1980s Case slip joints often get a small premium but it's a very small one when they do. Like new condition 1970s Case slip joints sell for so much more than like new condition 1990s and newer ones that to justify buying one you have to consider yourself to be a collector. Older than that they do not have to be like new to interest collectors.

When it comes to USA made knives I'm more about the traditional folders/slipjoints. Today there are only a handful of these companies that are still in business (Case, GEC, Bear & Son). And after seeing how much work and effort it takes to produce these knives, some having over 160 hand operations, I think the prices they sell for are fair.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

I bought my son a Benchmade automatic for his birthday last year. It has a lifetime warranty and if it ever gets dull you can send it back and they will sharpen it for you. He says it’s the best knife he has ever had.

Unless Benchmade has had a policy change, I believe whatever warranty You get will have to be through a dealer on an automatic

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

As far as cost goes, obviousy there is labor, material costs, advertising, transportation, distribution, and the 40 to 50% for dealer margin. Then of course the cost of celebrity endorsements should that be the case. The 200 dollar knife you buy probably cost 20.00 to make. Then there is the manufacturer's overhead and profit.

I use nothing but automatics, and I fend Piranah to be about the best. Microtech is too costly, and Benchmade actions are too slow. I do buy American knives exclusively. I can still recall the devastation to the New York area when the Schrade company went out of business in their 100th year.. 3 generations at a time were working in their plants. A way f life was lost. Now Schrade is owned by Taylor Cutlery and made in China. Something t stay away from.

I believe Taylor als makes the S&W knives in China. S&W just prostitutes their name. Had one given to me......junk.

Spyderco, Kershaw, Piranah, Kabar, and a few others make all the quality knives one needs. Of course I am only addressing knives with a reasonable initial cash outlay

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I've been a knife guy since my Grandad gave me a Keen Kutter when I was around 7 years old. I collected "pocket knives" for decades. When I was in the Corps, I carried a small knife in my pocket and either a 110 or original Leatherman on my belt. Flash forward to about 10 years a go, I got into modern folders with high end steel. I went nuts for a while accumulating several dozen Spydercos, Benchmades, ZT, CRK, Hinderer and others. I decided it was crazy chasing the grails and sold all the modern knives except my 3 favorites. 3" Hinderer XM18 slicer, Spyderco Native 5 and a Chris Reeve small Insingo. I carry one of those and a Case swayback jack every day. The jack can do most tasks, but sometimes I need the muscle of a locking knife with steel that stays sharp for a good while. Cutting zip ties, crapload of cardboard, wax string, etc.. is not fun with a small pocket knife. I gladly pay for a knife that is made in the USA and built for a lifetime of use. As nice and nostalgic as a 110 is, the modern, lightweight, slim, positive locking high end folder is easier to carry and deploy. I have over $900 into the knives below, but worth every penny to me.

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USMC RETIRED

Just give me a high carbon steel bladed knife. Yes they will rust
if not cared for properly, but easy to sharpen and they will hold an
edge for a good while. Not a fan of stainless or other exotic alloys
although I do own a couple stainless blades.
My latest is a recycled Husqvarna lawn mower blade with a deer leg
bone handle. Not sure of the steel content but it did harden and
is sharp and only cost me some time, most of which was finishing
after forging in my solid fuel forge.

Definitely something about good carbon steel. We have been using opinel pairing knives for decades and once they get a good patina, they pretty much stop rusting. At $7 a pop, we just keep buying them when needed. I can strop them in a minute and they are back to shaving sharp!

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USMC RETIRED

Since I mentioned to "Model of 1989" that I had a Buck 402 Akouna, I thought I should post a pic of it:

I agree on all the above. Especially the endorsements. Once a "tactical" knife is perceived to be used by SEAL teams, special forces, "operators", and assorted mall ninjas, the price many are willing to pay goes through the roof.