How about your 10 all-time personal favorites? 5 you already own and 5 you're sure to own one day?

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SanLuisObispo

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Nov 14, 2020
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The title says it all.

Your 10 favorite knives -- 5 you already own, and 5 you're sure to own one day. If you've pretty much got everything you want, then your top 10 from your existing collection. Thanks.
 
Already own:
  1. Buck General 120
  2. Microtech Halo VI
  3. Hogue EXA01
  4. Buck 110
  5. Victorinox Swiss Army Hiker
Plan to own one day:
  1. Case Bowie
  2. Cold Steel Magnum Tanto II, IX or XII
  3. Glock Field Knife FM 81
  4. Case Trapper
  5. Benchmade Infidel
 
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Already Own

1. The Camillus OVB Bowie designed by Jerry Fisk. I have 2 of these, one in ironwood and one in fiddleback maple. They're amazing.
2. Cold Steel Magnum Tanto IX in 3V. Wildly impractical, but so cool I can't get rid of it.
3. A Camillus CUDA Dominator from Camillus USA. Darrel Ralph design, it's been customized to my liking, and it's badass.
4. Benchmade Mini Grip, the one with the black sheepfoot blade, it has AWT scales in OD. It's a joy to use.
5. Benchmade Mini AFCK. The liner lock one, the 812 I think. They make this thing again I'm buying a dozen of them.

Gonna Own

Half a dozen kickass automatics. Once my state finally does away with that stupid "switchblade ban". Friggin' Washington.
 
I have: (no particular order)
  1. Cold Steel Voyager, Large, clip - My choice for a hard use folder
  2. Spyderco Spydiechef - No folder cuts food against a cutting board like this, and it also doubles as a great EDC
  3. Benchmade Griptilian 550-1 - To me, every detail is right about this one; a perfect larger EDC knife. I'm a sucker for that buttery smooth Axis Lock action and 20CV steel.
  4. Benchmade Mini Griptilian - I'd like 555-1, but I'll settle for my regular old 555 with 154CM
  5. RAT II in D2 "R2D2" - I love this knife. Unbelievably good for $50. It's on par with a Mini Grip costing twice as much
  6. Imperial Jack Knife c. 1980 - This is just a little pocket knife that is identical to the one my grandpa gave me when I was 9. I have the original too still, but he snapped the larger blade off prying with it, so I found a replacement on ebay. It's not a very good knife, but it does disappear in the pocket and it brings me back to good times as a kid.
  7. Victorinox Explorer Plus - A handy EDC weekend tool set
  8. Victorinox Manager - A true EDC; I could carry just this and not miss anything, most days

That leaves my last two slots:
  • Microtech Ultratech - I just can't seem to save for one; I'm not sure I'd actually carry and use it; in my part of the world, I'd have some 'splainin' to do. ;-)
  • Some kind of a bowie knife, probably an Ontario. Don't know if the 8" or 10" is preferable, but I'm leaning toward 10. I had a nice US-made Gerber khyber bowie back in the late 80s; kept it 20 years but only ever used it once. It was SO heavy, with its 1/4" thick blade stock.... Still, there's something special about a bowie, right?

With me, what makes the Top 10 is often a surprise. For example, I didn't expect to like the R2D2 as much as I do, as I normally don't like thumb stud knives that much.
 
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SanLuisObispo said:
Already own:
  1. Buck General 120
  2. Microtech Halo VI
  3. Hogue EXA01
  4. Buck 110
  5. Victorinox Swiss Army Hiker
Plan to own one day:
  1. Case Bowie
  2. Cold Steel Magnum Tanto II
  3. Glock Field Knife FM 81
  4. Case Trapper
  5. Benchmade Infidel
Click to expand...
A fine list; very well-rounded.

I had to look up the Halo; that is a BEAST of an OTF!

As it happens, I have a Glock Field Knife on the way today. I had been wanting one off and on since I discovered them, decades ago. I think this is going to be my "home defense knife".
 
Velitrius said:
Already Own

2. Cold Steel Magnum Tanto IX in 3V. Wildly impractical, but so cool I can't get rid of it.

Gonna Own

Half a dozen kickass automatics. Once my state finally does away with that stupid "switchblade ban". Friggin' Washington.
Click to expand...

A CS Tanto has been on my short list for a long time. If I could decide between a Cold Steel Magnum Tanto II (7.5" blade) or a Magnum Tanto XII (12"), I think I'd pull the trigger. I would appreciate any insights here?

I too live in a "automatic knives are illegal" state, but I still collect them. Now and then I set my alarm for 03:00 on Sunday morning. I drag my Harbor Freight wooden machinists chest into the bathroom. I put on my umbrella hat sheathed in tinfoil, turn on both the shower and the tap for masking sound and then go through the automatics drawers. I give each one several flicks, then a gentle wipe down with Rem Oil. I pack everything up, put the chest away and slide back into bed.

If I wake my wife I tell her to relax. That either she was having another night terror, or that someone ran over a cat...
 
Smaug said:
A fine list; very well-rounded.

I had to look up the Halo; that is a BEAST of an OTF!

As it happens, I have a Glock Field Knife on the way today. I had been wanting one off and on since I discovered them, decades ago. I think this is going to be my "home defense knife".
Click to expand...
Nice! What finally sold the Glock to me is that it's throwable...

What color did you choose? I'm partial to the OD and the tan.
 
SanLuisObispo said:
A CS Tanto has been on my short list for a long time. If I could decide between a Cold Steel Magnum Tanto II (7.5" blade) or a Magnum Tanto XII (12"), I think I'd pull the trigger. I would appreciate any insights here?
Click to expand...

LOL! I couldn't decide between those two either, which made me search out the IX version. Really, I'd probably have been equally happy with either.

Oh, I have some nice Autos. But I'm not going to buy any more until my state figures it out.
 
Velitrius said:
LOL! I couldn't decide between those two either, which made me search out the IX version. Really, I'd probably have been equally happy with either.

Oh, I have some nice Autos. But I'm not going to buy any more until my state figures it out.
Click to expand...
The reason I ask about the II and the XII is because they're often deeply discounted. Not so true of the IX. Do you ever actually carry your IX?

Half of me says to just go with the 12 incher, oogle it (the main reason for owning it anyway), wear it around camp for the hell of it, and actually use it for some food prep. Then reason hits and suggests I should go with the 7.5 incher...
 
Favorite 4 that I have and carry (often)
Reate K2
My blue handled fixed blade (y'all know the one)
Buck 501 (green micarta on s35vn)
Southern Grind Spider Monkey (work carry)

3 that I carry less often; but are prized for various reasons
Microtech LLC
GEC 77 smooth autumn bone
Busse Urban Grudge LE

3 that I have, never carry, and can't imagine parting with
MBB M4 ("custom" handles)
Swamp Rat Waki (tan & black with green liners, on sage)
Gerber Mark 1 presentation dagger

That's 10...but I have other favorites.
And swords. I has favorite swords.
 
Got em
Case Bose Tribal Spear
Spyderco Nirvana
Spyderco K2
Joe Hoover 1095 field knife
Dan Graves Damascus Fighter

Need em
Another Spyderco K2
Some Spyderco in LC200N and a compression lock
Carothers HDFK in 3v with TeroTuff
Tad Lynch fighter in W2 with Ironwood

I can’t think of a number 5 I’d want so I’ll list number 6 that I have.
Spyderco Mule in LC200N with Halpern scales.
 
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Benchmade 707, Kiffe Bolo
Spyderco Rookie, Humphrey Gunfighter Bowie
Benchmade 940-1, Humphrey Bell Bowie
Spyderco Manix 2 LW, Rat Cutlery RC6
Spyderco GB2, Spyderco Sprig

fp0oLNg.jpg
 
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In no particular order:
Have:
Old Timer 7OT & 6OT (pre 2000)
Buck 110
Western L66
Mora Number 1 and CS FINN BEAR
Large over 4 inch closed stockman, with carbon steel blades. (Rough Ryder RR1740 is what I have. The model I really want, apparently was never made with carbon steel blades.)
Two Blade Slipjoint Folding Hunter.
Moose pattern with carbon steel blades.
Ulster "Official BSA" Scout/Camp knife and a military issue "Demo Knife".
A "good" Barlow. (circa 1960-1965 Ulster #10. Not an "Ulster Old Timer" #10, is what I have.)
GEC/Northfield UN-X-LD Harness Jack
Buck 301

Want:
There are a few (two ... maybe four) I'd like to get; but realistically, there is a less than zero chance I will be able to get even one, in the time I have left on this rock.
Like the knives I have, the ones I want are also "traditional" slipjoint or friction folders, so likely of little to less than zero interest here in General.

No Chance of Getting:
I've really no use for one anymore, but I've always liked the CS "Chinese War Sword" machete.
I wouldn't mind a genuine Sgian Dubh, belt dagger, and either a (real) broadsword or (real) Claymore sword to wear with my kilt. :D
However, I'm pretty sure the assisted living facility wouldn't be ..."over joyed" ... or perhaps ... "enthralled" ... is a better/more accurate term ... if I started lugging around a historically accurate Scots-Irish belt dagger, sword, halberd, pike/spear, war axe, battle mace, or other middle ages Scots-Irish weapon English longbow, or other middle ages weapon, like some of my (warrior) Scots-Irish, English, German, Scandinavian, Italian, French, Welsh ... ancestors had for their EDC.

I'm lucky they let me have my knives, 3.5 pound single bit axe, slingshots, shepherd's sling, compound bow, muzzleloaders, compact .45 ACP 1911, and crossbow. :D

(All but the muzzleloaders and 1911, I can shoot in the back yard. If the Governor's Covid lockdown ever ends, there is a rifle range only just 1.8 miles distant there and only just 1.8 miles back (well with-in range for riding my adult trike) I can go to shoot the muzzleloaders and 1911. The twoth in command here has already said she'll take me to the range so we can shoot my stuff and hers, when/if the lockdown is ever lifted. Her car is a lot faster than my trike. :D )
 
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SanLuisObispo said:
The reason I ask about the II and the XII is because they're often deeply discounted. Not so true of the IX. Do you ever actually carry your IX?

Half of me says to just go with the 12 incher, oogle it (the main reason for owning it anyway), wear it around camp for the hell of it, and actually use it for some food prep. Then reason hits and suggests I should go with the 7.5 incher...
Click to expand...

No, I don't wear it. It sits over here on the bench where I play with it now and then. Reason played no part in my picking it up, I just like it.

I have tossed it into the rig a couple of times when I take off to where I can't bring a pistol. But those times were afterthoughts at the door.

Had one of the others been deeply discounted when I was looking, I'd have ended up with the discounted one. But the price was what it was at the time.

If you see a score deal on one of these, then I'd say the version isn't gonna matter much. Whatever size it is, it's a cool stallion in the stable.
 
Velitrius said:
No, I don't wear it. It sits over here on the bench where I play with it now and then. Reason played no part in my picking it up, I just like it.

I have tossed it into the rig a couple of times when I take off to where I can't bring a pistol. But those times were afterthoughts at the door.

Had one of the others been deeply discounted when I was looking, I'd have ended up with the discounted one. But the price was what it was at the time.

If you see a score deal on one of these, then I'd say the version isn't gonna matter much. Whatever size it is, it's a cool stallion in the stable.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insights... My interest has been rekindled. I'm going to go for either the IX or XII at this point...
 
3fifty7 said:
Case Bose Tribal Spear
Spyderco Nirvana
Spyderco K2
Joe Hoover 1095 field knife
Dan Graves Damascus Fighter

Another Spyderco K2
Some Spyderco in LC200N and a compression lock
Carothers HDFK in 3v with TeroTuff
Tad Lynch fighter in W2 with Ironwood

I can’t think of a number 5 I’d want so I’ll list number 6 that I have.
Spyderco Mule in LC200N with Halpern scales.
Click to expand...

Pics?
 
Only 5? That’s tough.

OK. Not including fixed blades.

Have:
1. Vic Soldier, pattern 61
2. Kershaw Zing, US version
3. Benchmade 550
4. Benchmade 551
5. Benchmade 531

All are carried or used except the Soldier. A Cadet or Spartan is used instead.

Wanted:
1. CRK Small Insingo
2. Spyderco PM2
3. LionSteel TM 1
4. Case Seahorse
5. Buck 112 Ranger, early model.

This is now. Ask me next week and there might be some changes. I really like the Benchmade Volli. I miss mine.

P Pugsly648 , What is it that you like about the Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter ?
 
Randall model 1
Randall Astro
Pal USN MK1 deck knife
Buck 124
Buck 121
Buck110
Camillus 4 blade US “demo knife”
Becker Bk 2 Kephart
KA-BAR LoomFixer 2 blade swaybackjack
KA-BAR MK2

own carry and use them all
 
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sabre cat said:
Only 5? That’s tough.

OK. Not including fixed blades.

Have:
1. Vic Soldier, pattern 61
2. Kershaw Zing, US version
3. Benchmade 550
4. Benchmade 551
5. Benchmade 531

All are carried or used except the Soldier. A Cadet or Spartan is used instead.

Wanted:
1. CRK Small Insingo
2. Spyderco PM2
3. LionSteel TM 1
4. Case Seahorse
5. Buck 112 Ranger, early model.

This is now. Ask me next week and there might be some changes. I really like the Benchmade Volli. I miss mine.

P Pugsly648 , What is it that you like about the Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter ?
Click to expand...
 
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