Cutlery set for practical use

[Plainsman]

I've been working with a variety of cutting tools over the years trying to find the optimal combination for my needs. My latest set actually surprised me as to the components.

My most recent addition/substitution is a Becker Machax BK-4. It has taken over the role of large blade in my set. I am amazed at how well it works! I thought my BK-9 was an awesome large blade and the Machax has bumped it from it's location in my gear! I started removing wood on a board bow and compared several knives, Machax, BK-9, Brute, Pasayten, and BK-7. The Machax won out! For gross removal of material and chopping duties the Machax is my first choice. I was amazed at how well it performed for such a unique design. It is a great combination of Becker designing and kukri influence!

For a medium fixed blade, my set has seen the Pasayten as top pick for more than a year now. It is an awesome knife for medium field work to light/fine cutting duties. For a fixed belt knife, this is my main blade.

For a small fixed blade, the Becker Necker is in my right front pocket daily!! It sees use at least daily and often multiple times a day! I don't have pants on without it! LOL!

For a pocket knife (folder) I never go anywhere without my One Handed Trailmaster! Yes, it's old enough it had the Trailmaster name! Something on this knife gets used multiple times a day, whether it be the tweezer, toothpick, main blade, screwdriver(s) or can opener. This one gets pulled out more than the Necker! And the saw makes it extremely useful for a variety of duties where a big knife may not be handy.

So that rounds out my set of cutlery. BK-4 Machax, Pasayten Light Traveller, Becker Necker and Vic OHT are my go to blades! I would recommend them to anyone!

 

[sicily02]

I like you set up.
I had a pasatayen. Good design but man were the handles slabs to thin and small for my med. sized hands.

At the time that I had mine, I was not making knives at all or I would have put on thicker handle slabs and shaped them to my liking.
I sold that knife.

Small, med. and a large knife is a great combanation of cutting tools.

Bryan

 

[Jim Craig]

Ooooo can't wait for my Machax... On the way as part of a trade. Gunna team it up with my BHK Bushcraft and Vic Farmer. Plus I just got a sweet little Bravo necker to round out the set, which may make it into the kit. The BHK will likely get some rest when my Diving Sparrow arrives from Abe, but I don't know when that will be. Nice kit you have there.

 

[fmajor007]

Congrats on your selections! Sounds like you have found an excellent, well-thought-out set of "working" tools for camp/field use that work perfectly for you.

I think the main criteria of any tool set is how well it is thought out - not strictly the tools themselves, but the types of tasks which will realistically be required of it. Case in point; With your Machax you have a "chopper" to facilitate your style of processing larger pieces of wood, a Pasayten Light traveler for the medium sized cutting tasks, a Becker Necker for the little stuff and a Vic OHT for everyday stuff. Something for each sized task you would want to tackle with an edged tool.

I think with any tool set, its most important to have an intimate knowledge of how each tool/knife functions, feels and how to get the most use out them. With such a variety, it sounds like you are prepared for any cutting task which may present itself!

I tend toward a similar tool set though in lieu of a big chopper i prefer a folding saw. That said, my main field knife (a Breeden Custom razor) is really, really stout and will manage all my wood processing needs as well as just about anything "big" i'm going to need to cut (this knife gets used a LOT - pretty much every time i'm outdoors). I also have a Mora for field-dressing game animals and/or food prep (it's rarely used really). I also EDC a SAK "Huntsman" for convenience and more 'pedestrian' cutting chores (opening packages, etc).

With each of my selections i have a deep knowledge of how it's used and the ways it works best for my needs. With my main field knife, my hand has "memory" of how it feels from all points/angles/grips so i can pretty much use it blind-folded and know where the tip is and where the edge begins.

I try to imagine the early "mountain men" who depended on each "tool" they had. Whether it be their rifle, "Hudson Camp Knife", axe - whatever, they had a mastery over it's every use. I don't think they had the luxury of a specific tool for every task so each tool needed to be able to do many things. That's sorta my philosophy as well, though i do use more than one knife.