Holy Grail Everyday Carry?

pinnah said:
I must have missed your answer to a previously asked question... among production knives, what do you consider to be the price point that separates Grail worthy knives from "pedestrian"?
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You didn't miss it, I'm just not feeding you anymore :thumbup:
 
Right now? I am just waiting for my jade G-10 Evan Knife and Tool companion to get here. Unfortunately there has been a bit of a drama with this production run, so it's got a month or so to go.

So until that is in my hands? It is my holy grail knife, been a bit of a wait that I have high hopes for.
 
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I got two of mine already. The new CKF MILK is a good grail candidate, too.
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I think i've already found it, the large Sebenza Insingo. But like many of you already understand, i'm always lusting after the next best thing. If I had unlimited funds, the Lochsa made by Scott Cook, and the RYO made by Rockstead would be on my short list.
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Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk
 
Hmmm...lol...

How about my two customized knives... the Spyderco Farid K2 I had reground (by Josh at Razor Edge)to a drop point and thinned a bit, and a Benchmade 710 in M390 with Keyman Ivory Snake Holey scales and reground with thinner edge and distal taper. (also by Josh at Razor Edge).

Cost worked out to be pretty high, but results are amazing I can't believe how much better these knives cut compared to the stock versions, or indeed any other knives I've owned. The 710 in particular still leaves me amazed when I cut with it.

If we're talking knives I don't own... A Big Chris in thin S125V with thin edge, light coloured scales and sheath and bronze hardware. Or dyed burl... :) and yes fixed blades are part of my EDC world. Possibly in a sheepsfoot style (Wolverine maybe...:) )
 
pinnah said:
I'll let the other guys who posted "pedestrian" knives defend their choices and will only speak for myself.

I believe my understanding of the term "grail knife" is pretty consistent with how it is often used on the Traditional, Outdoor, Wilderness and Multitool sub-forums here on Bladeforums and how it is often used on another traditional oriented knife forum. A standard definition may help...

Merriam-Webster:


Oxford:


The way I typically see the term being used in the other forums is a knife or tool that somebody has found that suits their needs (including their aesthetic sensibilities) after trying many other options and typically over a long period of time.

For example, if somebody in the Traditional forum says, "The GEC Beer-scout is my grail knife", the implication is that they have tried many other knives before this in their quest and have finally found "the right one" (for them). It doesn't imply that the GEC Beer-scout is particularly expensive or obscure, as it is it neither in the grand scheme of knife things. It only implies that settling on that knife has been the result of a long search or quest.

If some people get their trigger pulled by expensive, obscure art knives, that's cool. This is a General forum and certainly room for many different opinions and needs. Right? General doesn't mean, "for people who are into expensive obscure art knives only". Right?
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I'm really curious; you've been a member of this forum for years, and likely have seen a lot of knives made by different people and companies.

Is there a knife, maybe more than one, that you've seen during your time here that you really REALLY wanted to hang off your belt or inside your pocket? Something that you didn't already have?

Maybe a knife that was well beyond your means, or maybe even something that you just like the look of that maybe wouldn't be practical?

But that you wanted? To carry around with you every day?

That's the question. Pedestrian means everyday. EDC = every day carry. I get it. But mix GRAIL with that. A knife that you likely would never own that you'd like to actually USE?

For me, I think it might be Bob Loveless' personal knife, (third from the left);



The photo is from David Darom's book The Great Collections

I'm a practical guy. Probably like you. I've used lots of custom knives, of various configurations. I like having a handy, well designed and nicely made knife on hand at all times. I don't lean toward weaponized knives specifically, and fantasy weapon-knife-things even less. But that doesn't mean that a person who'd love to carry a Klingon Bat'leth on their back or some video game replica should feel awkward expressing that desire here.

I would love to use the knife in the picture, which I'm pretty damn sure I will never ever see in real life. And maybe I'd hate it, and go back to my tried and true. The fun is in the imagining of the thing, and sharing that impulse with other people who might pick up what you're putting down.

I feel that the point to this thread is to use your imagination. Don't get caught up in what you know- get caught up in what you want to know! And have some fun letting that brain do its thing.
 
A lefthanded Rockstead...not sure which model I'd like the most.

But mortgage, 4 small kids, cars that break down on a regular basis and a knifemaking habit all come first. So even if they were to make another run (a couple exist) I'd still not be able to afford one.
 
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Lorien said:
I'm really curious; you've been a member of this forum for years, and likely have seen a lot of knives made by different people and companies.

Is there a knife, maybe more than one, that you've seen during your time here that you really REALLY wanted to hang off your belt or inside your pocket? Something that you didn't already have?

Maybe a knife that was well beyond your means, or maybe even something that you just like the look of that maybe wouldn't be practical?

But that you wanted? To carry around with you every day?

That's the question. Pedestrian means everyday. EDC = every day carry. I get it. But mix GRAIL with that. A knife that you likely would never own that you'd like to actually USE?

For me, I think it might be Bob Loveless' personal knife, (third from the left);


The photo is from David Darom's book The Great Collections

I'm a practical guy. Probably like you. I've used lots of custom knives, of various configurations. I like having a handy, well designed and nicely made knife on hand at all times. I don't lean toward weaponized knives specifically, and fantasy weapon-knife-things even less. But that doesn't mean that a person who'd love to carry a Klingon Bat'leth on their back or some video game replica should feel awkward expressing that desire here.

I would love to use the knife in the picture, which I'm pretty damn sure I will never ever see in real life. And maybe I'd hate it, and go back to my tried and true. The fun is in the imagining of the thing, and sharing that impulse with other people who might pick up what you're putting down.

I feel that the point to this thread is to use your imagination. Don't get caught up in what you know- get caught up in what you want to know! And have some fun letting that brain do its thing.
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Some folks are simple and staid though.
 
If it was enough good for my grandfather, it is enough good for me. So , this is my Holy Grail knife ................... :)

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My Grail is literally an unattainable Grail.
I would LOVE to have a high end Will Moon. I think his designs are amazing......but for the simple fact he is a total entitled spoiled shallow full of himself POS I would NEVER even think of buying one.
Shame.
Couple of Microtechs are also in that category, but due to their attitude towards CS, this is also a no go.
Another shame.
Joe
 
Mine would be an Idaho knife works Cliff knife, any version, light in hand but has a good grip. Had one, but sent back, silly me.
 
Lorien said:
I'm really curious; you've been a member of this forum for years, and likely have seen a lot of knives made by different people and companies.

Is there a knife, maybe more than one, that you've seen during your time here that you really REALLY wanted to hang off your belt or inside your pocket? Something that you didn't already have?

Maybe a knife that was well beyond your means, or maybe even something that you just like the look of that maybe wouldn't be practical?

But that you wanted? To carry around with you every day?

That's the question. Pedestrian means everyday. EDC = every day carry. I get it. But mix GRAIL with that. A knife that you likely would never own that you'd like to actually USE?

For me, I think it might be Bob Loveless' personal knife, (third from the left);



The photo is from David Darom's book The Great Collections

I'm a practical guy. Probably like you. I've used lots of custom knives, of various configurations. I like having a handy, well designed and nicely made knife on hand at all times. I don't lean toward weaponized knives specifically, and fantasy weapon-knife-things even less. But that doesn't mean that a person who'd love to carry a Klingon Bat'leth on their back or some video game replica should feel awkward expressing that desire here.

I would love to use the knife in the picture, which I'm pretty damn sure I will never ever see in real life. And maybe I'd hate it, and go back to my tried and true. The fun is in the imagining of the thing, and sharing that impulse with other people who might pick up what you're putting down.

I feel that the point to this thread is to use your imagination. Don't get caught up in what you know- get caught up in what you want to know! And have some fun letting that brain do its thing.
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Hey Lorien,

I agree with the underlined bit a lot but I think you and I are in the minority on this. The OP asked an under-defined question in the General forum and there is some disagreement on what the OP meant. A large and vocal majority insist that their particular understanding of what is or is not grail-worthy be taken as definitive for the entire thread, which is problematic since none of them are either the OP or moderators. Roughly speaking and taking L.O.D.'s statement, it's based on price with $100 being cut-off for what is or is not grail-worthy enough to be discussed.

On the other hand, a smaller, less vocal (other than me) group apparently reads the OP's question differently seeing it as asking, "What would you carry for EDC if cost had no bearing?" and the surprise of the majority, they've done something more egregious than naming a Klingon Bat'leh. They've named knives that at or below KODs $100 mark. CoolBreeze, JayToro, thewizardofoz, marsturm, Natlek and myself are all in that same boat. I'll leave to you to judge if people are going out of their way to make that point of view awkward or not.

You've asked about what I really want and about my imagination. Here you go...

As an engineer, I'm fascinated by designs that provide high (enough) performance based on design superiority that thrive in the face of mass-production, basic materials and do so over the course of many years and even decades. Here is a partial list of great designs, some of which you may recognize but many of which you won't: Weinmann/Dia-Compe 610 center-pull brakes, SunTour slant-parallelagram rear deraillers, the Panaracer Pasela tire, the Svea 123 stove, the Trangia burner, Rottefella Super Telemark 3-pin binding, the Fischer E99 ski, the Kelty Tioga.

As a former ski instructor and as active climber/skier/cyclist, I put a much higher value on user skill and technique than on the tool.

As a person of some means, I could today write a check and buy a Rolex but prefer to wear a Timex. Some of this is related to religious conviction but primarily it is a deeply held personal aesthetic. I prefer a 1980s Fuji frame to a J.P. Weigle or Peter Mooney custom. I prefer Wild Turkey 101 to my friend's preferred high end hooch.

As a knife user, I've spent over 40 years trying to combine my love for tools (BSA scout knife and 5 stitches when I was 8) and my big Buck 110. My "grail" after many years of wandering is to carry a Micra in my right front pocket and an (inexpensive) production quality single blade traditional in my back pocket. Here's one of my many "grail" carries that I'm carrying today.
Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr

Are there others I carry or might want to carry in the future. I may get a Buck (so-called) custom 110 but that's really a made to order production knife and well under $100. I may dabble in other traditional French knives. The Au Sabot Garonnais has got my eye, but again, this is a relatively inexpensive traditional in the scheme of things.

You've talked about the Loveless knives. Here is a fixed blade that I've handled and I hope some day to own.
G H Mann knives by Pinnah, on Flickr

My hope is that my Dad will pass this along to me. It's one of a handful of surviving GH Mann knives that we know about and that's important to us because these knives have our family name on them. George Mann was our great-great-.... such and such. He ran a small water driven factory in Vermont in the late 1800s and produced utilitarian knives like this one, as well as axe handles and paddles. So yes, inexpensive traditional knives capture my fancy in no small measure because I have a family connection to this kind of knife.
 
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