Greatest/Most Influential knives (Help me build a list)

Alberta Ed said:
The "white arm" -- a.k.a. the sword -- is probably the most influential cutting tool. Richard F. Burton's wonderful The Book of the Sword (1884) traces its evolution of the sword from wood, bone and horn to the Iron Age.
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Fascinating.
I just downloaded a free copy from Google Books.
History and knives-- Right up my alley :thumbsup:
 
An "Official List" would take many weeks to sort, and a whole lotta debate, I'm guessing.

This is one man's opinion of the last 50 years (folders only)

 
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Along with the above video, here's another that deserves a good look.
While the above video is strictly folder-focused, Post-WWII and USA oriented, this second one includes fixed blades, other countries and focuses on a wider range of time.



Perhaps at this point, it might be helpful to as the OP Steelhog Steelhog are you seeking a list of folders only? Modern and Traditional? Fixed blades? USA or worldwide? Or anything and everything?

It's a big tent, as they say :)
I'm learning a lot :thumbsup:

EDIT: I reread your initial post, sounds like you're interested in everything :thumbsup:
 
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I'll limit it to American knives:

Scagel Bowie
Loveless drop point and semi skinner
Bo Randall Model 1 fighter
Bill Moran Damascus Bowie
Al Mar SERE fixed & folder
SPYDERCO C01 worker and C02 Mariner
Chris Reeve Sebenza
Michael Walker linerlock
Walter Brend Model 2
Kit Carson model 16 flipper
Tony Bose Lanny's Clip

most every modern American knife can trace its' roots to these men.
 
ferider said:
I suggest to organize, for example:

By action:
- First flipper: CRKT M16

Ethnic knives:
- Opinell
- Laguiole
- etc.

By lock:
- RIL: Sebenza
- First compression lock: Paramilitary
- First CBBL: Manix 2
- First Power Lock: Tatanka
- etc.

and so on.
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Near impossible to do by locks. There have been too many. Also, I believe the Spyderco Vesuvius is the first compression lock.
 
I'm gonna buck the trend and say that iconic knives aren't comparable to great books or movies. Here's why. Take an iconic knife like the Buck 110 one of the reasons it is so iconic is the fact it was one of the first decent reliable lock back knives. Well nowadays there are hundreds if not thousands of reliable lockback knives. While a great book is still a great work today, The buck 110 isn't the greatest lockback knife available in the market today. Many people are happy with it, but there are better options available. Todays super steels will cut rings around it. Two handed opening was the norm when the 110 was introduced, sorry I wouldn't want to give up opening holes or studs. (many wouldn't give up flipping action, but it isn't my favorite opening method.) The buck 110 is fine when held in a belt pouch, but in the pocket, to me it's like carrying around a small brick.

There are many iconic and great knives, remember they are tools. While there are great manual screwdrivers and hand powered drills; I'll keep using powered ones in my building projects.

buy what you like and works for you.

Grizz
 
May not be the most historical list of knives..regardless:

para 2
sebenza
shirogorov
carothers fk2 or hdfk
malanika
hinderer skinny

Enjoy
 
Marbles fixed blade hunting knife with stacked leather handle is one of and perhaps the most copied knife ever.
 
The Buck 110, SAK, Kephart, Nessmuk, and Bowie all come to mind immediately when I think of iconic knives. The 110, SAK, and Bowie are probably some of the most well known knives to people who aren't like us. Then there's Opinel, the American Jackknife, the meat cleaver...I'm really just naming knives I noticed before I became a knife nut. Knives my wife or mom could identify.
 
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