5 Must Have Folders

Buck 110
Spyderco Native 5
Leatherman style multi-tool (various)
Victorinox SAK (Tinker/Craftsman/Farmer)
Benchmade icon: 275/520/581/630/710

Stainz

If money is no object, substitute a CRK Mnandi/Sebbie/'zaan for the multi-tool (It really isn't so nice of a knife, anyway!).
 
I've been building a fairly diverse edc collection, and I think it's just about complete, as far as having different blade geometries, sizes, and weights:

Benchmade Pardue 530 polished straight blade
Benchmade 942 black combo blade
Spyderco Chinook combo blade
Kershaw folded steel shallot straight blade
CRKT Heiho straight blade

I tend to drift more towards flatter handles, straight edge over combo, and sub-4" blade. I used to carry a CRKT M16-14 tanto, and a Cold Steel Ti-Lite, and I just never ended up needing such a large stiletto or tanto. The Chinook does much better than either as a large work knife, imo. I rotate between the Shallot and the 530 for 90% of the time, and the Heiho is brand new(Father's Day gift).
 
1. Spyderco Delica/Endura
2. Benchmade Mini Grip/Griptillian
3. Kershaw Skyline
4. Spyderco Tenacious
5. SAK Alox Cadet/Farmer (but any is fine)
 
No real order but,
SAK(Victorinox Farmer)
Ontario R.A.T 1
Spyderco Manix 2
ZT 0350
Spyderco slipjoint (Urban, UKPK etc)

A SAK is essential! It's one of the first knives anyone gets whether it be from a father or from a store.
RAT 1 is a favorite. Well put together and great quality for it's price.
Manix 2 is one of my first "Expensive" knives. I have the FFG version. Awesome ergos and good quality steel.
As for the 0350, it is one of the most comfy folders I've ever held. It's heavy but lovely.
A slip joint that opens 1 hand is really useful for me because I visit DC quite a bit so a nonlocking short blade knife
is the only kind I feel safe having. Safe from a policeman taking away that is. 1 hand opening just for ease of use.
 
res1cue said:
I'd like to hear how you came up with this list, and your reasoning behind each one.

Buck 110, I agree is a musthave for all collectors, as it was pivotal in the history of folding knives in America. Owning one helps us see where the industry has come from and where it is going.

I'd argue similarly for the Victorinox.

Sebenza, PM2, I have neither and have no desire to own one right now. I'd have a hard time arguing why someone should have one other than "it is popular right now".

Leatherman..useful tools, but why should everyone have one as opposed to SOG, Gerber, or anyone else who makes these?
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Remember that Leatherman invented the "large multitool with capable pliers" market segment. They are right up there in the hunt for the best even now, ironically competing with Victorinox, the "other" innovator of multitools.
 
my list would go as follows;

any SAK or MT
spyderco Delica or endura
sebenza or hinderer
any custom or pimped knife
any ESEE fixed blade

that seems like a pretty complete array to me

NOTE: I am not even that huge a sebbie fan but I do think it warrants a mention in must have's simply for its popularity, and timeless design. its like having a piece of knife community infamy in your collection, and it'll never get old as a carry option.
 
Scott Dolan said:
Then how do you know they are must haves? :confused:
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At the end of the day these are just my opinions based on a few years of collecting and learning on this forum. Although I don't own a Buck 110 or Sebenza my first lockback was a Puma270,which I still have, I also own a high end frame lock, a Yuna. As for the multi-tools there are many good brands but Leatherman was the first. As I said earlier this is just my opinion, and a bit of fun. If a newbie came to you and said 'I want to start a collection, Which 5 knives do you think would best represent the last 30 years of locking folders? There are a million answers, what would yours be?
 
Not in any paticular order:

Buck 110.... classic, sturdy workhorse EDC with a lock.
Victorinox Alox Farmer.....handy, tough multi blade knife makes for a small woods worthy knife.
Leatherman Supertool.......if I could own only one multi-tool the Supertool would be it, not a frivolous tool on it anywhere.
Spyderco Delica......The Delica is the modern 110, modern technology at it's best, thumb hole, pocket clip, super steels.
Case CV Swayback Jack........a classic Case, a traditional for everyone, F&F, (at least on mine) is spot on, the CV steel is easy to get razor sharp and keeps a great edge, if ya only got one traditional pattern, this is the one to own.
 
I've noticed that most of you mentioned the Victorinox SAK. Any particular reason Wenger doesn't come recommended as much?
 
I think really he wanted to know what your 5 "Must Haves" are. Not what you think everyone must have, but what you like most of what you have and would list as your own personal "must have" knives.

So.. going on that assumption:
ZT 0560
Spyderco Chokwe
Spyderco Sage 3
Kershaw Skyline
Spyderco Smallfly
 
If only I could narrow it to this in real life.

1. Large Sebenza
2. Any Hinderer collaboration or real (ZT055x, ZT056x, xm-18 or xm-24)
3. Emerson CQC (13, 15, or 8)
4. Spyderco Paramilitary, or Military
5. Some kind of custom, (Les George, Burnley, Lambert, Mosier, Southard, Anso)
 
Spyderco Military
Spyderco Paramilitary 2
Spyderco Delica 4
Emerson CQC8
Leatherman Wave
 
Spyderco Paramilitary II
Spyderco G-10 Endura
Chris Reeve Sebenza
Spyderco Caly 3.5
Buck/Mayo TNT (Yeah, I know they're out of production but the TNT is an outstanding knife - one of my all-time favorites)

As for the 110, they were great knives back in the day, (I owned a few of em' in the 70/80's) but with the invention of lightweight one hand openers, with pocket clips, indestructible G-10, and much better steel, I don't know why anyone would want to carry a 1/2 lb folder around anymore.
 
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