going to use my high dollar knife as a hammer or pry bar but, I'll use my $20 Buck for that all day long. Without fear of chipping, breaking or denting it. I'm NOT going to do that to my high dollar knives just for that reason.
Most, if not all tools are purpose specific. Just like my cleaver, my fillet knife and my socket wrench or pipe wrench. As well as my Buck and Gerber. Each is for a specific use.
Most, if not all tools are purpose specific. Just like my cleaver, my fillet knife and my socket wrench or pipe wrench. As well as my Buck and Gerber. Each is for a specific use.
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