Must-Have Knives

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zalen97

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Feb 24, 2015
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What are a few knives in your collection that you consider "must-haves"? I'm interested to see what you say.
 
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There are a number way of looking at "must haves". Must have as examples of knife design and history? Must have as the best utility and bang for buck? Must have as man jewelry? Maybe you could be a bit clearer.
 
There are some knives I would consider "classics" of the hobby. Off the top of my head...

  • Sebenza (or some other CRK folder): generally considered the "best built" production folder and the first of the modern titanium frame-locks
  • Opinel No. 8 or 9 in carbon steel
  • Victorinox SAK: pick your favorite
  • Sodbuster of some sort
  • Microtech LCC: was generally considered the best "custom collaboration" of its era, which was a huge trend in the '90s. It would be called a mid-tech today. One of the better implementations of the Walker liner lock. Incredibly smooth action and tight lockup.
  • Spyderco Delica: a modern classic
  • Emerson CQC-7: defined the "tactical folder" with titanium liners, liner lock, ATS-34 steel, G10 scales, thumb disc, pocket clip, and lanyard hole. Pretty much every knife manufacturer in the '90s followed that pattern. It also popularized chisel grinds and the "American tanto" blade profile.
  • Benchmade AFO: proved that the was more to automatic opening knives than just Italian stilettos. An auto could be a robust, practical tool.
  • Microtech Halo: the most badass OTF auto
    sort
  • Mora: pick one. Experience the Scandinavian grind.
 
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These 2.
Carothers field knife on the left, which is a little hard to get a hold of these days.
On the right is the swamprat ratmandu, certainly a must have. Its not the slicest knife available, but it is a beast and as tough as nails, easy to sharpen and has fairly good edge retention.

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# 1 will always be the buck 110 no exceptions, then the rest are in no particular order.
# 2 an old carbon steel imperial slipjoint
# 3 Victorinox classic
# 4 leatherman micra ( more tool than knife but still a must have )
 
A Rockstead... most amazingly ground and sharpest blade in the world. IMO

A Shirogorov for the action and the amazing machine work

A Chris Reeves for the beautiful simplicity and amazing tolerances

A Thorburn for the blade grind and flipping action

A Curtis for the rock solid build
 
On the large side;

Sebenza/inkosi (large)
Spyderco Military
ZT0300/0301
Opinel
Les George VECP
Fallkniven A1
 
Must have knives of my collection:

M3 Trench knife, Father's service knife
Father's hunting knife, Western brand- Can't remember model #
CRKT Prowler
CRKT M16-02
Kershaw Zing, Orange, US made
Victorinox Alox Soldier, 08 production.
Benchmade 531
Buck 112 Ranger

Almost must have knives:

Benchmade 551 Griptillian
Benchmade 162
M7 bayonet- FZR
Victorinox Cadet
Victorinox Pioneer

Some of these are on my list because I use them almost every day. Others were handed down from other family members or just have sentimental value. I can only think of two that have any real value and even then, they are not worth a whole lot. Funny how most of these are less expensive models/brands. I wonder why that is?

Most of my better knives don't even make the list.
 
There is a lot depending of your preferences and i would be steered towards the pm2 for its super good value and utility. But the most iconic "must-have" i would say is a victorinox classic.
 
Folders -
Ferrum Forge Fortis or Archbishop, or whatever run of theirs you like the best. My go-to for EDC folders!!
A Spyderco PM2, Manix 2, or military, any of those in Cru-wear.
Calavera Cutlery El Patron. Competes with my FFKW blades for pocket time. Gets used a lot
Real Steel Sea Eagle. Very surprising!!
Bradford Guardian 3 folder
Protech Auto
My Mac Wasil customs are all great folders!
They are not for me and I sold mine, but a CRK to see if they are for you. Well made knives. Definitely worth trying for yourself!!
I would say some customs I have had, but most customs are too much to say "Must-Have".

Fixed blades -
Carothers Field knife. I have a light chopper too that is awesome!
Robert Martin at tearsofthesword CPM 3V slimline machete. My favorite fixed blade by far! Takes a beating!
Busse Infi blade. Their Swamp Rat knives are great for the price too!
Schrade 1095 steel fixed blade. I got a 7" blade fixed blade of theirs for under 30 buck, which is a steal for what you get. IMHO
Ontario fixed blade

and a folder or fixed blade in Stellite 6K. Great blade if you are a water person!
 
kaozer said:
There is a lot depending of your preferences and i would be steered towards the pm2 for its super good value and utility. But the most iconic "must-have" i would say is a victorinox classic.
Click to expand...

What about the Victorinox pattern 61 Soldier/Pioneer and it's Wenger equal?
 
zalen97 said:
What are a few knives in your collection that you consider "must-haves"? I'm interested to see what you say.
Click to expand...

For me number one is a good 4" stockman, most any schrade or GEC 81 are my favorite. As far as modern stuff goes a spyderco military. I just traded away a BM 710 and kind of missed it, so I bought a different version than what I had. I guess after that you could say a 710 is a must have for me.
 
Large sebenza
Spyderco military
Benchmade 710

Those three are must have IMHO. But hurry - BM710 are discontinued.
 
For me:

Kershaw Junkyard Dog II (with D2 edge)
Case Peanut (damascus blades)
AG Russell's Ultimate Penknife
 
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