Favorite knives in every category:

Small folder : Old Timer 8OT (US)
Medium folder : Spyderco Stretch 2 K390
Large folder : Cold Steel Talwar 4" CTS-XHP

Small fixed blade : Perrin Style Bowie by David Mary
Medium fixed blade : CPK DEK1
Large fixed blade : SYCKO DTS-12

But idk, I've got loads of favorites. Ask me again tomorrow.
 
I have different categories, such as:
* Stainless or not (Depends on the weather)
* Wharncliffe/tanto or bellied or serrated (I like to carry one of each)
* Pocket or belt or neck (I like to carry one of each)
* Tough or wear-resistant or middle of the road
* Auto or manual
Looking at all the combinations, it's hard to pick favorites.
 
Going by what I’ve used the most this year

Small - YoJimbo & 0566
Medium - Hinderer Eklipse
Large - ZT 0909

I don’t use my knives as much as I did at different jobs I’ve had. The most “work” they see will be breaking down boxes for 5 minutes here and there at work (mostly just cutting the tape).

I could probly get by with a $25 Gerber….but that would be no fun
 
Small folder? CRK Mnandi
Small fixed? Carothers EDC
Medium folder? Olamic Wayfarer 247
Medium fixed? Busse Hog Badger
Large Folder? Puma Red Stag
Large fixed? Busse War Train
Survival? Buck Buckmaster
Bushcraft? Carothers HDFK
EDC? Benchmade Mini-Bugout
Automatic? Benchmade Mini-Reflex
Wild card? Busse Trough Raider
 
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What a fun thread idea!

Small folder: Spyderco Dragonfly - 2-1/4" blade. Mine has the blaze orange handle with VG-10 blade steel. Every time is use it, I'm surprised how well the small handle fits the hand; room for all four fingers! It is often forgotten when carried, it is so unobtrusive, and has been through the wash a couple times as a result.

Medium folder: Benchmade Bugout. I just got it, so there could be some honeymoon factor in here, but I really think Benchmade nailed it. As others have said, it's more of an EDC to me than a bugout knife. (I'd probably pick a SAK for a bugout knife) The blade shape is pleasing to look at, thin enough to slice with and it has a good solid steel (S30v) that isn't too wide, thick or heavy in the pocket. It carries easier than a Delica, which was my old favorite and has more usable edge than a Delica. No ridiculous jimping either. It's more flippy, too. It wouldn't be as good if my hands were wet, though. One reason I tend to favor Spydercos is that a thumbhole opener never gets in the way of through cuts. I like mangos, which often need the full cutting edge and a thumb stud that's too far forward really gets in the way. Benchmade has put the thumb stud on the Bugout way at the back, behind the edge, but it is still somehow place so that one quick motion with the thumb sends the blade flying open. (rather than smooth & slow, as is more typical on Spydies) In short, my first impression of this knife is that it is a masterpiece design.

Large folder: Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight. Just a masterpiece design by Eric Glesser; kind of like an upsized Native. I don't know whether I'd go for the very nice translucent blue handle with the OK BD1N steel and cheesy riveted construction or the ugly opaque turquoise with SPY27 and proper Torx screw construction. (should be an easy call for the mechanically better knife, but I guess I have a weakness for Hi Beam Blue)

Small Fixed Blade - Mora Companion, though I admittedly don't carry a fixed blade but maybe once a year.


I'm adding a couple other categories, which I DO carry more often than fixed blades or larger folders:

Small SAK - Wenger Pocket Tool Chest. You've seen it recently in the EDC threads. Great tool set from a small, medium thickness SAK. (sm. blade, nail file, scissors, eyeglass screwdriver, awl, bottle opener/screwdriver, T&T)

Medium SAK - Victorinox Compact. Two layers thick with a wide selection of tools: Lg. blade, bottle opener/screwdriver, scissors, hook w/file, corkscrew w/eyeglass screwdriver, T&T. Mine is a custom one that had the corkscrew replaced with a #2 Phillips and the hook replaced with the reamer. The Super Tinker is a close 2nd and the Explorer Plus is a close 3rd. (just a bit too thick for comfortable pocket carry)

Large SAK - Trekker. Two layers with a large locking blade, serrated for the 2/3 out to the tip. It also has a liner lock for the large, flat screwdriver/bottle opener and that is a hell of a useful tool. It has a double cut saw that is really impressive. #2 Phillips and reamer on the back and of course the T&T. This is carried most often when I'm out for a hike, sometimes backing up a small hatchet. Runner-up is the CyberTool 34/M. Its CyberDriver can be fitted with small Torx bits and then it can service the tactical folders we're also fond of. The small pliers are useful more often than I'd like to admit.

Plier-based Multitool - Gerber Center Drive has (at least temporarily) replaced my old standby: the Victorinox Spirit X. It has that long, center driver, a one-handed opening blade, one-hand opening spring-loaded pliers and a couple other choice tools. US-made. A runner up is my old Leatherman Charge Al, with its 154 CM plain-edged blade and triple bit drivers. (this one rides in my EDC bag all the time, with the bit driver extension and bit set)

Favorite EDC Combo - A medium folder and a small SAK. That little SAK adds SO much versatility: The toothpick I use every day. A small back-up blade. A small scissors. Tweezers. A light-duty pokey pry tool in the form of the nail file. The small screwdriver tip on the Victorinox models can often be used as a flat #2 Phillips, if it's not too awful tight. Then, the medium folder has the locking blade with harder steel for the heavier cuts.
 
Small Folder: Giant Mouse Tribeca
Medium Folder: Bestech/TNT Exploit
Large Folder: Spartan SHF

Fixed Blade(s): Multiple Mora’s & Several Customs
 
Here are my favorite to use/carry in those categories:
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Small Folder: CS Tuff Lite in AUS 8 and polymer. 2.5 oz. - the handle ergonomics along with the hollow grind and straight edge makes for an extremely powerful cutter. I use it frequently for leather work and other craft projects.

Large Folder: CS XL Talwar in CTS-XHP and G-10. 8.1 oz. - Kinda speaks for itself. ;)

Small Fixed: Scrap Yard WS 10-20 in SR101 and Res-C. 4.3 oz. - My favorite fidget fixed and by far my best knife for sustained power carving (hammer grip).

Medium Fixed: Custom “Hunter” by maxipescie maxipescie in 1084 and Palo Santo wood. 10 oz. - Nice and snappy for the size. The handling/precision/speed of this knife is great.

Large Fixed: Custom “Chopper/Fighter” by Bill Siegle Bill Siegle in differentially hardened 5160 and micarta. 18 oz.
Used heavily on hard woods and able to handle more chopping work with less fatigue/hot spots than anything else I own. Taking a nice patina. 😻
 
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