We’re currently testing out a series of pocket knives for EDC and casual shop use. Some are folders similar to the Kershaw Leek we recently reviewed, while others are not quite what you would consider work knives.
Our product selection is nearly complete, but it’s not set in stone. It just dawned on us that we probably should have asked what readers would be interested in seeing reviewed rather than selecting models of personal interest.
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It would help us out, if not for the current series of knife reviews then for the next, if you could please answer a quick question: How much would you spend on a knife?
In answering the question please consider that we’re talking more about traditional folding and fixed-blade knives and not replaceable-blade utility knives.
Thanks!
The question is open-ended but if you’re unsure about how to answer, consider these options: less than $50, between $50 and $100, more than $100, less than $150, and so forth.
Jeffzx9
Between $50-100, unless I’m just buying a “beater” for the toolbox in the Rover.
JR
The most I would spend on a single, “special” knife would be $200 and below.
scott grandstaff
Kind of a crazy question. But for anything made on this side of 1940 my criteria would be less than $30 or more than $1000.
Under 30 you are talking users and junkers. Go ahead and use it, abuse it and lose it. Little loss. There are plenty of totally good working knives available under $30 at any given time.
Over 1000 you are into custom handmade, although you won’t get a Buster Warinski for that. Maybe a mid grade D’Alton Holder.
Inbetween 30 and 1000 in a new knife you are just a sucker. It will never have any resale value in your lifetime. If you can’t get a 20 dollar Swiss army knife to work, the problem lies with you.
Pre 1940 is where the great values are. Elegant cutlery made by masters and it will always be worth no less than you paid for it.
yours Scott
JR
I would politely disagree. You may not like them but many of my sub $200 dollar Spyderco’s have gone up in value sometimes to prices I think are reasonable. Not bad for production knives meant to be used but, of course, nowhere near the value of true collectable “art” knives.
Joe 'the Pro' Sainz
I used to be in the under $50 crowd – until I picked up my Leek with G10 scales. That puts me in the $75 and under crowd I guess. I love this knife and would gladly get another.
Doug
Under $50. I hate using a knife that I am afraid to break.
Tom
Depends on the knife and intended use. I don’t care about appreciation or what I can sell the knife for later.
For an EDC I would say no less than $100. It gets uses a lot and for a long time. I blew through 2 Spyderco Delica in 6 years before I got my Emerson. It has lasted more than 10 years so far.
For a toolbox knife there are some good bargains. I prefer a fixed blade if it is going to live in the toolbox. I have an old CRKT Stiff KISS that has been a great loaner knife from the toolbox. I bought it years ago for about $20, but now looks like I could sell it for $35 on ebay. It is worth more than that to me.
Most fixed blades I need I make these days anyway. I guess if you include materials, tools, time, and belts I would spend a bunch for those first knives.
[email protected]
You can get some really good knives for under $50, and you’re not investing a ton. When my Kershaw finally kicks it, I’ll just get another one.
Chip
The knife I use 24/7 for EDC is a Kershaw Needs Work.
Has a sturdy blade similar to a utility knife, easy pocket clip, and a fun spring assist feature.
If the knife is intended for work tasks… I cant see spending more then $50. Whenever I use a blade of mine that costs more… I just seem to baby it and cringe at the thought of damaging it. Not that $50 and under is chump change, but it doesnt give you second thoughts about using the blade in tough situations.
Looking forward to the blade reviews!
Scott
Less than $50, with up to $75 if it had some really unique feature, for folding knives. Possibly over $100.00 for fixed blade if it is of exceptional quality.
I use and abuse my EDC knife daily, plus lose it now and then (usually when I have leave it at home or in the car when entering a building I’ll get patted down in). Current knife is a Leatherman E301 (folding, about $35 I think) that I have been very happy with.
Definitely curious to see the reviews!
Mahalo
For me, 30-50 bucks tops. Most DIY and general knife users are not knife “collectors”, so I doubt that reviews of $1000+ knives would be relevant to most of your readers. On the other hand, that’s why you asked the question, right? 🙂
Stuart
In addition to being of less interest to most readers, $1000+ knives are definitely way outside my budget.
Right now there are a couple of sub-$50 models, many sub-$80 models, and a few $100+ models.
PutnamEco
For an everyday working knife I try to keep it under $50 because there is the very real possibility of me losing or breaking it no less the fact that I may end up abusing it for some task. For an outdoors knife that my life may depend upon, I’ll spend a little more money on, because in a survival situation I’m not likely to take many chances with my knife, and I will need to depend on it to be up to the tasks at hand.
Bart
My everyday carry is a Chris Reeve Large Sebenza. It was a gift, but is an expensive knife – Maybe $325 at the time. I think it would have good resale value, and it’s hard to imagine a better working knife (Sebenza is Zulu for work).
http://chrisreeve.com/
For under $100, you can buy a nice Spyderco or Benchmade, I think. In the gararge, I keep a couple utility knives and a $10 Mora knife.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Knives/511.html
Mike
I typically carry a Spyderco, but I would like a Emerson CQC. With that being said no more than 200.00.
Israel David
Never spent more than $10 on a knife.
fred
Since most of the tools I’ve bought over the years were for business – not collecting – I’ve probably spent not more than $25 or so at a time each on hundreds of knives over a 45 year period. When I was personally doing some light carving and leatherwork with the Scouts – I may have gone as high as $100 on a swivel knife – and perhaps as high as $50 on some wood carving knives- although I think that the Flexcut and Wayne Barton knives that I have probably cost much less.
I guess if I were a collector – or if you had the provenance to go along with the knife that stabbed Julius Caesar – then I might see why you might wish to pay a lot more.
mnoswad1
I used to drive around with a retractable auto load utility knife on the dash of my beater truck……lets those un desirables know that you have a blade nearby, as they are keenly more aware of how dangerous a razor blade can be….Normal people just don’t notice.
Once getting pulled over by NYPD, officer asked why I had a knife…….I had to ask him to repeat the question a couple times…..as I truly didn’t understand the question….he pointed to my dashboard, but to me it was a tool, not a “knife”.
Demp
The most I have spent so far is $260 shipped for a Zero Tolerance 0560(Low serial number) when they first came out. Absolutely love it.
I have purchased a few Benchmade Bali-songs but they are now worth well more than what I paid for them(Paid less than $200 each).
Tom Zamorski
between $50 and $100. Plenty of quality blades available yet, if the need arises, they’re replaceable without breaking the bank. (or causing strife in the home!)
Clayton
Up to $100-ish. My Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is the most expensive folder I’ve bought… but it is definitely an awesome knife for the price. However, I’ve been using a CRKT Stubby Razel (approx $40-50) as a utility fixed blade as I work on my house.
Eric
I carry an Emerson CQC 8, and have for about the last 3 years. I paid $250 for it, it stays sharp as hell even with my amateur sharpening skills. I use it on an almost daily basis and sharpen 1-2 times a year. Carried a $50 smith and wesson before that, sharpened it once a month and it was shit.
I also love the emerson wave feature, one handed draw without tempting the illegal autoloaders.
Jerry
I’d say from around $150 and down. Generally speaking, I carry around a cheapie, actually thinking about getting myself a small folder that uses replacable utility knives for carrying around and using for things that quickly dull blades. OK, I’m actually thinking about getting that, and a ‘nice’ knife to carry around, and not too long ago I would have put $100 at the top end, but since looking around, there are a lot of nice knives, in the $100-$150 range that might be worth the extra money.
The very pricey knives, I don’t consider knives so much as either collectables, or works of art, than ‘knives’.
Maikeru
Personally I tend to go for $50-100. I’ll make an exception for the rare gem that just happens to cost $30-45 since that’s usually a reasonable enough of a bargain. I’ve been known to be interested in something in the $150-200 range, but at that point I’d probably going for both usability and looks.
Al
Much less than $50 for me. I tend to use things hard, and would probably end of babying a more expensive knife, making it almost useless for me. I don’t carry one on me, but use a knife a lot in the shop.
Ray
I’d go to $3oo if the knife was perfect for my needs. However, most of the knifes that work best for me land in the $100 to $200 range.
Cj
A good beat around knife would be the opinel carbon steel blade knives. Easy to put an edge on with just about any abrasive material you have at hand.
Mike
$50 – 100 or so,really depends what ill be using it for. I have a nice Collection of knives and am a big fan of Spyderco and SOG.
Cat
Picked up a folding Camillus knife at Walmart for $25 and put some talon grips on it. Works well but have always wanted an auto knife. Amazon has them on sale for $144! To me that seems excessive; I can get 500 rounds of 5.56 with that money!
Would I like one, hell yes. Is it worth it? Not a clue. Based on these comments it doesn’t seem so. When it comes to firearms, I buy quality Daniel Defense, SIG Swiss Arms, B&T, FNH, etc.. However, I still shop around and find them used for a fraction of MSRP.
I know my guns but no clue about knives. Should I spend $144 on an auto knife or keep this $25 Camillus Titanium folding knife (says titanium, not sure that’s true)?