Why go high dollar on an EDC?

I would like a Benchmade Contego eventually.

Quality > Quantity

Give me a shout when you decide to do that. I can usually beat the cheapest internet price you can find by at least 25-30%.

Benchmades have a LOT of markup built into them. And since I don't have a website with a shopping cart, I don't have to meet the minimum advertised prices when I sell.

Downside is we have to wait until it comes off the line since we are ordering direct from Benchmade. Sometimes it takes 4 days to arrive, sometimes 4 weeks.

But sometimes, especially on the most expensive ones, it can really be worth it.
 
This right here is why I say Spyderco & Benchmade folders are not "high-dollar" knives. Not because I don't think they're expensive but because they're kind of middle-of-the-road for knives price-wise. I carry a used Benchmade and one day when I lose it I'ma be pissed about it, but not this pissed: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.c...s-reeve-large-sebenza-25-as-new-in-box.14772/


Yeah, Chris Reeve knives aren't the high end of the market by any stretch.

First time I took in a used Medford I was sweating bullets wondering if I had messed up.
It sold within 24 hours. I can't keep a used Medford in.
A lot of them, MOST of them are WAY over my head.
But, I guess every hobby in the world has a "high end".
Booze, cigars, cars, electronics, guns, whatever. Apparently knives are no different.

This is one of the first I took in used:

http://www.dlttrading.com/medford-p...ck-pvd-d2-black-pvd-titanium-fileworked-spine

I have special ordered this style twice:

http://www.dlttrading.com/medford-p...-pvd-titanium-blue-anodized-titanium-hardware
 
This right here is why I say Spyderco & Benchmade folders are not "high-dollar" knives. Not because I don't think they're expensive but because they're kind of middle-of-the-road for knives price-wise. I carry a used Benchmade and one day when I lose it I'ma be pissed about it, but not this pissed: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.c...s-reeve-large-sebenza-25-as-new-in-box.14772/

It's also why I like ZT. While it's more expensive than the $30-50 knives, it's about 95-98% the quality of a $250-300 Spartan, at about half that cost (especially if you catch a sale).

ETA - or check out @thrillhill's thread here: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/used-knives.11098/. My wallet is grateful I already own a rock-solid similar product (a 0350), or I'd be sorely tempted by those prices.
 
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My sub-ten dollar Kershaw hotwire did everything I asked of it today... stayed in my pocket and I didn't notice it...i'm an idiot and FOMO (fear of missing out) will probably drive me to buy a benchmade one day, but probably not until I find a d(st)eal
a8051717-ca8d-48d4-8964-72799da8fc73_1.393d05d37ee14760644f7abc14c36319.jpeg

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kershaw-1310WM-Hotwire-Knife/54997842
 
Spend about $300 then, and you'll be sure to know where it is at all times. My wife and I bought each other expensive sunglasses for our honeymoon in 1993. Those glasses aren't stylish anymore, but we still have them. We've also have gonethrough dozens of piece of crap glasses in those years.
Same. I'll lose the cheap glasses, but my Serengeti's never leave my sight.
And I handle my $30 Kershaw Kai better than a Puerto Rican with a switchblade.
Someone like @thrillhill who's a tradesman with a knife, yeah I get why he needs top flight.
But I don't expect he'll be spending $300 on a set of ratcheting wire cutters. He'll probably just use a sawzall.
It really depends on what you do for a living. Or if you like big fat gold chains.
 
Yeah, Chris Reeve knives aren't the high end of the market by any stretch.

First time I took in a used Medford I was sweating bullets wondering if I had messed up.
It sold within 24 hours. I can't keep a used Medford in.
A lot of them, MOST of them are WAY over my head.
But, I guess every hobby in the world has a "high end".
Booze, cigars, cars, electronics, guns, whatever. Apparently knives are no different.

This is one of the first I took in used:

http://www.dlttrading.com/medford-p...ck-pvd-d2-black-pvd-titanium-fileworked-spine

I have special ordered this style twice:

http://www.dlttrading.com/medford-p...-pvd-titanium-blue-anodized-titanium-hardware
this is crazy!

I paid $600.00 for the car I'm driving to work tomorrow!
 
this is crazy!

I paid $600.00 for the car I'm driving to work tomorrow!


Yeah, I feel you.

The last two trucks I bought were less than that most expensive Medford, combined!

On the other hand, I kinda chuckle inside when a customer driving a $60,000 clean as a whistle diesel pickup who parked on the far side of the parking lot so it doesn't get a ding on it comes in and complains about his $20 knife "loosening up"! LOL!

Noway asked a question in the thread below and I kinda lean on the Rolex or Browning comparisons a little:

https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.c...s-reeve-large-sebenza-25-as-new-in-box.14772/


Now ask me if I own a Rolex or a Browning! LOL!

But yeah, like I say in that thread, depending on the day of the week, I might have a $20 Kershaw or SOG in my pocket. Might be something different.
 
I've carried a Coldsteel 4" Tanto Voyager for 15+ years, love it.
It'd be perfect if it was 3.5" and the handle was 1/16+" thinner.
I IWA carry and am looking for a new EDC. I really like the ZT 0770CF, if it came in 3.5" it'd be sold, the handle is too small in my hand.
I like a tanto blade and will take blade suggestions.
 
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Man, when I hit the lotto I am getting a Medford! When you get it in your hand, it all becomes clear! Very stout.
But, I think it would drag my jeans down if I were to pocket carry it!

I have several benchmade, which I love. But for my use I have a USA Kershaw Blackout that has proven to be everything I need and performs really well. What an awesome pocket knife. Light, strong, easy to sharpen, good edge retention, fits nicely in pocket.

But I just got a Benchmade 940 from @thrillhill. Always wanted one but couldn't justify the price. But Bill made a deal that I couldn't refuse!
It's a lovely knife, but I am too afraid to scratch it up at this point, haha. Man it is sexy.
Might pick up a nice Balisong style at some point. That's my next folder fixation.

Truth is, a "gentlemans" type folder is all I really need. I just am not that hard on them. Office geek mostly! But a quality tools are nice to have no matter who you are.
 
Lol yeah I basically carry around a fancy letter opener.
 
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I carried an Emerson Mini Commander for years and really abused it. Unfortunately, I never really thought, this is the knife I need to carry. It worked ok and is basically indestructible. Something about the blade profile just didn't work for me. Replaced it with a ZT350. This is the perfect folder for me! Lost my first one within a month by the TSA on accident. Replaced it and have carried for over a year and love it. I do have several cheaper Kershaws but always end up back carrying a higher quality blade, now the ZT350.
 
I spent 3 hours today helping two fine young Special Forces candidates pick out a knife for SERE.

Stayed an hour after closing helping the second guy.

We didn't have to spend any time whatsoever discussing quality or money, just characteristics and performance.

Certainly not an "EDC" situation in the spirit of the initial question for this thread, and even though these were fixed blades instead of folders, I couldn't help but thinking of this thread as we were talking.

One guy ended up buying an ESEE 3 and the other a Bark River Bravo 1.

I expect both of those knives to work well for what they are about to ask of them.
But for $30 more out the door (even though it did not factor in to the young man's decision making process) one of those guys ended up with what could become a prized family heirloom, even after intense use.

I felt happy with my "job performance" when the first guy left with the ESEE.
I felt almost like a proud father when the second guy left with the Bark River.

Some days my job is awesome!

And sometimes threads like this that force us to articulate our reasoning helps me in my day to day life.

Long story short, I'd like to thank the OP for starting this thread and everyone who has responded as well! Good times!
 
Just like any tool, it depends on the job you need it to do. You don't buy a Corvette to haul groceries and you don't race in the mini-van.
First of course is identifing the need. What do you cut and how often? As Catfish said, his is just basically a fancy letter opener. I personally use mine a lot. Many times it's just to open packages and letters or cut down a box. Sometimes I use it to cut food, like I did tonight. But, I've also used my knife to trim down a small branch or two or other woods use. I also consider my knife as a weapon, so my demands are different.
I was going to go into details here, but I realize it would be very long and deserves a separate thread, so I guess I'll start one.
But, meanwhile, here's a partial outline...

Construction
Blade materials- 440C, ATS34, S30V, etc.
Blade design- tanto, drop point, chisel, etc.
Locking design- liner lock, frame lock, etc.
Handle design- opening mechanisms, grip angles, materials, etc.

There are a lot of factors in knife design. You have to find one that fits your needs at a cost that works for you. There are some great medium to low end products out there that fits most people's needs.
 
I completely blame @thrillhill For this. Lol

20170918_122107.jpg

I love the flipper, the micro is nice, but I haven't carried or played with it much.

If y'all are in the market for knives you have to get a hold of Bill. It will both be great and at the same time have you wondering why your wallet is lighter (in a good way).
 
I completely blame @thrillhill For this. Lol

View attachment 23425

I love the flipper, the micro is nice, but I haven't carried or played with it much.

If y'all are in the market for knives you have to get a hold of Bill. It will both be great and at the same time have you wondering why your wallet is lighter (in a good way).

Man I want one so bad! Lol just can't bring myself to drop that much. Those are in the $600 range correct?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Man I want one so bad! Lol just can't bring myself to drop that much. Those are in the $600 range correct?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I got a used one and the deal was waaaayyyy too Good to pass up. Give him a shout, its worth it!
 
I've had cheap knives like buck or gerber, and never had a problem with them except for losing them. I've got a griptillian now and carry it everyday, everywhere I go. I've had it for about four years, and only sharpened it twice. It hasn't rusted like the old timer it replaced that started getting rust in two weeks. I love my benchmade, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one given I can afford it at the time.
 
How did my father ever survive with just a yellow handled Case trapper. And my grandfather, with his Old-Timer... how did they do it?

Well, I'll tell you how.

Old Timers weren't made in China like they are today. Yes, Schrade bought Old Timer and moved all production to China.

And Case hadn't yet decided that only collectors buy their knives now so "Hey, let's coat the blades with the crappiest chrome vanadium that we can find!".

It breaks my heart to say this, because I am an Old Timer fan first and foremost, but, both brands as they are produced today are garbage.

And that is why your grandfather could do then what we can't do now.

If an Old Timer were to be manufactured in the US today, it would probably run you between $75 and $125.

That's why folks like me have to chase down and pay for stuff like this:

https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?ttl=Queen Folding Knives&eqWWWCAT_1datarq=folder&eqFIELD169Rdatarq=25&series=1250

Or, we hit yard sales and try to find US made Old Timers.

That whole China thing really turned my stomach.

I bought one of the Chinese made Old Timers anyway a while back. Had it two days before I broke it. Dropped it on the floor of my shop with the blade open. It snapped the bar on the "spine" that "locks" the blade in when it is deployed. Snapped it right in half. Two days old. And my floor is not concrete. It's 3/4 inch plywood.

That is sorry stuff.

I still have that one, maybe I'll take a pic when I get home. I think it is still in my junk drawer.

But, yeah, no offense, but times have changed. Quality has changed. And not for the better in certain circles.
 
Same thing happened to my camillus usgi knife (made in 1993). Made me sad, so I tracked down and found another one, so we'll see how that one does. Made in NY and I think it was 440 of some sort.
 
And I've said that I carry cheaper knives sometimes. And we sell them here at work as well.

But let me jump back on the other side of the fence for a minute.

Comparing a $20 Kershaw made in China to an Old Timer that cost my Grandpa $20 in the 1960s is a wildly erroneous comparison.

A more apt comparison after adjusting for inflation is that a $20 chinese made knife is more akin to a $2 knife in the "bargain bin" back then.

They are sharp toys. You are not gonna take a $20 knife today and cut your apple, whittle, cut baling twine, clean a deer, and stuff like that every day for decades without it exploding into a heap of useless parts.

But as a society, our needs have changed. We can, and do, get by just fine with the $2 sharp toy. We open boxes. We cut our steak in a restaurant and post it on Facebook to display our manliness.

It's not a knock on folks who get by with the cheap stuff. Most days I do as well.

But for apples and oranges sake, a $20 knife nowadays is not a $20 knife from decades and generations past.
 
I really, really want an ESEE, but unfortunately, this is where my $ is going:

IMG_20170919_183055.jpg
IMG_20170919_182704.jpg

Maybe in a couple years....

Edited to add: I have stuff in the classifieds. Buy my stuff so I can get an ESEE! It's for the children!
 
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My EDC is a $7 foldable razor box cutter, because 90% of the stuff I do involves cutting boxes open. And the blade is really easy to sharpen. You open it, throw it in trash, and get another blade from the Stanley dispenser at work. It will cut a fool, or hijack a plane if need be. All my high dollar knives are at home collecting dust.

Since I dont' forsee the need for batoning trees, or stabbing pigs, I prefer a sharp razor blade over just about everything else.

e200073c2b2dd6edabd64cb106363cdc.jpg
 
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I really, really want an ESEE, but unfortunately, this is where my $ is going:

View attachment 23624
View attachment 23625

Maybe in a couple years....

Edited to add: I have stuff in the classifieds. Buy my stuff so I can get an ESEE! It's for the children!


Keep in mind, we enjoy trading as well. When the time comes I could certainly hook you up! LOL!
 
My choice of handgun today kind of made me think of the original question of this thread as well.

My Glock works just fine. But I decided to carry a 1911 today. Didn't need to buy a 1911. Just wanted it.

I got bored with my Glock this morning and decided to carry the 1911.

Cause I can.
 
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