One knife a collector must own?

i agree with everything said. this is a subjective question. however, with that said, i think that it is worth noting that it depends on the audience. for example, if the question was posed as, "If i'm a new knife enthusiast, which knives would you recommend me checking out?", i think i would answer with....

Opinel #8 (or 6)
SAK farmer (or any)
Mora
spyderco endura/delica
buck 110/112
becker 16 (or whichever)

the disclaimer would be "first". i.e. i think this starts the list. and, the list really could vary. my point is this.... i am recommending a good baseline of quality inexpensive knives, so that one has something to compare the customs or high-end productions knives to (e.g. CRK).

i think we all kind of do this. well, i know i personally do this. i have knives i like that i keep. sometimes, i have been known to purchase new knives. :rolleyes: i always ask myself, "do i like this new knife better than <another-similar-knife>?" if the answer is "yes", it stays. if "no", it goes.

EDIT: in all those words, i probably never really did answer the spirit of the OP's question. i don't know about "own", but i would certainly recommend every knife collector at least try a custom puukko knife.
 
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I used to think it was the Sebenza.
Recommended it to a friend, who bought it and didn't like it at all.
Lesson learned.
 
Intention here is not to offend: I just don't get Sebenzas in any form.

However, I do cast a vote on this thread for the Mnandi!
 
Randall #3 Hunter
Buck 110
Marble's Ideal
Victorinox Swiss Army Champ (or similar)
Case Stockman
Leatherman Wave
 
demoncase said:
Clearly the $2 Jarbenza is the linchpin of any collection? ;)
Click to expand...

Why, a one-off knife, such as a Jarbenza with a custom-fit forged beta titanium blade upgrade, of course! :D

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To rich for my blood, won't even mention my collection since I don't see anybody collecting them. I am new to knife forums and still finding my way on them,guess that makes me a dilettante for now. Can't post pictures yet anyhow, wonder how many posts to do that.
 
Sebenza is a nice knife to experience. I certainly don't consider it the "be all, end all" of knives, nor do I think its level of F&F is hard for other manufacturers to achieve. I will go in the opposite direction and say: Spyderco Delica.

It's readily available. It's dependable. It's affordable. It's one of the few knives that is perfect for all EDC tasks (including taking into account carry laws).

When you take in to consideration all those factors, it's a "Why don't you have one in your collection?!?".
 
I'm just getting into knife collecting.
I would say I haven't yet got into REAL collecting.
I don't know about the old knives as far as the creme dela creme (or how ever the heck that's spelled).
For me it would have to be a classic old time knife.
A center piece for my dream collection would be one of the very best but totally user and used big honkin' Sunfishes
and
or
a large stockman but old
but super high end like the Cold Steel Ranch Boss.

There are no doubt even higher end stockman's but I haven't stumbled upon them yet.
All part of the fun for me.
 
Since this is a personal opinion thread, I should say that.....ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG!!!!!!!!



[emoji23] kidding [emoji12]



Anyway, I've been asked that question (or at least very similar). Because there are so many different directions to spin any collection, it really does just come down to individual personal preference, regardless of anyone else's strategy. One man my have 200 Reeves, many the same, some with slight variation. Another person goes eclectic and tries to acquire every model of a diverse brand back to company inception. And yet someone else concentrates only on fixed blades, or Barlow's, or any and every stockman they can get their hands on. So yeah, Marcinek nailed it in post #3.

Brands, models, material, point of origin, construction, vintage....heck, could probably go on. So, my philosophy is to concentrate on that which catches my eye, or piques my interest every time I see one. That would be a must-have at some point. So I'm on the eclectic side personally. So I've ended up with a ton of mostly cheap knives. Because every time I see a style I haven't had before, bam, gotta try one. Then if I like the design, I may eye a nicer brand and such.

Another rule I live by is to never go into debt for a hobby or collection, neither short nor long term. Ultimately, if a hobby affects a family's standard of living (no matter the level), then it's just not worth it in the long run. No doubt I've used justification and self deceit to justify some of my purchases in the short term. The old, "well honey, no worries, I should always be able to sell it for at least what I paid for it." Uh, yeah, right. Sure it's possible, but most of the time....nah!

So, browse through the pics and collections of others, and that knife model/brand/style that makes you all warm and tingly inside.....maybe that should be your next one. [emoji2] [emoji380] [emoji106]
 
Busse Battle Mistress. Any flavor. Once you've held the Mistress, the hooks are in. "Once you go Busse, you are never free." (TM - AntDog!)

And I mean "you are never free" in a good way. You're never free to look at other fixed blades in the same class the same way again.

In other words - prepare for them to be like Lays chips.
 
A Jack or Barlow 2 blade
A Buck style lock back
An EDC style modern folder with thumbstud, spyderhole or Emerson wave
A bowie style knife in carbon or alloy steel
A Frost, Martini or similar "scandanavian " style knife
Swiss army knife
 
Of course this is an opinion thread. A lot of people understand what direction the question is meant to go, but I guess you always have the "literal folks" that have to point out its about what YOU want or its all opinion. As far as collecting goes, everyone has that one holy grail that they must have, or wish to have, to be able to call their collection complete. Even though a complete collection is a fantasy, it never really happens. What is your holy grail, in your opinion, for all the folks having trouble with the original question.
 
I think people tend to gravitate towards certain brands/manufacturers in their collecting (at least that is my experience). So if that manufacturer you like the most does custom knives such as Strider or Microtech I think it would make sense to move into the customs from your particular favorite maker. For myself I am fortunate enough to be able to handle and play with most knives currently made and I can pick and choose my personal favorites instead of just lusting after one and hoping I like it, then when I find brands I like the most and move into their custom works I have yet to be disappointed.
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I will give you one guess as to what my favorite brands are now lol, these three knives represent the "grail level" knives from each of my favorite makers.
 
How about a classic pocket knife? Some people claim that the "barlow knife" is the first pocket knife. Some people call this style a "jack knife".
There is some reference to George Washington, first president of the U.S.A. owning a "barlow" knife, not sure how accurate that is. Mark Twain references to the barlow knife in a few of his books.
Most barlow knifes are one blade only, and are "slip joint" knives:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slipjoint

I actually own this one, a Schrade 280OT Old Timer Barlow Pocket Knife, pretty solid had to break it in.. a bit.
It has Derlin (Polyoxymethylene) handle slabs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyoxymethylene
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