> staring at me open-eyed
They were probably just envious you were rocking a Kershaw Iridium Dessert Warrior. Which also comes in at under $100. And the Iridium family are pretty nice knives.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Iridium-Dessert-Warrio...
I've never spent more than $40 on any knife. The one I spoke of was a cheap S&W from AutoZone (the checkout line "specials" bin) for ~$13 IIRC.
And FWIW I fear if I cut myself with that Kershaw I might grow a pussy.
That is an amazing paint scheme.