If you can only have one...

Here's what I said when a thread like this came up earlier this year; it's my story, and I'm going to stick to it.

5K Qs said:
I'm very fond of canoes (and of stag), so something like this is one I'd definitely consider:
View attachment 1504388
But a spear/pen blade combo seems quite limited for the only knife I'd have. :(:thumbsdown:

I'm also a big fan of stockman patterns, especially sowbelly stockmans (and stag), so something like this would certainly be in the running:
View attachment 1504389
The clip/spey/sheepsfoot blade combo obviously beats out the canoe, and the sowbelly has almost sunk joints, too!

But, as many others have noted previously, from a versatility standpoint, it's hard to ignore some kind of SAK. I'd probably go with an Alox Electrician with spear/sheepsfoot blade combo, an awl, and a flathead screwdriver/bottle opener:
View attachment 1504394
Yep, if I can have only one knife, I'd go with a scout knife.

In fact, I've made this decision before in an earlier thread, and my heart says this is really my final decision:

5K Qs said:
I'm basically here for the nostalgia, and I enjoy symmetry, so I'd like my first knife to be my last knife, if it has to come down to only one:
View attachment 976157

- GT
Click to expand...


- GT
Click to expand...
For what it's worth, threads like this come up periodically, and if you're interested in responses to earlier versions, here are some relevant links. (I searched thread titles in this subform for "only one", and these were some of the threads returned. I'll bet there are other similar threads that don't mention "only one" in the thread title.)
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/if-you-could-only-carry-one.1773574/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/there-can-be-only-one-traditional-knives-please.1607747/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/if-you-could-only-have-one-gec-which-would-it-be.1411124/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/one-knife-to-rule-them-all-if-you-were-given-only-one.1076694/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/only-one-knife-for-everything-forever.886908/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/if-you-could-keep-only-one-traditional-what-would-it-be.751613/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...raditional-slipjoint-what-would-it-be.679653/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/you-can-only-take-one-with-you.565524/

- GT
 
iqdk3Q9.jpg
It would have to be a large stockman.
 
SAK Huntsman if that qualifies. Hard to narrow it down if not, perhaps a Barlow of some kind.
 
Like most knife enthusiasts I tend to accumulate knives. On the other hand, I like things to be organized and tidy, so, decisions need to be taken on which folders to keep and which ones to sell on. The idea is to cull all knives that I’m not carrying fairly regularly. Over the years, the total has fluctuated, but these days I keep about 20 folders, plus 5 non-carries with big sentimental value.
If I could have one knife only, which one would I keep?
Typical applications: My folders are used for food preparation, opening boxes and blister packs, cutting cardboard and the like. Sometimes they do campfire chores, like cleaning sticks for twist bread. Since I was a boy I like whittling little boats from pine bark.
Scale material: The scales should be made from a material that is durable and ages well. They should look pleasing even when worn. So I tend towards ebony or stag. Jigged bone looks beautiful, but I’m concerned about it cracking, should the knife be dropped.
Blade shape: Needs to be convenient for spreading butter on a sandwich. No hollow grind, not too short, not too pointy. Something like a spear point, drop point or spey blade, minimum length 3” = 7.5 cm. The one thing that these blades aren’t suitable for is cleaning of fish. The knife should be small to be carried in a pocket. By the way, I’ve done hundreds of campfires over the years. The idea to baton kindling never occurred to any of us. I only learned of batoning when browsing tactical folder posts.
Blade steel: Most well-established stainless steels will do (X70CrMo15, 440C, 14C28N, …). I don’t like top-of-the-range powder-metallurgical steels that are expensive and difficult to sharpen. Edge retention isn’t an issue since I bought a Lansky set.
Overall impression: When in polite society (think granny or aunty or young mother-to-be) the reaction should be: “Oh nice, can I take a look?”, not “iiee, do you want to murder someone?”. This is a strong bias towards a “traditional” design. Anyway, “tacticals” sometimes aren't that ergonomic to me. Pocket-clips are a deal-breaker.

This is pretty close to the optimum: Puma Hunting Folder I. Blade length 7.2 cm (a bit short), lock back, steel X55CrMo14.
21203058d1524d27fb3.jpg
 
Due to changing circumstances, let's just say this was a duplicate post of the one at the top of this page.

- GT
 
Last edited:
For life? No such thing I fear. The one knife I expected to keep forever, a knife I received for Father's Day ten years ago, has been lost. Not misplaced, not forgotten, but lost. I have no idea where it is as I can't even remember the last place I saw or used it.

😭

The universe laughs at our plans.
 
kamagong said:
For life? No such thing I fear. The one knife I expected to keep forever, a knife I received for Father's Day ten years ago, has been lost. Not misplaced, not forgotten, but lost. I have no idea where it is as I can't even remember the last place I saw or used it.

😭

The universe laughs at our plans.
Click to expand...
Oh, No! :eek: :(
Sorry to hear that, Christian!
But if you have no idea where it is, there's a chance it could eventually show up again; it's not like you saw it drop over the side of a boat into 300 FEET of water!
(Edited to change 300" to 300 FEET. :oops:o_O)

- GT
 
Last edited:
I guess it’ll be a case 75 pattern stockman in carbon.

If I could have just one other, it’ll be a fixed blade, buck 192.

Hard, and I mean mighty hard, to do only one because I like a fixed blade and a folder together. But I could do it with just the 75. But I’d add a non knife... a 12” Ontario machete. I might cut it down and make it a little smaller but it would retain the machete shape and feel. And thus don’t count cause machetes ain’t knives.
 
Heh if it's a ...I only carry one tool scenario
A pioneer or Wenger SI
Not even a difficult choice

IF I can still carry my skeletool...I'd go for something traditional and cool with a ton of soul and personality
So perhaps a stag handled mini trapper could I find one
 
As much as I love my mini trappers if I was forced to choose only one pattern for the rest of my life I would probably go with a stockman around the 4 inch size. To me that’s a very versatile knife. Anyone of these would honestly cover the majority of my cutting needs.E57FF015-08B3-4BC0-9AA7-A3A509374E04.jpegD566CA02-B972-4B72-9EA3-FE9DED36EFA3.jpegDAAA492F-B8AB-4889-B7BD-F84C29CC1E78.jpeg31446C98-BA86-4175-BB32-232A49AB6DB1.jpeg3BE60676-8028-487E-8C5E-A89E45CBDB57.jpeg
 
5K Qs said:
Oh, No! :eek: :(
Sorry to hear that, Christian!
But if you have no idea where it is, there's a chance it could eventually show up again; it's not like you saw it drop over the side of a boat into 300" of water!

- GT
Click to expand...
That's what I am hoping for. Thank you for the positive thoughts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top