When I was a kid, there used to be an ad in all the gun magazines for a jungle survival knife, with a handle packed full of survival needs, for only 5.99 plus shipping and handling. I couldn’t send my money fast enough and eagerly waited for the knife to come so I could let my adventures begin. On that glorious day, when the knife finally arrived, it took me about a half hour to break the blade and give myself a nice deep cut (nothing in the handle for that).
So from that experience I am sort of a buy once, cry once person. I have a friend on the other hand who buys the cheapest things he can find. He thinks I’m a fool for buying expensive/quality things with his argument being he could buy a similar cheap item 10 times over before he reaches the price of my single item. If it breaks, throw it away and buy another he reasons.
While there is some truth to that, he is the first one on a hunting or camping trip to start borrowing things when his bargains break. It drives me crazy and is sometimes dangerous or could have trip ending in tragedy consequences.
One time we were up in the White Mountains for a late fall hunt. He brought a tent that looked like it was made from glad trash bags. He had a good time making fun of us until a storm came in and shredded his tent. We were able to salvage enough to make him a basic shelter for the rest of the trip but if definitely changed the vibe of the hunt.
So I apply the same philosophy to gear, guns, and knives. I would rather have less things of better quality than more things that are crappy/dangerous. If I have to be patient and save, that is ok because I know I will get a better return on long term use and durability.
I still get suckered from time to time but overall I have no problem spending on quality.
Edit to add this:
That just made my scar itch! And….just thinking that if my buddy had this Survivor knife he might have been able to sew his trash bag tent back together.
Love it.
What I want to know a little more about is the emergency cable saw actually capable of cutting down a (small) tree! That process must be smooth as silk.
