Yep! Like i said towards the end, just owning and experiencing them will take your collecting experience to a whole new place. You will never get your knives out and reach for anything first, except your grails.
Hahaha!!! Lol. Funny story, I was in martial arts for many, many years, and I'm pretty dang good with a lot of weapons, but with nunckucks, I'm a magician! Seriously! I've blown my kids away many times. Know what made me want to be good at them??? Michaelangelo!!! Lol
@ 😂🤣that’s awesome!! I just could not resist making that joke, set up was perfect, and little did I know that you might’ve had your own ooze incident and became a real life Michelangelo!
I have about 60 Spyderco's and then replaced the scales and clips on most of them. I also have an equal amount of sub $100 Chinese knives that get used more. I recently bought a Machinewise Sonora that will probably never cut anything. I don't care, i love it and it gives me much pleasure. Just buy what you like. You can enjoy an expensive steak and still indulge in a Big Mac!
Wow!!!! That is so awesome and impressive!!! 60 Spydercos!!!! I dream of being there one day! The analogy at the end is excellent! Tjat really puts it into a logical and easy to grasp perspective!
Thank you for your kind reply. I am just like you in many ways. I have a small paid off house and all of my debts are long gone. I don't take trips or spend money on crazy things except pocket knives. I also think that this video is your best one to date. Thanks again for your kind words!
That little Chavez auto is cool AF. 👍💪🔥. I'm gonna be on the look out for one of those. You have some nice knives in your collection. Would love to see a collection video sometime.
OK, I can do that. I'm afraid it would take 3 hours to get through, but I'll definitely make one shortly. Thanks for the idea!!! The Mini Chaves/Boker are sold through Blade HQ as exclusives
45:10 this whole part, this was what I was trying to say last night but my post was stolen from me and disappeared, vanished.. I had a whole huge comment I spent over a half hour typing out, made the car leaving the dealership lot comparison, talked about not making money, that’s the exception not the rule with knives, never expect to get out what you put in, and lastly but most importantly, have fun and enjoy! Be patient, do your research, but don’t forget to have fun!
I'm really sorry you had issues with commenting. Thankfully, it's not been a big issue for people. The car lot analogy makes a lot of sense! I hope everyone reads this.comment, because you made a good point last night, and this one is excellent as well!
Hey, I been thinking about this and wanted to come back to this again. I really hope that you don't think that I deleted your comment or something. I've never once done that to a co.me t. Even ones that were negative towards me. I don't think you were saying that or anything, but I wanted to clarify to make sure.
@ oh no need to be sorry, it’s ok, just still being a lil salty child about it 😂 but it’s fine, I’m over it. Thanks but really there’s no need for your apology. Just thought it was funny that I was trying to make the same points last night and you pretty much said exactly what I was trying to. At least these posts seem to be sticking. I won’t try editing them and hopefully when I rebooted my phone that fixed the issue, have a great night Chris! 🤜🤛
@ nope not at all. I know it was on my end or UA-cam’s end because it threw up some kinda error message. But no, nothing at all you did, sorry if it seemed like I was blaming you or anything, I was just being bitter after spending so much time and thinking how.. well.. I’m not getting that back, that time is gone.. hahah so I’m keeping it movin’ I’m moving forward! No worries man!
Hi Chris, i just caught the bug of knife collecting 4 months ago. I went the budget route and so glad idid. I preet much go with CJRB, Sencut, anthing i like the look of with a $70 limit. And having so much fun already have anout 21 Of them. Live your channel and never miss a video. Keep up the good work brother .
Nice, I also have the Kunwu Django as well with the Orange peel texture. Picked it up for $194 out the door, well worth it. Actually might be the smoothest feeling action of any knife I own in my small, mostly budget collection. Love the looks of so many Chris Reeves knives and maybe someday ill get one. The Umnumzaan is so dang good looking a knife.
Yeah really need to get your hands on Spydercos fluted carbon handles. That micro milling on the fluted carbon is amazing and imo the single best overall handle material there is. You have excellent grip due to the fluting and it's very light and very very ridged. I love it.
I think it’s a little wasted money because once you purchase a Grail knife it just sits you don’t use it like you would budget knives I’m afraid of damaging the few Grail knives I have because I may not be able to replace or afford it again?
I totally get this point if view! Trust me, most are the same. I know I am! Our great friend Mike has a wonderful relationship with knives and a healthy perspective. He sees thim for both their beauty and craftsmanship, but also their practical uses. I truly hope I can ease up on my anxiety towards damaging my knives, because I want to be able to use them and enjoy them. I just can, atm. Lol
I think you've done a very good job of articulating the value of premium and grail knives to those who appreciate them, Chris. We value the craftsmanship, the quality, the precision and artistry that went into their manufacture. Some people, of course, just won't care and will never understand -- but I'm willing to bet a lot of those same people do value other high-quality, high-cost products that I, for example, don't care about in the least. A $500 Hermes scarf? I'm going to pass, but I can certainly recognize that they are made with great skill from exquisite materials, and I understand that they really float some people's boats. $189 for a 10oz olive wagyu ribeye? ... OK, I'd certainly go for that over the scarf (as long as someone else is picking up the tab!), but in truth I'd much rather have a $15 ribeye and put the balance towards a grail. Everyone marches to the beat of their own drum, and I'm just fine with that.
This is so well said!!! We all have our priorities and preferences. Some people i know verbally beat me up (in a joking way) over spending so much money on knives. They think that one knife blade is just as good as.another. they can't understand the difference between steels or heat treats. Yet, these same people will go out and spend buckets of money on shoes or stereo speakers for their cars. I can hear just fine out of the factory speakers! Still, I understand why they spend the money, so I encourage them to get what they want and to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Now, as for the steak, I'm kinda lost on that one. I spend way to much on steaks already. Lol. Well said! You made some excellent points here!
Where do you get a ribeye for $15? A $190 steak is for a person who can drop that much on breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every single day and never feel it. I'll drop $250 on dinner twice a year, and when I do, I expect to taste the difference.
The 💀 is cool. Having that peeking out of your 5th pocket is what makes it even more desirable. So when you hold all those knives you can just feel in your hands that they're quality. I wonder what will happen when these tariffs hit. American knives might be cheaper because they will probably have less competition when foreign knives cost twenty five percent more.
@TheUnprofessionalDad I have a question. I have ordered a few budget knives of the the grail brands. I don't have them yet, but they are coming. In your experience will they give me a good idea of what these brands are all about and help me to choose later on when I have more money who will get my purchase for a premium model? Did you start with entry level models and if so were they a good indicator of what the grails are going to be like?
I've shortened most of my videos a lot, but sometimes I just want to have a discussion and have a lot to say. I know that my style isn't for everyone, but I can't change my style too much because then it's fake and I'm forcing it. That's not me. I am so sorry to hear you are having chemotherapy!!! My heart goes out to you! I watched my mom go through that, and it was so hard on her. I miss her every single day! You have my thoughts and prayers!!!
This is a hard subject because you are dealing with money and emotion. Much of the extra cost comes down to brand. Like so many things as you mentioned, cars, purses, watches, etc. There is a reason that a brand has value. The quality and materials have to be there before the buzz will be created by the consumers. Companies work hard to build their brand, and customer loyalty brings the value that demands the higher price. The extreme high grail prices are really for the collector or those that depend on quality (police, miltary, and such). A day to day user doesn't need to pay these prices to get something that serves that need. It is the collector that gets that enjoyment from the grail that connects with them on an emotional level.
I really dont think they are "wasted" in the sense that most grail knives do keep their resell value pretty well if you need that money back or just change your mind. I do however also believe that the biggest value of a grail knife, is simply to get it out of your system. At least it was for me, I kept drooling at those expensive top shelf knives until I got to have one or two, and then my entire mindset changed into a 'been there, done that' and I started appreciating the more budget friendly knives for what they are alot more. For me, getting a grail knife has been really good because it made me stop chasing those and actually value all the other really good stuff out there!
This is such a great point!!! Knife collecting causes a grail itch, and sometimes, you just need to scratch it. Lol. As I said in the later parts of the video, they are not only worth the money, but they take your collection and the experience to a whole new level of enjoyment!
@@TheUnprofessionalDad Oh for sure, I havent actually gotten rid of any of mine either because I am very much happy with them. But I still think their most valuable aspect is how they changed how I view all the other knives, I dont look at them as good or bad anymore, just different.
No, wait!!! Hogue is awesome!!! That was my point. It's American made and has magnacut, and it's still reasonably priced. I should have explained that better. Lol. Yea, if anything American made.knife that has magnacut can be so good with their prices, then why do the others cost so much. Hogue knives are awesome! Please don't think they aren't because of anything I said. That definitely wasn't my intent.
I picked up a crk on Reddit was immediately sick that action was terrible… hate to say it but my grail knife is a manix 2 or a heavily customized pm2 but I’m a Spyderco sucker
CRKs have a different kind of action. They are not drop shut. Instead you get more of a hydrologic action on the close. This hey a my really meant to fly open either. Roll it open and let it close slowly. It should feel very smooth. CRK knives run on washers, not bearings. The action should feel smooth and consistent throughout the close. A lot of customs and semi customs have a similar action. It's actually far more difficult for the maker to achieve. That said, if you don't like it, you don't like it. I prefer it over a heavy guillotine blade It's also possible your knife needs to be cleaned and serviced.
Spyderco is a sucker's knife. I have several of them( and I really like them. But none of them are worth anywhere near what I paid, especially now that the patent ran out on the compression lock. They do a great heat treatment, but other companies do as well. On addition to the ridiculously high cost, their quality control is crap. Half my Spydercos won't even center. A PM3 on G-10 and S45 is a great knife for $125. Too bad you have to pay close to $200 to buy one.
There's nothing wrong with that at all! I love both of those knives! Plus, add some customization, and you're in a whole new ball game! Heck yes, I'm in!
Personally I don't think "grail" knives are actually worth the money. They are only worth it because you want it. Imo 150 to 200 dollars is where you get the most performance for your money and once you break that 200 range you are on the downward side of the hill on tnr performance per dollar ratio.
This is a great point! I agree for the most part. For just performance and capabilities, anything in that $150-$200 range is gonna be up to the task. Beyond that, it's just because of the collectible nature of the knife and how much we want to enjoy that.
My Grails just make me happy whether I use them or not.
Yep! Like i said towards the end, just owning and experiencing them will take your collecting experience to a whole new place. You will never get your knives out and reach for anything first, except your grails.
4:34 it’s like getting a Michelangelo and not having his nunchucks 🥷🐢 😂
Hahaha!!! Lol. Funny story, I was in martial arts for many, many years, and I'm pretty dang good with a lot of weapons, but with nunckucks, I'm a magician! Seriously! I've blown my kids away many times. Know what made me want to be good at them??? Michaelangelo!!! Lol
@ 😂🤣that’s awesome!! I just could not resist making that joke, set up was perfect, and little did I know that you might’ve had your own ooze incident and became a real life Michelangelo!
@ and nunchakus / nunchucks are no joke! They are serious weapons! And the likelihood of smacking you own self is extremely high! 😂
I have about 60 Spyderco's and then replaced the scales and clips on most of them. I also have an equal amount of sub $100 Chinese knives that get used more. I recently bought a Machinewise Sonora that will probably never cut anything. I don't care, i love it and it gives me much pleasure. Just buy what you like. You can enjoy an expensive steak and still indulge in a Big Mac!
Wow!!!! That is so awesome and impressive!!! 60 Spydercos!!!! I dream of being there one day! The analogy at the end is excellent! Tjat really puts it into a logical and easy to grasp perspective!
Thank you for your kind reply. I am just like you in many ways. I have a small paid off house and all of my debts are long gone. I don't take trips or spend money on crazy things except pocket knives. I also think that this video is your best one to date. Thanks again for your kind words!
Well said.
Also, congrats (and thanks!) for the discount code at WMK, and thanks, too, for taking the time to add the links to all the knives!
Thanks!!! I'm glad to finally have a code to share with everyone. I really hope that it can save everyone some money.
That little Chavez auto is cool AF. 👍💪🔥. I'm gonna be on the look out for one of those. You have some nice knives in your collection. Would love to see a collection video sometime.
OK, I can do that. I'm afraid it would take 3 hours to get through, but I'll definitely make one shortly. Thanks for the idea!!! The Mini Chaves/Boker are sold through Blade HQ as exclusives
45:10 this whole part, this was what I was trying to say last night but my post was stolen from me and disappeared, vanished.. I had a whole huge comment I spent over a half hour typing out, made the car leaving the dealership lot comparison, talked about not making money, that’s the exception not the rule with knives, never expect to get out what you put in, and lastly but most importantly, have fun and enjoy! Be patient, do your research, but don’t forget to have fun!
I'm really sorry you had issues with commenting. Thankfully, it's not been a big issue for people. The car lot analogy makes a lot of sense! I hope everyone reads this.comment, because you made a good point last night, and this one is excellent as well!
Hey, I been thinking about this and wanted to come back to this again. I really hope that you don't think that I deleted your comment or something. I've never once done that to a co.me t. Even ones that were negative towards me. I don't think you were saying that or anything, but I wanted to clarify to make sure.
@ oh no need to be sorry, it’s ok, just still being a lil salty child about it 😂 but it’s fine, I’m over it. Thanks but really there’s no need for your apology. Just thought it was funny that I was trying to make the same points last night and you pretty much said exactly what I was trying to. At least these posts seem to be sticking. I won’t try editing them and hopefully when I rebooted my phone that fixed the issue, have a great night Chris! 🤜🤛
@ nope not at all. I know it was on my end or UA-cam’s end because it threw up some kinda error message. But no, nothing at all you did, sorry if it seemed like I was blaming you or anything, I was just being bitter after spending so much time and thinking how.. well.. I’m not getting that back, that time is gone.. hahah so I’m keeping it movin’ I’m moving forward! No worries man!
Kunwu is probably my next purchase🎉 every model seems to be really well manufactured
Hi Chris, i just caught the bug of knife collecting 4 months ago. I went the budget route and so glad idid. I preet much go with CJRB, Sencut, anthing i like the look of with a $70 limit. And having so much fun already have anout 21 Of them. Live your channel and never miss a video. Keep up the good work brother .
Last year l bought an alti ad20.5 20cv and I carry it alot.... love it
Nice, I also have the Kunwu Django as well with the Orange peel texture. Picked it up for $194 out the door, well worth it. Actually might be the smoothest feeling action of any knife I own in my small, mostly budget collection. Love the looks of so many Chris Reeves knives and maybe someday ill get one. The Umnumzaan is so dang good looking a knife.
Im glad you mentioned that knife. That's actually my grail knife right now. I want one so bad that I can't stand it!!
That small Sebenza is my grail knife for sure... Also on the heat treat, there's a reason Spyderco is the king... they do it right!
I agree! Those who know......
Yeah really need to get your hands on Spydercos fluted carbon handles. That micro milling on the fluted carbon is amazing and imo the single best overall handle material there is. You have excellent grip due to the fluting and it's very light and very very ridged. I love it.
What???? I didn't even know this was a thing!!!! I need to have a conversation with you!!!!!! Seriously!!!!
I think it’s a little wasted money because once you purchase a Grail knife it just sits you don’t use it like you would budget knives I’m afraid of damaging the few Grail knives I have because I may not be able to replace or afford it again?
Just to add another perspective, I do carry and use my grails just as much as my budget bangers.
I get both perspectives. I have some grails I use and a few I just can’t… at least not yet.
I totally get this point if view! Trust me, most are the same. I know I am! Our great friend Mike has a wonderful relationship with knives and a healthy perspective. He sees thim for both their beauty and craftsmanship, but also their practical uses. I truly hope I can ease up on my anxiety towards damaging my knives, because I want to be able to use them and enjoy them. I just can, atm. Lol
I'll never understand high end/grail folders but I like premium fixed blades and own customs and use them.
I think you've done a very good job of articulating the value of premium and grail knives to those who appreciate them, Chris. We value the craftsmanship, the quality, the precision and artistry that went into their manufacture. Some people, of course, just won't care and will never understand -- but I'm willing to bet a lot of those same people do value other high-quality, high-cost products that I, for example, don't care about in the least. A $500 Hermes scarf? I'm going to pass, but I can certainly recognize that they are made with great skill from exquisite materials, and I understand that they really float some people's boats. $189 for a 10oz olive wagyu ribeye? ... OK, I'd certainly go for that over the scarf (as long as someone else is picking up the tab!), but in truth I'd much rather have a $15 ribeye and put the balance towards a grail. Everyone marches to the beat of their own drum, and I'm just fine with that.
This is so well said!!! We all have our priorities and preferences. Some people i know verbally beat me up (in a joking way) over spending so much money on knives. They think that one knife blade is just as good as.another. they can't understand the difference between steels or heat treats. Yet, these same people will go out and spend buckets of money on shoes or stereo speakers for their cars. I can hear just fine out of the factory speakers! Still, I understand why they spend the money, so I encourage them to get what they want and to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Now, as for the steak, I'm kinda lost on that one. I spend way to much on steaks already. Lol. Well said! You made some excellent points here!
Where do you get a ribeye for $15?
A $190 steak is for a person who can drop that much on breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every single day and never feel it.
I'll drop $250 on dinner twice a year, and when I do, I expect to taste the difference.
@@davidcherry3107 Gotta watch for those markdowns at Kroger!
The 💀 is cool. Having that peeking out of your 5th pocket is what makes it even more desirable. So when you hold all those knives you can just feel in your hands that they're quality. I wonder what will happen when these tariffs hit. American knives might be cheaper because they will probably have less competition when foreign knives cost twenty five percent more.
Yea, we are about to find out. I hope it all gets sorted out quick!
@TheUnprofessionalDad I have a question. I have ordered a few budget knives of the the grail brands. I don't have them yet, but they are coming. In your experience will they give me a good idea of what these brands are all about and help me to choose later on when I have more money who will get my purchase for a premium model? Did you start with entry level models and if so were they a good indicator of what the grails are going to be like?
Another very long video, but on chemotherapy day I totally welcome it, passes the time great!
I've shortened most of my videos a lot, but sometimes I just want to have a discussion and have a lot to say. I know that my style isn't for everyone, but I can't change my style too much because then it's fake and I'm forcing it. That's not me.
I am so sorry to hear you are having chemotherapy!!! My heart goes out to you! I watched my mom go through that, and it was so hard on her. I miss her every single day! You have my thoughts and prayers!!!
This is a hard subject because you are dealing with money and emotion. Much of the extra cost comes down to brand. Like so many things as you mentioned, cars, purses, watches, etc. There is a reason that a brand has value. The quality and materials have to be there before the buzz will be created by the consumers. Companies work hard to build their brand, and customer loyalty brings the value that demands the higher price. The extreme high grail prices are really for the collector or those that depend on quality (police, miltary, and such). A day to day user doesn't need to pay these prices to get something that serves that need. It is the collector that gets that enjoyment from the grail that connects with them on an emotional level.
I really dont think they are "wasted" in the sense that most grail knives do keep their resell value pretty well if you need that money back or just change your mind. I do however also believe that the biggest value of a grail knife, is simply to get it out of your system. At least it was for me, I kept drooling at those expensive top shelf knives until I got to have one or two, and then my entire mindset changed into a 'been there, done that' and I started appreciating the more budget friendly knives for what they are alot more.
For me, getting a grail knife has been really good because it made me stop chasing those and actually value all the other really good stuff out there!
This is such a great point!!! Knife collecting causes a grail itch, and sometimes, you just need to scratch it. Lol. As I said in the later parts of the video, they are not only worth the money, but they take your collection and the experience to a whole new level of enjoyment!
@@TheUnprofessionalDad Oh for sure, I havent actually gotten rid of any of mine either because I am very much happy with them. But I still think their most valuable aspect is how they changed how I view all the other knives, I dont look at them as good or bad anymore, just different.
My grail knife was a hodge but now I don’t know what it is after watching your videos and seeing it’s not worth it
Maybe one day I will get one but I think it was American made that was not my grandpa’s ranger 115
No, wait!!! Hogue is awesome!!! That was my point. It's American made and has magnacut, and it's still reasonably priced. I should have explained that better. Lol. Yea, if anything American made.knife that has magnacut can be so good with their prices, then why do the others cost so much. Hogue knives are awesome! Please don't think they aren't because of anything I said. That definitely wasn't my intent.
I picked up a crk on Reddit was immediately sick that action was terrible… hate to say it but my grail knife is a manix 2 or a heavily customized pm2 but I’m a Spyderco sucker
CRKs have a different kind of action. They are not drop shut. Instead you get more of a hydrologic action on the close. This hey a my really meant to fly open either. Roll it open and let it close slowly. It should feel very smooth. CRK knives run on washers, not bearings. The action should feel smooth and consistent throughout the close.
A lot of customs and semi customs have a similar action. It's actually far more difficult for the maker to achieve.
That said, if you don't like it, you don't like it. I prefer it over a heavy guillotine blade
It's also possible your knife needs to be cleaned and serviced.
Spyderco is a sucker's knife. I have several of them( and I really like them. But none of them are worth anywhere near what I paid, especially now that the patent ran out on the compression lock.
They do a great heat treatment, but other companies do as well. On addition to the ridiculously high cost, their quality control is crap. Half my Spydercos won't even center.
A PM3 on G-10 and S45 is a great knife for $125. Too bad you have to pay close to $200 to buy one.
There's nothing wrong with that at all! I love both of those knives! Plus, add some customization, and you're in a whole new ball game! Heck yes, I'm in!
@@davidcherry3107 I do agree with you but have you seen benchmade prices..
Personally I don't think "grail" knives are actually worth the money. They are only worth it because you want it. Imo 150 to 200 dollars is where you get the most performance for your money and once you break that 200 range you are on the downward side of the hill on tnr performance per dollar ratio.
This is a great point! I agree for the most part. For just performance and capabilities, anything in that $150-$200 range is gonna be up to the task. Beyond that, it's just because of the collectible nature of the knife and how much we want to enjoy that.