Most essential blades

K

K0W

Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
204
Heres the deal. Ive come to the realization i got too much stuff. and what that really means. is that i have too many knives. This all came to me when i was packing my things since ive been moving around alot. So i got the idea that i should only really have what i use. and since im more of a collector and less of a user. i want to take a big step here. Basically im selling 80+ percent of my knife collection and only saved the ones with sentimental value. I want to just get the essentials. I want to rebuild my collection from the ground up with only what i need. so i thought i would ask here first what do you all consider the essentials? the absolute necessary bladed tools. so far ive only started with looking for a Good multi-tool. but while looking for fixed and folders my knife bug kicked in and i just got side tracked bookmarking dozens of knives and so on. so ill need some help with this. what are the most essential bladed tools?
 
I had a thread a while back that I started, within 6 months I think... It was about the different categories for which people buy knives. My home computer is being rebuilt now so I don't have my list handy.
 
well before I really got into collecting knives (and steels) I originally planned to have (and an example of what I would pick now:

1 outdoors multitool: Victorinox pioneer/harvester
1 Urban multitool: Victorinox Swisstool spirit X

1-3 EDC folders: Southard, ZT 560cbcf, BM 810
1 Medium fixed blade: Custom 5" blade or GSO-4.1

1 Chopper/camp Knife: Survive GSO-10
 
I really like having a keychain knife. Also, a knife that disappears in the pocket and does not poke at me when I sit.
 
The knives and multitools that are in my EDC rotation and that I use for hiking, camping and such are the ones I would call essential. My intention is to use every knife and multitool that I buy, but some just don't fit my needs and are put in the "collection". Those are nice to have and call non-essential.
 
I don't buy knives I don't use. And I like to have a variety. If I sold any, I'd probably just end up buying the same model again.
 
Hmmm. If it were me, I would keep one pliers- based multi tool, one SAK, one keychain knife, one small, non- threatening, classy, legal -almost -anywhere knife, one versatile, good quality locking folder with a clip in a size, steel, and lock you're comfortable with, a fixed blade of around four inches, and a chopping tool that works with your local environment.

For me, these knives would be:
Leatherman surge
Victorinox Spartan
Victorinox classic
Case peanut
Spyderco delica
Mora companion
Ontario machete
 
To me, the idea of essential has to do with your lifestyle and where you live. I carry a Mini-Grip, a SAK Ambassador clipped to and in my pocket every day. The Mini-G is there for cutting tasks that overwhelm the Ambassador which is there mostly for the tools on it. Also have a Classic on my key chain.

I've got a few vehicles and each has a daypack full of gear (I do SAR). Each of those has a few knives from fixed blade (two F1's and 3 Moras) to things like Farmers or OH Trekkers.

My biggest issue is buying multiples of knives that I find useful. You know, just in case.
 
I've been thinking about the same thing. I'm looking to buy a good locking folder that will last my lifetime and more. Probably a Sebenza or a TR-3 Integrity. I have a ZT 0550 that I will keep to take hiking/camping. I have a SAK that I'll keep, as well as my Benchmade Nimravus Cub (have to have a decent fixed blade in the mix) I have several other sentimental knives that I'll keep but I'll probably be selling some others off soon. Just got to thinking that I'd rather have ones that get used a lot rather than ones that get used occasionally. Oh, and I'll keep my mini grip just to have a sub 3" blade when needed.
 
The warden and I may be applying for some northern contracts. If we go, I will have to pare down and put some toys in storage. No biggie. Most of my cutting tools are outdoor oriented anyway. Man I need to smell\feel the Boreal forest again...............................I'll bring the air gun and pop grouse.
 
honestly, regardless if you are a: classic/ traditional, outdoors, defense, casual, working, or "tactical" knife carrier the most essential knife is the one in your pocket. is what ever you do in your every day life that will decide your collection. If you are like me and use your knife on a daily basis, a good easy access knife with a good steel is the way to go, if you EDC a knife just to do so, you can afford to buy a cheaper steel knife.

as far as muli-tools go, i either pocket my leatherman side kick, super tool or OHT. if you dont want to pay that much, buy a $20 Sheffield multi tool, that was my first multi & it got my through 10 good years. all depnds on what you do
 
Trying to be purely minimalist:

Keychain - Vic Classic
SAK - Vic Super Tinker
Multitool - Leatherman Wingman/Wave/Charge
Small folder - Delica 4 FFG
Medium folder - Para2
Large folder - ZT 550/560
Small fixed - Becker BK-11, BK-14 or ESEE Izula II
Medium fixed - ESEE 4, Fallkniven F1, Mora
Large fixed - Becker BK-9
 
To me, the essential blades depend on your location and use. Like so many things, it eventually depends greatly on preference. A Case Peanut may be a great little blade that can handle most pocket knife tasks well, but if you wear XL gloves, it may not be for you. A Skyline, BM 710, and Sebenza may be close in size, but some may consider the higher quality of the Sebenza essential to them.

To me personally, the essential lineup is a 3" bladed pocket knife, either locking or non-locking; and an outdoors camp knife with a blade about 3.5-5". These cover all cutting tasks I've ever encountered. Keep in mind though, this pertains just to knives, not machetes, axes, and saws. Everyone's needs may be different, depending on preference, build, budget, location, etc., but this has been all I've needed.

I used Multi-Tools exclusively for a couple years before getting into quality knives, and they didn't carry their weight for me. I'm not knocking them, the theory behind them is sound, and my SAKs and Leathermen were good quality. I was just never personally in a situation that made use of the pliers, drivers, snips, corkscrews, lights, or saws that caught me out of reach of a better, more optimized and robust option in a nearby tool box. I do admit though, that the bottle opener did come in handy on some Cokes I'd buy from time to time. I forsook the jack-of-all-trades of SAKs and the like for quality blades that were masters of one, and never looked back.
 
I do not think you can build a collection of knives you need and use: something like 5 knives wouldn't count as a collection. So from my point of view your decision is more like quitting collecting knives altogether. Of course there is nothing wrong about it: the sooner you recognize that the easier it will be for you! I know: I have quit smoking probably a ten years ago and have never had a single cigarette ever since - that's the only real way to do it!
So do not keep hanging up on it!
 
Those of us in the "geezer" years are thinking the same thing.
The main question is what to do with all those knives that were so swell and now are just old things in drawer.
Oh, they were great when we got em, but now it's almost too much trouble to sell them.
FeeBay charges too much and the buyers are cheapskates.

I think we're gonna see lots of cigar boxes full of "wonder" knives at flea markets or the Salvation Army in a few years.
:o
 
I personally skip the more common 3" blade range as I find smaller knives handle most things as well, but the 3" still sucks for food prep and big knife tasks...

I would personally be okay with just one SAK, and two modern folders.

sak hiker
spyderco dragonfly for the small Edc
spyderco military for the larger work knife with gloves on, or hiking/camping blade.

I guess maybe throw a Mora in too. but quite frankly I've never needed the fixed blade over a good knife like the military.
 
Essentials that I wouldn't part with, for now:

Keychain- SAK Signature Lite and Spyderco Ladybug
Small EDC folder- Spyderco Caly 3
Lightweight EDC folder (when running)- Kershaw Skyline
Small EDC Fixed- Spyderco Street Beat
Small Hiking/Treking Fixed- Fallkniven F1
 
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