Just For Fun

I have really wide hands, so handles under 3.5" are often very uncomfortable for me. This shaded my preferences a LOT.
not on the list but one of my favorite knives (not just of yours) is the JK Original. nice balance, teardrop/widebutt handle is comfy, and a good point with lots of belly -- what's not to like?

from the 2011 lineup:
phoenix maxx - because I like larger blades and this has the longest/largest handle I've seen on one of yours
rule 9 - love the handle on this -- again, longer handle = easier to hold. (This handle with a scout 2 blade has the potential to be awe inspiring :) )
semi-wharncliffe EDC (reg & long): looks like it should be an awesome food prep and leatherwork knife. both are things I like to do.
 
Kentucky Woodsman for its wide blade and tough looking point and the handle design,
JK Canadian Belt Knife for same reasons as above,
Trapline for its clean looking design also the type of handle.
John Smith
 
Hi John -

My three favorites huh? That's like which grandchild do you like the most......

Well - I will say that the large kitchen knife is my favorite - I use it the most and it really is a useful blade that sees a lot of action in the mqqn kitchen. The blade is thin and the handle is grippy when wet and the birds-head at the pommel end helps keep the knife in your hand when doing heavier cutting.

I think this knife would also be a great camp knife - it would be useful for camp food chores and with the sturdy 01 blade, it would also be good for light woodcrafting.

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Second up is my RiverWoods Companion, by Jeff (jds1). This knife has a little larger handle than some of the other knives I have in this size range, which gives you a lot more leverage on the shortish blade. The blade is somewhat leaf-shaped with a great sharp point, which comes in handy for detailed skinning / cleaning chores. The knife is very similar in size to the Izula, and has a similar "parabolic" line to it, that is to say that there is a gentle arc from the butt to the tip of the blade that allows even greater leverage and control. My only regret on this knife is that the blade is a little thick for chopping in the kitchen - but it still does an excellent job. Had it to do over, I would have gone with John's thinnest material, but that would limit the knifes durability.

I ask for most of my knives in maple burl (it's an affectation I have had from the beginning). The burl is rugged and beautiful, giving the knife a rustic charm that is lacking when using synthetic materials.

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Lastly, and since it is only knives we are talking about or I would be touting my DBH "hawk" here, I would say it is my JK Combat/Survival knife. It is 3/16" thick and it is a TANK. I don't know how you would harm this knife. This was an idea John had a while back where you would get a C/S, with a custom sheath that had an additional pocket to accommodate a Vic Farmer. I have taken this with me to all of the gatherings and it generally is the knife I take with me when I go into the woods. It is a great setup and I am not sure why there are not more of them out in the world.

I requested mine in maple burl - surprise surprise, and I also requested a clip-point and a little but of exposed tang for prying or hammering if necessary. I have used this guy a lot and it is a great all around knife - but it is way too thick for slicing or chopping - I tried to chop and onion with it and the onion flys across the room lol....Thin blades rule the day in the kitchen, but for a survival blade, you want one like this where you could dig, chop, hammer, cut, etc. With John's 01 heat treat, you are never going to harm the edge, so go for it!

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best regards-

mqqn
 
The Roach Belly is an awesome classic pattern that is great for kitchen or camp.

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The Potawatomi is the perfect small fixed blade for pocket sheath carry.

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My final selection, although I just got it, is the Trapline. Feels great in the hand and the 4" blade make it a great all-arounder.

Jeff
 
I'm just going to answer this quick because it changes a little each time i think about it. From the line up at the moment I'd say:

JK Canadian Belt Knife
Michigan trail knife
anniversary edc

that was hard....riverwoods companion was in then out at least 3 times, so much for quick, :D
 
Phoenix because it's a great all around knife.
The Rule number 9 is light, slim, and just bad ass looking.
The JK Original because it fits into so many categories for use and looks.

I went off the lineup a bit, but I have many JKs and the above three get used most often. I also have a Rockwolf's Choice and a scandi that see a fair amount of use. Not to be denied is my version of the EWOK, which is the best knife John makes, in my opinion.
 
My favorite is easy. It's the following two that are difficult.

My favorite is my JKCBK



I absolutely love everything about it - the way it looks, the way it feels in my hand, and the way it works.

From there on things get blurry rather quickly.

Of the knives I have, I would say the list goes something like the following:

2. Semi Wharncliff. This knife is just so handy. It is very comfortable in the hand and small enough to be really handy for a variety of tasks but just big enough to tackle some jobs that are a bit much for small knives.

3. A tie between the Michigan Trail and the Potawatomi necker.

The Michigan Trail is similar to the Semi Wharncliff in comfort and being handy for a wide variety of tasks.

The Potawatomi necker is a wicked little slicer that is a joy to use. I also find it to be very pleasing eye candy.

I expect even more difficulty choosing second and third places soon; as I've got a KY Woodsman and a Trapline coming sometime next week (or so).

Others that will likely vie for second or third place would include the Nessie, Riverwoods Companion, Roach belly and the Kephart.
 
I`m going to cheat, and post my favorites by category.

Necker: Potawatomi
Hunter: Canadian Belt Knife or Kentucky Woodsman
All Purpose: Riverwoods Companion or Trapline
Chopper: Spike Hawk
Camp Knife: Hudson Bay or Phoenix Max
Fighter: I really think the Rule #9 would be a great fighting knife, I am really thinking of doing one with double guards
 
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If I did not cheat, it would be the Trapline, Phoenix Max, and Spike Hawk. I`ve got two out of three of them right now, and will have a Spike Hawk within the next couple of months.
 
This is tough as I like every JK I have but the ones I use the most are.....

Kephart: My first JK, so it has some sentimental value, is just a great rendition of a classic design. The size allows it to do almost any task and the handle is comfy in a wide variety of grips. I love the orange G10 and it matches my second JK which was the Baby Kephart I got for my son.

Fieldmate: My JK that has seen the most use, it's been misplaced and found twice. It is a perfect fixed blade pocket knife. The Burl handle is beautiful and comfortable as well. Classy look and great performance. Awesome design by Mr Turkey.

Trapline: I have not used the Trapline very much yet but could not be more pleased with how John brought my design into reality.

Top three I need to get:

Potawatomi
Riverwoods Companion
Scout
 
My top three would probably be:

Scout Jr. - It's a very solid, robust knife with a bit of a military feel to it.
Phoenix Max - Kind of reminds me of my KA-BAR on steroids, and I loved the handle on the Phoenix I made a sheath for.
Semi-Wharncliffe EDC - I just plain ol' love Wharncliffe blades, and this little guy sounds like a great companion blade!
 
My favorite is the Kephart, I love the spear point blade. It feels good in the hand and the blade shape is good for many uses. I also love the Nessmuk it's great for skinning, and camp chores and has a super comfortable handle. Both the Kephart and Nessmuk's blood lines go back to the days when the knife was a tool men trusted with their survival and not just to decorate their shelves. I also love the Scout Jr. , it has the Kephart blade with a handle that is more updated for some of today's chores not associated with just woodsmen ship.
 
1The Nessmuk was what first got me hooked on your knives although I still don't have one.
2The Rule #9 is the knife that I carry every minute of every day and my absolute favorite.
3Your version of the Canadian Belt knife has really got me intrigued. I need to try that one.
 
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