How have your knife "tastes" evolved?

My tastes have changed over the last twelve years or so.
Simply put, my first knives, in order, were a Buckmaster, a BMF, CS Trailmaster, then an Al Mar Pathfinder.
My latest knives have been a Dozier Pro Skinner and a Fallkniven WM1.
Guess I got tired of all the extra, un-needed weight. Small fixed blades are the way to go, IMHO. There may, however, be a small Dozier folder and a Sebenza in the future.

Jet
 
As you go along you learn more and your tastes becomes more refine, and what was a collection a few years ago becomes only an accumulation as you focus more intently on some of the subcatagories.

I have been at it for a while now (going on 22 years). The strangest change for me is that although I am more demanding and focused than ever on the details, I am less interested in individual knives. I now routinely pass up knives that I would have only dreamed about previously becuase they simply do not fit well with the rest of the stuff.

My objective is drifting towards putting together better and better collections. Every knife I purchase gets lumped under a catagory, and each year I review each catagory to see which ones are doing well and which ones are going nowhere. Then I trade off the weaker ones to build up the stronger ones. The "collection" is still just a moderate accumulation of stuff, but it is getting better, and the shape of what eventually might be a real collection is beginning to form. I have been surprised so often that I am completely clueless on what it might be - although when I eventually get there I claim I was collecting it all along. :)

In another 20 years I hope to be traveling the world, digging under every rock and putting up a significant purse, in the quest for that evasive missing piece that completes whatever I end up putting together.

That is why this stuff is so much fun.

n2s
 
My first knife was a SAK Huntsman given to me by my father at the age of ten. I still carry one most of the time. My other carry blade is a two blade sliplock traditional penknife.

Other knives I've bought have been to work with. Some don't work and are a waste of space, money and collect dust. I have now settled on a selection of blades for different tasks and it takes quite something for me to warrant buying another blade; though there are a couple out there that have caught my imagination and I will buy eventually.

Do your research, define the task and buy the best you can. Don't try and find one knife to do all things. Buy the best in its class and you won't be disappointed. There are only about ten knives or so that you actually need. More and you are duplicating; one step away from stamp collecting.

My interest now is into cutting tools. Tools to get a job done. This leads to old tools and blades and how they overcame their job descriptions and how modern products try to overcome the same obstacles.

There is always room for fine bladework to admire from the custom makers. Factory knives can't compete here. Ownership for the sake of owning such high craft objects.
 
Started with Beretta airlight 3.5 inches.
Then made a few stupid things, such as buying "jungle wilderness" thingy, 20$ terrific value, made in china, the handle came out in 15 mins after I've opened the package and tried to stab the phone book...
Later CS and Buck...
Eventually ended up here :)
Now mostly collecting high performace fixed blades, both custom and production/semi-production. Folders, but mostly production, as I do not like linerlocks.
 
My tastes have not changed much. I like the tactical folders. But being a member of BF have helped me learn so much that I now am starting to save and buy REAL knives and have not been screwed since coming here. Thanks again guys for all the help, advice, and Butt kicking.......wolf
 
I have to echo Wolfmann601's sentiment. A lot of my evolution as a knifenut is the direct result of my time spent here on BladeForums. My early purchases were based almost entirely on blade and handle shape, with no real appreciation for steel quality, edge geometry, materials, or quality of construction. Now I have learned enough to be a whole lot more particular. :)

I started out looking for a basic tactical folder to use as an EDC. After carrying a few and discovering that basic black looked both more intimidating to sheeple and less interesting to me I started to seriously investigate more colorful designs.

I also learned more about what makes a knife effective for both defensive and utility purposes and adjusted my selections to match. Now I have four models that I carry specifically for defensive use (Dozier #6 Custom, REKAT Sifu, Kershaw Boa, and Emerson Commander). In addition to one of those, I generally carry a second from among my dozen or so others as a backup and utility knife.

I don't know that I am "done" collecting, but I have gotten to the point where I rarely buy a new knife. I have most of what I want and am only looking for new models that provide something the ones I already have don't.

--Bob Q
 
Great thread!

I discovered several forums while just looking for a larger folder. After some info gathering, bought a BM710. Then got hooked and started buying tough looking tactical folders. Now I find myself looking at small fixed blades for hiking and camping and more sheeple friendly folders. Fortunately I did not spend a lot of cabbage on junk blades before finding this place. I find I am more selective with what I buy since I have more knowledge about locks, steel and other materials. The hunt for the next blade is always great fun!

Cheers,
gord.
 
Away from production, more towards custom.

Long ago, away from tanto's and chisel grinds, and towards dropped points and knives with belly, and with symmetrical flat or hollow grinds in general.

Away from ordinary steel, more towards high performance stuff (420V for 4" and below, 3V or INFI or differentially treated for big blades)

Away from all black handles and ATS-34, and towards something more varied and interesting.

Away from fixed blades (in a general sense) and towards folders.

Away from anything with sharp edges anywhere but on the blade, and towards towards ergonomic, smoothed handles.

In daily carry folders, more towards stainless damascus and fossil ivory or ironwood or other nice woods.

WAY away from hype, unnecessary "features", and towards simple, solid, utilitarian.
 
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