Over priced knives

[pawngal]

I realize that many consider the high end custom knives to be overpriced but the collectors of those knives probably consider Colt Pythons, Browning Renaissance, Original Colt SSAs and other handguns to be overpriced if they have no interest in them.

Actually 25-30 years ago hubby had a nice collection of handguns, including a 6" Nickel Python, a 9mm Browning Renaissance, several Lugers, Ruger Mark I and Mark II, Ruger Blackhawk, and others I don't recall. When his knife interests went from old factory knives to the newer custom knives most of the guns were sold and several were traded for knives. the only handgun I still have is the Blackhawk, I was told to NOT sell it. I'm guessing it might have a little "history" He had some shady friends back in his biker days.

 

[Farmer17]

Not sure how you can speak authoritatively about Benchmade, then . . .

Actually I have a Benchmade folding knife and I paid under 40 bucks for it about 20 years ago. It WILL keep an edge longer than my other knives with my Spyderco coming in second place, and I would buy another Benchmade if I could get it under $40. I just don't want to pay $100-$200 more for a knife that will only stay sharp 20 or 30% longer than the cheap ones, but if other people want to spend their money on Benchmade, Randall, or high dollar custom knives I think it's great!

 

[Flattop5]

Always wanted a custom knife for the cabin....... but there are too many 'steels' out there......and no consensus on quality Some of the old names seem to have slipped in quality; well at least base on my reading of "on line postings",

Maybe I can save you some trouble: it's not custom, but, Boker's carbon steel blades are top-of-the-line, and this German-made knife is well under $100.00. You can't beat 1095 carbon steel. Holds an edge very well, yet, it's also easy to sharpen. The best of both worlds.

Boker Folding Hunter, Smooth White, BK-2020SWB


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[Chubbo]

Simple

Hi, All;
My 2¢ outlook on this 'Over priced knives', discussion is. It's as plain to me as a "Billy Goats Behind". There has never been a knife made, too "over Priced". Someone can, and will buy it. Why begrudge a person that can afford such a Knife? That was exactly the purpose of making such a knife of that type. It's a status symbol.

The 'Little Green Eyed Monster' really works on some of us.

A lesson that my Dad taught to me as a child, was, 'Its OK to look at and wish for something, but, If you can't afford it, do without it'. So, if I can't afford a thing, and 'Run with the Big Dogs', I tend to 'lay under the porch, and watch 'em run'.

It is amazing to watch the ploys that people use today to make themselves appear to be wealthy. I'm sure you all know the ploys I mean. The only ones being fooled are fools themselves.

What I believe the "Pot Boils Down To" is, 'Live within your means', and Don't begrudge people that, do have the God given right, to, 'Live High On The Hog', and let them enjoy it.

Chubbo

 

[pawngal]

Several more autos. Top one is a ProTech Auto Runt. This one was a limited edition, similar ones retail for around $140.
The other 2 are cheap Chinese, under $20. The small one is usually in my purse

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[American1776]

An overpriced pistol with two over priced knives: all three are what I've been carrying EDC.

The SIG P220 Elite has just a paint job and a beavertail; not worth the 1,140 they would go for. The Benchmade are 175 each.

I still like 'em.

 

[kwselke]

You can't beat 1095 carbon steel. Holds an edge very well, yet, it's also easy to sharpen. The best of both worlds.
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I often wonder if 'easy to sharpen' doesn't also mean needs sharpening often. Carbon steels have certain attributes and in my opinion 1095 can be beat. Blades made from 1095 are few and far between these days, and generally are not cheap. Off the top of my head Great Eastern uses 1095 in their traditional folders, Ontairio and Kabar use 1095 in domestic production fixed blades. I'm not all knowing by any means, but 1095 knives that I'm aware of are going to push $100 or more delivered.

A small sample of the carbon steels in my collection.

Top to bottom:
Old Timer 1095 (carbon steel)
Case CV (1085 Chrome Vanadium)
Buck 5160 (.60 % carbon, spring steel, think jeep springs)
Spyderco (Takefu Steel) V-Toku2 (carbon core stainless laminate)
Spyderco (Hitachi Steel) HAP40 (carbon core stainless laminate)

An equal sample of stainless steels:

Buck (Propriety HT) 420HC
Spyderco (Takefu) VG-10
Spyderco (Carpenter) CTS-XHP
Spyderco (Crucible) CPM-S30V
Buck (Crucible) 154CM

In my opinion CTS-XHP beats 1095 hands down in sharpness, edge holding, and corrosion resistance. I'm not sure which steel will snap first when abusing them, I do not care either.

I have accumulated quality knife sharpening tools over many years. I have had problems sharping certain steels, and over the years learned to use new tools and techniques. ZDP-189 still gives me fits to get a great edge on. Honestly, I think stainless steels are better for most uses.

All that said. I wish I still had the cheap switchblade my mother let me buy from a kid street vendor in Nueve Laredo when I was 12. I think I paid $2 for it, and smuggled it back across the river. It would not cut anything, but it could put an eye out, and was cool for me until it broke.

 

[SquarePizza]

My fixed blades are an Ontario Rat III and a Grohmann #1 (which is my most expensive knife at $80). I've bought a few Mora's along the way to give to people just getting camping, and I believe that if I were to break/lose my knives, then they would be replaced with $20 mora's.

My folders are a case old timer that I bought for 50 bucks with the intent to make that my only pocket knife, but then I was given an opinel #6. Again, if I were starting over, the opinel would be fine for me.

When it comes to knives, I want glock level stuff. Cheap, works, gets beat up, and I won't cry if its gone.

 

[nachogrande]

EZ!

Sooo...looking through these posts...I'm having a hard time figuring out what an overpriced knife is.

They become "overpriced" a moment after you lose one.

 

[Flattop5]

I often wonder if 'easy to sharpen' doesn't also mean needs sharpening often.

Honestly, I think stainless steels are better for most uses.

Well, I have several older Buck 110s, and also a circa 1975 Puma Deer Hunter (which looks like a Buck 110, but slightly smaller). What do you think of early Buck, and of Puma, stainless steel?



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[kwselke]

Well, I have several older Buck 110s, and also a circa 1975 Puma Deer Hunter (which looks like a Buck 110, but slightly smaller). What do you think of early Buck, and of Puma, stainless steel?



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The original Buck 110 had 440C stainless, great knife and great steel. Buck changed their steels over the years to remain price competitive. I never have had a problem with them.

As a youth I bought a Puma White Hunter and abused it for years. I guess it was probably a 440C equivalent. It was stolen out of my truck years ago, I'd love to have it now to sharpen on my 2019 gear. I have a Puma Sergeant dating to the mid 1990s. Its blade is 440A. I like 440C better, but would feel confident using the old knife.

I have a huge range of comparatively inexpensive knives. Folks that use their knives do not need validation, they will love them or loose them.

Stainless is better.

 

[OLDSTER]

I carry one of these daily, and have for years. The Boker Kalish. ( 3rd from left) is without a doubt the best auto knife on the market for the money ( usually around $50). They are very popular, and numerous forum members own them.

 

[Flattop5]

Folks that use their knives do not need validation, they will love them or loose them.

Stainless is better.

I was not seeking validation or approval. You seemed to know a lot about stainless steel, so I asked you about it, re: Buck and Puma. One of my Buck 110s is 440C, the other has "the next steel" which I do not recall the name of, made circa 1986.

I normally do not carry stainless blades, however, I may try a few.


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[kwselke]

I was not seeking validation or approval. You seemed to know a lot about stainless steel, so I asked you about it, re: Buck and Puma. One of my Buck 110s is 440C, the other has "the next steel" which I do not recall the name of, made circa 1986.

I normally do not carry stainless blades, however, I may try a few.

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When Buck quit using 440C stainless they switched to 425M stainless. Their current standard is 420HC stainless. Buck's proprietary heat treatment does wonders with what ever steel they work.

The one Puma knife I still have is 440A stainless and dates to roughly 1996. It cost me about $35 then, it would cost about $100 now. I would not pay $100 for one today.

I'd love to see pictures of your old knives, and hear your opinions on current knife options. Face it, $15 today is going to buy a piece of... There is nothing magical about carbon steel either. If you like a knife and are confident in it, my opinion about knives amounts to... zero!

I apologize if I insulted your favorite blades.

 

[nachogrande]

HARD TO SHARPEN STEELS???

ALL knives are hard to sharpen UNTIL you learn how. NOT surprisingly different steels sharpen differently.

 

[llowry61]

Speaking as a Rolex and Randle owner,
Not sure that I 'understand ' them.
I wanted them.
I had the money.
I bought them.
Simple as that!

I have multiple Randalls, many guns, and have been wanting a Rolex for awhile. Gonna get one very soon.....

 

[Flattop5]

I'd love to see pictures of your old knives, and hear your opinions on current knife options. I apologize if I insulted your favorite blades.

Absolutely no problem at all. Glad to exchange opinions with you.

Glad to post knife photos as well, but, my digital camera battery died. As soon as I buy another battery, I will post some of my knife pictures. Maybe 1 week from now.


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[jeffrefrig]

I have a couple my dad bought; one after the war, a neat-looking dagger called a Korium PIC, made in Japan. Not worth much that I know of, just a cool-looking knife he never used. But when I was a kid he bought one from Herters that that ad showed it being hammered through a nail then slicing a piece of tomato razor thin; still has a sharp-a** blade. He used it on game. Don't know what he paid, but it was a lot for him. He was tight! It's worth nothing to me but memories. Selling that would be way over-priced for someone to get it off me! He must've used that Korium thing as a letter opener. No knife, or car, or watch is over-priced if that's what you want. Personally, $50 is my tops because I WILL lose one that costs more.

 

[Texas Star]

I have a couple my dad bought; one after the war, a neat-looking dagger called a Korium PIC, made in Japan. Not worth much that I know of, just a cool-looking knife he never used. But when I was a kid he bought one from Herters that that ad showed it being hammered through a nail then slicing a piece of tomato razor thin; still has a sharp-a** blade. He used it on game. Don't know what he paid, but it was a lot for him. He was tight! It's worth nothing to me but memories. Selling that would be way over-priced for someone to get it off me! He must've used that Korium thing as a letter opener. No knife, or car, or watch is over-priced if that's what you want. Personally, $50 is my tops because I WILL lose one that costs more.

FWIW, I paid $2.55 for a Herter's copy of the Russell Canadian Belt Knife by Grohmann Cutlery. I think the real thing cost about $9.95 in the USA then.

I later got three different Grohmann knives, which now sell for about $100 or so in the US. Not sure there's a US dealer, but they used to sell from the factory in Pictou, N.S. I didn't have to
pay any customs duty.

The Canadian originals were far better made than the Herter's copy. I feel they're worth the difference in price. Someone just wanting a functional knife might be happy with the Herter's, which I think they had made in Germany.

My No. 3 Russell's Boat Knife has a stainless blade and Micarta handle. I wanted those features in a knife to be used around water. It also has a a wrist thong, which I think was a custom feature. I got both the regular pouch sheath and the Canadian Forces sheath, which has a flap.

My Herter's knife is long gone...somewhere. I know exactly where all my Russell-Grohmann knives are. The No. 3 is in a bookcase right by the computer.

Of course, I understand that your dad's Herter knife has great sentimental value. My stepmother seems to have sold my father's two knives that I wanted. She won't discuss the matter. One was a G.W. Stone Model A and the other was a Ka-Bar hunting knife with a brown plastic handle from the 1930's. The Stone had a cocobolo wood handle. Guard and pommel were brass.

 

[nachogrande]

LOST AND FOUND.

I've found many more than I have lost. My first old timer was found in the street & I was hooked. Whenever in the field during a hunting season I ALWAYS follow blood trails, not only is it good trailing practice, I've helped some older gents drag their game but the real pay off is when/if you get to the gut pile, there is almost always something left behind. Usually it's a knife, camo clothing, hats/gloves, etc. NO GUNS YET. I found a nice expensive custom knife once & was able to return it to a grateful owner.