Why are usa made knives so expensive?

[jtcarm]

After owning the D2 tool blade for a few years, I now understand the hype.

OP: there is your answer. D2 is quite a bit more expensive than the 420C stainless steel typically used.

Not only is the blade stock more expensive, I'll wager it's harder to work. After all that trouble, it's doubtful they'd put together a shoddily-built knife.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

To each their own. You don't have to denigrate those of us who happen to like Randall knives or any other knife for that matter. I buy what I like and don't think of any of them as a "status symbol", just like I buy guns that I like.


I do in fact have a Buck 402 Akonua and I like it too. But I'm not a snob about owning it over my Randalls. Like I said, "to each their own".


I'm not trying to start a war here, just stating my opinion., which isn't worth much at all.

I certainly was not trying to start a war either. I'm sorry you feel denigrated for owning a randal as that was not my intention either. I simply issued a factual comparison of the quality steel used by Buck that isn't used by Randal, and at a much better price point. I'm sorry you didn't care for my semantics, but don't worry, I'm sure I'll be banned sooner than later for having an opinion on knives, in a knife forum, where the OP was asking speficically about quality and pricing of American steel, and for my attitude about being censored for using language that other members are allowed to use. My opinion isn't worth much either, but that opinion is that s30v beats the snot out of 440b...

 

[bgrafsr]

I certainly was not trying to start a war either. I'm sorry you feel denigrated for owning a randal as that was not my intention either. I simply issued a factual comparison of the quality steel used by Buck that isn't used by Randal, and at a much better price point. I'm sorry you didn't care for my semantics, but don't worry, I'm sure I'll be banned sooner than later for having an opinion on knives, in a knife forum, where the OP was asking speficically about quality and pricing of American steel, and for my attitude about being censored for using language that other members are allowed to use. My opinion isn't worth much either, but that opinion is that s30v beats the snot out of 440b...

Believe me I don't feel bad at all about owning Randalls.
Don't want you to get banned either. We all have likes and dislikes when it comes to our "collections".


Oh, and with the moniker "The Model of 1989" you can't be all bad.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

The old school US made pocketknives were quality.
Here's one from a Parachute Survival Kit.

 

[JJEH]

I love TOPS knives, give 'em a try, I'm sure you'll like 'em!

 

[Onomea]

... I know this may cut deep for some of you, pun intended, but in comparison knife makers like Randal are a complete joke.... Not for this guy, no thanks. Randal knifes have turned into status symbols. Are you trying to keep up with the Jones'? Buy a Randal. Are you wanting a working man's knife? Buy a Buck....

Reminds me of the preacher man with the dowdy wife railing against those fools who spend their time chasing after young, beautiful, hip slinging daughters of Satan. Then we find out that actually, um, turns out that the preacher...)

So, if some day, Model of 1989, you choose to buy a Randall, we won't hold it against you. (Hey, there's a country music song in there somewhere!)

(I like Bucks, too. I am promiscuous in my affections when it comes to knives!)

 

[Autonomous]

It was time to get my wife a nice kitchen knife set. I wanted American made of course.
We have some older Chicago Cutlery and the rustic style goes with our country kitchen. Turns out most CC is made in China now.
Enter Case knives. Made in USA and still affordable. The walnut handles are unfinished and looked rather plain. Some Johnson's paste wax and a hair dryer fixed that. They look great now and came with a decent working edge.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

Believe me I don't feel bad at all about owning Randalls.
Don't want you to get banned either. We all have likes and dislikes when it comes to our "collections".


Oh, and with the moniker "The Model of 1989" you can't be all bad.

My clever handle doesn't make me immune to being human and coming off unpleasant though; I understand that. I appreciate the vote of confidence.

Reminds me of the preacher man with the dowdy wife railing against those fools who spend their time chasing after young, beautiful, hip slinging daughters of Satan. Then we find out that actually, um, turns out that the preacher...)

So, if some day, Model of 1989, you choose to buy a Randall, we won't hold it against you. (Hey, there's a country music song in there somewhere!)

(I like Bucks, too. I am promiscuous in my affections when it comes to knives!)

I knew it would cut deep lol

I'm not trying to knock Randal specifically so much as I was trying to think of a very popular and expensive knife manufacturer that doesn't use the quality of steel that other less expensive manufacturers use. Randal comes to mind first and foremost when thinking about an expensive knife that uses inexpensive steel that most would not consider premium, especially for the price. They look pretty, but I, and many others, are not trying to put an $800 blade through its paces in the field; that's why I said they aren't working man's knife. Long story short is, if y'all like yalls randals, then I love them, and please don't let my personal opinion on knives have any bearing on what you want regardless of its quality. I'd love to have the funds to buy Randal, with that kind of expendable income I may have a few, or maybe I'd buy another akunoa and a few s&w revolvers instead.

 

[k22fan]

About 1981 to 1982 I bought three new Randals. Through that time and probably on to today Randal never advertised spectacular edge retention. They mostly promoted their knive's role as military and survival knives. There are numerous pictures of WW II U.S. Army brass and a few USN officers carrying Randal knives. Randal's famous #1 has been fairly called a sharpened pry bar. Using D2 or S30V hardened for best edge retention would have made Randal's knives inferior for their role. Today's stainless cutlery steels that are sold with claims of stupendous edge retention have to be very hard. Some of them are as hard as high speed steel milling machine cutters. It has long been known that knives could be made that hard but when that is done the blade looses its strength and flexibility. There is no magic steel. Randal did not use steel that would snap for good reason.

The thing Randal does do that most other knife makers do not do is forge their blades. That arranges the grain structure for a stronger steel part. you will never get a forged blade from Buck, Case, Kershaw, or any other American mass producer and I doubt you'll ever get one from Bench Made. Most knives are stamped out of belts of steel that the knife manufacturer buys in rolls. The stamping is given bevels by grinding. Knives that are so large that stamping is not cost effective are ground from flat stock. Only a tiny fraction of American blades are forged. If you want a survival knife that in a pinch can be used for things other than cutting forged steel that is not super hard is the way to go.

The bigger part of the Randal story is that they are pieces of art. It is expected that the edges of their grinds are perfectly straight and location of the edges mirror each other from side to side. That is not so easy when it's done by hand. Where the tang enters the hand guard the joint is soldered to close any gap. I do not know how to describe it except to say the soldering job looks good. That takes too long to do on mass produced knives. While buying both Bench Made and Randal knives you are paying for the brand's prestige but making Randals takes more skilled hand work.

When I bought my three Randals the cutlery store in the shopping mall had plenty of them on the shelf. Mine cost $125 to $165. On my budget the amount they would have been devalued by use was too much so I only used one of them. Later during the 1980s I sold the two I did not use back to the store I bought them from for about $25 more than I paid for them. I wish I kept the user. I do not intend to critisize those who buy Randals but I'll never spend what Randals cost today for a knife.

 

[Muley Gil]

I probably overpaid for a Benchmade auto but I don't really have regrets about doing so.

Back around 2003, one of my Kosovo friends ordered Benchmade 5000 autos at a discount for those of us that wanted one. I carried mine in K'vo and then later in Afghanistan. I have carried it ever since.

 

[eveled]

I love Bucks and Ka-Bars but my favorite users are Randall's. They get the job done and make me happy. That is worth the money to me. The small one I bought as a present when I got my plumbing license the larger when I got my masters license.

 

[garddogg56]

Very good eveled.the best don't come cheap.as with any tool ya don't want to cheap-out especially as a tradesman.

 

[wingriderz]

While I do have and have really worked on my knife collection in past few years. Stuck and an addict to classic knifes lately. I do have Sogs , Gerber, and other plastic assisted , Kershaw and others. My interest has Ben Case both slip and lockbladed. In fact have a new lockbladed to be delivered this week. My price point has always been staying at Max $100.00 or less. I did ponder at on point to maybe step up to and spend a bit more into a lower end Benchmade. My biggest issue is there is no eye candy with any of those. Lol. Being for now a Case addict

 

[pawngal]

As I have mentioned before here, my late hubby was a knife collector. He had literally thousands of knives. For many years he collected antique/vintage pocket knives with his focus on knives made in the congress whittler pattern. That is a knife with a master blade on one backspring and 2 blades on a double backspring with the master blade falling between the 2 blades when closed and done in a slightly curved style. He had amassed a collection of about 150 of these knives and often displayed his collection at knife shows around the country.
Pictured below are 2 examples, the first is a Terrier Cutlery made between 1910-1916. The second was made by Frary in Bridgeport, CT between 1879-1881 as determined by the blade stamping.
These are fine examples of early New England knife manufacturing.

 

[eb07]

I will gladly pay more to ensure I support American companies. China has killed small business and American way of life for years by undercutting with cheap junk. I go out of my way to buy American. But I don't mind a good swiss watch or knife from time to time.

 

[pawngal]

In the 1990's his interest changed to beautiful handmade custom knives. All of these are American makers. These have all been sold for me by Arizona Custom Knives so I have swiped their pictures which are much better than mine were. The makers of these are John Hoskins, Stan Wilson, Andy Shinosky, W.D. Pease, and C.Gray Taylor. All of these sold in the 4 figures.

 

[Farmer17]

I currently have about 25-30 knives and none are very expensive except for one Benchmade. I sold several high dollar knives when I saw the prices they were bringing versus the modern cheap knives that are darn near as good. Yeah, Benchmade will hold an edge longer than my other knives but it still needs to be sharpened eventually. When I can get Kershaw OSO Sweet for 25 bucks or an OKC 7" military issue knife for under $40 and abuse the heck out of them I see no need to spend more money.

 

[pawngal]

The knife "thing" must have been contagious because it seems I have even added a few for myself, all have been autos. The first is one of his custom knives that I'm keeping. Made by Matthew Lerch in the late 1990's. I rest of these I have purchased myself. The 2nd is by an Italian company, Italians have long been know for their quality autos. This one is a lever lock. Next is a Pro-Tech USA Limited Edition Auto Runt, note the Damascus blade. Then a little Benchmade Impel, Last is my favorite and my carry, Benchmade Phaeton. I really like the double action spine fire. I also have import autos and the difference is easily seem and felt.
If another American company makes a spine fire auto I would be interested.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

My EDC are SAK's either a tinkerer or huntsman. Prefer the Tinkerer because is is a bit smaller.
My go to knife for cleaning ducks is a pair of kitchen shears that I paid $10 for years ago.
For fish it's Dexter/Russel.
For heavy duty watersports like sailing,etc, I use a folder by Myerchin. I have a Myerchin dive knife on my safety harness and that's about it.
Not really a knife snob. The benchmade's, spydercos etc are nice but they can't do anything that the above can't.
Oh and I also use an electric knife for cleaning a mess o fish

 

[pawngal]

Back to some misc knife ramblings. Hubby always said that the best using knives for the money were the 110 Buck in a folder and the 119 Buck in a fixed blade and that any fool can do a decent job of sharpening them.
He said Case knives were good but he was more interested in the collectible values of knives and said Case made too many knives to become collectibles. He was wrong on that! Many of the older Case are selling at a premium now.

 

[k22fan]

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.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

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.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l-7AsetYs0[/ame]

 

[Black69]

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.

 

[Narragansett]

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

 

[Narragansett]

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

 

[Retiredguns]

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.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

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.

 

[Retiredguns]

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!

 

[bgrafsr]

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

 

[diyj98]

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 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.