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I thought this was the loony bin... isn't that why we're here?
LOL, perfect Jaimie.
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I have my ideal slip joint pocketknife...
- Thread starter TLARbb
- Start date
LOL, perfect Jaimie.
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- Mar 7, 2006
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- 2,171
Hmmm. Instead of the "ONE" knife, why not focus on the 90% knife. That one knife that you can and will carry 90% of the time as your primary EDC. Then you use the other 10% of carrying time for those special occasions, special circumstances, and just because times.
I'm guessing that most folks here pretty much carry more than one pocket knife most of the time anyway. So find that EDC combination and then figure out your primary 90% knife.
I pretty much always carry one slipjoint as a primary in one front pants pocket and a battered SAK Classic in the other. The Classic gets used for the scissors, which lost the spring and toothpick sometime ago and have not been replaced yet. It also gets detailed for opening taped packages so my other knives don't get gunked up from the tape. When working I have on my duty belt the Queen BEM folding hunter I have mentioned often, and a KABAR TDI on my off side specifically for weapon's retention/last ditch and no other purpose.
For several months now I've been carrying the same single blade jack as my primary. For that matter it has always been a staple in rotation. It is this simple Queen. Stainless blade with some grind marks still in it. The Delrin Winterbottom scales have a tiny crack on one side from the pin to the bolster. Crack and grind marks can be seen in the pic below. It has a strong spring. It walks and talks, full with half-stops in a crisp and precise manner. It also has some sentimental value. When I first got started on this forum and settled down in this sub-forum besides all the encouragement and welcome I got, one of the forum members seemed to be determined to help me get started on the road back to slippy. Charlie/Waynorth sent me some sharp things. Along with the ones I knew he was sending he always seemed to toss a few extras in each package. This little Queen was one of them as was the Precise fixed blade in the pic below. Both knives may not be the high end factory or custom pieces that get drooled over, but each is a well made, excellent cutting tool that takes a keen edge and can be brought back with little trouble. They don't last as long as D2, but they do stay sharp longer than a SAK. Enough to be quite usable. If I stropped each day I doubt I'd need to hit a stone much ever short of a major cutting run. The blade size is just big enough to cover most chores for me. The knife is trim, light, and carries beautifully in a pocket. On top of that the shape and feel of it is excellent for just handling. By handling I mean for sticking your hand in your pocket and just fondling the thing. You may just roll it a time or two in your pocket, or you may take it out and use it like a worry stone. Very comforting and a tactile pleasure just to handle. Therapeutic if you will. It doesn't look too bad either.
I was so impressed with the little gifted Queen that I actually bought another when I saw on on eBay. Nice enough knife, but it did not have the walk, talk, and crisp action of my original. I eventually traded the one I bought to a friend and kept the original.
I have nicer knives, but I love this simple, working man's knife and would feel it's loss should it ever become so.
So now I have this excellent, general purpose, cutting tool that handles most of my cutting needs, is pleasant just to handle, carries like it isn't even there until I need it, and to top it off, it reminds me of a fine and generous gentleman who gave a little extra to get a fellow started on the road back home to traditionals. Thanks, Charlie!
Oh, and here is the pic asked for in the OP.
Remembering the generosity I've experienced I've given a few knives to some coworkers that showed an interest, sometimes taking a knife out of my pocket and giving them the knife I was carrying.
I probably have two or three other knives that would fit in the carry it always category and would be just fine in the same capacity as the Queen. I also have a couple of knives that I like to carry for slightly special days. I've even been known to have one or two that I carry for dress occasions only. Come to think of it, I got the Appaloosa bone Case I slipped in my suit pocket for the company Christmas party in a trade with Charlie.
Then of course there is the all other knives I've accumulated that I'd go nuts trying to carry each. Though I have at one time or another just because. Some of those I love to look at and handle, but they just don't carry comfortably for me. Others carry fine, but still don't make that tiny list of knives that would be what I'd carry if I left the Queen jack at home. Don't get me started on fixed blades. I have several and I can't go the the woods with them because I would want to carry all of them.
Heck, even in a fixed blade the little Precise in 440 steel would serve as a 90% or better knife. Anything needing bigger, get the tomahawk or an axe. Btw, the discoloration of the blade in the pic above is from the scan and isn't on the knife.
So after all the wordiness. Don't try for THE ONE. I don't think it truly exist for anyone who hangs out here. Try for a 90% EDC and enjoy the others for their occasions or as auxiliary support when needed.
Amos
I'm guessing that most folks here pretty much carry more than one pocket knife most of the time anyway. So find that EDC combination and then figure out your primary 90% knife.
I pretty much always carry one slipjoint as a primary in one front pants pocket and a battered SAK Classic in the other. The Classic gets used for the scissors, which lost the spring and toothpick sometime ago and have not been replaced yet. It also gets detailed for opening taped packages so my other knives don't get gunked up from the tape. When working I have on my duty belt the Queen BEM folding hunter I have mentioned often, and a KABAR TDI on my off side specifically for weapon's retention/last ditch and no other purpose.
For several months now I've been carrying the same single blade jack as my primary. For that matter it has always been a staple in rotation. It is this simple Queen. Stainless blade with some grind marks still in it. The Delrin Winterbottom scales have a tiny crack on one side from the pin to the bolster. Crack and grind marks can be seen in the pic below. It has a strong spring. It walks and talks, full with half-stops in a crisp and precise manner. It also has some sentimental value. When I first got started on this forum and settled down in this sub-forum besides all the encouragement and welcome I got, one of the forum members seemed to be determined to help me get started on the road back to slippy. Charlie/Waynorth sent me some sharp things. Along with the ones I knew he was sending he always seemed to toss a few extras in each package. This little Queen was one of them as was the Precise fixed blade in the pic below. Both knives may not be the high end factory or custom pieces that get drooled over, but each is a well made, excellent cutting tool that takes a keen edge and can be brought back with little trouble. They don't last as long as D2, but they do stay sharp longer than a SAK. Enough to be quite usable. If I stropped each day I doubt I'd need to hit a stone much ever short of a major cutting run. The blade size is just big enough to cover most chores for me. The knife is trim, light, and carries beautifully in a pocket. On top of that the shape and feel of it is excellent for just handling. By handling I mean for sticking your hand in your pocket and just fondling the thing. You may just roll it a time or two in your pocket, or you may take it out and use it like a worry stone. Very comforting and a tactile pleasure just to handle. Therapeutic if you will. It doesn't look too bad either.
I was so impressed with the little gifted Queen that I actually bought another when I saw on on eBay. Nice enough knife, but it did not have the walk, talk, and crisp action of my original. I eventually traded the one I bought to a friend and kept the original.
I have nicer knives, but I love this simple, working man's knife and would feel it's loss should it ever become so.
So now I have this excellent, general purpose, cutting tool that handles most of my cutting needs, is pleasant just to handle, carries like it isn't even there until I need it, and to top it off, it reminds me of a fine and generous gentleman who gave a little extra to get a fellow started on the road back home to traditionals. Thanks, Charlie!
Oh, and here is the pic asked for in the OP.
Remembering the generosity I've experienced I've given a few knives to some coworkers that showed an interest, sometimes taking a knife out of my pocket and giving them the knife I was carrying.
I probably have two or three other knives that would fit in the carry it always category and would be just fine in the same capacity as the Queen. I also have a couple of knives that I like to carry for slightly special days. I've even been known to have one or two that I carry for dress occasions only. Come to think of it, I got the Appaloosa bone Case I slipped in my suit pocket for the company Christmas party in a trade with Charlie.
Then of course there is the all other knives I've accumulated that I'd go nuts trying to carry each. Though I have at one time or another just because. Some of those I love to look at and handle, but they just don't carry comfortably for me. Others carry fine, but still don't make that tiny list of knives that would be what I'd carry if I left the Queen jack at home. Don't get me started on fixed blades. I have several and I can't go the the woods with them because I would want to carry all of them.
Heck, even in a fixed blade the little Precise in 440 steel would serve as a 90% or better knife. Anything needing bigger, get the tomahawk or an axe. Btw, the discoloration of the blade in the pic above is from the scan and isn't on the knife.
So after all the wordiness. Don't try for THE ONE. I don't think it truly exist for anyone who hangs out here. Try for a 90% EDC and enjoy the others for their occasions or as auxiliary support when needed.
Amos
Tell that to the ol lady when she sees another charge on the VISA bill for the local knife shop!
Carl.
Carl,
I am talking about disposable income, that I can afford within my budget.
I also presume your wife can go out and buy what she wants within an agreed budget.
I am not condoning out of control spending
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2006
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I'm full of input, lots of it. Occasionally a little of it might be usable for more than fertilizer. Let us know if you settle on a primary carry and how it works out along the way.
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- Mar 29, 2002
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:d:d:d
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Let us know if you settle on a primary carry and how it works out along the way.
Amos, et.al., based on the insights gathered from those that have posted here, I believe I just need to stop worrying so much about which knife I own (or don't own) is "the knife". I believe that what has happened to an extent and will continue to happen is that a subset of the knives I have will naturally become favorite carries and others will rarely or only infrequently wind up in the pocket. And, there is no need to try to use them all anyway. Carrying and using a knife is only one way of appreciating them for what they are.
As I look back over the past few months I have seen some trends developing. and for the most part it is to carry a medium sized single blade knife for heavy stuff and a small knife such as a peanut or mini copperhead for most tasks.
I can also see that when I decide to carry only one knife, it will have two blades in a jack type configuration such as the Barlow or Texas jack or maybe even a canoe or swell center pattern. Although in years past, I would be comfortable with one single blade knife, I'm pretty sure I want a two blades now in a single carry situation. I think that these two senarios are pretty much interchangeable for me as well.
So, instead of "the one" I think I am going to wind up with "the few, the proud, the users.." and knives will likely move into and out of this "elite" group over tiime.
Your patience and tolerance has been appreciated and your advice and counsel as well.
Ed J
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Based on reponses in this thread to your post, maybe we should start a new thread called "This week's Pocket Knife of the Month".
Ed J
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- Mar 7, 2006
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- 2,171
I like that. A very apt description for those few knives that we just keep reaching for.
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- Apr 17, 2003
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- 5,283
Based on reponses in this thread to your post, maybe we should start a new thread called "This week's Pocket Knife of the Month".
Ed J
I like that idea!!!
I'm with ya on this ione. I was so excited to get my chestnut swayback, and when I finally recieved it was just floored by the finish. The thing is, after carrying it for a couple weeks, I realized that it just doesn't suite me, although I really wish it did. Maybe I need to try a different pattern in Case's chestnut.
As for "the one", I think the only way for me to get close would be to have a knife made for me, and that will probably never happen due to the cost.
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+1 on the long wharncliffe. Just doesn't ring my bell for some reason as a "master blade". (I like a wharncliffe as a secondary blade fine, however.)
As to the rest of your quote...well, let's just say I like the way you think, son!
:thumbup:I have never thought of having one ideal knife.
Tony Bose:
"The most important thing to me is cut. If they don't do that they are of no use to me."
I think that we all agree with Mr. Bose, and many of us get there in different ways.
I derive great pleasure from making a clean cut with a very sharp knife.
I also am most comfortable when I have several extremely sharp purpose-built knives on my person that are appropriate for different cutting tasks.
After 70 years of using knives, I am stunned at the nuanced appreciation that I have gained from the knowledge, understanding and experience freely shared on this traditional forum.
I have worked many jobs that required very sharp and long bladed knives that my bosses provided on site. They would have laughed at my thinking that any pocket knife could adequately slice Salmon and other fish and meat, or cut Large Melons, tree limbs, branches, carpet, roofing, etc.
Some months of watching this traditional forum have awakened me to the concept that sharp personal knives can be be exquisitely beautiful and elegant, as well as functional.
My life has definitely been brightened by your shared knowledge and experience.
I cannot currently conceive of carrying less than three knives, or not having several knives at any Table or Desk where I normally work, eat or prepare food.
If anything, your wonderful photos and posts have re-enforced my desire to explore the cutting edge in all of its forms.
Sincerely,
Mike H.
Tony Bose:
"The most important thing to me is cut. If they don't do that they are of no use to me."
I think that we all agree with Mr. Bose, and many of us get there in different ways.
I derive great pleasure from making a clean cut with a very sharp knife.
I also am most comfortable when I have several extremely sharp purpose-built knives on my person that are appropriate for different cutting tasks.
After 70 years of using knives, I am stunned at the nuanced appreciation that I have gained from the knowledge, understanding and experience freely shared on this traditional forum.
I have worked many jobs that required very sharp and long bladed knives that my bosses provided on site. They would have laughed at my thinking that any pocket knife could adequately slice Salmon and other fish and meat, or cut Large Melons, tree limbs, branches, carpet, roofing, etc.
Some months of watching this traditional forum have awakened me to the concept that sharp personal knives can be be exquisitely beautiful and elegant, as well as functional.
My life has definitely been brightened by your shared knowledge and experience.
I cannot currently conceive of carrying less than three knives, or not having several knives at any Table or Desk where I normally work, eat or prepare food.
If anything, your wonderful photos and posts have re-enforced my desire to explore the cutting edge in all of its forms.
Sincerely,
Mike H.