How much knife do you REALLY need?

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darthsoaker

Joined
May 2, 2006
Messages
1,273
Let's be honest, many of us carry a lot more knives, or larger knives then we really need. I've tried only carrying a Spyderco Lava for a couple weeks, and found that I need nothing more. :( A bit harder to justify large folders now... Definitely an enlightening experience, if nothing else.

That was my experience. I understand that it will most likely not be your's. I do not want to turn this into a flame war.

So, putting aside the macho BS, how much knife do YOU really need?
 
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I'm more than confident that I could get by with just my Vic Soldier. The blade is sturdy enough for medium duty cutting. It holds a fine edge for a short while, but a good enough edge for a long time and has useful tools as well.

I choose to carry a Benchmade 710 for heavy work because I like to keep the Soldier clean for food (and I'm not concerned about who sees me with a large blade), but if I had to I could get by with just the Soldier. I'd just have to remember to clean it before using it on food.

For safety's sake (ie. a sturdy, robust knife) I wouldn't want to carry anything much smaller than the Soldier. A Vic Classic is probably all the knife any of us really need, but in the event something tough had to be cut, I wouldn't trust the pivot in a Classic.
 
I only need a SAK but I want to carry a 1 hand opening medium sized blade because I can have more belly in a bigger blade(which I love the look of).
 
Rat or ontario 3 a nice solid fixed blade is about it for EDC but out in the woods a 6-7 inch blade and a machete. i dont know what you use your knives for but dont assume no one else uses a sturdy blade.
 
Quote: I understand that it will likely not be your's.

Razor, chill dude, he didn't assume. Did you read his post?

Sorry, got a kick out of that.

mike
 
All I normally need, is a 3" Kershaw Leek. However, it is nice to have a 4" Military or Buck 110 along too.
 
Need is almost as much a variable as want. I need a knife big enough for whatever emergency I couldn't foresee, but I don't want to carry anything that heavy. :)

Under circumstances of possible legal constraints, I will restrict myself to a SAK, but I will carry a "tactical" folder otherwise -- along with the SAK and a multitool. (My keychain carries my Vic. Classic for me.)

I need my pen, notepad, cellphone, flashlight, -- you get the idea -- to get me through a civilized day. If by "need" you mean, how little knife could I get by on, I would prefer to go with no less than my Wenger Evo 18.
 
The size of your hand can also be a factor.Lets say I dont think a man with hands the Size that Andre The Giant had would feel comfortable using a Vic Classic for EDC or hard use. :):) Kevin
 
On a day-to-day basis I only need a blade that's about 2.5-3". It just is comforting to carry multiple blades and/or longer blades. You just never know.
 
A knife is a tool like any other. So it depends upon the tasks you will be doing.
Everyday - small folding knife unless your work requires something more
Hiking, Backpacking - no fires allowed - SAK Trekker - opening up packages, cutting food, small saw and knife (can help with starting a fire in an emergency) - maybe a small fixed blade as a back up but, not needed
Backpacking - if fire is allowed - SAK Trekker, maybe a small fixed blade as a back up, maybe a larger saw or hatchet or if you must baton wood a larger fixed blade
Hunting - small fixed blade - maybe more, see fire
Fishing - small fixed blade fillet knife - maybe more, see fire
Police - tactical folder
Military - fixed blade as recommended + folder

I'm with you. I don't see the need for the number and size of the knives that some people say they carry.
 
I either carry my chive, under 2 Inches, or a 707 sequel under 3.. The sequel is quite large, in my opinion and I dont notice i'm carring it.. I feel the sequel is too much knife.. but I love it anyway!
 
Generally, 3-3.5 inches is plenty for a folder. A 4-5 inch fixed blade will cover 90-95% of all general knife oriented tasks.
 
I know this is a retorical question, so I'll play along....
This is kinda like asking how many guns do I really need. If pressed, one each of a well chosen rifle, shotgun and hand gun would cover 99.9% of the situations. So, why do I have many multiples of each?
In the world of knives, I only truly need a knife or 2 for cleaning game, a few knives for the kitchen, a couple of utility knives in the shop, and a small pocket friendly knife for EDC....pretty much what I had before I got interested in knives as a semi-hobby about 4 yrs ago.
BUT, I have gained an appreciation for the art of the knife in the last few years, thus my testosterone drive continues to push me to continue to purchase and collect. There is no logical reason for this...it's just a hobby that I really enjoy.
 
As Esav mentioned, legal constraints are an issue. Everyday carry involves a good-sized city (Denver) with a 3.5" legal limit, so that's what I carry. Outside the city (no restrictions), it's usually something in the 5-8" range, although I've been known to carry my Randall 12-9 (9") on occasion. Those are serious mountains out there.
 
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I think a man should be able to carry what ever kind of knife he wants and it should not matter what anyone else thinks. Im not trying to be rude, honestly, its just how I feel. I served my country in the Military and I feel I have earned the right to carry what I want. Now on the other side, for most, usually a decent sized folder will do, for me I carry a Leatherman Wave, because of the tools and a SAK sportsman for EDC. My Grandad and dad carried just a stockman or a Barlow all there life and they made it fine. I do understand how the Op feels with what he says its just that, whats it really matter? We all do different kind of work, some needs larger knives than others. I guess it goes both ways.
 
I dont think you need anything over 4in. for edc carry. Maybe I love my Enduras so much because they have big blades, so i know i have plenty of cutting power, but its so light and slim that I barely know it's there.
 
For almost all daily tasks, I don't need a big knife. I prefer knives that are generally smaller for anything even my hunting knives, and I do have big hands.... It doesn't take a knife with a 6 inch blade to work Deer or Elk...
If I feel like I need to chop wood I have a hatchet and an axe.

In a lot of cases, people that don't properly know how to use a knife will lean towards big knives, especially hunting knives. Then again there are people that just like big knives which is o.k.
 
Well, I have a ton of great knives and I'm loving my little Orange Wharnie Urban right now ;)
 
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