Be also reminded that knife-gate valves normally have the knives rising to free air (past body/knife sealings) on a non-rising stem. Also: some fluids (gas, steam, toxic, surrounding harming) will require all parts closed in, and a nonrising stem and closed bonnet is required.
In general, for harmless fluids, I agree with all above: it is mostly a practical and pricing question, if quality and lifetime els is about equal.