Must Haves

Here's my suggested list of must-haves for new Accumulators, the most variety in the fewest number of knives and at the lowest price:

- SAK, any model, Wenger or Victorinox
- Opinel, carbon steel w/ locking ring, any size
- a vintage slipjoint, German, American, whatever
- Buck 110 and/or Buck 119
- military bayonet
- Khukri
- Anything from Bark River
- Schrade USA Old Timer, 34OT or 8OT for example.
- Benchmade Griptillian 551
- any Scandanavian-style knife, Frosts of Mora, Erikkson, Helle, etc.

In short, buy whatever interests you. There's no such thing as a "must have."

-Bob
 
Start with the most economical and readily available then work your way up. This gives you a good selection of different styles and allows you to learn about features and materials you like. When you have a good grasp on the basics you jump to the next level and make informed choices. Buying a $20 knife and learning you don't like the way it feels isn't so bad, paying $2000 for a full house custom and then learning you hate it later tends to hurt.


At least one model from every major maker. (Spyderco, Benchmade etc..)

Then hit the smaller, lesser known production lines. (Emerson, Al Mar etc...)

Then the semi-custom quality production makers. (Chris Reeve, Strider etc...)

Then full custom. (Steve Ryan, Pat Crawford etc...)
 
boobar said:
Spyderco Manix/Mini-Manix
Spyderco Military/Para-Military
Click to expand...

The Manix/Mini-Manix vs the Para-military ?
I could decide, looking at them last night. If I saw them / handled them "in the flesh". I prefer the blade shape of the Manix to the pointier shape of the Military, but the Para-Military doesn'seem to be so pointy.
 
kiahs said:
I have to add a Case Sodbuster to the list.
Click to expand...
EYE Brand Sodbuster.
[knifeworks.com has them, but their pictures aren't good.]
Do a search; you'll get enough information to show that EYE Brand is the best of the traditional German/American pocketknives nowadays.
 
For SAK, I like the Wenger Highlander. The Victorinox Hiker I just got for my niece is very similar, but the nailfile on the Wenger Highlander is generally more useful to me than the sawblade on the Hiker. They're both nice and small; if you don't mind the fat ones, then there are others you might prefer. I won't buy one with the corkscrew - I don't do corkscrews.
 
AJ, I can't tell if you are collecting, accumulating, or if you want some good knives to carry and use as the occasion arises. If it's the latter, you really should get yourself a Victorinox Farmer, Pioneer, or Soldier for your pocket and carry it religiously. If you are a tool using person you will soon come to realize the value of one of those. Those particular models have solid aluminum handles (called Alox) and are sturdier than the usual models with plastic handles over liners, though those are not bad, either. I buy my all SAKs from www.eknifeworks.com where I get good service and the best prices I've found. :thumbup:
 
cat said:
EYE Brand Sodbuster.
[knifeworks.com has them, but their pictures aren't good.]
Do a search; you'll get enough information to show that EYE Brand is the best of the traditional German/American pocketknives nowadays.
Click to expand...

If you go for the Eye Brand, get the one with the saw, it's more unique. That said, the Kissing Cranes are built like tanks and run about 5 or 6 bucks. The Boker Gauchos are nice too.
 
kiahs said:
I just noticed this part of your post. If you are just a collector, then ignore the Moras. They will probably never rise in value, but they are great users.
Click to expand...

I'm a user first, and i don't think I'l ever be known as a collector. It's just i have bought a few blades that i honestly can say will never be in my everyday rotation. ( I just bought them cause they looked cool) Thanks for the tip i will have to check out the moras.

take care
aj
 
Bob W said:
Here's my suggested list of must-haves for new Accumulators, the most variety in the fewest number of knives and at the lowest price:

- SAK, any model, Wenger or Victorinox
- Opinel, carbon steel w/ locking ring, any size
- a vintage slipjoint, German, American, whatever
- Buck 110 and/or Buck 119
- military bayonet
- Khukri
- Anything from Bark River
- Schrade USA Old Timer, 34OT or 8OT for example.
- Benchmade Griptillian 551
- any Scandanavian-style knife, Frosts of Mora, Erikkson, Helle, etc.

In short, buy whatever interests you. There's no such thing as a "must have."

-Bob
Click to expand...

Hey bob how are yah

I honestly could have made much better decision when i started buying knives. I bought Smith & Wesson and also CCC knives, but it just seems that everyone should experience a good knife from the beginning. Like the endura or delica, benchmade 710 or buck 110 rather than waste their money on a cheap knife. just my two cents

take care
aj
 
Dr. Mudd said:
AJ, I can't tell if you are collecting, accumulating, or if you want some good knives to carry and use as the occasion arises. If it's the latter, you really should get yourself a Victorinox Farmer, Pioneer, or Soldier for your pocket and carry it religiously. If you are a tool using person you will soon come to realize the value of one of those. Those particular models have solid aluminum handles (called Alox) and are sturdier than the usual models with plastic handles over liners, though those are not bad, either. I buy my all SAKs from www.eknifeworks.com where I get good service and the best prices I've found. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Hey Doc

I wish i could say i'm just a user, but due to a few past mistakes i have a collection as well. I just bought some knives that i thought were cool, but for the life of me i can't not use whatsoever. It would have been nice if i knew about spyderco, benchmade, byrds, bucks back then. oh well hopefully the next guy doesn't make the same mistake and waste his money on knives which really are below par.

just a quick question how do you tell each SAK apart is there a name stamped on the knife.

take care
aj

p.s i would like to include the new designs by CLB. I have used the subcom fixed and folder these two knives are the most useful and economical as well
 
A knife (of your choosing) from Eddie White, Gene Ingram and one from Ragweed Forge
Spyderco D'Allara, Endura or Manix
Fallkniven F1 and A1
Kellam Fang or Hand Forged Lynx
Spyderco Street Beat
Bark River Highland
Kershaw Junk Yard Dog II
Mcusta Basic Folder with Cocobolo Wood Handles
Queen Mountain Man in Amber Carved Stag Bone
Northfield Cutlery SAMBAR STAG HANDLE 2 BLADE TRAPPER
Ontario Rat 7 in 1095 Carbon Steel
Boker Stockman or Copperhead
Victorinox Rucksack
Doug Ritter RSK Mk3
Buck Alpha Folding Hunter
Tidioute Cutlery 4 1/2" 2 Blade Trapper in Carbon Steel
Grohmann Survival Knife - R4S

Must haves really do not exist. However if it did....then the above list would be my suggestions for starting a user collection.
 
Sebenza!! And I think the Kershaw Mini Cyclone in ZDP-189 & titanium is the cat's meow. Now, if you ask me about customs........
 
Cold Steel Trailmaster Carbon V
Chris Reeve Sebenza BG-42
Emerson HD12
Doug Ritter Griptilian M2
Strider AR

Matador-
 
You asked a question that has too many answers/possibilities. First determine what you want to collect and why. For the enjoyment of having many knives, for users, for display or for investment? You will get a multitude of answers as each individual has their own reasons for buying/collecting knives and have specific tastes, i.e., folders, slipjoints, fixed blades, fighters, utility, specific models, customs, etc., etc.. I haven't come across anyone who has become rich from collecting and selling knives. (My circle of knife appreciating friends is quite slim.) It has been stated elsewhere and I concur, collect what you like and enjoy. If you don't sell them for a profit, you will still enjoy possessing them regardless.
 
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