Has your tastes in knives changed over the years? Examples?

My tastes have changed quite a bit. In the 70's I started out with military knives and large bowies or camp knives (mainly due to work). The Loveless drop-point hunter have always appealed to me, as have Opinels. The only folders I liked prior to 2010 were Opinels, barlows, Sodbusters, and SAK's. I owned a few larger Gerber and Kershaw folders, as well as a few Buck's, but none of them really impressed me. I got my first Spyderco in 2010, and I developed a real fondness for folders again. That ended recently when I got a few Fallknivens. The Fallkniven Kolt Knife converted me to fixed blade edc. I also find myself drawn to scandinavian style knives like the Kellam Wolverine, Marttiini Leuku's, and even Mora's.

I used to love hollow-ground blades and substantial guards/bolsters/hilts. Now I prefer a knife with nothing, or just a simple bolster similar to one on a puukko.
 
I suppose my tastes have changed some. 15 plus years ago I was a big Benchmade fan. These days I won't even take a second at a Benchmade knife. Not because they're bad, rather because their knife designs don't really do anything for me. Their older and discontinued models like the legendary AFCK, the 970, the Ares, the Sentinel, and the McHenry & Williams 710 still have an appeal to me, but to be honest I haven't really been into Benchmade since they dropped Allen Elishewitz.
 
Useful is the key word for me now. That means I'm in the process of getting rid of most of my larger blades (mostly talking fixed) in favor of ones with 4-5 inch blades. Still like a mix of vintage and new.
 
Quality over quantity. I've found that as my tastes have become more clearly defined, I don't have as many extraneous knives that largely sit unused on the shelf.

Ironically, though, I have a wider range of sharpening equipment than I once did. Diamonds, ceramics, and water stones all get used. I suppose I'm now more interested in the actual science behind it than simply purchasing something because it looks cool.
 
Probably the one constant is my love for the way Microtech SOCOMS look and that I keep on coming back to the Junglas.

Originally had a ESEE Junglas and a Leatherman Surge. Its all I had/used since I was so pleased with both...well I had a gravity knife, but that was illegal to carry in my state.
Tried my hand at some more tactical/survival blades, didn't like them. Tried khukuri didn't like it compared to my Junglas. But finally got a ESEE 3

Got into some folders but nothing was ever "good enough" then I finally got my Microtech Delta. Now, I really don't want any more folders beyond a bodega
Now I'm back into traditional wood axes and knives. Saved for what I REALLY wanted and now I'm pretty darn happy with what I have though I'm eyeing some more hawks and axes

Right now, I think I got my "perfect" set of sharps so I'm wanting to focus a little more on the gear now.
 
I started with slip joint Queen only. That was all Dad and Grandpa carried, so I would not even consider anything else. Then the Schrade lock back. Then I got to working around livestock and discovered the hardiness of a one hand open pocket clip knife which started cheap as a Gerber. I still only carry one hand openers with clips, but they are much better ones like ZT, Kershaw, and Benchmade.

As far as fixed, Dad frowned on them. I did not have one until I was a lot older. I wonder how I ever managed without one, a good one, like the Bravo 1. Now, if I could, all I would ever carry would be a fixed blade. People look at you funny about that though.
 
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