WalMart knives

[madmike]

In addition, if you send your knives to me, I will do a scientific glocktalk type test, including immersion in flour, mud, salt water, dropping from aircraft, driving over with trucks, dropping from roofs, and using them for 10 years without cleaning them.

 

[The Tourist]

I mean this would be a real world test.

LOL. I'd like a good steak dinner on the THR credit card.

My position isn't really the knife, per se. For years muscle cars had drum brakes, hydraulic discs are better. EFI is better than a Linkert carb with a poorly cast bronze body. And as much as butchers praise carbon steel, 154-CM from the 1970's is better for everything. BG-42 is a super steel, S30V is an uber-steel.

We should get a chance to own nice things.

But imagine the experience. You order a nice steak the way you love it, and you take your favorite knife and make a cut on a bevel polished with the same stones the samurai enjoyed.

If that doesn't enhance the experience, I'm in the wrong trade.

 

[eliphalet]

I know it isn't any of my business but I want my steak tender enough to not "test" my knife on. You guys need to find better quality meat and perhaps a better chef too. *Grin,

 

[sm]

If that doesn't enhance the experience

*ahem* Contrary to how folks have me stereotyped, It is has been said- Iclean up pretty fair for a dumb old suthrn feller.

Real britches with a crease 'em in, shirt done up by a lon-der-rey, with stiff stuff in it, a real tie, that I tied without looking in the mirror, real leather shoes, with real leather soles, and instead of a shiny penny, a small gold coin in them loafers.
My blue blazer had real 18k yellow buttons...
1 carat dia ring, E, VVS1, bezel set in 18k yellow gold on my left ring finger, the heavy curb link bracelet on my right wrist, was 18kyg, Zippo was 18k yellow gold.

This fancy shin-dig was special, so I used Gen Ivory Stocks, with a diamond on each stock, bezel set in 18kyg in , on my 1911, which had a 18k yellow gold bead front sight.

Food, was high dollar, so was the spirits, wine and champagne.

I had two custom knives with me, both using Carbon Steel blades, and only one blade.
Very similar to a Case Slimline Trapper.
One had Gen Ivory handles, with a bezel set diamond to match the Ivories on the gun.

The other was a Platinum handled knife, with a 18ky yellow bezel diamond.
The Third custom knife - a Case Peanut, with CV blades, had been re-handled with 18k yellow gold, with a diamond bezel set...

Table settings were fine crystal, Sterling silver, and some special Gold ones.
18k yellow gold shot glasses, with diamonds bezel set , the 14k Pink Gold were the younger ladies, these were "fancy juice glasses" the kids used.
Young boys got the 14K Green gold ones, like them.

My ashtray was 14k of White, Yellow, Green gold with a diamond bezel set smack dab in the middle.
That is where my Dunhills, Players and later Cuban Cigar was attended to.

I "can" show a bit of couth ,I have been known to.
I know it is proper to remove the dishes from a sink before a suthern boy pisses in it...

... and I know how to slice a lime for a ladies drink, with the correct knife of course, just as I do a gentleman cuts a chocolate from Switzerland into for a lady , so she does not mess up her lipstick.
Using a a proper gentleman's knife of course.

*tips hat*

 

[rnr4me]

My friend was bragging about his $10 knife during elk hunt last year. He shot his bull and gutted it w/ his new knife. He only got about 1/2 way thru and the knife was dull. The rest of the field dressing was done in more of a ripping/ sawing method.

By the time I got there to help him he was done. Because I shed most of my gear to hike in to help him, I only had my BM 940 ($120ish) folder on me. So I had to finish (clean up really) the field dress and cape the head and cut the head off w/ the BM.

It's reasons like this that I buy better quality quality knives regardless of which retailer I buy from.

 

[The Tourist]

As you know, I call the first time that I get a knife truly filthy, I call that "mayonaissing."

I took my Bushmaster to the restaurant tonight and sliced a burger twain for no particular reason whatsoever.

Now that the knife has been baptized, future work shall come easier.

 

[donzi25]

It all depends on your comfort level and what you are going to do with the knife.

Personally, I would not be using a 400.00 knife at all. It would just sit on a shelf.

I use to carry a Kershaw leek for its assisted opening feature. It held up well and I abused the crap out of it. For $45.00 it was disposable. Now I carry a Benchmade griptilian $65.00+ and I am pickier about what I use it for.

Also watch out, the more expensive the knife the more likely it is to walk off.

 

[sixgunner455]

Perhaps it's as a result of growing up in a bladesmithing shop, but I have no hesitation at using a 200-600 dollar knife for what it was designed to do. I have taken a fighter my father gave me on deployments and training exercises, and USED it. Pried open a box of grenades one day, last 1/4" of the tip bent. Straightened easily, sent a note to dad that the next one needed to have a bit more support at the tip -- it was designed for slicing and stabbing, but he wants them to be able to do anything needed. And it did.

That kind of testing is real-world, and lets that maker know what needs to happen with his stuff. When I skin out a deer, if his blade I'm using doesn't "cut it", I'll let him know. So far, that hasn't happened.

If you have a more expensive knife, you should use it anyway. It should stand up to normal usage, and make you happy to have such a nice thing to use. Otherwise, you've wasted your money.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I have no problem at all using a $400 knife , or a $600 knife. My every day users are $300 and $400 each.

I have never had an expensive knife " walk off ". Perhaps because I keep track of my gear and don't treat it like a $15 Wal-Mart special.

I treat my knives the same as I do my firearms , I never leave one laying around un-attended. And I never expect it to do a job it wasn't intended to do.

When you spend $300+ on something you have a tendancy to not want to lose it. Some have the fear of actually using it.

I don't get great enjoyment from only looking at my knives , if I am going to buy something to just sit , it will be ammo. My knives are for using.

I do also enjoy Case , a couple old Remingtons and a Queen and a few others that I have received as gifts over the years , or in trades.

While it is true we may not NEED a $400 custom to get the job done , just like cars , its all personal choice.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Ball Point Pens

When I was in my early twenties I worked in an office (as a volunteer) and I had the devil's own time trying to keep a ball point pen for more than a day.

I'd put them down and forget them, folks would borrow them and not return them, they'd grow wings and fly off.

One day I switched from Bic to Parker. My pens went from $0.39 each to $5.00 each. I started to pay attention to where I put them down, I quit lending them altogether and, amazingly, I stopped losing pens. Completely.

Nowadays I buy Fisher Space Pens pretty much exclusively. They're about $20 or so, depending on the model, and it's been years since I lost one.

I find the same thing applies to knives.

When I spend my dollars on something with quality, I care more, I pay more attention, and I treat them with the respect that's appropriate for a good tool. Funny, but I don't have trouble with people borrowing and breaking them. Mostly I don't lend them to begin with, and when I do, it's to people whose ownership of, respect for, and treatment of tools is known.

After years of making care/respect/proper treatment of tools a habit, I now apply those same rules to my $10 knives.

I just can't bring myself to abuse or disrespect even a cheap tool any more.

 

[The Tourist]

Another issue here is my job.

If you ran a tire store--and got tires at cost--you might squeal them once in a while because it did not result in hardship. And even if they did wear out necessitating replacement, you got the "labor" free because you did it yourself after hours.

If you're a cook in a restaurant, you might make yourself a sandwich that costs other folks six bucks.

And that's the overriding factor in my situation. A knife that costs you 400 dollars cost me 175. If I dull it or drop it, it gets repaired for free.

In that regard, I can select a 20 dollar knife or a 600 dollar knife, whatever suits my fancy--and I select them for the same premise--I just want them.

Now, I have not used a knife with a Camillus blade in quite some time. When the opportunity presented itself, I tried it. If it meets my needs, it probably will become my "bike knife." If not, I'll give it to a client as a gift.

Now, this isn't a bad concept. Hear me out.

When I investigate a knife, I do it solely on the merits of the blade. When you ask me a question on edge retention or even ease of carrying, I can give you a pretty straight-forward assessment.

I don't know beans about shotguns, but this is one area I do know.

 

[sm]

I appreciate fine tools, heck fine anything.

My background and all includes having to use good tools, and what these tools were used for, resulted in quality items , that were appreciated for their quality materials, craftsmanship and as well.

I can honestly say, the price tag does not always mean quality materials, craftsmanship, performance, durability, longevity or appreciation of the owner of said item.

I mean there is some ugly worthless stuff that costs too much. *yep*

I share this not be tacky or anything, but some of the tool steels, carbon steels and even CV steel tools were of such quality, and heat treated, I/we whittled on a SAK knife that showed up for something to do and learn from.
We had already whittled on some other stainless and metals just because, we were like this.
Curious, or something to do or whatever.

I mean this is like the real important testing of Name Brand Brake Cleaner vs Generic Brake Cleaner and which one fells Wasps best.
Which led to the Chlorinated vs Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner Test.

Sounds dumb, stupid and not important, and like we were goofing off, but actually important.
Some folks are allergic to wasp/bee stings.
On a range, we had Brake Cleaner, and easy to get down the road.
Wasp/Bee Spray was not.
WE used the Brake Cleaner for some equipment upkeep , tools and even guns.

Still I recall hard sell sales pitches to buy some tools , not cheap either, some expensive!
Mentors, well these seasoned folks had been around, seen a lot, heard a lot, and tried a lot.

Some cycles repeat and one is someone re-discovers something, and re-introduces it, and one marketing aspect is pricing it more.

There is a proven psychological thing about price.

Before I was born, all through history , folks want for the monies spent, quality and customer service.

Price tag does affect the consumer willing to buy.

One example is pencils. A Catholic girls school was raising money for something and selling pencils, as back then, ink pens were not the norm, nobody had gotten a ink pen to actually be worth a flip.
Fountain Pens are what kids learned to write and get penmanship skills.
Fountain Pens and Number 2 Pencils were the two writing instruments, like I said, ink pens were not perfected.

Folks, sorta balked at these pencils, good pencils, one of the Catholic families had a line on pencils and just did these for the school to sell.

Now understand, this is not a religious deal as back then all faiths communicated and did stuff together around here.

Jewish fella, suggested they raise the price the next time on the pencils.
He shared "if it sounds too good, it probably is" and profit margins.
"Good folks understand a person has to make a profit to stay in business, those that don't you don't want as customers".
He went on to suggest that folks can sense when they are paying too much for something. "What one gets for monies spent and the customer service included.

So these pencils were again for sale , and this time, the price went up, these pencils sold out fast!
Folks wanted these pencils!
Customer service kicked in, and when a special run of more pencils like these were done, the option of having these delivered was offered.
Folks wanted that!

They pre-sharpened these pencils, raised the price and offered ways to deliver.
One of the biggest fund raisers that girl's school ever did.
It was like Girl Scout Cookies, folks could not wait until Girl School Pencil time hit.


Knives are the same way.
Folks want quality, and customer service, for monies spent.

My personal problem is , I feel many knives are not mfg with the consumer in mind.
Customers used to determine what the mfg made to some degree.

Today I feel many knives are made and by marketing "force" , force what customers "have to choose from" by mfgs.
Today's society is "civilized" and thus some are not tool users, as they were in yesteryear, IMO/IME.

Yes, I know about a craftsman's worth.
I respect time, experience of a craftsman.
Folks paid me what they did because I had earned the skill sets and the quality of what I did, was evident, and the customer service backed it up.

Oh I have had folks tell me I was "too high", and then after going elsewhere and spending less monies, came back to me correct what another did for "less monies".

Same token I have seen folks taken advantage of, and while they got good materials, craftsmanship and service...boy , them folks saw them coming and went straight for the wallet and took advantage of some.
I and mine could have done it for less.

Bidness is Bidness as they say and it has always been this way and always will be.


Take a Case Slimline Trapper, yellow handle, CV blades.
One of my favorite knives and I go way back with Barehead Trappers and CV blades.
Local mom and pop gets $36 IIRC. I can get it for less often times, with free shipping off Internet.

I like the mom and pop store, as I get all sorts of service on other items, so I support them.

I have had, and someday would like again, that same pattern pretty much, with 1095 or CV with different handles and a bit custom.

Ken Erikson makes one, and Shing is another and they charge more for their knife.

I used the custom knives I had like this, and other patterns, surprised folks, but I am worth it.
If I want to dress ducks, small game with a custom knife, I will, that is what I have it for - to use.

Not to mention the custom folks really wanted to know how these performed, so they could tweak - or improve anything for me, or other customers.

One Ivory handled knife was about 3/4 size of a Barehead Trapper , and when asked if there was anything I really would like, I said a lanyard hole would be real nice.

My first did not have the hole, mine already started and too late to change.
Still he fiddled with this, and sent me a prototype with wood handles , then the same knife with white syn handles and we communicated and I got my 3/4 or so Ivory with lanyard hole.

I asked him what the wood was.
"Oh that is wood off a busted wooden cigar box I had junk in, it finally had too much junk and I dropped it and then stepped on , I get more money for dropping and stepping wood than regular wood" *lol*

This was a long time ago, the fella was in the UK and has since passed years ago.

One knife I never got, as he died, was a simple folder with a Sheepsfoot and Spey blade.
I had one size in mind , then two more.
I never got one of these, and would still like to have these knives.

 

[theotherwaldo]

There is a definite disconnect between the retail price of an item and the value I place on an item. The utility of an item or device is only loosely connected with its cost.

I've had to walk away from my possessions too many times to allow myself to become too attached to any item as an item. I do get attached to the ideas and uses that are inherent in that type of item.

I also tend to take advantage of the carelessness and ignorance of my fellow men to replenish my supply of those items that I find useful and desirable. As I have been forced to consider all things to be expendable, the difference between a WalMart item and some custom bit of smithery is the amount of effort I must put into obtaining and maintaining the blade in question and the amount of use I get out of it.

So when I reach into my pocket for a knife I'm not concerned with its source or price. I'm only interested in using the knife.

 

[sixgunner455]

The Tourist -- that's basically what I guess my situation is. I invest my own labor into knives I make, or I'm testing/using them to give feedback to my dad, so it's a different situation than investing a week's pay into the thing.

 

[madmike]

Even at wholesale, the stuff I like runs north of $200 frequently. But a good one lasts a lot longer than a cheap one, typically.

I carry both, because it's always good to have a disposable spare.

 

[mr.trooper]

what do you gain?

the option of NOT having to re-sharpen it every time you use it.

 

[langenc]

Most Bucks and Schrades are Chinese..Bark River was mentioned.. at one time they were Bark River (Escanaba), MI but lately they have no reference to location of mfg?? So where are they made??

 

[Todd A]

Most Bucks and Schrades are Chinese..

All Schrades are now Chinese , you have to go to the secondary market to get the good ones.(I seem to get out-bid alot)

Bark River is still in Escanaba, I believe.

One of the last USA made Schrades Wal-Mart sold...The 24OTX was made only for Wal-Mart sales.

 

[Stainz]

Modernization - as in blade steels - isn't always the answer. My beloved Alfa Romeo's went to Girling disc brakes over their beautifully finned huge Al drums with CI liners... three shoes on the front, even. A retrograde step in braking - until they went to Ate in the mid sixties. Similarly, don't discount 1095, much less A-2, as a great knife steel - CS still has it's place. Poorly heat treated, S30V leaves chunks everywhere.

Want a great pocket-full from ID? Get a Buck 110 from Wally World for $25 - and sharp/stays sharp from properly heat-treated (Paul Bos) 420HC, too. Made 'near' that Sebenza - whose sales tax will be much more than the 110's total cost. They also have the US-made S30V Spydie Native for <$40... they have great deals. While I have some of Mike Stewart's BRK&T great knives, still made in MI's UP, the $34 Buck 6" hunter, the 119 Special, is a great field knife - see Les Stroud wearing & using one as TV's 'Survivorman'. Want a decent 'gent's knife'? The Buck 503 Prince is a nice addition to dress-up - US made & $25 there, too. They have some decent knives.

Stainz

 

[BAT1]

Go look at your local knife shop and get a quality made in USA knife. I was looking for a Gerber Gator and found it and it's little brother for 50.00.

 

[Uncle Rad]

Cheap Kmart Knives are a bargin (were)

Concerning the cheap lockblade knives which were available at Kmart.

I first purchased a Sharp Lockblade for $10 maybe 24yrs ago or more. I abused it badly, breaking off the tip twice and regrinding, eventually the locking mechanism broke after maybe 6yrs of abuse. I took it to Kmart where they replaced it. I did the same thing all over again, once again took it to kmart and they again replaced it.

My son turned 15 and took a keen interest in it so I gave it to him for his birthday. I soon looked for another at kmart and much to my dismay they no longer carry SHARP brand knives, and I can not find one anywhere. I would like another.

For getting that much use and abuse from a $10 knife and free replacements, I can't imagine a better value anywhere. If I ever locate another I will certainly snap it up quickly.

 

[Rupestris]

Welcome Uncle Rad.

Sharp brand knives were imports from Japan. Not at all bad knives for the money. Klein (the tool company) offers several knives that are also Japanese.

I have a Klein and a Sharp in my meager collection. The Klein was a gift from a friend. The Sharp was found wedged in the seats of a used car that came in to the dealership I worked at years ago. I used to use it to cut skateboard tape for my son so it has a few scratches on the blade.

Since you caught me in a good mood, If you'd like to own another Sharp, I can clean this one up and send it off to you if you'd like.

Just send me a PM or e-mail me at [email protected]

(Hows that for a welcome wagon folks )

Chris

 

[madmike]

I had a Sharp, too. Great little knife.

They were probably made by Camillus is my bet.

 

[JeffLrrp]

Just a clarification on some of the buck knives. The 110, 119, and other "classic" buck knives are still made in the good ole' USA. The sheaths are made in China but seem to be adequate. The other bucks are either made in china or taiwan. They are decent inexpensive knives (but not nearly as good as the 110 and its bretheren). If you want a really really decent (almost excellent) inexpensive knife go with the spyderco byrd line.

Anyway, just trying to clear things up. I see way too many posts about *all* buck knives being outsourced, and wanted to remedy that.

Buy a Wall World 110 or 119. Great knives. Good price.

 

[Stainz]

I mentioned the Buck 'made in USA' heritage in my April post. As a member of the 'Buck Collector's Club', I get a new Dealer's catalog each year with more detailed info, including an American flag next to those made in ID... lots of American Flags in that '08 catalog! They also custom make both the 110 folding hunter and an Alpha hunter fixed blade to your choices of material - with quite an ecclectic mix of blade steels, scales, and even sheaths. I have two such 110s now - and a third one due next week. Check out the Buck Knife site.

I omitted another rather obvious Wally World Buck Made in the USA offering - the 655 Short Nighthawk. It's the shorter version of their black tactical-oriented 4.9" partially serrated fixed blade for ~$40 their. Another bargain.

Stainz