KenpoTex

To a large extent, you get what you pay for. Just like I wouldn't trade my Glock for a Hi-Point, I wouldn't trade my good knives (spyderco, SOG, Cold Steel, etc.) for a $20 S&W or some "pawn-shop special."

That said, there are knives that cost more simply because of the name or because they are a custom or semi-custom.

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If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears.

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Matt K.

HotGuns

because they are tacticool...

and some people buy them because that is as close to "tactical" as they will ever get...

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ARKANSAS CHL Instructor

Since signature lines can be offensive to some, I have removed mne. I hope you are not offended...

dnowell

My CRKT is just as good as the day I bought it. Just sayin'...

dukalmighty

I have a friend that is/was president of a knifemakers organization.He makes custom knives and depending on what kinda handle etc. he puts on them dictates the price.When he would show me a 600 dollar knife i would pull out my 10.00 walmart liner lock and say i could have 60 knives fer what that one costs,then wait fer the justification lol

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Quit your Whining Ya Whiny Baby

Rob72

"Comparable" is not generally comparable. If you mean the plethora of look-alikes, they are usually made in Chumpa, poor/no heat treatment; poorly fitted spine locks; poorly fitted, unhardened liner locks... I literally whittled away half of a cheapy blade with an Endura, to prove a point once.

Generally, $50 +/- will get you a well made, non-injury inducing defensive knife.

crzy4guns

+ 1 on what Rob72 said, you can get a number of good knives from Spyderco, CRKT, Gerber and Kershaw just to name a few, for $50 - $100. Remember, use a Leatherman for a tool kit and not your defensive knife.

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Yoda

I am a real tight wad, trying to put 2 kids through college. I found the subject knife on ebay, new for $30..

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Help you I will, yes

David III

I have an Emerson Commander that I have beat to pieces. The blade is all nicked up, black finish is half gone, etc. I have no doubt that a lot of the price of the knife was because it said "Emerson" on the blade - but it has still been a tough tool.
When I decided that the blade had been through enough abuse was about the same time I started reading about big folders, so I put the Emerson away and got a Cold Steel Voyager X2. Finish and detals are nothing like the Emerson, nor did I expect that. The Cold Steel so far, though, is every bit as tough and I have found it even more useful with its 6" blade. I'm really impressed with it.
I think it just depends on whether you're willing to spend more to get (some) better quality and (some) "name recognition." I do think, though, that those folders under $10 floating around would best be avoided.

Cthulhu

Sometimes, I think companies just up the price just because they put 'Tactical' in the product's name, and maybe gave it a black paint job/coating.

In the case of firearms, also add an accessory rail.

-JT

Roadrunner

For some brands, yes, you're only paying for the name (Emerson comes to mind). Some of you seem to be putting Benchmade and Spyderco in that group, which is not a fair assessment. Spyderco in particular makes very reasonably priced knives for the quality of their construction. The Endura, for example, is available for about $55 retail. For that you get a premium blade steel (VG-10, which as pointed out previously will cut the edge right off of a Chinese knockoff) that is expertly heat treated. Grinding blades out of good steel causes much more wear on the machining equipment in addition to costing more for the raw material. The Endura has stainless steel liners in the handle for added strength; once again, steel costs money and has to be machined, adding to the price. Spyderco tests their locks to failure using expensive equipment to make sure their blades won't fold up on your fingers; somehow I doubt the Chinese companies making the ripoff bother to take the time.

The Endura is made in Japan where you actually have to pay people a working wage, unlike the knockoff made in China by sweatshop labor. The $55 Endura will hold an edge and stay together much longer than the $10 POS Chinese knock-off, and it won't fold up on your fingers. Lets not forget that Spyderco develops most of their designs in house and pays royalties to outside designers whose designs they produce. They go above and beyond when it comes to respect for intellectual property. The Chinese POS just copies their design a few weeks after the real deal has hit the market to capitalize on someone else's hard work. Most people don't care enough to actually see the difference. so Spyderco loses some sales to the knockoffs, affecting their bottom line. The question becomes if you want to support an ethical American company that doesn't steal others intellectual property and produces a quality product at a reasonable price or a Chinese company that rips off that American company's designs and makes a dangerous product to boot. I know where I spend my money.

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- Kurt
“Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.” ~Pericles of Athens
Primary Carry - Colt Commander .45 in a Brommeland Max-Con V