One? Two? Three? More than three?

[silenthunterstudios]

How many blades do you prefer in a traditional knife for EDC? Do you prefer a SAK/camp knife? What about a stockman? Whittler? Congress? Good old trapper?

After spending years and $ on modern one handed openers, I have had a hard time shaking my appreciation of single blades. Except for a 14 Lick Creek boys knife, and my peanut, okay, and my Case Bose coffin jack, what the hell, my olive SAK cadet, I mainly carry single blades. My ever present Tribal Spear, sometimes my LC from Case and Tracy Larock, others. I'm pretty sure I've asked this before, but I am requesting pictures again.

 

[ISKRA]

I've carried SAKs a bit, single blades as well. For actual blade number, not tools, I think two blades works just fine for me. A single blade would also do just fine, but two different blades make me feel more comfortable, while I can't really imagine what to do with three or more blades. My environment doesn't require them. So two for me.

 

[Rookie82]

By far, single blade knives seem to get the most votes for what folks want with an EDC. For some reason I can't figure, I fell in love with a 3 blade stag sowbelly and I refuse to let anything else knock it from the top of the mountain. I like stag, I like 3 large blades all with different shapes, and I like a pattern that most don't carry. I do like the feel of a single blade teardrop, or a peanut, but this is the knife I chose and I'm sticking with it (for now). However, I work an office job, so no matter what knife I carry, it doesn't get a whole lot of use. Weekends in the garage cutting some cardboard or duct tape seem to be what it sees the most.

 

[jrawk]

I prefer single blades, but I really enjoy opposite end single spring patterns and split back whittlers as well. 3 blade stockman or 2 blade jacks and trappers are not very desirable. GEC's boys knife pattern being the exception.

 

[Ernie1980]

I seem to prefer 2 bladed pen patterns, but also like whittler and congress patterns too. Out of all my traditionals (close to 100) only 5 are single blade knives.

 

[bonzodog]

I prefer single blade,but own one two blade knife.

 

[jc57]

I don't overthink it. I carry whatever I feel like any given day. 1, 2, 3 blades, whatever.

 

[mrknife]

i like single blades best. i sometimes have the pen blade removed from knives that come with two blades. they are slimmer and carry better

 

[Railsplitter]

I like having a Sheepsfoot blade but I like having another blade option too. The majority of traditional knives that meet those requirements are Stockman patterns so I carry a Stockman more often than anything else even though I don't really require the third blade.

 

[ScottK]

I'm a stockman fan, main blade for food prep, sheepsfoot for heavy cutting, spey or pen for detailed cutting.

 

[Tilley Knife]

I prefer single blades, but I really enjoy opposite end single spring patterns and split back whittlers as well. 3 blade stockman or 2 blade jacks and trappers are not very desirable. GEC's boys knife pattern being the exception.

I agree completely

 

[joeradza]

I'm never sure so I usually cover all bases.



Alan

 

[traumkommode]

I'm not really into jacks, meaning side by side 2 blade-ers. I do like pen/serpentine/swell centers with two blades, never actually owned one with 3 although I have a whittler on the way. Also good with single blade-ers. Kinda depends on the knife, too, as I really only need one or two blades, and I don't like to have features that don't get used. This inbound whittler I have has a clip, pen, and coping blade, and that's probably the extent of what I could possibly ever need, but I would be fine with the clip and coping blades.

 

[FOG2]

I am a single wharncliffe man....boring maybe to some but it works for me.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

I appreciate the slimness of a single blade, but part of the reason I got into traditionals was because I liked the idea of a multiple blade knife. I'm a 2-3 blade guy. Never had a 4 blade... yet...

 

[kamagong]

Multi-blades are more versatile, but I've never felt underknifed with a single blade slipjoint.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I've realized I want three blades. A primary Wharncliffe, secondary short Spey or Clip with strong belly, and a punch.

Just haven't found a knife like that- closest is my IXL with clip/Spey/punch, but my model was very poorly constructed (bent liners), that I don't carry it, just hope to find better examples!

 

[Rupestris]

I started with three. Then went to one then two then back to one then to two...

What I learned is, I really like a thin, single spring knife. The Half Whittler pattern is my favorite multi-blade with it's two blades in a very slim package.

For a large, single blade, the Smith and Sons Mudbug is my go-to. Slimmer than a full size Sodbuster or Buck 110 and easy to "back pocket" carry.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I've realized I want three blades. A primary Wharncliffe, secondary short Spey or Clip with strong belly, and a punch.

Just haven't found a knife like that- closest is my IXL with clip/Spey/punch, but my model was very poorly constructed (bent liners), that I don't carry it, just hope to find better examples!

Perfect opportunity to make one!

 

[black mamba]

I am a dyed in the wool multi-blade man. Two, three or four blade knives are my normal carry. Always have a Cadet on me, plus either a stockman, jack or trapper pattern. A few of my staples:

OD green alox Cadet

Northfield #85 jack

Case sowbelly

S&M stockman

RAT railsplitter

GEC #48 trapper