Do it all or own em all?

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Dec 6, 2021
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Do you prefer to mostly use 2 or 3 knives for everything, even if you sacrifice a little convenience? A buck 119 isn't the best for chopping up veggies and what not but I like using it, now that i've learned the different technique. Next up on my list is the little Finn, or maybe the 102, and the warthog. Of course there's plenty of others I want, but those 3, plus a cold steel gi tanto/recon tanto would be my deserted island must haves.
 
Own 'em all. For a given definition of "all".

I used to be a "big knife better" advocate, until I tried using one for everything. I began to believe that a knife should be part of a larger set of tools.

Sure, they're not like sockets or drill bits where you need one in every size graduation plus letter sizes and reaming tools (although if that's how you collect, I'm not here to stop you). There is some overlap, and I've found that a 3" blade takes care of most things, as long as it's the right shape. There's a wire stripping blade on my Alox that gets used for smaller work, and it would probably handle all the precision tasks that aren't enough for the 3".

Going up from there, I find a nice compromise around 4" for rougher work, and I think I would switch to a saw or hatchet, after that. But I'm a town boy, not a bushie, so I might be talking out the wrong hole. I know there are people who go right to a 9" blade or a machete, and they do everything they need with it.

You mentioned "must haves" for a deserted island.....

Well, I'm obligated to say "Smatchet", and it actually isn't a bad choice. But from the context of your post, I'm allowed four.

Hmm.

A Kukri. Something on the larger side, but I would have to experiment to see exactly what. About a 10" blade seems right, acceptable chopping power without being impossibly large. I'm looking to harvest firewood, not build a log cabin.

A machete. Ontario, Tramontina, Imacasa, take your pick. Good for lighter stuff.

Down to that all-purpose knife I talked about earlier. Becker BK-2 comes to mind, although it's a little larger than what I strictly want. It's also inexpensive, almost indestructible, and I can touch up the edge on a rock.

Last one would be something like the "Otzi knife". Who am I to argue with history?

Hey, welcome to Bladeforums, by the way. I like your enthusiasm, just remember that most people around here have a goodly amount of snark, but aren't really out to hurt anyone.
 
Own 'em all. For a given definition of "all".

I used to be a "big knife better" advocate, until I tried using one for everything. I began to believe that a knife should be part of a larger set of tools.

Sure, they're not like sockets or drill bits where you need one in every size graduation plus letter sizes and reaming tools (although if that's how you collect, I'm not here to stop you). There is some overlap, and I've found that a 3" blade takes care of most things, as long as it's the right shape. There's a wire stripping blade on my Alox that gets used for smaller work, and it would probably handle all the precision tasks that aren't enough for the 3".

Going up from there, I find a nice compromise around 4" for rougher work, and I think I would switch to a saw or hatchet, after that. But I'm a town boy, not a bushie, so I might be talking out the wrong hole. I know there are people who go right to a 9" blade or a machete, and they do everything they need with it.

You mentioned "must haves" for a deserted island.....

Well, I'm obligated to say "Smatchet", and it actually isn't a bad choice. But from the context of your post, I'm allowed four.

Hmm.

A Kukri. Something on the larger side, but I would have to experiment to see exactly what. About a 10" blade seems right, acceptable chopping power without being impossibly large. I'm looking to harvest firewood, not build a log cabin.

A machete. Ontario, Tramontina, Imacasa, take your pick. Good for lighter stuff.

Down to that all-purpose knife I talked about earlier. Becker BK-2 comes to mind, although it's a little larger than what I strictly want. It's also inexpensive, almost indestructible, and I can touch up the edge on a rock.

Last one would be something like the "Otzi knife". Who am I to argue with history?

Hey, welcome to Bladeforums, by the way. I like your enthusiasm, just remember that most people around here have a goodly amount of snark, but aren't really out to hurt anyone.
Definitely have a kukri machete on the list, as well as a tanto machete. But in the area where I think about how the tools would be used, a shovel like the CS spec forces would make more sense before a machete.
 
I like your thinking, "right tool for the job" and all that. I would probably not have thought to bring a shovel, although it would make an excellent compliment to the towel and ball of string that I usually pack.

Strictly speaking, a shovel is not a knife though. I'm all for expanding this into a comprehensive list of tools for island survival/trekking/camping, etc, but now we're talking about tents and fire starting gear, which is more suited to the Gadgets & Gear sub-forum, than General Knife Discussion.
 
:) Own everything you can afford, by a reasonable budget , that really "lights your fire" and hopefully have utility (or at least a lasting fun factor ). :cool::thumbsup:

Life can be short , you can't DO nearly everything . Experiences are fleeting . Like yesterday's candy bar or that girl from long ago .

Reasonable care can keep decent quality knives functional for a long life and beyond . They'll potentially always be there to hand ...real and solid as it gets . A comfort .

Most people don't even get concerned about their "bucket list" till it's too late to enjoy the process ,IMO . Sad fantasy ,
 
I have a 22" ontario machete, and frankly find it wonderful for trail clearing - but it is heavy, and can effectively replace a handaxe, but not a full size axe (of course) ... these are double the weight a regular machete, and imho, worth it

I carry a 4.5" fixed blade in 14c28n which is the real goto for most common work

anyone who tells you they have 1 knife to cover both those bases isn't actually using them daily or hiking around with them at a minimum : )

... the 4.5" fixed goes everywhere, outdoors ofc... the folder in my pocket is mostly a backup in hiking/camping/outdoor scenarios

I have tried to carry a 6" like the buck 119, but found I don't normally need that extra inch and a half, so why bother?
 
Given my druthers I use the right tool for the job, it makes life easier and more enjoyable.

I can open cans with my cleaver, but I use a can opener because it's the right tool. I can split wood with my buck 119, but I use an axe because it's the right tool. I can shave with my skinning knife, but I use a razor because it's the right tool.
 
You know that feeling when you walk into a knife store and you have every knife available to choose from? You pick each one up and feel the heft, feel the sharpness of the edge. Then you pick the perfect one.

When you own them all everyday is like that.
 
Do it all or own em all?


"A couple of knives to do everything" is for non-knife knuts. They are more focused on the job, than the tool they are using.
"owning them all" is for folks who are actual knife knuts. They are more interested in the tool than the job they are doing with it.
There is nothing particularly wrong with either scenario. They are just different.

I am a knife knut. I must own them all.
 
I use to be a do-it-all guy, but over time I realized, you probably shouldn't do it all. Right now, for backpacking/camping I use a smaller knife, axe, and saw. I used to only carry a larger knife to chop, baton, feather-sticking. After using an axe, I went to a medium knife and batoned less. Then I added a saw and batoned even less. And now I'm getting to a point where I might change to an even smaller axe, larger saw, and even smaller knife.
 
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Do you prefer to mostly use 2 or 3 knives for everything, even if you sacrifice a little convenience? A buck 119 isn't the best for chopping up veggies and what not but I like using it, now that i've learned the different technique. Next up on my list is the little Finn, or maybe the 102, and the warthog. Of course there's plenty of others I want, but those 3, plus a cold steel gi tanto/recon tanto would be my deserted island must haves.
There's like 375,000 members that have posted over 19 million messages - - - about knives - - that should tell you something about what the people here obsess over..

Off hand, I'd say there's a fair chance that people that are reading this question buy a few more knives than your typical consumer ;) .

But - to answer the question directly. I try to limit myself to using only a single knife for every task, but, what fun is that anyhow? I've been known to go through a dozen knives in the course of a single meal......a cut for every bite so to speak ;).
 
Do you prefer to mostly use 2 or 3 knives for everything, even if you sacrifice a little convenience? A buck 119 isn't the best for chopping up veggies and what not but I like using it, now that i've learned the different technique. Next up on my list is the little Finn, or maybe the 102, and the warthog. Of course there's plenty of others I want, but those 3, plus a cold steel gi tanto/recon tanto would be my deserted island must haves.
I would recommend the Recon Tanto over the GI Tanto as a beater field knife. Bit more expensive, but the more comfortable handle and more carbon in the steel make it the better tool in a SHTF situation.

For me, a two or three-knife system is plenty enough. A kukri, Recon Tanto, Kansbol, and I’m all set. Maybe add a Recon 1 folder to that mix.
 
Own them all, it’s better to have it and not need, than need it and not have it. It’s like flat headed screwdrivers, you can mostly get away with one size, but a selection of different sizes makes task easier and not frustrating.
Besides, it’s fun to collect/move along knives that you’re interested in.
 
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All you ever needed…………..except for the 124, 117, 212, 112. Then you’d have all you ever needed.
 
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Do you prefer to mostly use 2 or 3 knives for everything, even if you sacrifice a little convenience? A buck 119 isn't the best for chopping up veggies and what not but I like using it, now that i've learned the different technique. Next up on my list is the little Finn, or maybe the 102, and the warthog. Of course there's plenty of others I want, but those 3, plus a cold steel gi tanto/recon tanto would be my deserted island must haves.
I fall more on the side of "do it all." I have found my range of tasks are covered admirably by the modest collection I have: Buck folders, SAKs, puukot, Opinels, various ethnic folders, and some larger choppers. I just don't need the huge variety anymore. I still want them all, of course!
 
Guess I'm in the "own 'em all" camp because I am a "collector."

I do use certain knives -- mostly kitchen -- but, beyond that, my "users" are few and far between but, even so, they cover all of my actual knife needs.
 
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