Knife quality vs price.

[pbpvusa]

I have recently began getting some knives, I got the smith and wesson tactical knife, some bowie knife, looking at Kbar. When I went to NRA convention, there were some knife vendors who were selling it at $200 knives. I cannot find a good answer for why some of these knives, especially tactical/carry knives are $100+. The knives I have feels strong and can cut through a few stuff easily. Am i missing on any facts for spending the $100 + or is it the just difference between a $500 glock gun vs $2000 STI gun. If that is the case a glock quality is enough for me.

 

[Shady]

A lot has to do with the metal used in the blade and how it was forged and heat treated.

Some steel holds an edge way better than other grades.


In my book I would stick with the glock so I dont have to cry when I use it as a screwdriver or cut open cardboard.

 

[vmax]

I keep a cheap knife around in case I need to trim wire or abuse it in someway. The difference is a good knife will last a lifetime.
Better steel, better materials all around.
I’m not a snob about it but I pretty much carry Benchmade now for pocket knives.

 

[pbpvusa]

My main concern was I want a knife with a reliablity of a glock, I am not sure if $40 S&W would do it or do I need to go for the $100 or $200 knife. I am not worried about the box cutting or other stuff, I got plenty of cheap knives. I want to know for self defense situations what is a good reliable knife or qualities of knife I can look for without breaking my bank.

 

[grasshopperglock]

I have recently began getting some knives, I got the smith and wesson tactical knife, some bowie knife, looking at Kbar. When I went to NRA convention, there were some knife vendors who were selling it at $200 knives. I cannot find a good answer for why some of these knives, especially tactical/carry knives are $100+. The knives I have feels strong and can cut through a few stuff easily. Am i missing on any facts for spending the $100 + or is it the just difference between a $500 glock gun vs $2000 STI gun. If that is the case a glock quality is enough for me.

Because of the steel. Modern high quality knives use what's called Super Steel. Stuff like CPM-S30v or AST34. They are designer steels manufactured under Damn near laboratory conditions. Expect to pay big bucks for it. Watch some demonstration videos to see why. Steels like D2 are industrial steel. Blades that cut a foot thick slice of stacked paper all day long. 52000, ball bearings.

Then you have cheap knives. They're usually made with 440A. It's the lowest grade of stainless knife steel. It's crap. The cheap knives from the dollar store are 440A. Decent knives will be 440c. The highest grade of 440.

When you pay big bucks on a knife. It means two things. The quality of the workmanship and the type of steel used for the blade. A cheap knife is not even close to what it's suppose to be.

$200 bucks is decent price for a high end knife.

 

[Charlie]

The only issue I have with high quality "hard" steel knives is that it's almost impossible to sharpen them without some more expensive "stuff" (sharpeners). For my everyday knife, I'll take a "mid-grade" pocket folder switch blade that I can sharpen easily with a stone. Just my two bits.

 

[grasshopperglock]

My main concern was I want a knife with a reliablity of a glock, I am not sure if $40 S&W would do it or do I need to go for the $100 or $200 knife. I am not worried about the box cutting or other stuff, I got plenty of cheap knives. I want to know for self defense situations what is a good reliable knife or qualities of knife I can look for without breaking my bank.

Look into Benchmade. They have some in under $100. Spyderco is the another brand to browse. I feel the budget but this is going to be something you have the rest of your life.

Unless you look on craigslist. I found a benchmade model 522, 440c blade steel at a flea market. $40. 90% condition. Never sharpened. You can find them cheap.

 

[FireInTheWire]

I have recently began getting some knives, I got the smith and wesson tactical knife, some bowie knife, looking at Kbar. When I went to NRA convention, there were some knife vendors who were selling it at $200 knives. I cannot find a good answer for why some of these knives, especially tactical/carry knives are $100+. The knives I have feels strong and can cut through a few stuff easily. Am i missing on any facts for spending the $100 + or is it the just difference between a $500 glock gun vs $2000 STI gun. If that is the case a glock quality is enough for me.

Not sure... but im not paying that kinda money for a EDC knife. Most ive spent is $130 for a hip carry knifes ranch knife.

 

[Sam Colt]

Bought a Benchmade 707 Axis as a daily ranch knife for $120 in 2002. Used it practically every day since. Ranch use, not trimming loose threads. Still flicks open and closed effortlessly. I've sharpened it often enough that the blade is incrementally smaller, but it will still cut a bale string or a piece of burlap quick and easy. Cleaned and skinned a few deer with it in a pinch. I know if it ever gives me problems Benchmade will make it right. That right there is worth every penny.

 

[grasshopperglock]

Speaking of that.

Not sure... but im not paying that kinda money for a EDC knife. Most ive spent is $130 for a hip carry knifes ranch knife.

Benchmade model 162. You don't have to buy it. Hold it and set it back.

 

[FireInTheWire]

Speaking of that.



Benchmade model 162. You don't have to buy it. Hold it and set it back.

Yup... thats a nice knife.

 

[grasshopperglock]

I've owned at least a half dozen of Spyderco. I've found them. Somehow I lost them all. Physical forgot what the Hades happened to them. I've never lost a benchmade.

I can't do a cheap knife.

 

[FireInTheWire]

I've owned at least a half dozen of Spyderco. I've found them. Somehow I lost them all. Physical forgot what the Hades happened to them. I've never lost a benchmade.

I can't do a cheap knife.

No.. No cheap knifes. They always fall apart. Good quality name and your set.

 

[BRD@66]

I think knives are like guns in that it's a personal preference. I've got a $12 stainless Morakniv on my belt & a $20 Kershaw SpeedSafe in my pocket & I feel good about it. Though I'll probably wind up adding a $60 KaBar shorty - just because.

 

[grasshopperglock]

The knife that takes a carpet blade seems popular. I've seen a few people carry one. They're $10(?)

 

[Ole Cowboy]

$104.99: https://www.touchofmodern.com/sales...ccc0bf76b1cb82861c114333ff7eb881d7bac0&open=1

There are lots of knives out there and there are "name" knives by such noted knife makers as Joe Keepsitsharpe etc. These knives are collector knives you are buying a name for $4000 large and getting a knife that if you ever took a stone to you could not sell it.

Then at the opposite end around 2am you get the knife show on channel 478 or something. You can get 300+ knives for less than a buck each, shipped to the house. Then you take them and to the local trade fair and ask a $100 and hope you sell for $10.

In between you got all different kinds of picks from low buck to high buck, and company with good reps and raves in some knife rag monthly. Advertise enough and writers will make you a hero, also be sure to send several to your fav mags and writers and some hack writer will write your never dull edge, never rust and will last forever because it made from UnObtainium Steel and the sheath is made form extinct scrotum sacks of the Wooly Mammoth.

Your best bet is to pick a price point and stick to it, then start digging on line and there are a LOT of knife makers out there they make good knives at fair prices. NOTE a word of CAUTION: There are a LOT of 'knife makers' out there that in fact do not make knives at all, what the make is scales: You can buy knives with out the scales all day for less than $20 bucks and you can get exotics for a few dollars more, Damascus you name it, every design you could dream up, all you have to do is add scales. There are many claiming to be knife men who aren's.

I recently wanted a custom knife made to my specs. I had an existing knife that I liked and wanted another one made with some design features that were slightly different and I wanted a serrated blade in both coarse and fine serrations on the top and base of the blade respectively. Friend of mine had a knife he said was custom made and he gave me the name and number of his knife maker. The conversation was interesting. He started off saying will I only make certain designs. OK, so he sent me pics. I found one that would work with a few minor mods and the additions of serrations. Well he said I don't like to mod my design. Hey it very little and while you are forging just make a couple of mods...HUMA HUMA. Well OK, then I will go with it just add the 1 ½ in of fine serrations at the rear of the bottom cutting edge and 1 ½ coarse serrations on the top toward the rear of the blade. Well I don't like serrations..WELL I do and willing to shuck the coin for the is custom made knife.

Bottom Line: He was a phony, he did make knives he just addes scales and it took a lot of e mails and finally a fone call to get him to fess up, especially when I wanted to fly out and visit him forge...Well I don't let anyone see me make a knife, I have some "secret processes" I use...WHAT??? So be careful because they are not all honest folks and here are some of their knives: https://www.knifemaking.com/category-s/1504.htm

Google: "knife making supplies, buy any kind of knife you want, just add water...

 

[stdreb27]

Knives are just like anything else.

You can spend 20 bucks or 20,000.

If you want to discuss utility and bang for your buck. You’re not going to get a 400 dollar knife that cuts 20 times better than a 20 dollar job.

The fun stuff like at the Marifone table is just that a half toy half tool.

. I’ll probably never use it to stab some one. But they sure are fun.

Or if you saw the guy selling importing customs, all polished and dolled up.

If you get the bug and start buying custom knives. You’re buying workmanship and design.

Most of those customs aren’t really users. They’re a piece of art made out of steel.

That being said I’m a sucker for knives. Own a bunch. There are some fantastic low end (200 dollar range used) customs that are just a joy to whip out and use.

This is a hand made job that I use regularly. Amazing tool versatile and well. I like it. Worth every penny.

If you want a real use and abuser check out graymen knives.

 

[Vaquero]

Leatherman.
I don't have to put the blade through hell, but I do anyway.
Sharpen it a couple times per year.
I hope I don't lose it, but if I do, 50 bucks at academy and I'm back in business.
I just can't spend a month's worth of burgers on a knife.

 

[Charlie]

Leatherman.
I don't have to put the blade through hell, but I do anyway.
Sharpen it a couple times per year.
I hope I don't lose it, but if I do, 50 bucks at academy and I'm back in business.
I just can't spend a month's worth of burgers on a knife.

Damn! How much do you spend on burgers in a month!

 

[FireInTheWire]

Damn! How much do you spend on burgers in a month!