Cheap knives are just fine

[winstonsmith]

Hey guys.

Just got back from Ireland, and this trip (my first international) has really increased my love and loyalty for the good ol' US of A. Not that Ireland was a horrible place, truth be told, that seems to be a great country too.

But it's not my home sweet home.

Anyway, over there I bought a nice little linerlock folder with a bowie style combo edged blade (quite a mouthful) for 7 Euro. Thats about $8 or $9. It's sharp (I do the fingernail test), fairly sturdy, and perfectly excellent for my purposes. It could hold an edge a little better and I wouldnt complain, but I don't mind honing.

Now if this knife is fine for my purposes, I dont see why I would want to buy a 130 dollar benchmade that would fufill the same role. Sure, a benchmade by all acounts a very fine knife, but I'm a 15 year old. Not only am I likely to lose/destroy it, money doesn't come to me that easily. I've got a small weekly allowance and I work at a hot dog store. 130 dollars is quite alot to me.

Am I just rationalizing that the 9 buck knife isnt too bad because I don't want to spend more? Does it really matter?

 

[Quartus]

At 15, and on a limited budget, you got a good deal. Don't be ashamed of it.

You have to fit the tool to the intended use (is your life going to depend on it?) and the money that you have to spend.

But in the long run, cheap tools are false economy, whether your're a hunter or a mechanic, or an engineer. You can spend way too much on a fancy name, and that's never a good idea. But El Cheapo tools wear out faster, and are more likely to break when you really need them.

I used to be a service manager for a cellular phone dealer way back in the days when they were CAR phones. I hired and trained new installers. I could ALWAYS tell who the good ones and the bad ones were going to be by how they thought about tools. I NEVER had a bad installer who liked good tools, and I NEVER had a good installer who didn't give a rip about the quality of the tools he used. In fact, I got to the point where that was part of the interview process. Don't care about tool quality? I won't hire you.

I've talked to others in various fields who tell the same story.

Yes, quality counts. But like I said, you do have to take the intended use and the budget into account. Sometimes the cheap tool will have to do until later...

And good knife or not, you've got a wonderful souvenir from what (I hope) was a great trip. Memories are priceless. Make good ones.

 

[Don Gwinn]

The part where you say "if this knife is fine for my purposes" is the key. I sell computers. Some people want the digital TV recording software, the fastest Pentium 4 out, a gig of RAM, etc. Most people don't. The truth is, when you pay too little, you generally find junk. When you pay the highest prices out there, you are generally paying a lot of money for a small increase in performance. We call this the "sweet spot." You found it. Pay enough, and choose the knife carefully, and you get a knife that does everything you need and most of what you want. Now, if you used an AFCK for awhile, you'd notice advantages. They're real. But you have to decide whether those advantages make that knife 1200% better, since they cost 1200% more!

If you NEED the advantages of the AFCK, like the awesome lock, the wonderful ergonomics, etc., then it's worth the price. If you get a lot of pleasure from collecting such things (as I do) then it might be worth it for that reason. But if you only need a sturdy, dependable knife of useful design you can of course spend a lot less and be fine.

 

[Drjones]

I think you did just fine.

I still have an italian stilletto and a cheapo balisong I got while in europe several years ago. Both bring back nice memories. I don't regret buying them, but I sure wouldn't buy them again today.

If I let you see my BM bali (~$100) and then the cheapo one from Greece (~$15), you would instantly see and feel the difference in quality. Not even comparable.

But like you said; if it meets your needs, its fine.

However, don't fall prey to the false notion that expensive = wasted money. There is are many, many reasons why a Rolls costs over $300,000 and why a Honda is $20,000.

It's just a matter of what you can afford, and if you can afford the more expensive item, if you want to afford it, and understand why it is more expensive.

But for now, I'd say you did well for yourself.

 

[Tamara]

There is are many, many reasons why a Rolls costs over $300,000 and why a Honda is $20,000.

Heh.

You really could have picked a better example.

("Because it costs lots of money to retrofit burled walnut, Wilton carpets, Connolly hides and Lucas electrics into a '53 Checker Superba..." )

 

[CZ 75 BD]

What they said...

If it suits your needs, it suits your needs.

In general, we get what we are willing to pay for, so know what you want and what it takes to get it.

As the man said "The sweetness of a low price is soon overcome by the bitterness of low quality."

Low price, high quality, fast delivery, you can have any two!

 

[Sir Galahad]

I can point out a number of ways a Bnechmade is superior. I can also point out a number of ways a CRKT is superior to a Saturday Night Stabber. In Waikiki, the International Marketplace (I lived half a block from there) sells these SNS and every weekend there'd be stabbings. Knife then resides in bottom of the Ala Wai canal. That was the point. Buy a cheapie, do the deed, ditch the blade. You could count the blood trails on Monday morning. They weren't made for long term use.

Now, at 15, you should not be losing things. Or destroying things, either. It's time to start being a man. A man takes care of his weapons. He does not lose them or destroy them. If he loses ne, he should lose the most expensive as a lesson to secure his weapon better next time. A man with a knife he takes pride in keeps that knife in a high state of readiness. It is sharp, clean, and well-maintained. If you can only afford a cheap one, then take cre of it. Don't buy a knife with the idea of losing or destroying it. That just breeds bad habits. If you don't have time to learn to do things right the first time, when will you have time? You buy a weapon and take pride in ownership. If you ever serve in the army or Marines, pray hard the Drill Sergeant never finds your weapon unattended or unserviceable. When was issued my M-16A1, I took pride in that weapon because the taxpayers entrusted me with that weapon. My kinfolks paid for it with their hard work. The least I could do was keep it spotless and never out of my hands when it was out of the arms room. I had already known this, by the time was your age. I put handbills on doors for two months, often in the rain, to earn the money to buy my first knife. You can tell a craftsman by his tools and how well he takes care of them. Always take care of your weapons and they will take care of you.

 

[hso]

WS,

Nothing wrong with getting a good deal. The question should be "Do you think you bought a cheap knife or did you get a bargain?". You should never buy a cheap knife, but just because something didn't cost too much doesn't make it cheap.

I've seen small folders from Ireland that were well made lockbacks with nice wood scales, nickle silver bolsters, and good steel all put together well and getting daily use for years. Being a liner lock you do want to ensure that the lock is in the correct position so that there is no room between the lock and tang to allow the blade to bounce and you want the lock to be slightly difficult to take out of contact with the tang. If the lock doesn't look like it will fail with normal use and the steel holds a reasonable edge, but is easy enough to sharpen, then you got a reasonably good knife at a great price.

Since you were working on getting your parents to understand the reasons for carrying a pocket knife does this mean that they came around?

 

[winstonsmith]

Now, at 15, you should not be losing things. Or destroying things, either. It's time to start being a man. A man takes care of his weapons. He does not lose them or destroy them. If he loses ne, he should lose the most expensive as a lesson to secure his weapon better next time. A man with a knife he takes pride in keeps that knife in a high state of readiness

I'm trying the best I can.

I don't know if you remember, but it's hard becoming a man. In the scheme of things, I think that this is quite minimal standing next to such hallmarks of adulthood as keeping promises, respecting others, and being honest.

But then again, what do I know.

 

[Bruz]

I think that this is quite minimal standing next to such hallmarks of adulthood as keeping promises, respecting others, and being honest. But then again, what do I know.

Perhaps not everything yet, but sounds like you are on the right path!

 

[seeker_two]

One of the Rules of Life is that "With dilligent observation, you can sometimes find better deals than anyone can believe."

Hence, my $11 Coronado fighter knife that I found at Cheaper Than Dirt.

Holds an edge well, durable as heck, and a great field knife.

There are others that can do the job as well, but I like this one. And, at the price, I can buy a few more for gifts.

Value doesn't necessarily mean "costs more money". Ask any used gun collecter (like me... ) But you have to wade through a lot of chaff before you find the good stuff...

 

[zahc]

Gerber magnum LST junior makes a fantastic pocketknife for $20. I've been carrying mine for years. Very untilitarian.

 

[45R]

At 15 an "el cheapo" is fine. But at 8 dollars a pop the liner will fail, the rivets will pop off or the blade will dull fast. You get what you pay for. If you use it for an EDC you deserve the best.

I would say in the long run spoil yourself and buy a nice knife....you wont regret it. The "el cheapo" will carry lots of sentimental value.

 

[Don Gwinn]

Galahad, are you kidding me? Didn't we just have a two-page thread on lost knives?

"Real men don't lose tools." Riiiight.

Sgt. Hulka says "Lighten up, Francis!"

 

[Byron Quick]

Sometimes you cannot afford the best quality. Always buy the best quality you can afford.

Skimping on some items even when things are tight financially results in a false economies.

Examples: Buying cheap shoes...results in damage to the only feet you will ever have. Even then, prioritize. If you work in dress shoes and use work boots once or twice a month...buy quality dress shoes and lower quality work boots. If you work in work boots and wear dress shoes twice a month then reverse the purchasing priority.

Mattress set. You're going to spend a third of your life here. Doing it on low quality will definitely affect how you feel the other two thirds. Doing so might also require spending what would have been discretionary income on medical bills.

Same things goes with weapons. Determine your needs as opposed to your wants. Then buy the best quality items that you can afford that also fill those needs. As your financial means increase you can upgrade the quality of those items.

 

[Drjones]

Byron offers some incredibly wise and valuable thoughts.

Always buy the best shoes and mattress you can.

 

[Byron Quick]

 

[Quartus]

Byron, that was an incredibly wise and valuable rolling of the eyes.

 

[ed dixon]

I'm trying the best I can. I don't know if you remember, but it's hard becoming a man. In the scheme of things, I think that this is quite minimal standing next to such hallmarks of adulthood as keeping promises, respecting others, and being honest. But then again, what do I know.

Boy, this "kid" tickles me.

 

[Drjones]

What, Byron?

I was being serious!!! That is very good advice!

Sheesh!

 

[Byron Quick]

Let's not hijack the thread. I thought you might be serious...that's why I was "rolling eyes." Me and wisdom in the same sentence? Hilarious.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Don, like I said, if you're going to lose a knife, lose an expensive one. That way, you learn not to lose things. Your reference to "Stripes"; what, you think I'm funny? Funny how? How the **** am I "funny"? C'mon answer me, funny how? How am I funny? What, I amuse you? I'm a clown here to amuse you? Funny how? What the **** is so funny about me? What, the way I talk? Funny how? Yeah, I'll see your Stripes and raise you a Goodfellas...

 

[45R]

Byron offers some incredibly wise and valuable thoughts. Always buy the best shoes and mattress you can.

Thats the best advice I have heard all day

 

[ed dixon]

Not very sensitive to the footless insomniacs of the world. High Road indeed.

 

[Dr.Rob]

You know I spent $135 on a Cold Steel tanto 17 years ago. I paid $20 for a Cold Steel Bushman last year.

I think the bushman is a better hunting knife. I am going to wrap the handle with leather, and probably madke a new sheath but what do you want for $20. That's one HELL of a knife.