Knife Complacency?

Originally posted by JediKnight86
man, there are just too many damn knives to choose from. how can you ever know if you're using the right one, or do you even ever want to know that?
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Well obviously you're not using the right one if you have to ask that question. Everyone knows that when you pick up the "right one" sparks shoot out from the blade, fireworks burst into the air, and a parade spontaneously starts wherever you happen to be standing.:D
 
My top ten:

Benchmade 921
Spyderco Native
Spyderco Delica
Benchmade 551
Spyderco Meerkat
Schrade Sharpfinger
Cold Steel El Hombre
Boker Applegate-Carebear
Jaguar kris-shaped bali
Jaguar slot-handled bali
 
I think that it is possible to know when you've picked up "The One", or at least “One of Them”. You get an odd feeling of calmness, as opposed to that fleeting rush of excitement. In my experience, overwhelming excitement is usually short lived. You love the knife for a few weeks before you start noticing certain aspects of the design that you know you can’t live with. But that feeling of relaxation, that accompanies some purchases, shows that the knife really is a keeper. That’s the feeling that I got with Doris. I opened up the box and was left speechless. It was love and lust at first sight. No matter what shortcomings might manifest themselves over time, I knew that this knife was for me.

Then there are the knives that become “The One”, like my Military. I didn’t even like the knife all that much when I first got it. Through repeated beatings, trying to kill the ugly beast, the Millie became “The One”. It survived as much as I could dish out, so it became a trusted companion. That trust led to reliance. Reliance turned into friendship. The knife now has a history of stories behind it, and a few battle scars to prove its worth. I put down the knife one day, and knew in my heart that I had to pick it back up. No other knife could take its place.
 
"One of Them"

That's the feeling I got with the Settler/Harvester and the Sebbies. Nothing else even comes close to these knives for me. They just feel "at home" in my hand. They are trusted companions.

Paul
 
Buzz, I understand. Thanks partially to your rantings and ravings, I have settled into my S30V Millie as a main EDC also. If it is not "the one" it certainly is "one of the ones".
 
Hey Buzz, that Doris sure is pretty. Do you let her date any other guys? Or at least just hang out with them?
 
Doris gets touched by no man except me!!!! Okay, Bob Dozier gets to give her the occasional squeeze during sheath fittings. ;)
 
Hmm...

1) Benchmade Mini-AFCK -- my first "premium" knife and most-carried EDC.
2) Benchmade AFCK -- EDC #2.
3) Swamp Rat Camp Tramp
4) Kershaw Rainbow Leek -- EDC #3
5) Fallkniven F1
6) Leatherman Wave
7) Schrade stockman -- kind of old; mid-70's? Not labled as an "Old Timer" or "Uncle Henry," just "Schrade." Had it since high school. Recovered it two years after losing it in a lake! Blades are black but still take and hold an edge.
8) A.G. Russell Bird & Trout
9) Vic SAK Classic --"dress" EDC
10) Benchmade 9050 AFO

I didn't think I'd be able to list ten favorites, but in the end I had to leave out a lot of favorites... a couple of Vic SAKs, a Queen Utility Pen Knife in D2, a pair of Schrade LB7's, a big, cheap A.B. switchblade (my favorite letter opener), a Gerber LST, a CRKT Stiff KISS, and probably a few more I can't think of right now, but that have their special jobs and special place in my heart.
:rolleyes:

New potential favorites on the way right now: A Spyderco Native (S30V), Spyderco Native III (VG-10), and a Ka-Bar Little Finn.

Take it easy,
Bob Scott
 
Here's my list:

Al Mar Sere 2000 - Does all I could ever ask a folder to do. It's heavy duty to the max, and probably my second all time favorite folder.

Spyderco Military - It's light but strong! The ergonomics are great, the materials are great, and the full flat grind cuts like a demon. It has slowly become my favorite folder. Like Buzz said, I put it down, but I KNOW I have to pick it back up. There's no other knife out there like it.

Victorinox Tinker - Just a great knife to have around. It has useful tools and doesn't take up a huge amount of room in the pocket.

Busse Basic 9 - This is my baby. I call her "Black Betty"! I get a lot of pleasure out of using this knife because it only comes out to play when there's BRUTAL work to be done. If I need to collect firewood, build a shelter, chop anything, smash anything, pry anything - this is the knife!

Trace Rinaldi L.E.O. - This is just a beautiful knife that is a real worker too. The blade has a really sweet recurve to it that cuts like crazy! This is the second Rinaldi knife I have owned, and one thing's for sure, Trace knows how to build one hell of a great knife. I like taking this one along on camping trips.

Greco Companion - A tough knife with a capitol "T". I carry this knife as a beater and it gets used for everything. This is the knife I can get the absolute sharpest out of all the knives I own - that A2 steel is some great stuff.

Allen Blade MEUK - This knife is very special to me since my wife bought it for me for our last wedding anniversary. (I know, she's a good girl!) This knife was so pretty when I first got it that I didn't use it for months. I did finally use it and it's an excellent slicer. It gets used a lot in the kitchen and is well on it's way to developing a deep, rich patina.

Kershaw Chive - My work knife. I can't carry anything longer than a 3" blade, so I figure the chive is well within the limit. It does anything I need done at work with ease.

Leatherman Squirt - I have this thing in my pocket at all times. It has lots of useful tools and only takes up as much space as half a pack of gum.

Sabre Brand Barlow - My father bought this knife at a paint store more than 30 years ago. He has used it for lots of stuff - cutting open packages, cutting apples and sandwiches, cutting rope, whittling, but mostly he said he used it for cutting and stripping wire. It has a lot of history, and it is a well made knife that continues to work for me whenever it finds it's way into the rotation.

I really think I am getting to where I have all I need. I have sold off everything I don't use, so the knives I have all get plenty of carry time. Unfortunately I feel like that's a good thing. I've got more knives than 10 people could use up in a lifetime. I have become content with what I have. That way I can spend a little quality time with each piece.
 
In no particular order:

Benchmade 710HS
Benchmade 921
Wilson/Ralph 4" framelock
Emerson SOCFK-A
Leatherman Wave
Marble's Ideal 5" (circa 1960)
Marble's Ideal Gamegetter (new fangled one)
Marble's 10" Trailmaker
Microtech L-UDT


That's only 9... so I guess I'm not done buying knives until I find another, because I have to get 10, right?
 
My top ten favorites? I'll only list the users.

Dozier Folding Hunter (EDC)
Dozier Trapper (EDC)
Mayo TnT (Dress)
Cliff Canoe Knife -Idaho Knife Works (Kitchen & Camp)
Busse SH-E (Deep Woods)
Dozier 9 1/2 inch custom A2 Bolo (Jungle)
MOD Hawk (EDB)
Dozier Companion (Workshop)
Simonich Crowfoot (Backup)
Teho Tommi (Woodwork)
 
Which steel is your AG Russell bird & trout? And how's the thumb bolt sheath? How would you compare it to an Arclite? I've been looking for a small fixed blade.

Frank
 
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