not just another "top 5" knives thread - GAW Winners in Post #1

I'll get in on this.....

TOP 5 (no particular order)

1. Large Sebenza 21 Micarta with double silver thumblugs- This is the blade I compare most everything else to... Simple, comfortable, and easy to maintain. I will always have a Sebenza, and this one is mine.

2. Shirogorov Mod95T M390- Lightweight, slim, and lightning fast. Combined with a great working finish, this silky smooth flipper will be with me for years to come.

3. Chris Martin murdered Umnumzaan- Always loved the look of the Umnumzaan and the customization has made this legendary folder dead sexy. Apart from the devilish good looks this blade would be my choice if I were to live the rest of my life with only one knife, I am that confident in its capabilities for edc.

4. Allen Elishewitz mini scout flipper/ marble carbon fiber damascus- Bought this knife as a dedicated blade for deep pocket carry when I am wearing shorts...... sounds kind of specific I know but it is a great size for firing in your pocket. The jewelled liners, and MCF scales are bulletproof and show next to no signs of wear. Beyond the carry features it is also outstanding in every other way.... flipping this little blade is actually quite addictive.

5. The fifth folder has yet to be found.... It is the missing link in my EDC. I am still on the hunt for a deep pocket carry miniature flipper to ride along in my jeans when I have to be a bit more discreet about having a blade on my person. I have had my eye on a few.... Loconico Small Jasmine, Vandermulen micro intro, Les Voorhies model 13, Hinderer 3'' XM etc.

My madness,
Otts
 
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1) Victorinox Sport - I bought it at Canadian Tire and carried it everyday since, my wallet has a grove in it from their contact in my pocket. I love the size of the main blade and has all the tools I might need on a day to day basis. It doesn't scare the sheeple either:D

2) Victorinox Trekker - Also bought it at Canadian Tire but this is my bush folder, always has a spot in my blaze coat because you never know when you might need it. It actually saved me a big hassle in the country when I was processing wood, the oil cap was stuck on the chain saw so I used the flat top screw driver to twist it off. I left my tool box back at the cabin and to go back would have been a 2 hour, both way trip.

3) Mora companion - My dad bought me this years ago when he seen it at a local gun shop. Its seen use in literally all by bags, BOB, Fishing bag, Hunting bag, Bushcraft bag, Quad saddle bag and hell even found its way into my school bag:eek:Thank god I went through it before hand. This knife really lived up to its name as the companion because in the woods this little guy was my buddy, no matter how weird that sounds.

4) Cold Steel GI Tanto - My wood processor, bought this on Ebay forever ago and used it so much that it reprofiled the blade. I like the overall size and its capability in the woods. The people that see me with it on my hip call it overkill but when they cant split wood with their 4in knife they know who to come to:rolleyes:

5) Becker BK14 - A very nice blade that I like to use for skinning, razor sharp blade out of the box and quick to resharpen. I'm in the market for a set of scales and deciding if I want to go custom or with those blaze orange ones. As for right now it doesn't have much in the ergos department but it will.


I love all my knives and treat them the best I can because I know they have saved my ass before and deserve a little R&R when they get out of the field:thumbup:
 
1. Swamprat HRLM-Perfect ergos, steel, sweetspot for blade length and overall attractive profile, to me.
2. Benchmade Snody Activator 201-Been a workhorse skinning well over 100 hogs, 6 deer and 4 alligators, and a beautiful knife as well.
3. Busse AMS-Tough little knife that looks and performs great. This is my EDC when I'm "certain" I will be needing a knife.
4. Benchmade Mini Striker PS- Nothing really special about it but it's been on every deployment with me and just has a special place in my heart. She looks like hell but works good as new and still with me.
5. ZT 350ST-A lot of knife for the money, very sturdy and robust and has been an excellent performer that has seen tons of use and has held up well. This is my EDC when I "might" need a knife.
Aside from the HRLM which if all i could have was one knife, that would be it, the rest of these just got caught in my trap and have really earned their keep.
 
1. Kershaw Leek - Great ergonomics, good blade steel, the best assisted opening feature available in my opinion, made in the USA.
2. ZT566 - Great ergonomics, smooth de-assisted, great blade steel, made in the USA.
3. Benchmade 551 - Great ergonomics, good blade steel, I can close the Axis lock easily with either hand, made in the USA.
4. Spyderco Tenacious - Great ergonomics, decent blade steel, affordable.
5. Buck Vantage Select - Great ergonomics, decent blade steel, affordable, made in the USA.

Do you see a pattern? If it doesn't feel good in the hand or it's so expensive I'm afraid to hurt it I get rid of it.

I'm in for the Rat. Thanks for the chance.
 
My current top 5 in no particular order...

1.Hinderer XM-18 3.5 flipper slicer grind. perfect ergos, lots of fun to flip or flick, tough and purdy at the same time.
2.Caly 3 zdp189cf my first spidie and first real folder. This little knife is what got me here. Wicked slicer.
3.CRK ummnanzaan love the blade shape and the nice machining on the ti slabs and how its such a smooth operator.
4.Spyderco Southard this knife is amazing. Fits my hand like a dream. Great steel, great flipper, great blade shape. Added custom carbon fiber, worth every penny to me.
5.......Last but def not least are my two Alan Davis folders. Both are very well made, each with its own character and charm.

Honorable mention sage1 and Gayle Bradley
 
1. SAK Rambler. I never leave home without it, but mostly for the tools - especially the scissor, philips driver, and bottle opener. I rarely use the blade. I carry this one only because of its small footprint and the tools' utility.
2. ZT 0770CF. Probably the ultimate EDC blade for me right now. I have a thing for "exotic" materials, thin knives, knives that have close to a 1:1 blade:handle length ratio, and flippers. This ticks all those boxes, and in addition I also think the blade shape is both extremely useful and aesthetically pleasing. Quite fond of this one.
3. Spyderco Endura 4 ZDP-189. Exotic steel, thin, lightweight but solid, useful blade grind and shape, lots of blade per handle, well-priced. Another frequent carry.
4. Benchmade 740-1. Exotic blade steel and handle materials, lightweight, useful blade, good length, buttery smooth axis lock, disappears in the pocket. Another favorite EDC, but also just to fondle.
5. Hogue EX-01 3.5 in OD green aluminum. This pick is less about the materials (although I do like aluminum scales) or utility and more about the execution of details. The push-button lock is elegant in its simplicity, and the action overall is one of the the smoothest I've felt. The blade is beautifully done, with rounded edges, well-placed identification, and a terrific finish. The anodizing job on the handle is gorgeous. Everything is just really polished and well done - after 5 minutes with this knife I knew that the people at Hogue really care about what they do. I don't carry this one much, but it's probably my favorite one to fondle. It's my 14yo son's favorite as well.
 
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1. Spyderco Endura FFG - slim and light. cuts great, sharpens fast.
2. Spyderco Military - reliable knife. good steel, which is not difficult to sharpen. perfect geometry of the blade.
3. BM 710 m390 steel - classy look. hi-end steel. I can put it in my jeans pocket or in formal suit.
4. BK&T 14 - the only fixed blade knife, i can handle as EDC instead of folders. A lot of opportunities for customization.
5. Opinel 8,10 inox - lightweight, sharp, great for food preparing when you are not at home. small price.
 
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If it is putting anyone off - you don't have to list your top 5 knives. Just one or two would be fine. I'm mainly curious about what obvious or not-so-obvious feature really capture your interest and make a difference in what you keep and don't keep.

Don't forget to answer twice for two entries if you are a Gold or higher member.

Thanks for the great responses everyone.
 
1. Fairly Backpacker.
It's my first custom knife. It's so light and the carbidized Ti edge just keeps cutting. It's been around the world with me and never let me down!

2. Hinderer XM18 3".
First Hinderer that actually flips. I just love the looks of it and how it fits in my hand.

3. Coye Forerunner.
It was a gift from Bill Coye and and awesome fixie!

4. Curtiss F3 stealth wharnie.
Love the looks of this knife and how it handles. Gotta love David's customer service too!

5. Fairly RF1 #2.
First custom folder and the second framelock Daniel ever made. It's massive and cuts forever!
 
Hmmmmmm...

1. Leatherman Surge-- Given that I use the non-blade tools more often than the blades, this one (or the Charge) has to take the top spot. There simply isn't made a more versatile portable tool.

2. ZT 0200-- Heavy-duty blade with the most comfortable grip made.

3. Victorinox Explorer-- Perfect light-duty office knife. Pocketable yet capable.

4. Leatherman E55b-- That sweet spot between the Surge and the 0200: sturdy, capable blade with my most commonly used tools added on.

5. Kershaw Composite Leek-- Capable, lightweight, nonthreatening, precise. My church knife.
 
5 Ontario RAT 2. Seriously, under $25 shipped for this knife? Steel is ok, doesn't hold an edge very long but it sharpens easy and takes a really fine edge. Deployment is lightning fast. It's slim in the pocket and fairly light. Feels good in hand. Great budget EDC.

4. Spyderco Manix 2. Fantastic ergos, ball lock is stout, lockup like a vault. Super smooth. It's a little heavy and takes up it's fair share of pocket real estate, but it's built like a tank and is a good slicer with a robust tip.

3. Spyderco Sage 1. My go to gentleman's knife. I've yet to find a higher quality knife for the money. The CF scales are beautiful and offer a nice texture. Wire pocket clip is my absolute favorite. Blade steel is good. Super smooth deployment and perfect lockup. Great ergos for a smaller knife.

2 Spyderco Delica 4 FFG. For the cost, weight, and quality, it's still my standard EDC after many years. Blade steel is good. Holds an edge and easy to sharpen to a razors edge. Good in hand, great in pocket. There is nothing fancy about it and it's not the best at anything. But it's good at everything, and the sum of its parts make it my #2 choice.

#1. Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I honestly haven't had this knife very long. I bought it based on reputation and it's lived up to the hype. Feels great in the hand, fairly light for its size, good in the pocket. The compression lock is strong, easy to use, and damn fun to play with. I've tried to find a fault with it, but I can't. I haven't been able to put it away since I got it. If I could only have one folding knife, this would be it.
 
Man this is tough... Ill give it a go.
1. Spyderco vallotton sub hilt. Simply perfection at any price. Smoother than 500 dollar knives, awesome blade and impeccable f+f.
2. Lionsteel tispine damascus. The ultimate gentleman.
3. Zt 0801 customized by maprik. Just a solid knife great looking if it was only as smooth as my 0562cf or 0561.
4. Spyderco techno. Just like this one for some reason. Like the blue with the ti and again great ff.
5. Man now it gets harder...i guess id say my southard.

Just missed the cut...sebenza insingo, 0562cf, customized caly 3.5...
On the hunt for...sheepsfoot tc barlow.

Thanks,
Drew
 
Well...

1. Cold Steel Recon Tanto - I got this way back when tantos were just becoming the "in" tactical gear. It has done everything I have asked, and has been many places with me. It has earned a place forever.

2. SOG Pentagon Elite - I bought this to fill an imagined need, plus I thought it was "cool". It ended up being a keeper for the same reason as the Recon Tanto.

3. Spyderco Lum Green Leaf Folder - This is beauty in folding knives to me. Never really something I have used, it is ethereal in form and handling to me. It had a mechanical issue that was fixed, and I have almost sold it more than once, but it has never left. Almost as if it has branded itself to me on some level.

4. Strider Model MT - I had a real need for a "sharpened pry bar" back when Striders were THE ideal in that genre, before collectors found them. It is a keeper for what it has been through.

5. CRKT M16-13Z - Yep, a blister packed, inexpensive folder. My little girl picked it out for me for a father's day a few years ago. It does what I need it to now, and a dad that could sell off a knife his little one gave him (for other than extreme emergencies) is not a father I want to meet.

6. Sorry. One more.... A custom hunter a friend left me- I don't know the maker (I may do a thread sometime to find out), but it is a beautiful blade that is scary sharp, and was given to me by a true brother who left to soon.

Thanks.
 
1. ATM I'm in love with my kizer ki412a3 mainly because of the blade shape and steel (s35v) and the blue and speckled titanium handles!

2. My kershaw leek in Blackwash, due to it's wicked sharpness, and the fact that it's a good suit knife.

3. My pm2, i I've the locking system, and it has a perfectly placed belly for the best slicing capabilities!

4. My benchmade griptilian, it's soooooo sharp (i almost cut my pinky to the bone, it bled very very much) and i love the axis locking system.

5. It's a tie between my s30v blur and my opinel 8, the blur has amazing assisted opening (although I did end up de assisting it) and i like the blade steel. The 8, i love for its simplicity, and it's awesome wooden handles!
 
1. Any of my CRK's, it's sometimes hard to pick just one for carrying, so I rotate between the 21, 25 and Umnumzaan. The fit/finish and workmanship on a CRK is remarkable for a production knife. You can scratch it up, have a thousand snail trails and send it for a spa treatment and get a new looking knife back. They will endure more than one generation. Hands down, the best knife on the market today. They hold a good resell value.
2. Strider SMF/SnG, a comfortable, dependent tank of a knife that performs well. It's my hard use knife. I like the ergos and no frills of the knife.
3. Three Sisters Forge Beast. A well built, as close to a custom as you'll get in a knife. Full size handle with a 3" blade, love it. With each one I have, Jim Allen made to my specs and was very prompt with returning emails. He put double studs on each knife without added cost. The knife lives up to it's name.
4.ZT562CF, I have 4 Hinderers and after getting this knife, I don't know if I'll ever own another Hinderer. Love the ZT line of knives, great knives for the price.
5. A.G. Russell Acies/ AciesII, it's what got me hooked on quality knives. And now, since the Acies is out of production, I'll have to hold on to mine. It is comparable to a CRK.
 
My "top 5" will have to be ones I actually own and keep and use. I have little money or space to just collect. If am allowed to participate with these parameters:

1. Schrade US-made lockback with a black plastic handle and a 3 inch stainless steel blade. Model is SP 3 "Firebird" with partial serrations on blade. Inexpensive ($12 in a package with whetstone), easy to clean and sharpen, with lanyard hole, tough and big enough to cut cardboard boxes and small branches, and I can open it with one hand.

2. Victorinox Spartan with r plastic handle. All the tools I need including an eyeglasses screwdriver inside the corkscrew, inexpensive, easy to clean and to sharpen. Low profile tol kit always on my belt in a nylon sheath. Everything a MacGyver or overgrown Boy Scout needs.

3. Tramontina 14 inch Latin machete with plastic handle and leather sheath. Clears brush, does everything else in a village environment. Low cost sharpens up welll, sturdy tool. All "the survival knife" I will ever really need.

4. Mora knife with orange wooden handle, 3 1/2 carbon steel blade, plastic sheath. It can perform every rough job and can be easily re=sharpened Light weight for backpacking, inexpensive and sturdy.

5. Buck Maxima sheath knife with 4 inch blade, nylon sheath and orange rubberized handle. Model 679 - stainless steel, sheath will not rot, jimping to help control blade, good general shape for bushcraft. Visible in the grass if dropped.

These will do what I need to do and are not expensive. I have a few others, including an expensive sheath knife won in a lottery, but these are my top for what I do. :cool:
 
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1. Doug Ritter Mini Griptilian
Just got this in a couple weeks ago. It's small, unassuming, and a fantastic slicer. Great for use around campus, but more than enough blade for heavier tasks. Currently my favorite carry since I'm stuck on campus for a while. Honestly, I wouldn't carry it on the farm or in the woods- the Axis look is smooth but gums up easily and is far too complicated for a regular use tool.

2. Zero Tolerance 0560:
Big and heavy. It's my go-to blade when I'm back on the farm. It can be used as a prybar if absolutely necessary, ELMAX holds an edge quite well, and it's not too hard to resharpen when I inevitably screw up the edge making (literal) field expedient repairs. The KVT opening system is a bit of a downside in that proper lubrication causes it to attract dust, sand, and dirt like the devil's business.

3. Spyderco UK Penknife: My other go-to blade for farm work. Lightweight enough that it disappears in my pocket, the ultra simplistic design holds up well against dirt and detritus. Additionally the finger choil and slipjoint lock make opening and closing the knife one-handed very easy, which is very important when I need to make small quick cuts, ie pruning tomatoes. CTS-BD1 isn't the nicest steel but it's functional.

5. Spyderco Manix2 Lightweight: While the ball bearing lock is almost as bad as the Axis in terms of maintenance (especially with the pinned screws) S110v holds a great edge. The knife just fits in my hand perfectly, the steel holds up for quite a while with proper care, the whole knife weighs less than my SAK, and while FRCP feels cheap it's quite sturdy stuff. Additionally, unlike the Axis designs, the LW can be quickly and easily cleaned out with a power hose so long as you blow the water out of the ball bearing cage.

5. Fixed blade FBB
I picked up a 4 inch full belly bushcraft knife from a local maker. It's only 1084, but that means I'm not particularly worried about edge repairs, although it's more rust-prone than I'd like. The belly is very useful for slicing and dicing various veggies, and fixed blades can be used for a lot more prying and general stupid stuff than my folders, plus I like having the extra control that a thick handle allows for.
 
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