How much knife do we need!

muzzleup · Jul 23, 2000

To start out with, I am a real knife knut. I have something over 100 of my own but I have been thinking lately...just how many of us will ever be in the real survival situation where a large Busse, Cold Steel, or Tops will be right at our side (unless we are DR.Ron)? It seems to me that the best knife for any situation is the knife you have on you at the time. If we have a lot of money to spend we might have a TOPS, Busse "E" type, a Hartsfield, or any number of custom made knives worth a fortune. If a Cold Steel works for you then use it, if you have to have an Anaconda then wear it for the time you really have to use it. If you like Kukuri's then will you have it on you in an emergency when it actually happens? I have come to the conclussion that I am going to have to cull down my collection to the real practical using knives that I might have to have in an emergency, but I probably will just keep adding to my collection like the Rambo wannabees I and some of us are

OK, OK GUYS it sounds like ya think that I am against collecting or having knives that you like/want...NOT SO, I have more knives then I can carry too, I am just saying that there are not a lot of real Rambos' out there who really have to depend on their bad blade to survive against the "gumet" or ravaging hords of Ruskies. You see, I am older then dirt and think that a bunch of geriatric survivalists like me running around the woods is kind of a silly idea. I am just saying that I have to be practical for myself. I forsee buying as many knives as I can afford cuz I just like haveing them and looking at them & messing with blades of all kinds.Please don't think that I intended to insult anyone or was passing judgment on anyone because I am right in the middle there with the rest of you.

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Ron

[This message has been edited by muzzleup (edited 07-24-2000).]

[This message has been edited by muzzleup (edited 07-24-2000).]

Jeff Clark · Jul 23, 2000

I don't feel any obligation to be practical in my knife collecting. I may only carry a large SAK 99% of the time, but I've got special purpose knives for all occasions. Now if I just had some free time.... (I'm writing this from work at 8:30 PM on a Sunday night).

Keith Montgomery · Jul 23, 2000

I have to agree with you and others that I have heard, that the best knife for the job is the knife you have with you. For that reason I only buy knives that I am willing and able to use.
I do not collect knives, so I have no reason to have knives that serve for me, no useful purpose. Knives are tools to me.

not2sharp · Jul 24, 2000

In a survival situation we will be forced to make use of whatever is on hand (if we are lucky that will probably be a good SAK). But, if you plan your situation correctly you may never need to go into survival mode. And, a large knife may have a role in that situation.

There are many different ways to use a knife and each type of knife lends itself best to specific situations. Use the right tool. If you break your folder while applying stress that would have been better reserved for a sturdy fixed blade, or slip while trying to get your 1/4" fixed blade to do a fine cut that is better performed with a fine blade; you may be injured, and you may just manage to put yourself and your party into survival mode conditions.

Hagar · Jul 24, 2000

The best knife is the one you have on you.
I just try to make sure I am carrying the knife I may need for the situation.
If I go Black Powder hunting I more than likely would be carrying my bowie.
When I go archery hunting or general hiking I usually carry something with about a 6" blade.
For a general utility I carry a Tanto that is 8" overall.
For going out or the evening I carry a small(6" overall), nice looking tanto.
and if I figure I'll be going where I may need something bigger I'll carry something bigger.

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There is no such thing as "good enough", either your work is good or it is not. How is your work?
SGT BLADES www.therockies.com/hagar/

allenC · Jul 24, 2000

I discovered long ago that for about 95% of tasks, I need a blade no longer than 3".
But I still love all kinds of knives and so I have alot of different styles and sizes.

Samurai6 · Jul 24, 2000

The best knife for the job is still the best knife for the job, whether you have it with you or not.

You just have to carry the most versatile knife you can.

The ideal thing for me would be a 3.5" utility plus a 7" tactical fixed blade. Since that is not practical for me most of the time, I compromise with a 4.5" folder or a fixed blade.

Paracelsus · Jul 24, 2000

I dunno. My largest knife is a custom 8.5 inch persian style fighter. If I ever Really had to use it against some sort of demon from Hell, I'm sure I would like to have something even bigger and scarier.

Actually, most of my knives are custom or handmade hunters in the three to five inch range. One of the criteria that I use for my collecting is Useability. So I have purchased a number of Mastersmith hunters. I don't actually use these knives very much. But I know they would work great if I found the need to actually carry them.

My everyday carry is one or two of several production folders. They are practical and legal. And are generally all I really need unless I'm going out for a walk in the woods.

I collect knives for a lot of reasons. I see no need to restrict my collecting on the basis of practicality. But striking some balance between Art and Function is important to me.

I don't have any Rambotron Ninjamatic Deathmogers. But I uphold the right of others to collect that sort of thing. I do not own any bowies Yet, nor do I think I would ever find a real world need to carry such a large knife, but a lot of them appeal to me. And David Broadwell's carved damascus fighters have drawn my interest and curiosity. As the number of knives I own increases, the probability of real use decreases.

Do you think you could get by and be happy with only 1 to 5 knives? I like having an assortment of carry options, and own some knives whose use is primarily restricted to fighting demons from Hell.

Isn't it more Fun that way?

Paracelsus, noting that a 'collection' is defined as Three of more of Any Thing

My custom knives

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 07-24-2000).]