I'm European too, from Portugal. The wages here are much lower, it's hard to justify a 100€ knife from a practical point of view. Like you I was introduced to Spyderco just by trying a Delica, not knowing anything about this culture (and cult) that comes with it. Have you tried well built cheaper knives like the Byrd line? I have a Meadowlark that stays in Hungary for when I go there (my wife is Hungarian) and I happen to like it a lot. I prefer the Delica but when you're cutting something and not really analyzing what's going on you may not feel a difference (even though the Meadowlark has a choil).Wartstein wrote: ↑Mon May 27, 2019 3:05 pmI feel a bit different: For me the quality of many of the genuine Spyderco line knives (for example my choices when I started the thread, Endura and Chap lw) totally justifies their prices easily. They are really not expensive for what you get.tonijedi wrote: ↑Mon May 27, 2019 2:35 pmFor me all Spydercos are luxury goods. I can't justify the price on any of them based on performance. The exception may be the Salt line, which has in fact some amazing work knives that won't corrode.
I can justify Byrd prices for good, reliable and well designed pocket knives but enter Spyderco line and the gap is too big to justify. YMMV as the difference between the prices may not seem so much on your "economic environment".
Now you might maybe think I am just a bit of a "fanboy" and just "adding my voice to the choir" but in all honesty: No, that's not the case.
Why? Cause I am one of the (probably rare???) examples who got into Spyderco without basically knowing anything about background, community, philosophy behind, line up and so on. I began to use Spyderco knives rather by happenstance, even thought they'd look a bit weired and not like a "real knife" should. But really, just by using and experiencing those knives I got convinced by the quality concerning design, ergos, usability, fit and finish that you really get for your money. Especially compared to other brands I knew.
The interest in Spydercos background and to realize how many more people feel similar came only very later.
Btw: I'm European, so I also have to pay around 25 to 30 % (I guess) more than in the US. But maybe the general income in my country is higher than in yours? (Don't know where you live).
A Delica costs 18 bottles of good wine.
A Native Salt costs 5 dinners for 2.
A Caribbean costs a week of hotel on the mountains.
A Paysan costs a monthly rent.
They deserve those price tags, they are pieces of innovation, engineering and art. Same goes with a Porsche car or any other product that is innovative. I'm happy I'm a knife guy and can have a candy from time to time, imagine of I liked cars like many guys do