I've carried a pocket knife for about the last 70 years, since I was a little kid in the Cub Scouts. For the last several years I've carried a Kershaw Dividend, which seemed perfect for my needs and reasonably priced. I lost the one I had owned for years, and bought a new one from Amazon back in 2018 for around $35. Today I thought about buying another one, just in case I ever lose or break the one clipped to my pocket right now. I was stunned to see this model is now $87! They've changed the color from black to olive drab green, but the knife is essentially the same as what I have, a 3 inch blade, assisted opening, and very light weight. I just can't believe that in 4 years the price has doubled. Either that or this knife is really different but Kershaw kept the name of the old model. So for now, I'll just hope I don't lose my knife, or break it, and not have a "back up" knife in my junk box.
Knives and prices
- Thread starter vito
- Start date
NikA
Hunter
My guess: the supply chain snafus have made the specialty steels in knife blades very difficult to obtain and expensive. I suspect this is why we see more plastic fantastic guns with nitrided 4140 barrels on the market than anything stainless as well. The American steel industry is decent at producing basic alloys, but anything specialty was by and large coming from abroad before this whole tie-up happened.
Thought I lost my Dividend recently and finally bought another knife. One of the basic Victorinox Swiss army knives was on sale and I sprung (sprang?) for it. I think it's the Spartan. About 23 bucks. Good old Amazon.
What amazes me is the quality of the thing...it's really beautifully done. Assembly, polishing and sharpness are all first rate.
The Dividend showed up around the same day a the Swiss army knife arrived and it's back in my pocket.
Still, that little red knife is a nice piece...
Jeff
What amazes me is the quality of the thing...it's really beautifully done. Assembly, polishing and sharpness are all first rate.
The Dividend showed up around the same day a the Swiss army knife arrived and it's back in my pocket.
Still, that little red knife is a nice piece...
Jeff
On the other hand, I'm totally impressed at the opportunity to buy a reasonably good folding knife for $25-30(most of the ones I use are less).
sfhogman - I totally agree regarding the Victorinox Swiss Army knives. I collect old (mostly) switchblades but the knife I carry is the Victorinox Climber. The Kershaw Launch is also a nice modern (and available) switchblade to carry.
Jim
Jim
protoolman
Service-Sixer
I usually carry a real German Boker or a Victorinox myself. Both good quality for a reasonable price.
What saddens me is that we take for granted what our kids will never be able to experience. Drives me nuts that kids can't even take a "Pocket Knife" to school. It's just not right. No one can carry one onto a plane. It's crazy. I carry a Buck 110 Slim with a pocket clip. Does everything I need.
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
I usually carry two. A Swiss Army tool kit, and a CRKT M16-03.
The Swiss Army took kit is showing wear after about twenty years. I bought a
second one about six or so years ago, so I can't say about their prices (it is
still in the drawer). - - - The CRKT is now going (as of twenty minutes ago) for
within two dollars of what I paid for mine ten years ago.
I like the CRKT because you can open it one handed, or push hard on the lever
and have it pop open like it was a switch blade, but it will also partially open and
stop where you want it (no problem with law enforcement that way). It is a lock
back and is relatively easy to close.
If you go looking for a CRKT, make sure you do NOT get one unless it has the
nylon bushing. The nylon lets it open a lot easier/smoother. :wink:
The Swiss Army took kit is showing wear after about twenty years. I bought a
second one about six or so years ago, so I can't say about their prices (it is
still in the drawer). - - - The CRKT is now going (as of twenty minutes ago) for
within two dollars of what I paid for mine ten years ago.
I like the CRKT because you can open it one handed, or push hard on the lever
and have it pop open like it was a switch blade, but it will also partially open and
stop where you want it (no problem with law enforcement that way). It is a lock
back and is relatively easy to close.
If you go looking for a CRKT, make sure you do NOT get one unless it has the
nylon bushing. The nylon lets it open a lot easier/smoother. :wink:
RSIno1
Hunter
I've been a Buck fan for years. Their prices have gone up too. I found a good hedge is belonging to the Buck Collectors Club. https://buckcollectorsclub.org/ They let members buy at a discount with their Industry Pro program. The $60 110 drops to $41.
NewRuger41
Bearcat
Bear Paw Jack said:
The irony of our "Land of the Free" country ...
I pulled our son from the virtual Covid classes last year (3rd grade) and I taught him. We nixed Spanish for Industrial Arts and swapped Religion (he attended and attends now a private Catholic school) with Home Economics. As a 9 year old he knows the differences between standard, philips, torx, and security screws. He learned sandpaper grits, how to sand, how to seal with varnish, and he helped me restore my Gramps' farm bench. We presented that to his Grandma (my ma, was her dad's bench) and the waterworks came forth! He did his first oil change under our E350 SD at age 6. At 7 he showed his 18 year old step brother how to disconnect battery cables, pull the battery, drop a new one in, and attach the cables safely. He has his own Ruger SR22, a few fishing rods, and can tie a half dozen knots for fishing and rock climbing. We got in our Class B RV and hit the road - took 3rd grade schooling on the road. The b.s. in our schooling is insane. He's back in clas this year, 4th grade, but we are looking to home school again 5th grade.
I can only imagine the sad shape our country might be in down the road another 20 years.
Pat, are you sure we weren't separated at birth? I've been carrying a Victorinox Adventurer for about 35 years now, and for the last 15 it's been accompanied by a CRKT M16. :wink:Pat-inCO said:
As to knife prices, they're all over the place; you have to shop around. Recently I was in the market for the Cold Steel SRK and the best price I found was at a place called BladeHQ.com. Took a chance and ordered a pair (one for my son's birthday) and they arrived just a couple days later in perfect condition. They'll be the first place I look next time I need a knife.
As a sad but true fact of life, I carry cheap knives. I do have a few better grade knives but they aren't EDC. The only time I carry a better grade folding knife is during deer season when I may find myself in the position of needing a sharp knife to address a 'target of opportunity'.
My most used cutting tool is a folding utility knife. They are cheap, with replaceable blades, and have a lifetime warranty against breakage. I buy when on sale or w/rebate at Menards and keep 1/2 dozen on hand in case I lose one.
My most used cutting tool is a folding utility knife. They are cheap, with replaceable blades, and have a lifetime warranty against breakage. I buy when on sale or w/rebate at Menards and keep 1/2 dozen on hand in case I lose one.
I’ve been carrying a Swiss Army for probably 40 years. I’ve always been impressed with the quality and usefulness for the money.
OP
I would not carry a pocket knife that did not have a blade lock. Too easy for the blade to fold in on my fingers when using it.
You guys are a bunch of enablers.
Thanks to you I just bought a Kershaw Grid that I really didn't need but sorta wanted. It's like a larger version of my Dividend, made in China. Won't break my heart if I lose it but it is a quality piece, or seems so.
Thanks to you I just bought a Kershaw Grid that I really didn't need but sorta wanted. It's like a larger version of my Dividend, made in China. Won't break my heart if I lose it but it is a quality piece, or seems so.
OP
The Grid looks like a nice basic knife. Of course many places seem to make a blade over 3 inches illegal to carry, so my Dividend at 3.1 inches sort of makes it, but the Grid at 3.7 would be noticeably over the limit. That is, if I were worried about such things.
RSIno1 said:
Not sure if it would be worth the trouble to join, as I don't plan on buying another knife. My "hunting knife" is a Buck 112 (I find the110 to be a bit too big), and my pocket knife is a Buck 55 - a much smaller version of the 110/112 knives. Both are at least 30 years old and will see me to my grave (provided I don't lose them).
Edited to add..... On the subject of prices, it's been so long that I don't remember what I paid for either one.
OP
I ordered a Grid today for myself. Certainly don't need it, but having an extra pocket knife seems a prudent thing to do.
What's the popular opinion on 'CIVVI' brand knives?
toysoldier
Hunter
With all the promotions over the years, I have accumulated several fixed and folding NRA knives.
