WalMart knives

[obxned]

Ok, so I must be dense. I have carried and used inexpensive knives like you would find at WalMart for $15-25: plain-jane, lock blades with around a 4” blade. I have field-dressed, skinned and quartered tons of deer, antelope, and elk, opened cans, castrated bull calves, removed splinters, filleted fish, cut rope, wood, sheet metal, and steaks with them. The hinges and blades were strong enough for this kind of abuse, and the blades stayed sharp long enough between sharpenings to not be an annoyance.

So my question is: What do I gain by buying one of the much loved but much more expensive knives favored by so many members of this forum?

 

[hso]

That one's been discussed over and over again here and a search will reveal the whole range of opinions. The summary is that some don't see any point in the knives above $25, $50, $75 and very few see a value to a knife over $100. Some see significant value in knives ranging from $100 to $300. From a pure function argument it gets to be difficult to justify expensive knives. From a craft standpoint it's easy when fit and finish and materials are considered. Some insist in American materials used in knives made in America. Some want the best possible, many others want to fit the knife to the job it will do and some just want whatever is least expensive to do the job for a few times and thin will replace the knife. The opinions are as varied as there are different knife styles available.

I carry a Chris Reeves Sebenza. An expensive knife by most standards, but one of the toughest knives (if not the toughest) that it's possible to make and still look like a knife. I've cut openings in 55 gal drums with it and cut fiberglass panels without any damage to the knife. It's made in Idaho by hand by a group of folks that want to produce the best knife possible. I depend on it and I know I can depend on it. The money was well spent, in my opinion.

 

[mp510]

I buy knives at Wal-Mart, in fact I usually wait for them to go on rollback or clearance first Why pay more than $12 for a working quality Gerber ot Kershaw speedsafe

HSO uses his knives a lot harder than I and most individuals use them. However for most of us its like a Toyota (or Ford) vs a BMW. Sure, the German sportscar would be nice, but the Toyota (or Ford) will still get you from point A to point B...usually.

 

[Rupestris]

1, A knife made in the USA
2, a warranty or guarantee from a company that backs their products.
3, resale value, if you're into buying and selling.

Its like the old argument. A Chevy will get you to point B, why would you need a Porsche?

That said, I have some cheaper knives that I use all the time. I have my trusty ol' Gerber LST Jr. in my pocket right now. IIRC, retail price was about $14.

EDIT - 510, seems we think alike.

 

[HeedJSU]

Buy what you like, like what you buy. It's your decision. However, if you decide to go with the 15 dollar (at wallyworld) Gerber Paraframe II, buy it here (got it for $5.88 before christmas, LOL!) They've got them listed for 6.99 now.

http://www.smokymountainknifeworks.com

It's one of God's gifts to mankind.

Justin

 

[heritageguy]

Ok, so I must be dense. I have carried and used inexpensive knives like you would find at WalMart for $15-25: plain-jane, lock blades with around a 4” blade. I have field-dressed, skinned and quartered tons of deer, antelope, and elk, opened cans, castrated bull calves, removed splinters, filleted fish, cut rope, wood, sheet metal, and steaks with them. The hinges and blades were strong enough for this kind of abuse, and the blades stayed sharp long enough between sharpenings to not be an annoyance.

So my question is: What do I gain by buying one of the much loved but much more expensive knives favored by so many members of this forum?

Apparently, nothing!

 

[ScottZ]

Speaking for myself, a more expensive knife made out of better materials made me take a closer look at how I was abusing the cheap ones. I take much better care of my current Bark River, have learned a lot more about proper sharpening, and now have a knife that will be passed down the family later rather than one I will either break or lose. One well cared for $100 knife is much better than 6-7 $20 knives that you break or lose. Also, better knives usually come with a better warranty.

Hard use, at least hard realistic use of a knife, should not shorten it's life. What a lot of people call hard use is sometimes more accurately called abuse. There are, however, knives that can take it if you are willing to search for them and pay for them.

 

[hso]

ScottZ,

Welcome to THR!

 

[Skofnung]

I've cut openings in 55 gal drums

ABS drums or Steel Drums?

 

[JTW Jr.]

I look at knives of all different price ranges. I like the look , feel and quality of a hand crafted knife. For me that justifies the expense.

Nothing wrong with carrying a less expensive knife , I have some Case knives that are $50 ( though one is also $325 ) , I also have a couple Buck Hilos that are $30 , but I like the feel , the materials and the quality of a more costly knife. I have never felt I had to justify to myself why I would spend $400 on a knife like a Strider. I have friends that drop $1500 on a folding knife without batting an eye , to me $600 is my personal limit. Good thing is there are knives for every budget. If what you use is good enuff for you , then you got your $$$ worth.

Its the same with the Stereo guys , some like higher end audio , will Kmart speakers give you the same sound quality as a pair of high dollar speakers ? To me the sound quality of the music I listen to is not of importance to me so I go with reg old factory speakers that came with the car , but I can appreciate a high end audio system when I hear one. Same goes with guns , watches , PC's , etc.

Like the old Harley slogan , if you have to ask you wouldnt understand (or something like that ).

Had a friend ask me once why I paid $500 for the folder I was carrying, looked at him in his high top Air Jordans,BB cell phone , Tommy Hilfiger shirt and Rolex watch and asked him " couldnt you go about your life in a pair of cheap sneakers , cotton t shirt , and Casio watch ? "

all in what is important to you.....

 

[shecky]

Truth is most of what you'll gain is bragging rights. And perhaps the satisfaction of knowing you have a finely crafted knife. It doesn't take a lot of money to get a knife that'll cut open a 55 gal drum, or have a great warranty, or be made in the USA. Not that any of those things are necessarily important. A plain old $1 boxcutter would probably suffice for 95% of my cutting needs. But I usually opt to carry a more refined object and can appreciate the workmanship and engineering that goes into an even modestly more expensive pocketknife.

 

[obxned]

Gerber and Kershaw are two of the brands I buy at WallyWorld. They are not as nice as their more expensive knives, but have served me well. I, too, would take better care of a more expensive knife, and it would probably last me a lot more years.

Actually, I have been thinking very seriously about one of the higher-end knives that so many of you seem to like, and was really just looking for a little nudge to make my wallet fly open. Thanks.

 

[shecky]

You don't have to venture past Walmart to get a quality knife. Last time I went, they had traditional Buck 110s, Kershaw Leeks, Chives, and Storms, Spyderco Natives. All very high quality knives for about $40 or less and made in USA, if that's important to you. They also had a Leatherman knife on sale, I believe also made in USA. Not to mention multitools. I personally have a very hard time justifying a knife costing more than $50. The only real advantage I've found above that price is perhaps a unique style that simply doesn't exist in lower priced knives.

 

[tank mechanic]

I used to buy pocket knifes religiously from wallyworld all of the time. I felt like i was treating myself to something special when I would shell out $30 for a gerber. When I went back to Iraq from RR I wasn't allowed to take a pocket knife on the plane. I felt naked without one while I was stuck in Kuwait for a few days. So I went to the PX intent on picking up a 10 dollar knife. The cheepest one they had was a cold steel voyager series for $37. I was reluctant to pick it up but i had to have a knife. I can now say that I will never buy another gerber. The quality of buying a knife that is just a little but more expensive is amazing. I now have quite the collection of cold steel and spyderco knives. I also picked up a foster 1911 handle style knife( gift from my wife) and it is a very special knife that only gets taken out when i play dress up. Spend the extra money and buy quality. It is worth it.

 

[ScottZ]

A lot of the Walmart Bucks are now made in China. Also, they are using 420HC instead of the 440C on the majority of their knives. One thing you can't get at Walmart is a quality carbon steel blade. I really don't care for stainless myself.

 

[hwp]

The Gander Mountain in my town has Buck 110's for 17.99!!! Why would someone buy a made in china POS when for an extra $8 they could have a very good quality american made classic?

I personally would be ashamed to carry a cheaply made knife just as I would be ashamed to carry a low end gun for self defense. I take pride in my weapons and tools. I am drawn to things that are made of quality materials and a higher level of refinement than most people even notice.

When I hear things like "I could never justify over 'insert amount here' for a knife" it reminds me of the guy that thinks his Taurus revolver is as good as a tuned S&W mdl 19. This is same mentality that thinks a $20 gerber is as good a knife as a Randall because "they both cut stuff".

I have $20 knives and a few $200 knives and everything in between. All of my knives are high quality and either made in Germany or the USA. I can assure you there is a large difference in fit and finish between the two price points.

Those that can't see the difference in quality are usually the folks that wonder why people spend so much money on expensive knives, guns, tools, etc...etc......

 

[JTW Jr.]

all in personal preference.... just like buying a car , if a Hyundai Accent was all one needed how can they sell Vette's , Vipers and SUV's ?

I admit , I am a certified knife nutt...

There are many choices in every dollar range now , which is aweseome in my opinion.

 

[hwp]

Scott,

It is not just the "walmart" bucks that are made in china. It is all the low end Buck pocket knives regardless of where they are sold. That is a version of the urban legend that the products going to walmart are lower quality than the exact same item going to a different store. Even the USA made buck traditional pocketknives are most likely not made buy Buck but sourced from Camillus as they have been in the past.

 

[Jdoc]

Wal-Mart knives

i have been carrying i same Ozark Trail (8.00$ folder from Wal-Mart) for months and it has yet break and they only wear on the knife you can see is where i have ran it threw sharpener a few times. i have used it to dress small game open mail cut fish line ext. and it still locks up tight and holds an edge just fine so i don't really see the need for a knife over 20$.

 

[hso]

hwp,

You can pretty much bet that Camillus isn't producing too many knives for anyone these days. Drop over to Bladeforums and into the Camillus forum if you want to read about another great American knife manufacturer destroyed by greedy family mismanagement and have your heart broken.

 

[auschip]

i have been carrying i same Ozark Trail (8.00$ folder from Wal-Mart) for months and it has yet break and they only wear on the knife you can see is where i have ran it threw sharpener a few times. i have used it to dress small game open mail cut fish line ext. and it still locks up tight and holds an edge just fine so i don't really see the need for a knife over 20$.

It's great that you found a good knife that you like. I tend to look at wear over a longer period of time then months, and while I don't abuse my knives or use them in extreme situations, I like to know that I could if the need did arise. For me, I simply wouldn't trust a lesser knife in that situation.

 

[Sniper X]

I'm inot knives so usually don;t buy cheap ones unless they are to throw in my truck glovebox and forget until I need to cut somehting. I have folders that cost everywhere from 40 bucks to worht over $600.00, and love them all. I also have fixed blades from $45.00 (new buck Pathfinder) to well over $500.00 but I don;t "need" a 500 dollar fixed blade knife, but could afford it so I bought one. And yes it is way way better, and "cooler" than the 50 dollar Buck I just bought. BTW, it's a Strider, the expensive one is.

 

[Simms65]

What I have seen is that it is about a 'need' vs 'want' type scenario.
Personally, I have a few cheap knives, and my EDC rotation has in it knives that range from $8 (Opinel) to $200 or so (Benchmades, Microtechs).

I can see the value and quality in more expensive knives, and I can also see the utility and workability is less expensive knives.
For christmas this year, I gave many people sharp and shiny things. One friend in particular has carried a $10 super knife. I gave her a Native, and she has been amazed at what it can do comparatively. She now sees why I have spent so much on nicer knives...

Perception is key.

David

 

[hwp]

That is sad news hso.

Who is making Buck's 300 series pocketknives these days?

 

[hso]

I'll have to find out who's making what now. Traditional slip joint folders were Camillus's forte' so the "word" was that they did them for Buck and Case and ... I got to see a sample roll once that had slippies made by Camillus with a part from each company that used that knife in every variation. Left scale Buck, right scale Westeren, left bolster Case, right bolster Camillus and on. The blades were always the Camillus marked ones. Bunch of knives. Pretty cool too.

ABS drums or Steel Drums?

Steel only once and ABS a couple of times. Not the thing you want to do with a folder if you're not pressed to.

It doesn't take a lot of money to get a knife that'll cut open a 55 gal drum, or have a great warranty, or be made in the USA.

Dude, you're kidding, right? Where in the world are you going to get an inexpensive folding knife that will cut a hole in a steel drum without chipping or rolling the edge over badly or damaging the pivot/lockup and still be good enough to do it again and again? Certainly there are knives now that are less expensive than the Sebenza that may be able to, but 15 years ago they didn't exist and they don't exist today under $100.

I admit that I've used my Sebenza for things that are abusive for a knife, but I've grown complacent about its performance and durability because of the "stupid" things I've done with it. Heck, I'd yell at anyone else doing these same "stupid" things with a knife. Unless they showed me that it was as good after as before the trial by fire.