Over priced knives

[chief38]

Like almost any product known to man, quality vs cost usually makes sense up to a certain point and then when quality reaches a "plateau", after that the price just exudes status, prestige, designer status and cosmetics. I have this discussion with my Wife from time to time when I look at one of her designer hand bags..... They cost lots & lots of money and many of then are made of synthetic fabric, vinyl and cheap junk! I say to her "ya know, for what you paid for this you could have gotten a Leather-maker to make you a one of a kind custom made Leather hand bag that would last a lifetime"! So far I'm better off talking to my dog - HA!!

Back in the day, there were many cost effective knives such as Case, Marbles, Buck, Old Timer, Uncle Henry, Calimus, etc. that if taken care of would last a lifetime for a very reasonable amount of money. They were certainly not the fanciest knives, usually did not have exotic handles, came from the Factory reasonably sharp but could always stand a touch-up, and served us all pretty well as long as we didn't loose them!

Today there are designer knives (like Stan Wilson) that start at $600 - $900 and go up from there. While they are usually one of a kind, hand made, absolutely exquisite, drop dead gorgeous, they don't cut a rope or do any task better than a good sharp Marbles, Kershaw, or Case will. It's basically just an "oohhh - ahhhh factor" from the guys watching! Nothing wrong with high end knives as long as one is willing to pony up the cash, but aside from looks and status, is it really worth the coin - that is up to each one of us and you be the judge.

All this said...... there will ALWAYS be a market for the best of the best no matter what the commodity happens to be. As the price increases the amount of sales usually decreases - as a general rule, but again, there will always be someone willing to pay, so who 's to say what is "over priced"?

 

[andy52]

The knife in this photo is the most expensive one I own.
It's custom made, Damascus blade and bolster, Fossil Ivory scales, mosaic pins and lanyard. It set me back about 500 bucks.

 

[inspcalahan]

I used to carry a Benchmade Mini Griptillian, and then my daughter and wife bought me a Ken Osborn 940 for father's day years back. That's my spring/summer carry. It was about 180 bucks, but I don't think it was overpriced. It's a slick knife and feels good in the hand. I like it because my youngest picked it out for me.

Now, for overpriced...I'm going to throw down.

My wife bought me a William Henry Gentac Molten for our 25th anniversary. She said I could keep it only on one condition - that I carried it and used it. If I stuck it in my "knife drawer," she was going to return it.

It's an expensive knife. She put some thought into it, and said "Image what that knife will look like 25 years from now, after we've spent another 25 years together."

#5 of 100 made.

Inlaid Apatosaurus bone fossil from 100 million years ago. I've had it for a little over three years now. Overpriced? When I first got it, yes. Now, well, no. It's a light duty knife. If I need to carve a piece of red oak or cut up a bunch of cardboard boxes, I'll just grab a Kershaw or a Benchmade.

Besides, in 25 years, it will have only cost me $100 per year.

Gorgeous blade!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Something that drives me crazy is that some makers, Puma comes to mind, seem to offer the "same knife" with different steels at different price points.

German
Spanish assembled
Chinese made

When I was a kid Puma German blades...... had a great reputation. Today it's a hassle to make sure you're getting the best of the offerings.

Last year trying to look for a 4-5" fixed Damascus blade for my 65th Birthday ...... made my head spin!!!!!

 

[mauser9]

Something that drives me crazy is that some makers, Puma comes to mind, seem to offer the "same knife" with different steels at different price points.

German
Spanish assembled
Chinese made

When I was a kid Puma German blades...... had a great reputation. Today it's a hassle to make sure you're getting the best of the offerings.

Last year trying to look for a 4-5" fixed Damascus blade for my 65th Birthday ...... made my head spin!!!!!

Yeah so many different steels for sure. Read that Puma now using 440C. My old Skinner made in 1966 should be quality and glad I held onto it. Cost me around $30 back then.

 

[steveno]

I think that CRKT makes decent knives for the money. I have a small Crawford/Kasper and it is a well made knife and came very sharp. I have had it for a long time and I don't think I paid more that $30 for it. the only thing I don't like about it is that it only allows for tip down carry and I prefer tip up carry.

I have an Emerson CQC-7 with a spear point and it allows for either tip down or up as a user option. I'm not sure how long I have had it but it was about $100 new from the factory. I suppose it has been close to 20 years

 

[sodacan]

So a post on over priced firearms. So I thought I put out a post on what those think are over rated over priced knifes. Got to tell you my price point on a knife has been $75.00 to $ 100.00 max. So I stay with. Case ( plain jane ) Bucks and Sogs. Dont see this changing any time soon for me.

So you're saying that none of the ones you buy are overpriced, but if anyone spends more for any other brand they're overpaying? Interesting premise.

 

[pawngal]

My late hubby was a lifelong knife collector. His guns were tools for hunting but the knives were his first love.
His knives would have filled the largest gun safe. I'm talking 1000's.
Everything from 100 year old factory knives to beautiful modern custom one of a kind knives. He had knifemakers make knives just to his specs.
So far over the past several years I have sold about $30,000 worth and have at least that much more.

I wish I had good pictures to share but I don't. I'll post links to a few that have sold that were his.

Damascus and Gold Lip Pearl Lockback Auto - Engraved
Damascus and Pearl Linerlock
Engraved Auto - Mother of Pearl
Engraved Interframe Lockback
Coffin Auto
https://www.arizonacustomknives.com/engraved-coffin-handle-lockback-1003346.html

If you would like to see more, I can post more links.

 

[22hipower]

Now those are some beautiful knives and yes, we'd love to see more of them. Over priced? Not to those who appreciate art masquerading as tools.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[colt_saa]

This thread should probably be called "Knives that Cost More than I Want To Spend"

Most knives are clearly not overpriced or they would sit in the Manufactures warehouse instead of some customers hobby room

Mass produced production knives can reach into the many hundreds of dollars

Hand made carry knives can reach into the low thousands

Hand made Art Knives can go as high as the sky.

 

[pawngal]

This particular knife was one the last knives my husband purchased. I am keeping it. Has the smoothest action of any auto I have ever handled. And no ugly button that says "auto"

Lexington - Lerch, Matthew - Knives by Maker

 

[22hipower]

This particular knife was one the last knives my husband purchased. I am keeping it. Has the smoothest action of any auto I have ever handled. And no ugly button that says "auto"

Lexington - Lerch, Matthew - Knives by Maker

Another beauty, thanks for posting.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[pawngal]

This particular knife was one the last knives my husband purchased. I am keeping it. Has the smoothest action of any auto I have ever handled. And no ugly button that says "auto"

Lexington - Lerch, Matthew - Knives by Maker

My pictures of the above knife

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wingriderz]

So you're saying that none of the ones you buy are overpriced, but if anyone spends more for any other brand they're overpaying? Interesting premise.

No just getting a feel for what board members are willing to pay for a blade. I may should have. Put over rated term than over priced. But that term may not best way to go

 

[pawngal]

Not sure of the maker of this knife. Just very nice work and a little on the feminine side so I'm keeping it

This one is made by Terry Knipschield from Rochester, MN. I have met him and his wife.

My daughter lives in Rochester so hubby commissioned him to make a knife for her. Thought I had a picture of it but can't seem to find it on my computer


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[series guy]

As far as I'm concerned the only overpriced knives are the $9.95 knives that fall apart as soon as you use one.

 

[BearBio]

Lotsa pretty toys but my working knives are all Randalls except my EDC folders (Gerber)==how much is your life worth to you?

 

[Xfuzz]

Under $30.00 and I am good to go for EDC...
Case Toothpick in my pocket.

 

[wingriderz]

Wow !! I learned something today Randall knifes are built about 45 minutes where I grew up and lived for 50 years. Never knew they where made in Orlando. Looking threw their catalog. Uh Oh lol

 

[kwselke]

Looking at these beautiful custom and production knives I have a hard time saying they are overpriced. I'll say I cannot afford that or it's not worth that much to me. Looking at posts I see people talk about the great knife they paid x-dollars for in the 20th Century. I really think people are referring to knife price inflation and saying overpriced.

I have noticed prices on the knives that interest me have been escalating at a rate greater than other goods and services I buy. Looking back over the last three years I'm glad I recognized the bargains I found and acted to purchase when I did. I'll add that I buy for me, not for profit. So I have knives I would not have bought at a higher price.

As an example I have a Spyderco Delica which I bought in December 2009 from Amazon. $52.50

I bought an identical model to give as a gift in January 2017. $65.97

Today's price at Amazon. $74.72

I am certain today's Delica 4 will be every bit as good as the one purchased in 2009. At $75 it is overpriced compared to the $52.50 I paid in 2009. I'll go so far as to say, I'm not sure I'd buy a Delica at its current price.

If it sells it is not overpriced. If you did not buy when the price was low and want one now, you should have been here yesterday; they were giving them away and the fish were jumping into the boat.

 

[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


----------------

 

[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.
----------------

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?



----