Can someone explain fancy knives to me...

[Gentoo]

Alright I know I'm going to get a ton of shit for this, but can someone please explain all these expensive folding pocket knives I see?

I usually have either a Leatherman, Swiss army knife, or a Lowes brand folding knife on me if I carry a knife. So far I've only had to cut plastic, wrapping tape, twine, and things of that sort. I've never come across a situation where I wished I had a better knife, though there have been times I wished I had my Leatherman (for the pliers).

So when I see these fancy $150+ folding knives, I wonder what they do that my $10 Lowes folder or $40 Leatherman can't do.

If the answer is 'they look cool', thats fine too.

[ballistic]

A $10 Lowe's folder is not made of the same quality materials does not have the fit and finish of a handmade, custom, or quality production folder. You get what you pay for. I've had plenty of low end knives that don't hold up. They don't hold a good edge, the blades corrode quickly, and I wouldn't trust their locking mechanisms to hold up and not fail, which could cause serious injuries. In those regards, customs and quality production folders "do" a significantly lot more.

Besides being functionally superior, many people collect custom handmade tactical folders for their makers' artwork and craftsmanship, and also for their investment value.

[NoBody]

Deleted.

[RWK]

...can someone please explain all these expensive folding pocket knives I see?

So far I've only had to cut plastic, wrapping tape, twine, and things of that sort.

So when I see these fancy $150+ folding knives, I wonder what they do that my $10 Lowes folder or $40 Leatherman can't do.

Your Lowe's knife isn't to be considered a "hard use" tool. It may be fine for what you're using it for now but, likely wouldn't stand up to daily, hard use for very long. If nothing else, you'd grind away the blade in short order just trying to keep it sharp. If you expect quality and durability, you're going to have to pay for it.

There is, I think, a point of ridiculousness, though. The prices I've seen for some knives are out of control.

[JSantoro]

Alright I know I'm going to get a ton of shit for this, but can someone please explain all these expensive folding pocket knives I see?

You won't get any shit from me. I spent $40 on a non-"hard-use" tool 12 years ago, and it's still going strong after being used as a tent peg, prybar, hammer, MRE opener, and having been shoved into a guy's rib cage 3 times.

Some folks feel that they need damasked steel to cut 550 cord. Beauty of a free-market economy is that they can get their desires fulfilled.

[ST911]

You do get what you pay for, but like much else it depends on how much you need.

I like folders that are substantial enough to do the things that need doing, but economical enough so that if I lost them or had to abandon them I'm not out much. $75-100 is my preference but not my maximum, and allows for decent Spydercos, Benchmades, and gets you close to some below retail on others (Emerson, etc).

I make a distinction between task/chore knives, and emergency knives. The former are flexible, the latter are dedicated. Carry multiples.

[Gutshot John]

I've always found it odd that shooters won't think twice about dropping several bills on decent quality shooting gear that they may not ever get to practically use...then get cheap when it comes to a tool that could not only preserver their life in a fight, but is 1000x more likely to be practical and functional on any given day.

Ultimately it depends on what you're carrying the knife for: You don't have to spend crazy money on an EDC knife that you're going to abuse daily and if you lose it...oh well. If you're carrying a folder primarily in self-defense you're going to want to spend a bit more. In general my preference is for fixed blades for defensive use.

My EDC folder is a CRKT M16, I use it for everything and could work for self-defense in a pinch. All my fixed blades are custom...in fact I have one in the pipeline right now.

[WillBrink]

Alright I know I'm going to get a ton of shit for this, but can someone please explain all these expensive folding pocket knives I see?

I usually have either a Leatherman, Swiss army knife, or a Lowes brand folding knife on me if I carry a knife. So far I've only had to cut plastic, wrapping tape, twine, and things of that sort. I've never come across a situation where I wished I had a better knife, though there have been times I wished I had my Leatherman (for the pliers).

So when I see these fancy $150+ folding knives, I wonder what they do that my $10 Lowes folder or $40 Leatherman can't do.

If the answer is 'they look cool', thats fine too.

Good knives hold up better then cheap knives as do good cars and good guns. Timex tells time as well as Rolex, but I prefer the Rolex.

[NoBody]

Deleted.

[zgrins1]

The way I see it: knives are like cars. There are KIAs, TOYOTAs and BENTLYs and everything in between. I don't trust a KIA and can't afford a BENTLY however a TOYOTA is all I need. My carry knife for the past 7years has been CRKT m21 and it has been nothing but a great knife. Granted I have not used it as a weapon, but during daily chores ranging from cutting boxes to slicing tomatoes to prying open canned food it does it perfectly. So I guess my point is that a $40-60 can and may be a viable solution for most people looking for a viable EDC knife.