If it was all in the Gettin', here's all but the one ;-)

[Gary W. Graley]

After reading that I'm not alone, kinda figured that out, why else would there be so many on BladeForums but it had me thinking more and more on my 'collection' as it currently stands.

Discounting the Swiss Army knives, as I really treat them mainly as mini tool boxes and don't consider them as pocket knives, even though they do cut well, but I was sitting here admiring the folders I have and in the same vein as Steve Martin was near the end of the movie "The Jerk" where he was walking around and said "All I need is just this...that's it...and this...and this...that's all I need " you get the picture. So as we often see threads that ask the question if you had only one knife, what would it be. Well this is kind of similar except it would be, if you layed out all your knives, all that you can, some of you guys/gals have a LOT of knives ! and were put in a bind where you'd have to put all but ONE in a box, which one would you really think/know that you would just have to keep?

I know it sounds familiar but we're talking knives in your possession and you were tasked to put all the others in a box and hand them over to the big guy that comes to your door collecting, could happen

Well as I sat here thinking these things, you can probably tell I'm tired?, but I've thought about it before so for me it wasn't very hard at all to whittle down to what knife I would hate to part with, and that is the 2 bladed Bark Ivory Montana Workhorse, mostly for the ivory but also for the two handy blades it has and the short history that I picked it up right from GEC in Titusville PA while I was visiting. Now there are others, almost as dear, but if worse comes to worse, it'd be the ivory that would be held tight in my mitts.

So, which one is it for you guys/gals, I know, not a fair question and of course, months...(hours for some) it all may change, but in the mean time, lets see your "grail" as it were. Here are some images of mine, just a great overall knife, I need to make a sheath soon for her, but for now, it's a small pocket slip case.

A very nice folder, no half stops which I was surprised that I seem to like better this way myself, blades are ground down fairly thin but not wimpy, has a strong back spring so it's got a decent pull, and in the scale in my head, you do NOT want to be in there , it's about a 7 out of 10 but I like that, kind of reassuring strength there!

G2

 

[getout87]

For me, at this very instant, it would be my #15 e/o two blade lambsfoot in ebony. there is just something about that knife that just hits me in the guts.

 

[Rsmith_77]

as boring as it sounds. If i had to pick just one knife and give the rest away or box them up and give em up.
I'd have to pick the wenger SI. weird huh? but hey it can do anything a knife can and more, but a knife cant do everything the soldier can :/

 

[black mamba]

I know it's cheating, but the best I can do is one in each size category. Here they are.

Extra Large, 4-1/2", modified S&M English Jack in wormgroove bone (regrind by Don Hanson III).

Large, 4-1/8", Tidioute Cuban Stockman in bark ram's horn.

Medium, 3-1/2", Northfield Calf Roper in primitive bone.

Small, 3-1/5", Kane Cutlery Swayback Jack in dark antique Rogers bone.

Even going with just four models was nearly impossible for me. I have MANY, MANY others that I could never part with!

 

[Thalestin]

This thread hits home with me as I have recently run into some pretty hard times. Sadly I've lost some of my income to pay for school and need to come up with enough money to finish up my degree. One of the ways I am going to have to sell most of my knife collection. I will likely keep a few knives but if it were knocked down to one it would be this one:

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Mark, I hear ya, last fall, almost a year now? wow time does fly, our company took a hit and my job changed, took about 15% pay cut, not handy when we were basically going paycheck to paycheck, digging into the savings has been our one way to help keep us afloat. My traveling would have perdiem, so I'd eat lighter and save that bit of money for toys, as I don't use any from my regular paycheck as that's for the home/family so that's never used to fund such trivial things as my toys SO, I'm not too fluid in the money dept lately and harder look at the collection is necessary, but I'm glad I did take the trip to GEC, hope I can afford to do that again next year! And Mark, that's a very comfortable looking handle on that one there, nice choice!

and yes, Jeff...that's cheating but a nice selection there!
G2

and the SAK, I agree, I'd be hard pressed to do without and I have one similar to yours, along with the Executive as well, as I say, they're mini tool boxes

 

[roninelh]

This is almost impossible to answer....... It would have to be a GEC 73, because it seems to be the perfect size. My pick could change with a breeze though...




The runner up would be one of my boys knives...

 

[Knife-Nutty]

My one and only if I was forced would be my (nearly) constant companion my gorgeous and hardworking case 63032 chestnut stockman. Something about the way it feels in the hand, its looks, and the fact that it cuts like a laser always brings me back to it after I am tempted, as we all are, to try other blades. Sometimes I sorta wish that big man with the box would come knocking that way I could be forced into the wonderful experience of using a knife untill it is only sharpened toothpicks an honorable fate for any pocket knife.

 

[jc57]

I couldn't easily pick one. For sheer utility I guess it would be my Victorinox Electrician. Least expensive of all of my slipjoints (not counting SAK Classics/ Ramblers) but when it comes down to it, having a good usable tool comes before style or looks. In reality it would be one of my moderns that I'd keep, but I'll pretend for the sake of the discussion that I only have traditionals.

If it were a non-SAK traditional out of those I currently own, I think it would have to be a Case Medium Stockman, 5347 or 6347 pattern, though that's a little bigger than I carry normally. Plenty of blade to last through multiple sharpening, not too big for pocket carry and not too small for most cutting tasks.

Though a top candidate would be the GEC #48 Dogleg Trapper in 440C I just got. I haven't had it long enough to get a feel for it but it sure fits a lot of my requirements.

 

[Peregrin]

Gary, I've thought about this more than I wanted to today. It's given me a headache and I'll just have to refrain from making the choice.

Although the one in my pocket right now would be a contender.

 

[arizonaranchman]

Wow a tough one. I do have that exact 2-blade #79 that you do Gary (except mine is in blood red jigged bone) and it's a GREAT knife. My other two slippies - I only have a total of 3 traditionals - are both single blades (spear) - a TC Barlow and a #55 Houndstooth.

My EDC is the #55 and the Barlow is in the other pocket most of the time. I've not yet made a leather slip for the #79 (it's my newest acquisition) so as of now it's hardly been carried yet, but will soon begin to jockey with the Barlow for my other pocket - the #55 is ALWAYS in my right pocket without exception.

Now as to your question... If I had to choose one of these three as my ONLY knife from here on out, the #79 would actually have to get the nod due to it's TWO blades (if one breaks or goes dull you have another). I also admire it's beautiful blood red scales as it's by far the best-looking of the three I own.

Soooo, all considered, my 2-blade #79 is the one I would choose of my 3 folders (I don't collect them I carry and use them). The Barlow would be my second place choice due to it's all-steel construction (liners and bolsters).

 

[Jack Black]

Gary, I've thought about this more than I wanted to today. It's given me a headache and I'll just have to refrain from making the choice.

+1

Sorry G2, but I've only just looked at this thread and I'm already running a cold sweat!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Yah Gary and Jack Black, I almost know what ya mean, but, like I say, we're not there yet so it is just an exercise for ourselves to see what value we truly place on these wonderful additions to our lives. But if the question gives you pause, maybe it's worth the asking?

And as to the various SAK's and things, yep, those are everyday items that you'd also not want to be without for sure, so it's just the good old 'simple' traditional type folders we're talking about, so don't fret on choosing from a SAK or a Stockman, ya can pack that SAK along just the same

And Arizonaranchman, as always, beautiful choice if I may say so my self

G2

edited to say, Gary that is a great looking folder there btw !!

 

[Rsmith_77]

And as to the various SAK's and things, yep, those are everyday items that you'd also not want to be without for sure, so it's just the good old 'simple' traditional type folders we're talking about, so don't fret on choosing from a SAK or a Stockman, ya can pack that SAK along just the same

oooh well now that's a little different.
I would definitely keep the wenger si, but what would go with him

i'd probably keep something of this sort

 

[jc57]

Ok, well that does change things. If I get to keep my SAK Electrician then life becomes much simpler.



I guess it would have to be this one:

 

[Rsmith_77]

ack! jc57 is copying me!

 

[jc57]

Different tree.

 

[Rsmith_77]

lol fair enough!
either way, i cant knock your taste

 

[jc57]

I actually have two of those knives. Shhh! Don't tell the man with the box who is confiscating all non-SAK traditionals, maybe I can get away with keeping both of them!

This is the other one. Yet another tree.



The reason I have two was to experiment with patinas on one while keeping the other pretty and shiny.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

That is a nice looking folder there!
G2