Do I need a $400 knife?

[Jezcruzen]

I've cruzed through a number of knife threads on a number of sites where someone endorses a certain brand of knife and how surperb it is. When I go to the maker's web site I discover that this magical blade retails for $400!

No thanks. In my mind, what could possibly make a knife that's intended for daily chores from cleaning fingernails to field-dressing an elk worth THAT much?

Oh, its "tactical", and someone over in the sandbox uses one. Its made from a steel derived from a secret recipe.

I've owned literaly hundreds of knives over my lifetime. Some were more user friendly than others, but they all did the same thing - cut. I've lost quite a few as well, and I'm glad I didn't pay $400 for 'em.

A good knife can be had at modest prices. I carry one every day that I bought at Wally World. It has done everything I've required of it.

[Andy the Aussie]

Do you need one ABSOLUTLY not...some of my very best and most useful knives were modestly priced as well (my two G96 hunting knives spring straight to mind). My Cold Steel SRK was less than $50A when I got it and it is built like a tank.

I also have an appreciation of fine blade work and have a few knives locked back in the safe that cost LOTS. Not because I NEED them but because I want/admire them is all.

Each to their own but the difference between a good practical/quality knife and $400 will buy you a great deal of other things you will one day NEED.

Andy:cool:

[Gunseller]

No, you do not need a $400 knife. No, you need an $800 knife. What you need is a knife that will work for you. The SRK is a good knife, Buck119 is a good knife, Gerber makes good knives as well as other companies make good knives. My knife of choise is going to be different than yours. A high $ knife should hold an edge longer and resharpen faster than a lower $ knife. Do you pay for some name when you buy a high $ knife? Yes, but you get high quality.
Steve

[GOVT1911]

I've done just fine in different locations all over the world with INEXPENSIVE (not cheap) knives. If you want to pay $400 or $4000 for a knife, that's YOUR call. I'd rather pay $50 for a good knife and the other $350 on other stuff I need/want.

Andy, there ya go again.......agreeing with me on something!!! My favorite working knife is my Cold Steel SRKs! I've bought a few over the years and loved them all. My current "field knife" that hangs on my deployment gear is an SRK that I bought as a "factory second". There's supposed to be something wrong with it, but I haven't been able to figure out what it was. I think I paid around $30 or so for it a couple years ago.

[Andy the Aussie]

Andy, there ya go again.......agreeing with me on something!!! ..,.....of course I see it as YOU agreeing with ME but it may just be semantics... ;) The sooner you ditch the Jeep and move on up to .......

Well you know the rest... :D :D

And yes the SRKs are a lot of knife for the money....!!!!! I really do want a Trailmaster but that is only because the "Inner Australian" in me wants to use the "That's not a knife..." line one of these days... ;)

[Jezcruzen]

Well, whatdayaknow. I did get a little posting going on this empty space!:p

I don't have an SRK, but I do have one of the old Master Hunters. Great knife, and "inexpensive" (at least when I bought it years ago). I've dressed a lot of deer with that blade.
I'm also partial to Kershaw and Benchmade for folders. I carry a "Ken Onion" 1550 most days, or a SOG "Flash".
I realize the collectable aspects of high-dollar knives, just not the practical aspect when so many quality working knives are around and are inexpensive.

[GOVT1911]

I guess I've got the same view towards knives that I have towards guns.....if I own it I'm gonna use it. I understand the collector thing that some people do, it just isn't me.

As a matter of fact, I apply my practical viewpoint towards just about everything I own, which is why I own a JEEP. ;)

[Andy the Aussie]

As a matter of fact, I apply my practical viewpoint towards just about everything I own, which is why I own a JEEP. ;) ....we can't all be perfect I guess.

On the subject of knives this thread got me looking through my gear locker and safe.....damn I have some knives.....!!! Even remembered two in the Tojo that I had forgotten about. It seems that I ALWAYS use the same ones over and over that some get neglected.

I have a CRKT M16 folder and a Gerber Applegate folder that see more than their share of use along with two G96 fixed blades a Buck 110 and another buck I can't recall the model of (drop point skinner).

Andy

[GOVT1911]

Andy, you're scaring me! My everyday carry knife is an Applegate Covert folder and when I don't carry that I carry an CRKT M16. I really like the CRKT, I have a couple, one with AL (I think??) handles and the other with some type of plastic.

I've got a pile of knives and just like Andy, there are a few I use regularly and a bunch that I haven't used in years.

[Andy the Aussie]

Andy, you're scaring me! .....I have that effect on people I am afraid...:D :D :eek:

I have two of the CRKT M16s with the plastic type handles, I tried the AL or Ti handled models but they just didn't feel "right" to me. My Applegate is the full size model and I *really* like....!!!! Just a little large for everyday use, my CRKT is just the right size for that though and was with me all the time on our recent vacation in the NT. The CRKTs have that "Chinese Edge" that I am not fond of...a wet Sunday here at home in front of the TV with the Lansky kit saw that edge pushed over and sharpened up nicely...!!!

If you really want to keep up with me mate you are going to have to ditch the Jeep though.... ;)

[Jezcruzen]

Andy, the very first 'new' vehicle I ever owned was a 1973 Jeep CJ5. Paid $3400 for it. (top, passenger seat, roll bar, and lock-out hubs were all extra) Owned two more since. Yes, it is an imperfect world!:p

I had to relocate my gun safe over the weekend - which meant removing it's contents first - and I re-discovered a few knives I retired and (basically) forgot about.

I have an old Puma "Skinner" I bought at J.C. Penny's as a youngster for $15.
There also is a Kershaw folder w/stag handles made in Germany that my wife presented me one Christmas long ago. Still razor sharp after dressing many game animals. There are others, but these two are my favorites.

[Andy the Aussie]

Puma make a DAMN fine knife......you would be surprised what that skinner is worth these days......Puma were the "gold standard" in knives out her when I was growing up (some would say I still haven't). I also had a small Kersaw that like yours was a razor....won it when I was still an avid clay target shooter, someone wanted it more than me and it went "missing" from my fishing box....:mad:

I will refrain from commenting on your Jeep "issues" (an easy cure is available you know) in the interest of remaining civil.... ;) ;)

Andy:cool:

[MerKWorK]

I agree with the point of practicality. If it works for you, use it. I bought an SOG Trident folder for about $75...now it has worked for most of my small cutting chores, but Don't think I would want to stake my neck on it in a fight(although I would if I had to), just isn't solid enough. However my little folder has run laps around the knives my boss has bought out of Cabelas for double the price!:D Hell, come to think of it, I even swim with it!

[Jezcruzen]

Puma make a DAMN fine knife......you would be surprised what that skinner is worth these days......Puma were the "gold standard" in knives out her when I was growing up (some would say I still haven't). I also had a small Kersaw that like yours was a razor....won it when I was still an avid clay target shooter, someone wanted it more than me and it went "missing" from my fishing box....:mad:

I will refrain from commenting on your Jeep "issues" (an easy cure is available you know) in the interest of remaining civil.... ;) ;)

Andy:cool:

Take solace, Andy. I also once owned a Toyota Land Cruiser. Built like a tank, but only managed 9 miles per gallon.
Then there was my '85 Toyota 4WD pick-up..had it for 13 years. Went through three teen-age drivers. What a great truck! Took me everywhere....and back.

[Andy the Aussie]

Take solace, Andy. I also once owned a Toyota Land Cruiser. Built like a tank, but only managed 9 miles per gallon.
Then there was my '85 Toyota 4WD pick-up..had it for 13 years. Went through three teen-age drivers. What a great truck! Took me everywhere....and back.
.....you are a man of great style, taste an class....much like myself...unlike others here I could name... ;)