Has your rotation "slowed", or become "distilled"?

[Gurdygurds]

Not having a rotation is pretty much my goal. When I first got interested in EDC type items I was looking for a watch. Landed on the classic G Shock the DW5600e. Cheap, simple, and totally reliable. As I moved on flashlights were next on my list. Went through a BUNCH of different kinds and came full circle to one of my first lights the Fenix E01. It's the DW5600e of the flashlight world. Next up, knives. I'm still figuring this out but I just sold off the last of my Spydercos and I'm left with a Dozier Folding Hunter as my only one handed opening knife. Simple, cheap, utilitarian, just like the other items. For a pocket knife I've again come full circle back to Swiss Army Knives. Classic is always on the keys and now this Waiter is auditioning for the top spot. I also have an Alox Cadet but for some reason the Waiter is getting dropped in the pocket more often. All of this to say I try to have an end goal in site as to what is a good, inexpensive, reliable item that I can stick with. I'm not a collector and hate having things sitting around not getting used.
image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr

My rotation has slowed to a standstill. I have no more rotation. My everyday carry is just a Buck 301 stockman and/or a Wenger SI. The Wenger has been with me so many years it outlasted all the 'other' knives. I had carried a Buck stockman for 25 years before becoming a knife nut, and it was wore out. After I have become burned out on the knife thing, I've went back to the 301 Buck via a generous forums member who gifted it to me.

The knife thing has faded a lot for me, but I will always have a good sharp knife on me. The Buck or the Wenger. Maybe both.

 

[jackknife]

Not having a rotation is pretty much my goal. When I first got interested in EDC type items I was looking for a watch. Landed on the classic G Shock the DW5600e. Cheap, simple, and totally reliable. As I moved on flashlights were next on my list. Went through a BUNCH of different kinds and came full circle to one of my first lights the Fenix E01. It's the DW5600e of the flashlight world. Next up, knives. I'm still figuring this out but I just sold off the last of my Spydercos and I'm left with a Dozier Folding Hunter as my only one handed opening knife. Simple, cheap, utilitarian, just like the other items. For a pocket knife I've again come full circle back to Swiss Army Knives. Classic is always on the keys and now this Waiter is auditioning for the top spot. I also have an ALox Cadet but for some reason the Waiter is getting dropped in the pocket more often. All of this to say I try to have an end goal in site as to what is a good, inexpensive, reliable item that I can stick with. I'm not a collector and hate having things sitting around not getting used.
image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr

Gurdygurds, it sounds like you've been the same kind of journey I'm almost done with. Life tends to run in a circle if we give it enough time. So very often we end up right back where we started, but maybe if we're lucky a little smarter. I started out with a Buck stockman and a SAK in my younger day, and now after a ton of knives, including a few Randall's, I'm back to the Buck and a SAK. Weird.

But one other thing I learned in life; I like to carry things that can b replaced at the next big box store I run across. On one of our vacations to Key West many years ago, an item of mine got lost over board in the Florida straits. Gone. Davy Jones locker. It was a bit of a pricy item and I almost freaked out. But, I though if I was going to let this ruin a nice vacation is a paradise? When we got back to shore later that afternoon, I got on my rented motor scooter and found a Walmart. I bought a standard Victorinox recruit and finished my vacation. I told myself never agaonwould I let myself care so much about some inanimate object that it becomes a semi cult worship item.

Things are just things. If they work at what they are intended to do, and can be easily replaced, theft's a win-win situation. The people in your life and what you do with your life are far far more important than the things you use to doit with. A 17.95 Victorinox will open a box just as well as some Spyderco or Benchmade, and a Fenix E01 will light up the way to the circuit breaker panel or look under a car seat as well as some flashlight costing several times more.

Keep things in a perspective.

 

[Gurdygurds]

Amen! The other thing I'm trying to do is to want what I already have. If I really look at these everyday items that I have, they're completely able to do anything that I need from them. The newness tends to wear off and we get wandering eyes looking for the next cool thing to purchase. My problem is that when I get the new "thing" I realize that the excitement was built out of researching and waiting to GET the thing. Once I have it in hand reality sets in and I realize it's not going to do anything new for me that my old faithfuls can't already do. I'm big on simplicity. Simplicity of the design and function of these everyday items and also trying to keep my life simple. Having loads of crap complicates things. For me anyway.

Gurdygurds, it sounds like you've been the same kind of journey I'm almost done with. Life tends to run in a circle if we give it enough time. So very often we end up right back where we started, but maybe if we're lucky a little smarter. I started out with a Buck stockman and a SAK in my younger day, and now after a ton of knives, including a few Randall's, I'm back to the Buck and a SAK. Weird.

But one other thing I learned in life; I like to carry things that can b replaced at the next big box store I run across. On one of our vacations to Key West many years ago, an item of mine got lost over board in the Florida straits. Gone. Davy Jones locker. It was a bit of a pricy item and I almost freaked out. But, I though if I was going to let this ruin a nice vacation is a paradise? When we got back to shore later that afternoon, I got on my rented motor scooter and found a Walmart. I bought a standard Victorinox recruit and finished my vacation. I told myself never agaonwould I let myself care so much about some inanimate object that it becomes a semi cult worship item.

Things are just things. If they work at what they are intended to do, and can be easily replaced, theft's a win-win situation. The people in your life and what you do with your life are far far more important than the things you use to doit with. A 17.95 Victorinox will open a box just as well as some Spyderco or Benchmade, and a Fenix E01 will light up the way to the circuit breaker panel or look under a car seat as well as some flashlight costing several times more.

Keep things in a perspective.

 

[BD_01]

Things are just things...
Keep things in a perspective.

^^^There is wisdom in this post. However, having a "nicer than necessairy" knife in my pocket brings me a small measure of joy. In a life with so many intangibles and perpetual delayed gratification, it's nice to have a small visible reminder of the fruit of one's labors.

That being said, I have a few beaters that go with me when there is increased risk of loss, theft, or destruction.

Sorry, I guess I'm a bit off topic.

 

[sabre cat]

Last Tuesday, I took a second look at Benchmade's new Bugout. It has much going for it and would meet my needs beautifully. I could get rid of my 531 and my Volli.

To make a long story short, I am keeping my money and my local dealer still has the Bugout. The Volli and 531 will stay in my collection. Why? I have found that the 531 meets or exceeds my needs for a semi-dress/work knife. It is perfect with dress slacks or a suit. The Volli is there if I want something with a little more flash.

If I need something more formal, I carry an Alox SAK. I prefer the Soldier/Pioneer from Victorinox but, a Cadet really meets my needs better.

So, give me a SAK Cadet, my Benchmade 531, and a Benchmade Griptilian and I should be good to go. Really. At least for folders, anyway. I guess I could swap out my US made Kershaw Zing for the 531 and I would be just as happy. Add a fixed blade to the mix for hunting/camping and a beater knife just because. That would cover my needs, very well.

Crud, I could get by with just the Griptilian, SAK, and a fixed blade, if needed. But, it isn't about "need" is it? If it was, BF.com might not exist.

 

[sabre cat]

Yes, I have recently whittled my collection to four knives total. Personally I feel awesome only having a few, and not cluttered with a bunch of knives I don't use often. These two are my carry rotation as I EDC the Bugout off work and EDC the Griptilian at work.

View attachment 758586

The Pacific Salt I carry for beach and kayaking. The Esee is for truck emergency use and sometimes hiking.

View attachment 758587 View attachment 758588

I have forgotten what else you had. What did the Bugout replace?

 

[Lapedog]

In a word, yes.

I have so many knives I hardly ever carry. I just wish I knew more about what I wanted in a knife before I started collecting. Of course if I hadn't bought all those knives I wouldn't know what I wanted as much.

Maybe its time for a gold membership and to sell some of these suckers off.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I can't say I'm completely to that point yet ... but I can say my choices are evolving and the knives I carry the majority of the time there has been a smaller group that I just seem to want to carry more and not switch out so often.

And I can say I have fallen back to I always have a slip joint with me no matter if I'm carrying a modern clip folder or a fixed blade ... just always have the old stand bys along too.

And I know soon a big part of my collection will start getting listed to sell ... as several of my guns have and it feels like I'm just maybe "simplifying" my life if that's the right word.

 

[GatorMedic]

I have forgotten what else you had. What did the Bugout replace?

It replaced my Benchmade 940-2 and my Southern Grind Spider Monkey. That left me with one knife I like even more and some extra cash from the sale of those two. Win win

 

[GatorMedic]

Last Tuesday, I took a second look at Benchmade's new Bugout. It has much going for it and would meet my needs beautifully. I could get rid of my 531 and my Volli.

To make a long story short, I am keeping my money and my local dealer still has the Bugout. The Volli and 531 will stay in my collection. Why? I have found that the 531 meets or exceeds my needs for a semi-dress/work knife. It is perfect with dress slacks or a suit. The Volli is there if I want something with a little more flash.

If I need something more formal, I carry an Alox SAK. I prefer the Soldier/Pioneer from Victorinox but, a Cadet really meets my needs better.

So, give me a SAK Cadet, my Benchmade 531, and a Benchmade Griptilian and I should be good to go. Really. At least for folders, anyway. I guess I could swap out my US made Kershaw Zing for the 531 and I would be just as happy. Add a fixed blade to the mix for hunting/camping and a beater knife just because. That would cover my needs, very well.

Crud, I could get by with just the Griptilian, SAK, and a fixed blade, if needed. But, it isn't about "need" is it? If it was, BF.com might not exist.

Boooo!!! Buy the Bugout

 

[adamlau]

It has been distilled courtesy of CPK. EDC in D2 is always on me as the workhorse. I care about the D2 variant less, hence it serves as the primary beater. Rotate between the EDC in 4V and D3V at work. I beat on them too. Until a smaller Bussekin is released at a higher RC, these are the pinnacle in small tool steel knives for me. If I thought there was better out there, I would have bought it already.

 

[sabre cat]

Boooo!!! Buy the Bugout

Hey, I'm trying to be good here and you're pushing me to get another knife! You are not making my life any easier, you know.
I guess I deserve it though. IIRC, I pushed you to get one (just a little).

To make matters worse, my wife likes the Bugout. We both like the blue scales and the weight of the knife is only 1.8 oz.! What's not to like? If I did not already own the 531 or the Volli, the Bugout would be a no brainer.

 

[NJBillK]

It has been distilled courtesy of CPK. EDC in D2 is always on me as the workhorse. I care about the D2 variant less, hence it serves as the primary beater. Rotate between the EDC in 4V and D3V at work. I beat on them too. Until a smaller Bussekin is released at a higher RC, these are the pinnacle in small tool steel knives for me. If I thought there was better out there, I would have bought it already.

Take a look at a Scrapivore LE, iirc they were ran 62-64 hrc.

 

[GatorMedic]

Hey, I'm trying to be good here and you're pushing me to get another knife! You are not making my life any easier, you know.
I guess I deserve it though. IIRC, I pushed you to get one (just a little).

To make matters worse, my wife likes the Bugout. We both like the blue scales and the weight of the knife is only 1.8 oz.! What's not to like? If I did not already own the 531 or the Volli, the Bugout would be a no brainer.

But you could sell the 531 and Volli to get the Bugout and should have money leftover. For real though, I'm just giving you a hard time for fun.

 

[halden.doerge]

But you could sell the 531 and Volli to get the Bugout and should have money leftover. For real though, I'm just giving you a hard time for fun.

Pretty sure my Bugout means my REI 531 has to go. Pretty sure...

 

[sabre cat]

But you could sell the 531 and Volli to get the Bugout and should have money leftover. For real though, I'm just giving you a hard time for fun.

LOL. Like I said, I deserve it.

 

[jpm2]

I like having a knife that easily cuts/scratches glass, fun when others start bragging about what their knives will do. It also happens to be good at a variety of other things, so I often carry it.

 

[NJBillK]

I like having a knife that easily cuts/scratches glass, fun when others start bragging about what their knives will do. It also happens to be good at a variety of other things, so I often carry it.

What knife do you have that can "cut glass"?

 

[jpm2]

What knife do you have that can "cut glass"?

Why, this one of course

I have a few more, but they're home made with steels no one uses.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I do not change my EDC very often. Since the last change, when I replaced a Buck 484 with a Buck 501, it has remained the same...

Kabar 1950 1121 Rigging knife
Buck 510 lockback
BK11
Pro-Tech TR4
a pair of Kabar 125x fixed blades.

I'm considering changing my EDC by replacing one of the Kabar 125Xs with a rotating +5-1/2" fixed blade, just because I now can publicly carry knives with longer blades. I have several hundred in my collection that never got used simply due to blade length or type (double edge).