I of course am concerned with cost of items. However, I will try different makes/models of things like fire starters, lights, etc and my decision is based on ease of use, wear, dependability, not ultimately on price. And I will use it hard.

I have no real expectation that a more expensive item is inherently better than cheaper. Factors like "Made in America", batch size, company size, demand, all play into cost, rather than simply the sum of its parts.

What I carry is what I want, price aside. And yes if its expensive I will not baby it. I will put it through the ringer in every way possible. How else do you become competent using it and knowing its limitations.

I don't understand people who invest in an expensive item for EDC and never use it, instead going to search for cheaper items, just in case it might break.