Yoda

At least the name brands, when comparable no-name brands are fractions of the price?

I am talking simple knives, not a leatherman tool, but a spring assist defensive folder. Spyderco and others seem to add $$ just because of the name..

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Betty

Materials tend to be better quality, and some may even have more hands-on construction.

Of course, you're also having to fork over for a fancy brand name, the costs of their advertising/marketing, maybe royalites for using a famous custom knife maker's or knife fighter's name in a particular model, and the fact that they're called tactical.

Spyderco I consider a great brand for the money, which often cost a fraction of what you'd pay for a Benchmade.

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raevan

Some of the name brands use fancy steels that cost more. Some steels function better for some purposes. Some steels hold and edge better, some are harder, and some are easier to sharpen. When it comes down to brass tacks a knife made of the cheaper steels will function just as well as the expensive for most purposes and will probably outlast most people if they take care of the knife.

If you don't abuse your knife or lose it we are talking about a lifetime of about 100+ years. Most WW2 knives were made of 1095 steel, I have over 500 knives in good condition from that era and they all work fine.

To me Fancy knives with expensive steels only get you bragging rights and hardly ever get used.

XD40Brian

I have quite a few kershaws with "fancy steels" and I use them all the time. They have all been under $100 except for the kershaw leek with titanium handle and ZDP-189 blade steel (my favorite blade steel of any knife I own.)

buckeyeLCPL

Mostly because of the materials and the name, although the prices for some of them are outrageous, I don't consider spyderco or CKRT to be that bad as far as pricing.

I have had a fair number of cheapo knives break while I was using them, if I can get a $50 knife to last me two-three years I'm saving money on them.

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BikerRN

Why are Tactical/Defense Knives so Expen$ive??

Because they have the word Tactical or Defensive in their name.

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BAC

I'd wager that between comparable models the Benchmade would last considerably longer, too (just sayin'). Just remember that knives designed for fighting are different than those designed for tool-use, and a knife that excels as one may not be very good, or even very durable, at the other. I consider my favorite knife, the Gerber Paraframe, a prime example of this: it's lasted me forever, and been used hard, but if used for fighting would probably be ruined awful quickly based purely on its design. Otherwise, I agree with Betty's post.


-B

David in FL

Betty's right.

Quality of materials.....primarily the steel, but also pins, liners, locks, etc.....

Grab a Spyderco and a cheap "Wally world" special and open them both. Check how solid they both lock up and for blade play. You'll understand in a hurry.

Now having said that, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good knife. Grab a Spyderco Delica or Endura for about $50 and you've got an edc user that will last forever and will take care of you when the chips are down too!

Here are two "old school" Delicas....I've carried one or the other every day for the past 15 years. They'll be going strong for another 15, I guarantee it!

Blademan21

Most major brands also have a very good repair policies. Spyderco I know, is one company that stands behind their products. Cheap Chinese knock-offs are nothing but wonder knives to me. If you lose it,you don't wonder where you lost it. Like the old saying goes,"you get what you pay for". Stick with a well known brand and choose a blade style that will work for you. Remember that a tanto blade is not a screwdriver and you should do well. Besides,what better way to start collecting knives than finding that one special keeper.

Reborn

Maybe because we'll buy them.....ain't they cool

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