My "issue" and attempt at long term-1 knife life

[James Y]

Back from the mid-1980s until about 1997, the sole knife I carried was a Victorinox Spartan SAK, an older version that didn't have the tweezers and toothpick. It was my sole knife when I lived in Taiwan, and for several years after I came back. As a kid, I had been into knives and owned a bunch of traditionals, but I got out of knives and chose to take the Spartan with me overseas for its versatility and corrosion resistance over my other knives. I carried that knife solely for over a decade. I didn't get back 'into knives' again until 1997, when I found out about all the modern one-handed folders, like Spyderco, etc.

And while now I carry multiple knives, my longest-carried knife is a black Victorinox Executive. I've carried and used that knife since around 1999. It's always with me, regardless of whatever else I may be carrying.

Jim

 

[OilMan]

I can and have done it. I have a knife that I carried for 4 years. You can do it too!! :thumbup:

Which knife Suzie?

Not sure I could do it even for a month unless you count the SAK that has been in my pocket for a couple of years but that's a backup to my main folder..

 

[leghog]

For over a year now, everyday I've carried one knife in my pocket (a ~55 year old Craftsman 9507 peanut made by Ulster) and one on my belt (a Vistorinox Farmer SAK). The first cost me $10-$15 and the second about $30.

It really isn't hard to do once you find out what knife works for you.

 

[Byrom Hermo]

It's doable. I carried an 11cm Huby Lever for 5 straight years in the 90's and followed that with another 5 years carrying a MT UT6. I'm just at about that long now with my Camper but for the last year it's been that and the Ripcord.

 

[AwayFromMySpydieHole]

I have carried a Micarta 21 every day for about 7 years. There's not a single part of that knife that isn't rubbed smooth from scratches. Never been back for a spa treatment. I carried other knives along with it sometimes, but this one was always on me.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

For many years I carried just one. Now while I could carry just one I couldn't own just one. Too many of my knives have personal meaning.
Doing it is as easy as it is hard, just like breaking other habits-just do it. Pick a good basic utility knife and stay with it. It really doesn't matter which as long as it is not on the extreme edge of utility. It will get the job done.
Only problem-if it isn't your sole knife, you will feel sad for those left at home. So I think it easier to do if it is your only knife.

 

[Pomsbz]

I've done 6 months and close to a year. Still searching though for that perfect one.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

I've carried the same exact knife for 5 years and the same model but a non limited edition for about 3 years prior to that.

Of course, I also had a couple other knives in my pockets as well so that my other knives got some use. I typically have 3 to 5 full size folders on me, because I can. Though they normally have slightly different roles. I have my constant EDC, one that I like to keep silly sharp to show off and to have just in case I need a really sharp knife but otherwise see's no use, a H1 folder that is used as a money clip so I have a rust resistant knife if I end up around saltwater, and whatever I'm currently having fun flipping, and occasionally another and sometimes a few less that get forgotten. But since I have so many I always have one with me even if some get left at home.

So it's pretty easy for me to carry the same knife for years, I just also have a couple others. Though for about the last year I haven't been carrying my constant EDC. Even though it has M4 blade steel, it could be a couple points harder and doesn't hold an edge as well as I like. I've been carrying M390 and S110V lately as my users. I've also been carrying waved and flipper knives lately as a change of pace. If my favorite knife had a different blade steel I would still be carrying it but I notice enough of a difference in the edge holding and the way it cuts that it's been replaced.

Anyways, carry what you like for as long as you like, and carry another to give you some variety. It never hurts to have a backup anyways.

 

[Grandmaster]

I try to do it, the only things that don't change in my EDC are my glock 23, my SAK pioneer and my ZF spinner, the knife is always changing to my latest acquisition, but before I was so much into knives I did carried a Spyderco Police for 2-3 years

 

[ThePeacent]

I've carried the same exact knife for 5 years and the same model but a non limited edition for about 3 years prior to that.

Of course, I also had a couple other knives in my pockets as well so that my other knives got some use. I typically have 3 to 5 full size folders on me, because I can. Though they normally have slightly different roles. I have my constant EDC, one that I like to keep silly sharp to show off and to have just in case I need a really sharp knife but otherwise see's no use, a H1 folder that is used as a money clip so I have a rust resistant knife if I end up around saltwater, and whatever I'm currently having fun flipping, and occasionally another and sometimes a few less that get forgotten. But since I have so many I always have one with me even if some get left at home.

Anyways, carry what you like for as long as you like, and carry another to give you some variety. It never hurts to have a backup anyways.

I also switch and rotate many folders, and like to have fun by carrying them all throughout the year, but my constant EDC since 2014 is also a H1 folder, the Pacific Salt. It's been with me every single day as the constant knife on my person since I bought it.
So nice, light and comfortable to carry, while dependable, reliable and easy to maintain!

 

[DeadboxHero]

Realisticly you can only use on knife at a time. Also if your're using knife a ton it takes alot of up keep to maintain the edge and pivot action. if you like high performance; it must be kept peak condition. So it's nice to limit yourself to just one knife, use it up and get another one or buy high end and get a solid blade with great support and use and enjoy for 20 plus

Otherwise too large of a knife collection and they never get used enough and start to OWN you because you still have to maintain a "fleet" of knives. Hahaha but it's so addictive to keep buying and seeing what's out there.

 

[Twindog]

I have the opposite problem: I have a lot of EDC knives that I like a lot, but I can't get my old Benchmade Rukus 610 out of my pocket. It has the size and balance that is perfect for my uses. I feel naked without it.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I carried a large Classic Sebbie, a Zaan and a Brad Southard AVO (presently) for well over two years each. No regrets.

 

[Barman1]

I've tried the"one knife" thing but there's too much temptation with the 100 or so others in the drawer begging to be carried.
The only way I could resign myself to only one is to sell all of the others and aggravate everyone here for a perma-ban so I won't be tempted again.
I've thought about it.
And I've been lurking around here long enough to know exactly who/how to aggravate.

But I'm weak. And the addiction is strong.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Some quick advice/encouragement for you. Decide how dedicated you're gonna be. That means, is the the knife you'll carry to weddings, funerals and in gym shorts when you want to work out? The occasional special occasion exception can make life a lot easier, and if you're determined not to do that, pick a LOT more carefully.

Once you've gotten up for a month straight and slid the same knife into your pocket every time it's gonna be a lot easier. Just becomes a habit that you don't think about.

Note: I haven't done this challenge, but I carried my Manix 2 XL pretty exclusively for months at a time and those were some of my discoveries.

 

[RayseM]

1) I carry a one hand opener work knife - so mostly 6 days each week the same knife.

2) Then I have my pajama knife which isn't really a "pajama" knife but rather a lounging knife - my after work, after shower, comfort pants.

3) Then I have my dress knife. This one is the most difficult to settle on. I like a 3" blade and prefer a flipper but have gone down to 2-1/2" and up to 3-1/2", nail nick openers and others. All very nice customs that I buy and sell pretty regularly. I think I'm getting settled on the perfect knife for that purpose but I haven't done it yet.

4) For camping or other woods activity I still carry my work EDC but that is augmented with a sheath knife - a bigger fixed blade - usually in the 4" range.

I did carry an G10 Endura exclusively for 6 or 7 years but I hadn't yet developed a need for #2 and # 3. Who knew one needed a pajama knife .
These days since I always carry a knife I cannot imagine one knife that would satisfy all my requirements. AND - I haven't mentioned choppers, Kuhkri, machete and kitchen knives No fun to just carry one IMHO.


Ray

 

[bdmicarta]

Howdy!
Hope that title wasn't too confusing.

Lately, I've "embarked" on a challenge for myself.
Decide on a knife, and carry it and ONLY it for 1 year.

Really hard to do.
Everytime I put one in my pocket, I feel as though it's the one, until I think about my other knives.

Has anybody else tried this?
How the heck did you stop changing your EDC?

Oh, and if you want, throw up a picture of your knife and how long you carried it.

I could do it if necessary but would never attempt it. Today I am carrying a PM2 in Cruwear, which is just one knife out of the 10 or so that I rotate through for EDC. The PM2 fits my needs perfectly and there would be no reason for me to need another knife, but that's beside the point. I like different ones, I can afford them so I have them, and I like to carry them.

This is a fairly recent photo of the knives that I use frequently, all but 2 are still with me.

For a long time I carried one knife for awhile. Sometimes I would buy a knife that I liked and carry it for a year or two, until I found another knife that I liked. I moved my interests elsewhere for awhile and ended up carrying a mini-grip for 5 years or so and didn't think anything about what I was missing. Then I started looking at knives again and bought a lot of new ones.

 

[The cow]

I'll carry one knife for months, then decide to switch. I carried a leatherman surge for almost 4-5 years, switched to a microtech socom for 2. Boker Camp Knife for a year. Now I switch between a Winkler F1 and the Boker.
Every so often, I downsize my collection, makes the temptation easier.

 

[a Trexler Ranger]

I carried a Swiss Army knife for two years because it was the only knife I had. I've since had it stolen from me which made me buy a Outdoor Edge Grip which I use because its a good lockback and can take a beating. The last four years actually!

 

[ocnLogan]

I've carried the same knife every day for ~6-7 years now.

I carry a Boker Exskelimoor II. Its 2.75in of 440c, with a linerlock, oak scales, and a pocket clip. Its one hand openable, but doesn't look threatening at all. Its also the Boker version of a pretty nice custom. I think I paid ~$50 for it. My knife has pretty good centering (slightly to the clip side, but not touching at all), keeps a pretty good edge, and after these 6-7 years, lockup is still around ~50%. It is Chinese made, but it seems I got lucky with my Boker. Quality seems just fine.

Not my photo, but this is what I'm talking about.

The only issues I've had with it over the years, is a small amount of rust in the pivot area (its in my back pocket while I cycle to work, so it gets some sweat, and I live near the ocean) that I've been able to scrape/clean off. The wood scales have a small crack under the pocket clip (seems like it is just the very edge, can't propagate any further), the pommel end the wood warped a small bit (small gap on the edge, away from the screw attaching the scale to the liner), and I've occasionally had to tighten the screws attaching the pocket clip (every 2 years maybe).

Is it perfect? No, far from it. Does it meet my needs though? Yes, thats been good enough for me. When my needs change, I'll look for something else. Same thing if the current knife somehow breaks/gets lost, etc.

For me, the solution to this "issue" of not being able to carry a knife for a longer period of time, is just learning to be content with something for the time being. I've also noticed that personally, whenever I start spending more time researching something, my odds of purchasing something goes up. So, when I know I can't/shouldn't afford something, I just stop looking at it for a while, especially if I have something else that works for the time being. Your mileage may vary.

Good luck .