Grail Knife?

[JK Knives]

What knife do you consider to be your “Grail Knife?”
Years ago, when money started to get tight, I had to sell a lot of my things, most of my firearms, and all of my “higher grade” knives, Randall’s, Busse Combat, and Chris Reeve.
One that I miss the most is my Chris Reeve Pheasant Tail Sebenza. I know that the days of my buying one are long gone, but it never hurts to dream.
What knife would be yours?

 

[Rob Babcock]

That is very hard to say. Like many of us I have a ton of knives already. My use of bushcraft/outdoor knives goes in spurts. Having just opened my new shop in the last two months I don't anticipate having a ton of time for camping and hiking this summer, I'm afraid. As I get older, or maybe just more experienced, I find myself lusting after new higher end knives a lot less. The specific knife means a lot less to me now that just getting out and enjoying my time. Honestly, I haven't run into anything I couldn't do with my Ontario RAT7 or JK Camp Knife. I guess if I had a "grail knife" it would be one of those in HAP40 CPM-Magnacut. The Camp Knife kind of is my grail knife and I already have it.

I have my grail knives already for kitchen use, they're my Nubatama 240mm Ryuto and a Kohetsu 240mm gyuto in HAP40, along with a far more ornate gyuto with the same basic blade. I suppose I could always use a new-old-stock Masamoto KS (the new ones are slightly different and not quite as desirable).

Luckily for me the only other grail knife out there atm is probably a Spyderco Native Salt in MagnaCut, and at $150 it's pretty attainable.

 

[glennbad]

There are many knives that I would probably consider grails. For many years, I considered this Kershaw 1050 a grail. Now mind you, I can afford a Kershaw 1050, but in my younger years not so much. I finally got one. For me, it was not so much about the cost, sometimes it is about how much you wanted it and how you remember it way back when.




I would also say a Randall, but that's probably more because of the history of the brand. And I guess a Tony Bose custom...

 

[AntDog]

Walter Brend model 2.

 

[not2sharp]

I am all out of grail knives; the quest has been momentarily satisfied.

N2s

 

[JK Knives]

I had one of those Kershaw knives when I was in my 30’s many years ago! They are really heavy duty.

There are many knives that I would probably consider grails. For many years, I considered this Kershaw 1050 a grail. Now mind you, I can afford a Kershaw 1050, but in my younger years not so much. I finally got one. For me, it was not so much about the cost, sometimes it is about how much you wanted it and how you remember it way back when.

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I would also say a Randall, but that's probably more because of the history of the brand. And I guess a Tony Bose custom...

 

[Sturubu]

I am all out of grail knives; the quest has been momentarily satisfied.

N2s

I want to know your secret! There has to be an end to this madness somehow, ha. (though there is the word "momentarily" there).

 

[cbach8tw]

I considered my Mike Mann ( Idaho Knife Works) Hudson Bay a grail and still love it, just afraid to use it.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I considered my Mike Mann ( Idaho Knife Works) Hudson Bay a grail and still love it, just afraid to use it.

I have reached a point where I don't have anything I'm afraid to use anymore. I do have a few (including a couple of JKs) that I will never use much or carry because they belonged to my dad who passed fifteen years ago. Those knives I just take out handle thinking of days long gone, and I don't want to lose them as keepsakes so they don't leave my home. Everything else I use! Years ago I had one of the first runs of the Hattori Forum Knife, a 240mm gyuto. Spectacularly beautiful knife! The blade was polished VG-10, the scales beautifully shaped canvas micarta and the knife came in a satin lined painted wooden box. Back then it was $300 or so. I was afraid to use for fear of scratching it up. Ultimately I sold it; working as a professional chef it felt ludicrous to keep such a terrific working knife as a safe queen!

 

[fishiker]

I'm not sure how many years, possibly decades it's been since I read a magazine article about the spirit blades made by Shiva Ki. I have never seen one in person and I'm sure I'll never own one, but it's okay to still dream.

 

[B JACKSON]

A large and ornate IXL Bowie circa 1855-1870

 

[Hatchet_Jack]

For me it’s not a specific knife, but to have a good knife in pre ban elephant tusk is my dream. I grew up reading about the white hunters of Africa and it fascinates me still.

I’ve had the opportunity to buy them a couple of times, but never the ability to justify the price to my wife!