I have my ideal slip joint pocketknife...

TLARbb

TLARbb

Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
3,920
... Then maybe not. I was sitting here at the computer this afternoon, as I frequently do and was contemplating what knife I should buy next. But the realization (or whatever it was) came over me that with all the knives I already have, that I already have my ideal knife. Probably right in front of me now.

So, I am going to be doing some soul searching over the next few days, weeks and try to figure out which one it is. Since coming on board here at Bladeforums about 15 months ago, I have bought quite a number of slipjoints and one one-hand modern knife. I have had the distinct pleasure of winning a three give aways and I have had other knives gifted to me by forum members here. And I've bought some others from forum members here as well. I haven't kept score, but it is a considerable number of pocket knives.

I have had the pleasure of purchasing a couple of custom knives in this time period as well and will be purchasing more of those as money and opportunity allow.

I have been exposed to patterns I have never handled before, blade profiles I haven't used, and still I seem to gravitate toward certain knives in the stack. The knives that I carry the most, and seem to pull my hand toward them when I am selecting my knife for the day (or week as I'm trying to do now) seem to be in the 3-1/2" to 3-3/4" closed single or two blade jack configurations. So, my ideal knife is probably one of those. After all, I've been known to buy a 3-blade pattern and have 2 blades pulled out of it so it suits me better. :)

But along the way to getting to this point, I have grown fond of some of the smaller patterns as well - the peanut, the swayback jack, and the mini-copperhead.

Now comes the part where I ask you folks - How do you know when you've found "IT"? Do you ever find "IT". Is it really the knife I want or is it the "hunt"? Now, if you feel led to comment on this situation, please post a photo of your "favorite" pocketknife and tell me why it is your favorite if you can.

I'm going to start with my EDC of the week which is these two knives (maybe asking for just one is taking things too far) - The sowbelly experiment and the mini copperhead:

knives1104-003.jpg


There are more avenues to explore and Bladeforums will help me with that (as will Case) when the 2011 forum knife comes available and when the 2011 Case/Bose collab hits the streets. These patterns are both new to me and I look forward to seeing if they unseat my current "favorite"

.... or maybe I should just check in to the looney bin now.

Ed J
 
TLARbb said:
...

.... or maybe I should just check in to the looney bin now.

Ed J
Click to expand...

Hang on Ed, I'll just pack a bag and go with ya!

I don't believe that there is a one knife for us. There will never be an "IT" for us because we're the afflicted. The obsessed. We're mutants!:eek:

Just by being a knife based forum is proof that we suffer from "our" disease. Knife knutitis. We're the 1% of the people who even though we carry a knife in these unfriendly times, we're always going to be looking around the next bend for the "one".

I've known a few of the mythical "one knife men" in my life, and the plain startling truth is they were not knife knuts like us. My dad, my old boss Ira, even my old friend Wayne, who still carries the little Buck 309 his wife bought him for his birthday over 20 years ago. They know they need a pocket knife, so they carry one. Key word there, one. Men like that think it silly to have more than what they need in the way of knives, even when they accumulate other things way more expensive. Wayne loves skeet and sporting clays. He 'accumulates' Browning superposed shotguns. No small chunk of change there. But he loves them. On the other hand, a knife to him is just a needed cutting tool for his everyday life. As long as his well worn 309 companion is still in serviceable shape, he's good to go, even when he's chicken eying a new 5,000 dollar over under because the wood is select Turkish walnut or something.:confused:

I think the best we can hope for is, to finally settle on a few great ones for edc. Like maybe about a half dozen. Okay, maybe a dozen. Okay, a bakers dozen. But the 'one"? I know I never could find the "one".

Better to seek the Holy Grail. Or maybe the white whale.:D

"Over the mountains of the moon,
Down the Valley of the shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,
If you seek the "one".

Okay, I sort of re-worded that old Poe poem.

On the other hand, if we keep looking over the next hill, it's gonna be an interesting trip.

Carl.
 
Ed, I am sure I dont have as many knives as you, but now I too are at the stage of you in thinking...just what am I doing?...and yet everytime I haunt the Traditionals...I always float over to the folders for sale etc...I cant seem to stop buying...what I need to do is stop buying the knives I love, and to save the money to buy the knives I only dream of loving....this is easier said than done.

I dont have any customs here with me, and I think that I will thin out my knives after I have bought as many models that I can afford-carry them-and then decide - or should I say try to decide what you are trying...

My favourites so far are the single bladed Trapper, the serpentine jack, a couple of smaller whittlers...man...just where do you stop even trying to narrow down the favourite styles?
I am sure that at the end of the day, there will still be a selection of knives to rotate, they will be the most favourite of manufacturer models, and of course customs.
 
The ideal knife? The search for Spock was easier my friend!

I have gone through many patterns and blade styles myself and none were "The One" after four years of searching. I have determined one thing that a long wharncliffe as the main blade is not for me. I need a main blade with some belly. While single bladers are slimmer, lighter and usually all you need, I do find a two blade jack useful. I also still can't get away from a stockman due to the utility of the sheepshoot. The sowbelly stockman, premium stockman and cattle knife are some three bladers I really like.

Usually the hunt itself is more exciting than the kill. Keep on searching. Maybe you'll find "The One".
 
Even before coming to BFC I've got my ideal slipjoint and I am yet to find it...I can hardly remember my granddads knife, I just know the image in my mind I have of it is my ultimate knife and I'll keep looking till I find it. That said being around the fine folks of this sub-forum has exposed me to new patterns, materials, jigging styles, etc and has got me wanting examples of the ones that call out the most to me.

For the most part being a little short in change (due to immigrating to US) I find it pleasing to see the pictures you guys put up and really enjoy the stories and discussions some of you have to tell. This thread is no exception. My "white whale" I'll likely find at an estate sale or auction...the knife in my mind is as much a feeling as it is a specific pattern, if that makes any sense.
 
I appreciate the responses and I can't tell you how much you folks have done for me and for the forum in general. Duncan, I might have more knives than you, but you've got some great ones. Jackknife, I'd certainly be honored for you to accompany me to the looney bin. Luciano, I admire your taste in knives and your contribution to this thread is a blessing to me. Robert, I hope you are able to find your knife.

Maybe, I just bought my "one". Just got a notification that I had won a bid on the auction site. A Gerber 250B wood with a secondary pen blade rather than the usual sheepsfoot secondary. I just placed a bid and forgot about it. It's toward the small size of my range. It has two blades. I've bought more Gerber Silver Knights than any other pocket knife. Maybe the angels are speaking to me.... Anyway, there is no reason for me to expect I won't like that knife; I've already got several of them in various guises. So, if that's the case, why do I have these dozens of others.

I'll keep looking..

Ed J

Edit -The Silver Knight came yesterday in the mail. I spent some time looking at it and comparing it to other knives that have hit my pocket in the last year. I guess the mini copperhead has hitched a ride more than any one other knife in the time frame. The SK and the MCH are almost exactly the same length closed. Both have pen secondary blades. Except for main blade shape there are a lot of similarities. So take a look at the SK:

knives1104-007.jpg
 
Last edited:
It has taken a while and I still enjoy looking at a lot of different patterns, but like texasflyfisher I've been able to eliminate a few, although I tend to keep them on hand so that if my tastes change I won't have to buy them again.
 
I have to agree with the others here that it is more about the hunt. While there will always be a few that we are continuously drawn back to, a big part of the fun is trying out different materials and styles along with seeing the craftsmanship of the various makers. I don't see any reason to limit yourself to one ideal knife when there are so many to choose from. I honestly don't even think that it would be possible to settle on one knife while hanging out here. Even if you could find one that was close enough that you carried it almost all of the time, you would still find others appealing.

I've never had an ideal knife in mind and possess no desire to acquire one. I imagine that it would be quite a letdown as it would ruin any interest I had in other knives.

Look on the bright side, Ed. If you are headed to the looney bin, at least you're in good company.:D
 
Rots-a-Ruck!!:)

You might very well find your ideal knife but you'll never find "the one"!! Say your ideal knife turns out to be a Stockman but which one -- 4 1/8"; 3 3/4"; 3 1/2" and then there's the handle material to consider -- stag, bone, acrylic, etc..

More than likely you'll find "the one that'll do" but it's doubtful you'll find your ideal, one and only, knife.

I know I never have after 60 some odd years of using, collecting, and accumulating, knives.
 
When you find yourself picking out certain ones on a regular basis, that's a pretty good indicator. I don't actually believe in "the one" though which is why I've been carrying multiples lately.

I do like to think I could lose all but any one of my edc knives and get by just fine with that one for the rest of my life if needed.
 
Modoc ED said:
Rots-a-Ruck!!:)


More than likely you'll find "the one that'll do" but it's doubtful you'll find your ideal, one and only, knife.
Click to expand...

I think this is the crux of my thoughts. I am very confident that within arm's reach right now there are at least a dozen knives (probably more) that would work fine if I was like the guy that had a knife because he needed one. I am also fairly confident that the course I'm on, which is "get more knives", is likely to be the course I'll stay on for some time. I have some more patterns to try out before I call it quits. For instance, when I go in a store with a Case display, I find myself staring at the single blade slim utility. My brain says NO, but my subconscious says YES; which side is going to win???? Never owned a toothpick before except Dad had one of those Imperial, I believe, yellow handle fish knives that we kept in the tackle box; but I never carried it on my person. They intrigue me as well.

I did break down about a month ago and bought a Canal Street half moon trapper, I've hidden it from myself because if I don't, I might get like 2dead and have a dozen or so.

The GEC conductor is causing me difficulties. It's just a bit bigger than that mini copperhead that I like so well. Trouble is coming...

I am also intrigued by the fact that no one has come forth with "Here's my ideal knife and this is what it looks like, and this is why I like it." Makes me feel like I've got a lot of company... Well, it is GOOD company.

Ed J
 
TLARbb said:
I am also intrigued by the fact that no one has come forth with "Here's my ideal knife and this is what it looks like, and this is why I like it." Makes me feel like I've got a lot of company... Well, it is GOOD company.

Ed J
Click to expand...

I would have but its really a feeling and memory to watching my granddad teach me how to sharpen on it, I just know the scales were black, it was massive in my hand, definitely Sheffield or an English maker (he always said the English made the finest blades) and a spear blade. Other than that, I have no idea but I'll know it when I see it. :D
 
After 4 years on BF, i think i have my Ideal Traditional folder around here someplace. It's 'in there', somewhere, with the 5000 other knives lying about the house here (not married obviously), but rather than go look for it, i think i'll head over to ebay, see if i can pick up a good deal on a Folder. Maybe it will be the ideal one.
roland
 
Hey guys...im just holding now..one that could be a contender, its a hand made bulldog '93 Stag handled two bladed Trapper...wow, just wow, matchstrike pulls, awesome Stag, a snap that would lift your eyebrows, the feel of the knife is just something else...but then so are my G.E.C's, ...in saying that my John Primbles are absolutely stunning, also m........
 
If no one made any new knives at all and we had a finite field from which to pick then maybe, just maybe, we'd stand a chance to find that one. But the wheel just keeps on turning and sooner or later the next best one comes along to wipe out any chance of everlasting knife monogamy. ;)
 
I think about this a lot. For me, it is the hunt. I rationalize it by trying to collect old knives that I get for cheap and telling myself that my collection will become more valuable as time passes. And there is some truth in this. But it is also a foolish notion. I have hundreds of knives. I have knives I forget I own. If I had to pick one? I don't know. The Sway Back Jack has got me pretty good right now. But I like variety. I feel foolish about how many knives I have. On several levels. The amount of money I've spent on knives is a bit absurd. And then there is the realization that if I didn't buy 10 pretty nice knives, I could afford a REALLY nice custom. But that would be a short hunt.

It really is an addiction like anything else. And buying knives online just makes it worse because that adds in the anticipation of waiting for the next knife to come in the mail.

I have more knives than any man could possibly need many times over. I am trying to slow down my knife acquisition lately...been doing a little better. But Carl is dead right as he often is. We are obsessed. Some people collect records. Some people collect stamps. Some people don't seem to have that 'hoarding' gene. We do. So, as nice as it would be to think that there could be one knife, there won't be. Because it is not about the one knife. It is about the searching, the thrill of the chase, and maintaining the heard. Cleaning, sharpening, oiling, saving. It is a cycle.

You are definitely not alone. And there are worse obsessions to have, for sure. We will always be looked at askance by the non-obsessed because you're right...the idea of anyone needing more than, say, five knives max is absurd.

I think part of it for me is that I like mechanisms. And knives are simple and beautiful. I do not understand completely how an engine works. I can fix my bike most of the time, but the intricacies are beyond me. And, while I don't think I would be able to make a beautiful knife, I can certainly understand and appreciate it.

My Paupa collected model trains. He did it because he found solace in it. I collect pocket knives because I think they are beautiful. Because they are relatively inexpensive and useful. And because I have a problem. ;)

Many of the knives I own would make a fine 'one knife'. And I own many knives I never carry, but appreciate for their history or aesthetics. Which is a long way of saying basically the same thing as everyone else said. We are knife nerds. For better or for worse. I like to have a knife in my pocket. I like to sit and play with my knives. Hell, I don't even really need a knife on a daily basis most of the time. But I don't leave home without one. (And which 'one' is part of the fun.)
 
The "ONE and ONLY" is a question that bothers me ever since I got hooked on slipjoints, and this was more than 40 years ago. As the time passed my taste had changed many times, my collection grew and shrunk more than one time as I was thinking that I found the answer. But no, THE Ideal pocket knife has limited time being the one, there always better one waiting behind the corner, the one I must have in order to satisfy myself having at last the "ONE and ONLY". Just the passing year I realized that a small variety of quality slipjoints is what I should have, but then I became more involve in this subforum and my collection is growing rapidly. Each new member in my collection is THE ONE in his way, you see, I must have Canoe and a Lockback whittler, I need one of Cripple creek and GEC, and so many talented custom makers. They are all the ONES, and all these ones sum up to.... many (simple math:D).
Mike

PS-please forgive my English mistakes as it's not my mother tongue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top