Do you use you collectible knives, for instance a $ 500 knife ?
- Thread starter Dale Alan
- Start date
- Status
Do you have a list of the knife companies that did not make it? Bet it is longer than the ones that did make it. Some names have been resurrected as brands, such as Old Henry/Schrade, made in China. The most current failure is Queen knives . Queen used to be an American knife, now it is made in China. And the Chinese patterns don't hold a candle to the American ones.
D2 steel, honey bone.
real stag
I've mentioned before I know of a Chris Reeve knife that bounced out of a jeep going over rocky, rough terrain at night in the TX Hill Country, never to be seen again.
Perhaps an archeologist in 3000 AD will find it and write a dissertation.
Perhaps an archeologist in 3000 AD will find it and write a dissertation.
Ranger99
Member
Depends on how much you're in for.
I more than doubled my money.
If I'd been one of the regular fleabay
vendors that dealt in paypal and all
that stuff I could have quadrupled
my money. Wish in one hand and so on
Ranger99
Member
Even the Case family.
The want for my Randall 25-5 was my push to make the Ouachita model. I still carry and use my 25 but that Magnacut Ouachita is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I’ve even got one a little bigger too, like 25-6 size.
Corporations have real limitations. They are not innovative because the new idea threatens the status, position, of internal Empires. Kodak is a great example, Kodak pioneered much of digital pictures, but digital threatened the status and position of the selfish individuals who carved out fiefdoms in film. Look at the history of semiconductors in the US, the Traitorous Eight had to leave to create the semiconductor future at Fairchild. And from there, Motorola hired away Fairchild innovators once Fairchild ossified.
Same with the knife industry. Existing organizations hate change, so the innovators leave and test their ideas in new businesses.
Yes, to some extent. Some like CRKT and Kershaw are formed by businessmen who worked for someone else and want to do what their employer won't adapt to. OTOH, there's much more of the artisan in the knife world. Al Mar wanted to make just his designs so he left to open his own shop instead of continuing to hide his light under Gerber's basket. Blackie Collins did the same even though Pete Gerber was more than happy to make Blackie's designs (because they made Gerber lots of money). There's as much art in the knife world as there is business and that makes it very different than large corporations. BUT, when a company is bought out from the founder all bets are off about what will happen if the buyer isn't in the industry. Will it be like Kershaw being bought by Kai, Taylor being bought by S&W, or does it completely loose any identity like Masters of Defense being bought by Blackhawk being bought by Vista. What will happen with Cold Steel is yet to be seen.
Last edited:
Madcap_Magician
Member
The pocket knife I carry is a $425 Hinderer, and I probably only own one or two knives that cost me less than $80. Most of my folders are $400+, as are all the fixed blades. But I've been more of a knife person than a gun person for probably ten years now. I have gotten into guns a little more, but collecting knives can be done for less money and less hassle, and I find it just as interesting.
But like @hso said, you have some for collecting that never get used regardless of the price, and some that are for using, also regardless of the price. People do collect Hinderer knives, but they're not all that hard to come by even if they do sell out fast and reliably, and the base models are really meant to be user knives.
On the other hand, I have collector knives, like the fighter I have from Burt Foster, or my Koenig Arius, or my Carothers Boot Dagger, that will never get used. The combination of rarity, the fact that secondary prices exceed what I paid, and that I don't find the design useful for carry even if I find it aesthetically pleasing ensures that they stay in the safe.
But like @hso said, you have some for collecting that never get used regardless of the price, and some that are for using, also regardless of the price. People do collect Hinderer knives, but they're not all that hard to come by even if they do sell out fast and reliably, and the base models are really meant to be user knives.
On the other hand, I have collector knives, like the fighter I have from Burt Foster, or my Koenig Arius, or my Carothers Boot Dagger, that will never get used. The combination of rarity, the fact that secondary prices exceed what I paid, and that I don't find the design useful for carry even if I find it aesthetically pleasing ensures that they stay in the safe.
Hinderer has an $800 folder listed, and it is sold out, along with the $650 folders! Undoubtedly nice knives, but way out of my throw away zone!
I could field dress a deer with that 25 in nothing flat. Beautiful knife, just beautiful. Where's a photo of the sheath?
Madcap_Magician
Member
Those are the special editions, really. The base models are basically all $425 with G10/Ti scales in blue or bronze ano or stonewashed finish, and go up $25-$50 for black DLC or $200 for full titanium handles.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
Unless it was a piece of history and irreplaceable, yes, I’d use a $500 knife.
My most expensive knife is only $360, but I use it.
My most expensive knife is only $360, but I use it.
Huh. You think AEB-L is a super steel?
Madcap_Magician
Member
It's pretty super, but not really in the sense that knife folks think of a 'super' steel in terms of being a fancy alloy. Definitely having a renaissance for tough stainless fixed blades at high hardness, though.
I used a handmade, forged 52100 knife with engraving on my first deployment. Hard- I even used it to pry frozen 120mm mortar shells (about 38 lbs) out of their carriers at least once. I think this pic was taken after the incident in question.
I have a 52100 wakizashi that I've cut branches with. OTOH, I've done no more than handled my Spyderco Darn Dao.
I have a lot of folders, a few of which are mid-range pricey. I've used Spyderco Manix 2 XLs very hard in Afghanistan, cutting off thick copper cables to keep them out of the hands of local nationals. Most of the time I've gone "to the field" in the last few years, though, I've used a $20 Ganzo. I've accidentally cut the necks off two bottles with it, so its 440C steel works just fine
Some of the time I carried a Spyderco Embassy on my last deployment, but I reserved it for defensive use. I wish I had found a way to send it home, but I gave it away, like so many other deployment knives
John
I have a 52100 wakizashi that I've cut branches with. OTOH, I've done no more than handled my Spyderco Darn Dao.
I have a lot of folders, a few of which are mid-range pricey. I've used Spyderco Manix 2 XLs very hard in Afghanistan, cutting off thick copper cables to keep them out of the hands of local nationals. Most of the time I've gone "to the field" in the last few years, though, I've used a $20 Ganzo. I've accidentally cut the necks off two bottles with it, so its 440C steel works just fine
Some of the time I carried a Spyderco Embassy on my last deployment, but I reserved it for defensive use. I wish I had found a way to send it home, but I gave it away, like so many other deployment knives
John
As MM pointed out, it's a simple steel- which is the opposite of how most people define "super steel"- but very tough and corrosion resistant. I think some people might believe that 52100 is super steel, and when forged correctly, maybe it is, though it rusts extremely easily
I can like something without believing it's the newest thing under the sun. I also want to try some 15N20, another very good steel mostly previously limited by availability in the right stock thickness.
John
I can like something without believing it's the newest thing under the sun. I also want to try some 15N20, another very good steel mostly previously limited by availability in the right stock thickness.
John
Kingcreek
Member
I have had knives in the $700-800 range and under. I have sold any knife I am unwilling to use. Still have some custom knives that see regular use if not rough use.
I just reached a point where I thought if I don’t feel I can use it, I don’t need it. Sold an ivory Bailey Bradshaw and a beautiful David broadwell springbok because I was worried a scratch would diminish value. My hunting knives are custom fixed blades and don’t get pampered.
I just reached a point where I thought if I don’t feel I can use it, I don’t need it. Sold an ivory Bailey Bradshaw and a beautiful David broadwell springbok because I was worried a scratch would diminish value. My hunting knives are custom fixed blades and don’t get pampered.
AEB-L Been around since about 1960 invented for razors by Gillette. I was not talking about a new steel, just the performance.
Just as an aside, many expensive knives are in O1. I will not buy O1 so I can pass by Becks and Turleys without another glance and my wallet stays intact
I really like RMJ (made here locally) and WC knives. Great steel and heat treat and AEB-L or Nitro-V with cryo.
Kingcreek
Member
On the topic of steel…
My hunting knives are D2 heat treated and cryo by Paul bos. I have my grandfathers circa 1900 marbles ideal which is a high carbon 1095 steel iirc. Also a heimo roselli hand forged carbon knife, all take a very good edge and see regular use.
Some of the new super steels are great but are not levels above some of the more traditional formulas.
My first S30V was a Phil boguzewski but the heat treat wasn’t right and it was soft. My experience with the same steel and better heat treat later was positive.
Sorry for the thread drift…
My hunting knives are D2 heat treated and cryo by Paul bos. I have my grandfathers circa 1900 marbles ideal which is a high carbon 1095 steel iirc. Also a heimo roselli hand forged carbon knife, all take a very good edge and see regular use.
Some of the new super steels are great but are not levels above some of the more traditional formulas.
My first S30V was a Phil boguzewski but the heat treat wasn’t right and it was soft. My experience with the same steel and better heat treat later was positive.
Sorry for the thread drift…
OP
OP
Dale Alan
member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2017
- Messages
- 865
Replying to my own thread . I sold the knife, but feel free to carry on amongst yourselves.
FL-NC
Member
I bought (and still have) a Randall #14 I bought in 1988 after I graduated SF training, for around $250. It got used some back then, but I ended up switching to lighter, cheaper knives for field use like the Cold Steel SRK (about $30 when I bought it). No idea what the Randall is worth now, but it lives in my safe. I was also issued a Emerson commander folder, which is a knife I am told costs between $250-300- mine was free. I carry it most of the time, and have beaten the heck out of it. Those are my only 2 "higher end" knives. I have many other "nice" ones I use for different purposes, but I doubt any of them are worth more than $100, tops.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
