Recommendation? New guy: Am I missing any bases in my current collection?

P

Prince of Chicago

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Jan 29, 2019
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I tried to do as much research as I could lurking on here and watching lots of old DBK. The general consensus seemed to be "buy once cry once", so I believed it. I want to have a knife/axe for any EDC, casual bushcraft, or survival situation Joe Schmoe would face. The Matriarch 2 is just because I like Hannibal Lecter and his penchant for curved Spyderco's. Please excuse the horrible image quality.

sQrsCyN

https://ibb.co/sQrsCyN
 
A nice wood handled bush crafter might be in order, something as simple as the new Becker 62 or Condor up to a more expensive custom.
 
If you trying to create a Nesmuk trio, or just a good EDC like you mentioned, a good three bladed stockman would be good for finer detailed work. Three blades, have a backup to the main blade. I can think of a few good ones: Great Eastern Cutlery, Case, or even some Rough Riders. Or just plain light weight since you have Mora, how about an Opinel?
 
Small EDC? Cold Steel Tuff Lite for something inexpensive. PM2 or Para 3 are must-haves as well.
 
Honestly you are pretty set. If you want to spend more money the silky saws are awesome I'd also recommend a smaller edc folder. Dragonfly 2 or delica if you want utilitarian. If you want classy go zt 0450 or Benchmade 940.
 
My first thought was a folding saw as mentioned above. I like the Bahco Laplander for $20ish. I rarely carry an axe anymore when I camp or go hiking but I don't "rough it" like I used too.

A SAK is always handy to have.

Hopefully you have something to sharpen them too?
 
You're lacking a little bitty pocketknife for when you get "dressed up." Sub-two inch lockblade or traditional that doesn't feel heavy or print through dress trousers. SO many choices.

edit: And a hatchet. You may prefer a wood handled traditional to match your axe. But I (after years of deliberation) finally bought an Estwing Camp Hatchet with the stacked leather handle. It makes limbing branches in the yard or the hunting lanes quick work. A real joy to use.
 
I'd agree with many of the suggestions above.

-Good folding saw
Far easier and safer wood cross cutting than an ax. Easier to make straight, flat cuts with on the off chance that you need to for some reason.

-Compact or folding shovel
If you're thinking camping/survival, then being able to quickly and easily do some digging is probably important.

-Pliers based multitool
Tons of utility for the size of the tool if you pick the right one for your needs.

-SAK
See above. A more pocket friendly multitool with the added benefit of being a very nonthreatening and handy edc.

-Traditional in one of the more versatile patterns, like a 3 blade stockman
These have survived and been popular more or less unchanged for generations. There's a reason for that.

-A machete
This one is kinda stuational. It might be one of your most important and most used tools camping or you might be better off getting by with a sharpened shovel edge for rare machete work than carrying the extra weight. It all depends on where you are and what the conditions are there.

-A sharpener
Maintain the edges of your tools so they continue to work properly.

Good luck and welcome to the rabbit hole. :D
 
Prince of Chicago said:
I tried to do as much research as I could lurking on here and watching lots of old DBK. The general consensus seemed to be "buy once cry once", so I believed it. I want to have a knife/axe for any EDC, casual bushcraft, or survival situation Joe Schmoe would face. The Matriarch 2 is just because I like Hannibal Lecter and his penchant for curved Spyderco's. Please excuse the horrible image quality.

sQrsCyN

https://ibb.co/sQrsCyN
Click to expand...

If you live in Chicago and plan to carry you need to find one or more knives to carry that have blades that are 2.5 inches or less for EDC. Knife Center has an interface that you can search their inventory for just such a knife.
 
The best EDC for survival depends on your environment and the situation you find yourself in.

And the problem with asking for recommendations is that everyone has different preferences and different needs. You have to find your own.

One of the pleasures in buying many times and experimenting with different types of knives is that eventually you come to an understanding of what kind of knife is best for you and your situation.

I have ended up with more than a hundred knives, but there are only a handful that I use regularly. And for an EDC, I ended up with a Benchmade Rukus 610. It's too big for most people, but it's perfect for my lifestyle as a homesteader in the Pacific NW rainforest.

Rather than look for the one magic knife that everyone agrees on -- which doesn't exist -- experiment with different knives. If you use a knife regularly, one or two knives will rise to the top of your perfect EDC.
 
A Para 3 or Benchmade 940 would fit nicely into your collection! It seem like you're missing a smaller, more EDC-able knife.
 
I would add a couple smaller folding knives, a large chopper to play with, a good pliers based multi-tool, a good machete with sheath, and definitely a Vic SAK or two.
 
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