Budget Knives VS Expensive Knives - How Much Do You REALLY Need to Spend on a User?

[@metal_complex]

Thanks for watching! My Patreon - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex

[@ThePaPappy]

They don't hand out 600 dollar knives for working in a warehouse, they give out utility blades. Most of the things could be done IMO with a utility razor for 3 bucks at Walmart. Much as I love knives over these 6 decades of life I'd never pay more than $150 for a knife. My Grandfather told me about trading a single shot shotgun for a car back in the depression. When the SHTF soon I plan on picking up some high end knives for a case of water and a hungry man meal 😁👍

[@harrytugnut8711]

I bought my first decent knife less than one year ago. It was an r2d2 I was sick of the cheap crap check out line knives. Always dull always a falling apart. I used that r2d2 for about two weeks and I was so impressed I stopped by a local surplus store and somehow I got talked into buying a manix 2 in m 390 and my lord I couldn’t believe the difference and I fell in love completely with knives at that point. I’ve made my way all the way up past zt which I love to a a hinderer that I’ve customized to exactly what I want and now I’m just getting deeper and deeper into the knife hole and I love it. The craftsmanship and blood sweat and tears that goes into some of the knives are what makes it so worth it to me. I carry my r2d2 with me still while I’m at work because I have a dirty job but I always leave one of my higher end knives in the truck to flip and fidget with on my long drive home from work

[@slick_slicers]

As a youth, I really despised the Opinels and anyone who carried them. As an older adult, I now see the point. It’s so thin and sharp, itcuts food better than almost any folding knife, regardless of price. It deserves a place in your picnic hamper, if nowhere else.

[@jim-hl4cc]

I have a mix of budget and expensive knives. Often I think some of the expensive knives are overly designed. Sometimes I think many of these designs are just for the “ cool” factor alone. Many times they are just ridiculous. The same can be said of ultra cheap gas station knives Overly ornate to impress. I can appreciate high quality expensive knives and high quality inexpensive knives. They take up about the same space in my pocket. Just not my bank Account.

[@Tiralful]

I feel bad using anything over $150. It’s like owning a classic car with low miles. You really want to drive it daily but you don’t want to ruin it. Where as I’ll beat the crap out of a $90 Kershaw though.

[@tankcrowe5417]

I'm a simple man , I only need a few necessities to preform any cutting task. Devin Thomas Damascus, titanium frame with exotic scales, engraved bolsters, and a natural Ruby in the thumb stud ,made by a highly skilled craftsman ,with unbelievable tolerances and I'm good to go.

[@jdemeter4357]

Minimal standards but a good start. Knives should at least meet that for a decent beater

[@ShadowDaPk]

@@jdemeter4357 that's a good standard for a knife you're ok with handing to a total stranger and them beating up.

[@jdemeter4357]

@@ShadowDaPk Even if I knew the person at times they are strange, and now a days strangers aren't strange but spooky,,, so NO

[@rustyknifelover4463]

Well this post went to a very different destination than I expected, LOL

[@TheWatcher60401]

At the very least.

[@93DracoX]

I promise I’ll finish the video. But small discrepancy, I’m pretty sure that opinel is stainless. Hence the INOX stamped on the blade.

[@TheBennie102103]

I noticed the Inox to, it is the stainless version

[@metal_complex]

Ya that was an error on my part. Good eye 👍

[@bahjinelson3986]

Good points. Reminds me of Nick Shabazz's video "Cost Carry Comfort Curve". It's good to know where we stand on pricing comfort if we intend to carry a particular knife. I've made the mistake of buying expensive knives I don't carry, but still enjoy owning fortunately. I think we like good budget knives because of how emotionally easy they are to carry.

[@jessebergunder]

My most expensive knife is my bugout. I am very happy with what we/civivi do and for south of $100 civivi offers amazing value imo.

[@esoteric5277]

If you really want amazing value you should buy Kizer knives through AliExpress🤫

[@emersonkk33]

I'm an audiophile and we talk all the time about diminishing returns. My stand alone 2 channel audio system (separate than my home theater system) investment is at about $60,000 as of now. My interconnect cables and speaker cables are a good ten grand alone. Do I "need" speaker cables that cost 3 or 4 grand? Hell no! Being the fanatic I am, could I live with myself using $30 zip cord? Hell no lol. Could I tell the difference between them? Most likely. Could 99% of other people? Highly doubtful. It's all about your passions and your rational about your obsessions (not to mention bank account). I'm new to the knife hobby and I have yet to spend over $100 on a knife. RAT 1 D2 was my first delve into it. I have about 40 knives now with 14 from Civivi, 5 from CRJB, 4 from CRKT, 3 from Ruike, 3 from Steel Will, 3 from Best Tech, 3 from Kershaw (just got the Blur in 20CV), 1 Artisan and several real cheapies just because I liked the look of them. I'll probably get a few more RAT 1's as my beaters along with some fixed blades for camping as I'm not a heavy user. I could see myself spending $150-$200 at some point, but not until I develop more passion for this hobby. Good Video.

[@mikewright2917]

Since I found and started watching your videos (6 weeks ago) I have bought the following Rat 1 & 2, Civivi Praxis and Elementum, QSP Penguin, Ritter Hogue RSK and RSK Mini, Kershaw Bareknuckle and Launch 4, Rike 1902, ZT0562, and Two Suns TS223, Spyderco Sage 1, Benchmade bug out. I think I need a second job and counseling. I think I will start with the counseling. So what do you think my next knife should be counselor?

[@jaxik6506]

I think the key point with buying knives from established companies from Gerber to Strider, you get what you pay for. I have a fair amount of kershaws for example that I love and carry from time to time and enjoy handling, but I wouldn't use them for the same things I would my strider and expect them to last. On top of that, most people don't realize they pay for the warranty. I Just recently sent in a 270$ DPX HEST/F urban and they wouldn't send it back due to safety concerns(I tend to break a lot of knives, only ever lost 1) and they not only replaced it, they gave me 3 options, the option I chose was a 450$ upgrade, and they gave me my original G10 Scale back as well as the discontinued pocket clip and my glass breaker screw. Literally paid for itself in the upgrade. My strider, I would never even doubt its use anywhere nor would I ever hesitate to expect the same warranty service. The cheap knives often have good warranties as well. It is part of the conversation for sure. Great topic though. Personally, I do carry my strider daily when on duty and it sees more use then I am sure the vast majority of users will use their knives . I love it and wouldn't even think of replacing it with a cheap Gerber or Kershaw. With this said, not only am I a soldier, I spend most of my days in the woods and sit around a fire nightly. It is probably the most enjoyable part of my career right now and having a job that requires the use of my knife daily is a true privilege. I also just recently purchased an ESEE-5 to use in this role.

[@usa5865]

Im in the 20 percent. I need a knife i can beat the crap out of. Im more worried about chips and snapping my blade than dulling it. I don't want to risk snapping an expensive knife. I have a manix 2 in s30v and Im always too worried I'll brake it to use it how I want. I either need expensive and amazing or cheap and kinda rugged

[@SignifiKent]

I buy both inexpensive and expensive but it's always quality- that's the key. If you can only buy one knife you'll have to do the research and base your choice on budget. It's all about being a smart shopper and knowing what you need. My personal daily carry for real everyday use with no specific task is a Para 2 in S110V because I'm a bit of a steel snob but I also absolutely love my D2 Civivis, my M390 WE, my 20CV Benchmade and ZT and of course, my old 440c boker from 30 years ago. Part of what makes collecting great is variety- that's why I'm a collector and not just a knife user.

[@Glock26stud]

My thoughts when I see this video: why did he make another one of these stupid videos. He’s already done it like 3 times *continue to watch entire video*

[@metal_complex]

I'm sure that thought goes through everyone's mind 👍

[@12evinge]

I re watch these when im scared of the guilt love the content ❤

[@Killlerbee]

I am a budget collector so my top end is about $150 but I would love to have the ability to go higher. I have been satisfied with the great offerings of Kershaw, Civivi, CJRB, Spyderco, etc. Thanks to channels like this that educate... My wife just asked today, "how many knives do you need?" (I only have about 12) There is not enough space to go into the discussion we had on the merits (or lack) of collecting ANYTHING. LOL!

[@rustyknifelover4463]

My wife asked me the same question. She is into crafting. I asked her how many stamp sets, sewing machines, crafting tools she needs. Hasn't asked me again and my tastes have gotten better.

[@ajpend]

I like that you’re always speaking to the general public and you’re always also speaking to the grizzled enthusiast.

[@ashmerch2558]

AdV has a "production" knife, there custom tac-butcher in dragon skin Damascus right around $3900, after shipping & tax, that'd be like $4150 - $4200... I'm over here thinking my vintage skinner XM-18 3.5 was pricey... I think almost everything is cool, but after learning to sharpen good with edge pro, and buying a Shaman was functionally the best thing I've ever done... anything else I get is cream on top, but who doesn't enjoy cream lol

[@ShadowDaPk]

That's a good analogy because too much cream can be bad for your health. With any collecting hobby it's your financial health.

[@LH_Vagrant]

That Opinel is made of 12C27MOD, not carbon steel. Inox is simply the French way of saying stainless. I agree that they're rather boring, though I generally like them for the exotic wood handle options (I'm a wood nut). The ring lock works quite well for fidgeting too, especially in places where you can't in good conscience brandish a knife.

[@rockets4kids]

That Opinel will out-cut everything else on the table, and by a large margin.

[@claypitman1459]

I work in a scrapyard, I usually carry at least two knives at all times. So happens I’m carrying my civivi praxis and opinel no.06. I work my knives hard and don’t believe in bringing big priced knives to work. Just the other day I had to use my praxis as a pet bar, it did not snap but it did bend. And I can still use it.

[@slick_slicers]

You might ask, if you could only have the knife your offered or nothing, at what point would you say, I’d rather have nothing? I mean at what point would the space in your pocket be more valuable than the only knife option you have? I have (amongst many, many others) a Schrade Sodbuster that costs $6, and it would work. Though, I never, ever carry it as I’m a knife snob, so today’s carry is a Rockstead Hizen at 100 times the price, because I like it and I can! Anything in between is just my free choice. Is there anything I’d absolutely refuse to carry, given the only other option was nothing? Probably not!

[@vigilantdr.dolittle]

I have my own habit regarding knives. In nature i use fixed blades in dayly life usally folders. The folders are not expensive because they don't get used a lot, but i carry them in case something bad happens. Knife crimes are rising in my country.

[@lavenderpants8695]

Regarding your comment on people saying "in those situations you need to just have a fixed blade". Something interesting, the friends and family I personally know that we're soldiers, and have seen combat, I have talked to them about the knives they used in the military. None of them had a fixed blade. They carry so much gear as it is, having a fixed blade wasn't convenient, and it was more convenient to have something strapped to their front or on a piece of gear they could quickly get out and didn't take up a lot of room. It was always either a folding knife, a multi tool, or in most cases one of each. So yeah, folding knives get used for situations they aren't built for. When I asked why they didn't have a Bushcraft blade or a large one like a Kabar I always got the same response, we weren't bushcrafting and trench warfare ended 100 years ago so I didn't need a knife that could dig a trench lol. Just always found it interesting.

[@lavenderpants8695]

But that was just them. I'm sure plenty of soldiers carry fixed blades.

[@brandonreid9417]

Lol you took the words outa my mouth. I was just thinking wow I could buy a Taurus to play with at the range, an extra mag and a box of ammo for the price of some of the microtech's. I'm totally a noob to knives so glad I found this

[@puppy_pause]

I love the opinel for it's simplicity, I have the ironwood handle it's amazing. I have two Ganzo firebirds with carbon fiber scales that I use for EDC and they are awesome. My son and brother-in-law have spyderco knives but I like my Ganzos at about $30 each. :)

[@brennenhudson7626]

I'm right in the middle. I have the spiderco and some zt's. I really like the looks and want a sabenza. I just can't get over that price for the steels chris reeves uses when u can get a Ferrum forge with m390 for over 100 bucks cheaper. But I know that they are way different. I only held a large sabenza tanto that someone had for like 15 seconds and the quality was really nice. The blade felt like nothing else when I opened it.

[@cbwelch4]

It depends on what job is being done or if it is just an object of lust. I’d thought of getting a Code 4 or AD10 just to have an end of the world folder. That said I’m pretty happy with the Civivi I just bought also the Bestech for fidget factory. I use Bucks or my RAT for outdoor use (or my Mora). I have a Kershaw Westin or Bestech for EDC. I want a Hinderer and a Spyderco for lust factor. I use a Victronox or Gerber tool for utility. I use the RAT a lot as a beater.

[@jps2989]

For me I am just hard enough on the edge of entry level knifes, although I like them, I am always disappointed with edge retention. For me D2 and 154 are good enough put have really come to In joy 30v. I have a few more expansive knifes. Put For me My sweet spot 90 to 110 dollars that I will use, really enjoy, and carry regularly.

[@manifestgtr]

Guitars are the exact same way. I’ll tell a student that I paid 4 grand for my PRS and they look at me like I’m on mushrooms. Do you *need* to spend that much money to get a good instrument? NO! But my main guitar has held up spotlessly for almost 20 years...I think I’ve set it up maybe 5-10 times. It’s gonna be the same thing with any “object” or tool. Expensive stuff might seem preposterous to some people but it’s really up to the buyer and no one else. You wanna spend $800 on a knife? Do it up...it’s probably gonna be awesome. You wanna spend $15 on an Opinel or $30 on a feldspar? It’ll still be awesome, just don’t expect it to wipe for you...

[@tallica4life81]

So I purchased that try way hinderer eklipse harpoon tanto. I can’t wait to take pictures of it next to the zt0393glcf that I already have. I like the eklipse frame the best. I got a working finish blade and titanium back with bright orange g10 scales. It looks crazy good. I have no color at all in my collection so it will be nice.

[@fbomb2077]

Ive got i believe either 1972 or 1974 Puma Trail Guide. New, complete with sticker still on blade showing the diamond mark, and leather sheath.$600+ Thought wtf? I paid $7.50!

[@brandon87ize]

I think that’s what is so appealing about the knife world is the different levels of buyers. Some love to buy cheap some mid tech and some custom. Personally I buy off of what catches my eyes and hands. It’s all about the “FEEL” lol

[@TECHFIGHTER]

Totally agreed. One of my favorite knives is actually a cheap clone. Sometimes I choose to carry it over knives worth 25 times more!

[@brandon87ize]

It’s a great time to be a knife enthusiast! So many options!

[@johnd48]

In the home stretch of a total renovation of my 40 yo house. I've only used my sub$40 knives and my Leatherman. But I've beat the crap out of them over the last few years. I have a ton of knives. But honestly my Razel, Atmos, and Leatherman have would have sufficed for all circumstances. (Atmos mostly on hot days when I'm in gym shorts and don't have pockets or a belt)

[@tallica4life81]

I purchased that gen 3 eklipse harpoon tanto in working finish orange g10.

[@Hungrybird474]

They’re starting to be like paintings and other collectible things . I think the last few years the knife industry has exploded and it’s a good time to be into knives with the community it’s being active and friendly ..for the most part , haha . “ 🤓well, technically it’s not a drop point …”

[@profesorEDC]

Great vid buddy, enjoyed it very much!

[@alastaircurrie9097]

Thanks for the video. A similar question that I would like to hear your opinion on is what are the factors that contribute to the longevity of knives (assuming they are used)? One of the hopes I have is that knives I have may give one than two or three generations of the family some joy. However, I have not been using knives myself for long, so I am interested to hear what more experienced knife users think.

[@roberttaylor6030]

I was at a gun show yesterday and this guy had two tables full of knives in oblong containers for $2 a pop and there was like twenty guys just digging away. I walked up and looked in a basket and looked for the best looking one, took it out and looked at it then dropped it back in and walked away.

[@stevenmunden3875]

I don't buy expensive knives because I cannot sharpen them so I buy a knife and when it becomes blunt I just buy a new one! Although I received a really beautiful Ganzo knife for xmas

[@esoteric5277]

I could use a boxcutter at work🤨 But most of the time I'll just use a pocketknife instead because I need to justify spending so much money on all these beautiful 'tools'🤫

[@blu2803]

So many options nowadays, cheap and expensive. This is a great time for knife enthusiasts.

[@tallica4life81]

How can I contact you about letting you review my harpoon tanto eklipse try way. You said you haven’t held one yet. I would be willing to send it to you. I’ve sent kneeves knives a few things but your the hinderer guy so I’d send you the eklipse

[@Tiger24kicks]

I use to work in construction and having a good knife was important. I use to use those cheap replaceable blades I spent a lot buying blades to cut tiles. A friend gave me a $100 knife it opened my eyes. I would of spend in a year $150 in blades. That knife was a cold steel $100 it gave me the knife bug and got me into knives.

[@Frog_Wizard801]

Aaand now you spend more than $150 a year to feed your knife itch, am I correct lol?

[@Tiger24kicks]

@@Frog_Wizard801 I was trying to say I use to spend like a little over $100 on blades and a cheap cold for $100 got me into knives now in a year I spend like $2,500 on knives buying and trading

[@DirkWerning]

Great video loved it. Got me thinking but like you, I'll still keep showing and collecting the expensive knives because well....I'm dumb but that's okay LOLOLOL

[@James-pt4fw]

Rockstead makes the best knife and they are beautiful..😍

[@jamesfair9751]

Imagine the microtech prototype halo 3 minis just over $10,000 for the two and we talking about 2 inch blade knives lol some people will understand some won’t.

[@lelandphill4408]

Every knife on the table looks amazing ...EXCEPT that fugly opinel. 😂 they just don’t do it for me

[@vincentdefino1732]

I like the protech malibu but eBay they hype up those dlt versions.

[@genoedcknifecollecter1538]

How much do you need to spend on a user 150 bucks to me is just about right after that it's a collector peice. I stop at 500 give or take after taxes

[@genoedcknifecollecter1538]

Nope I under payed for my tablet because it was a Gen or two old so they wanted to dump them quick

[@TheWatcher60401]

My max used to be 150, then it was 200, then it was 400, now I'm looking at 700-1000 dollar knives! 😬

[@Frog_Wizard801]

The one thing everyone can agree is overpriced: printer ink

[@metal_complex]

👏👏👏 comment of the year

[@erinsquirkychannel501]

Houge Ritter, houge blista, houge A01 auto, whitch ones the best

[@Prosecute-fauci]

Whatever a cold steel costs. That should about do it.

[@mikechallis1801]

Everyone “ needs “ a combat troodon imo they are way to fun lol . But seriously I totally agree and thanks for the video

[@theknifeguy9513]

You should do disassembly videos

[@9mmfederalrimmed235]

The price in lots of the world is not cost or production cost based but rather anglo-saxon american english commonwealth economy based that is feelings based. Look at those knives. The production cost of any of those is most likely the same except for the Opinel. The other ones cost you to produce most likely 5 USD + the difference of quality in stainless steels whose price is again regards production cost not that different. So this american thing of "the market" is basically a feeling based outside appearance bling and pretty based value of an item. That value is completely detached from any real production costs. Look at those knives: They are all kind of similar thus it costs about the same to produce any of them. But sentimental value is the basement of the american economy and american economic system which the US spread all over the world. Thus they charge lunatic prices for those knives where they could sell them with winnings for 15 USD each and any of them. That is basically the problem. That is why an ukranian company can sell knives for 10 USD each using 440C stainless steel.

[@kiksonmartinec9656]

Soo much unnecesary talking

[@everydaybladesinc]

Nothing exceeds like excess

[@deanalbertson7203]

I prefer to pay less than $100 for a knife, but $200 is the absolute maximum.

[@sunnyrachelsson3169]

In all reality you can use a 10$ opinel and it will do 95% of the things a 500$ knife will do

[@TECHFIGHTER]

TRUTH! Still rather the $500-$1000 knife in my pocket 9 times out of 10 lol.

[@metal_complex]

👍👍

[@sunnyrachelsson3169]

@@TECHFIGHTER yeah true but I would rather spend 1000$ on a vacation instead of a knife to lol I think the sweet spot for price and quality is like 150$-200

[@Phaminator525]

@@sunnyrachelsson3169 I somewhat agree with you. Yes, you can get the job done with a cheaper knife, but it wont be as enjoyable. I'm an HVAC tech and I used to use the bare minimum cheap tools, but since I've upgraded I've actually enjoyed doing my job so much more. Like doing the job is actually easier somehow haha. But there is a threshold, like with knives I think anything over 200 is just gonna be preference. But 1000 is excessive for a knife but if it brings you joy then fuck it! If a vacation brings you joy then that's good for you, but imo I dont like going on too many vacations because you just run into tourist traps and plane rides.

[@sunnyrachelsson3169]

@@Phaminator525 yeah I'm an electrician and go for the good tools but like knives I only use like the 20$ ones for work and they do the trick fine I've had the same one for like 5 years. and for vacations I'll just backpack around and avoid the touristy places like I don't stay at resorts or any of that bs that's no fun.

[@jeffsmith6441]

Good video 👍 I agree

[@Bald_Head89]

I like 7 steels (8cr13mov, s35vn, s30v, d2, 154cm, aus8, CTS-XHP) and have experience with 4 of them (8cr13mov, s35vn, s30v aus8) the only difference in steel I've been able to tell is the chippyness of the steels when they have factory edges and to be honest s35vn CTS-XHP and s30v chip way more than 8cr13mov or aus8. So in my opinion blade steel doesnt matter too much to my as does the thickness of a knife and that's why I go with Cold Steel and Benchmade if I can beat the tar out of it and its still in one piece st the end of my day I'm happy! I love spyderco but they leave a lot to be desired tip wise.

[@Phaminator525]

Yeah that's the trade off you get with tougher steel. But that's why I have a para 3 lw in carbon steel and a 940 in s30v. Cpm s30v is my favorite because it sharpens as easily as 8cr13mov and it has the edge retention of a s30v.

[@andrewbounds5497]

There’s a fair argument for utility knives. I like really pretty arguments instead of just fair though 😂

[@duaneraymond4252]

Very good video. Boy you sure can talk. :-)

[@owwillis]

So a Rat 1 is all I really need?

[@lifeofmike556]

These all look like $12-$40 knifes lmfao....

[@metal_complex]

Well they aren't lol. I'm a little hesitant to ask what knives you're using as a reference point?

[@TECHFIGHTER]

I'm part of the 20% I guess.

[@brennenhudson7626]

Whats your favorite knife u have? I like them all.

[@timwittig6038]

Seriously

[@jamesfair9751]

Sadly for me I can’t sharpen a knife at all but use the hell out of them so I stick to microtech for the lifetime sharpening haha sad but true