Outdoorsmen, what is your favorite type of knife for general use?

[RemyKaze]

Hey guys, I'm asking this because I'm quite interested in the Nessmuk style of knife, and have been pondering whether or not to buy one. I would like to hear what people like for general use, and why they prefer that type of knife. This kind of personalized information very often helps myself and others to weigh out close calls between styles that appeal to them, so if you read this, any input would be greatly appreciated!

Which of the knife types as follows are your "go to" fixed blade knife, and why?(If there are others you'd like to add, feel free to do so.)

Nessmuk
Kephart
Bushcraft(based on different grinds/blade width)
Scandinavian/Finnish/Nordic
Bowie
French/English Trade
Necker(short blade)
Modernized chopper(Junglass, BK9, Busse etc)

Edit: I know there are many "what knife is your go to?" or "what one knife would you take?" threads, but I'm hoping this comes across as a more specific question, especially for people who use their knives hard and prefer traditional styles(thus I put all new styles into a single category).

 

[GingivitisKahn]

For me, the answer is "it depends".

For hunting season ( early fall to practically spring ), my tasks center on building blinds, clearing shooting lanes, building fires and so forth. My goto knife then is a bowie style (I like the Becker BK9). I see you have that mis-classified as modernized chopper but BK9 is much, much more than a chopper - it's a bowie.

For camping season, I'll spend more time making tent / tarp pegs, food prep, splitting smaller wood for kindling, whittling, general farting around. For that I prefer my Becker BK2 which I consider to be a bushcraft style blade though I suppose that could be argued. Whatever it is, it works really well for those tasks.

The one I'm most likely to have on me always for cleaning game, eating dinner, and doing anything else for which I'm not using one of the larger blades, I typically have my necker ( BK11 ).


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Beckerhead #42

 

[roninelh]

I have soo many knives and it's always hard to choose... I typically reach for a thin blade Scandi "bushcraft" style knife. I also love my puukkos, I usually carry an axe or machete as well so my knife doesn't do it all. I also like trade knives because of the thin blades, I don't use them for fire prep but they are great slicers. I personally don't like nessmuck style blades purely for vanity (I think they are ugly as sin) but think they look very useful. Alot of it depends on if I'm camping with the family doing less hardcore work or if I'm on a week long solo in the big bad forest.

 

[Gossman Knives]

That's a difficult question to answer in that there are so many variables involved. I don't think there is one "style" knife to fit every situation so my question is what would be considered "general use"? For me EDC style/size knives get the most use even in the outdoors. My favorite would be a 2 3/4" to 3 1/2" blade with the modified sheepsfoot blade being a first choice. Next blade style would be a spearpoint. If camping and firewood processing is needed then I would use a saw, axe and or big blade. Hunting/game prep, I carry two knives in the 2 3/4" to 5" blade length same blade styles as I mentioned above
Scott

 

[RemyKaze]

That's a difficult question to answer in that there are so many variables involved. I don't think there is one "style" knife to fit every situation so my question is what would be considered "general use"? For me EDC style/size knives get the most use even in the outdoors. My favorite would be a 2 3/4" to 3 1/2" blade with the modified sheepsfoot blade being a first choice. Next blade style would be a spearpoint. If camping and firewood processing is needed then I would use a saw, axe and or big blade. Hunting/game prep, I carry two knives in the 2 3/4" to 5" blade length same blade styles as I mentioned above
Scott

I'm sorry if I did not state it very clearly. I thought people would see the bold list and be drawn to that first. I'm primarily asking people who prefer the traditional styles listed, which one on the list that they use, and why they enjoy it. I did so to weed out the size of the blades, the grinds, and people who say "use this or that instead" because often people answer the way you did to questions such as "What is your favorite all-purpose knife?" However, this is not what I'm asking. I am asking those who have experience with the traditional knife patterns on the list, among other fixed blade styles that fit the traditional niche. "General use" would of course go hand in hand with "outdoorsmen" in the title, and as George Washington Sears used a Nessmuk for both game/food prep as well as general camp work, I thought it would be obvious what I meant. My apologies. By the way, you have some rather awesome knives there, sir.

 

[Gossman Knives]

Thanks for clarifing and the compliment. That being said, the Kephart style would be my choice. Simple, no nonsense design along with an all around blade length of 4 to 5 inch spearpoint.
Scott

 

[RemyKaze]

Thanks for clarifing and the compliment. That being said, the Kephart style would be my choice. Simple, no nonsense design along with an all around blade length of 4 to 5 inch spearpoint.
Scott

I'm pretty fond of it too. Definitely my favorite, and new takes on it like some of your own among other customs look really great. Makes me wonder why some would go for such a different design in the Nessmuk for some of the same purposes. I do use choppers as well as smaller blades at times as well.