PREDOMINANTLY One knife 30 day challenge?

[sabre cat]

I don't have a particularly large knife collection either so it won't really take that long. But in your case you could carry a scalpel for one month.

I'm doing this because I tend to just buy what I like the look of. I'm not really a collector and want to use anything I have and don't want to continue buying things I'm not going to use. I love the looks of traditionals but I already know now I wouldn't really reach for one over my moderns so I need to stop buying traditionals.

I love the look of traditionals also but, most of them do not fit my needs. I have decided that a SAK is close enough to a traditional for me.

I would like to try one of Benchmades Proper folders though.

Probably will never happen.

 

[JerseyFresh85]

Four weeks ago I started carrying one main knife for just about all of my needs for one week at a time. I did this for two reasons; first I found myself buying too many knives since the pandemic started and I haven't carried most of them that much. The second reason was because I found that too often I would swap out one of my "good knives" whenever I was cutting something abrasive or messy because I didn't want to mess up the finish or edge even though the main reason I picked up some of the "good knives" was for the quality of the steel.

So far I'm really enjoying the rotation. I've found that the"good knives" unsurprisingly can take all the tasks I've had and the steel does hold up better. I have only ordered one knife, the forum knife, and that was only because it was a time sensitive purchase. I also would/could not commit to a 30 day challenge because if school goes back to in person teaching, I lose out on a lot of my opportunity to carry/use a knife and what fun would that be.

 

[DangerZone98]

I know call be boring but I still carry the 30 year old spyderco police every day since I purchased it back then. I wouldn't mind a new knife, still waiting for this one to wear out. I'm into fixed blades mostly, kind of like those Hinderers though. I wonder if they are as thin in the pocket as the Spyderco Police.

Nothing boring about the Spyderco Police, man. Awesome knife. My Dad had one but he sold it UGGGHH.

The Izula’s an awesome pocket fixed blade. Bit on the small side though.

 

[allenC]

I'm gonna try to carry only this knife for the next 30 days...except while at work (cause I would be fired!).

Leatherman Free K4...

 

[ktataragasi]

Mid carry update :
Day 20 of 31 for my GEC 93 carry for this month. It's been very difficult only carrying this knife as I quite enjoy fidgeting with my knives. I am really looking forward to carrying a modern folder next month and having a pocket clip.

On a positive note I love the materials of this knife and how it cuts. The edge has also really held up well and after a ton of cutting yesterday was the first time I had to touch the edge up this month. I've even looked into getting a custom knife made in similar materials but as a modern folder....

 

[Owen K.]

This last week I've been at the beach and have only had access to a dragonfly and a xm18 3in. I dont think I'm going to keep doing it after vacation. Even though I love these blades I missing switching it up each day and I dont see any benefit to limiting myself like this.

Edit: As far as usage it had been almost nothing except opening food and cutting crabbing line. When I get home this will definitely change, well see how I feel about it in two days.

 

[cbach8tw]

Thanks for the updates, keep them coming. My AG Russell Cowboy's edge is still sharp but needed a little strop bat work to hone it a little. Cutting oranges for lunch, mail and packages. Not a lot of usage right now. The knick or spot on the edge still makes me crazy when it hits, got to sharpen it out or smooth it out. Going to use it until September time frame, as I started in late July. Another thing I have observed is that even though it is not used everyday, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Keep them coming, and stay sharp my friends.

 

[allenC]

I'm gonna try to carry only this knife for the next 30 days...except while at work (cause I would be fired!).

Leatherman Free K4...

Nope.
Not even close to 30 days...just 8 days actually.
It's just a little to thick and just a little too heavy.

So, I'm back to my Vic Forester M Grip...

 

[K.O.D.]

I did some thinking about the "what don't I carry often" post, and why I don't carry them.

Three are because of weight, especially in the summer. Two of those also are rather thick behind the edge.

I came to realize that though they've been carried, they've seen very little use. Those three will soon be going on the chopping block.

I can say I'm participating (somewhat) in this contest due to my SG Spider Monkey. It didn't get used for several years. It was pretty dull, and being in and out of the hospital and sick for several years, it just sat.

Since I sharpened it a month ago maybe, it has seen a lot of use and carry time. The new clip increased this to the point of me wanting to be fair to my other folders so they won't feel abandoned.

My PM2 disappeared four years ago as I've said before. Found it in my dad's truck in really bad shape. New scales, screws, a good sharpening, and it kicked a lot out of my pocket.

However, the new/improved knife smell has worn off on those.

Now, I'm back to rotating based on expected need, what matches my clothes, and what environment I will be in.

 

[ktataragasi]

Below is what I posted in the what edc knife thread. Now it's time for my next knife!

Today marks the end of my one month carry for my GEC 93. I don't know how people only use and carry traditional knives. Nothing against those who do but I really missed the fidgety nature of a modern knife. I also could not have completed the month long carry without the aid of a pocket slip. For me that was a game changer for keeping it comfortable in the pocket.

During the month this was pretty much my only cutting instrument I used aside from a chefs knife if this was not up for the task. It performed great and the edge actually help up quite well.

Tomorrow I am going to start a one month carry with my Benchmade Bugout.

Recycled picture below:

 

[cbach8tw]

Let's wrap this up in a few days, and state anything you have learned, good or bad, what has surprised you and did any knife standout more than you thought it would, by that I mean did one you normally would not carry but did really stand out? Thanks to all who participated, I look forward to your closimg comments.

I learned that most of my needs can be done with a single knife, but that I like having the option to use more than one knife, the two is one rule. My AG Russell Cowboy did all I asked it to do and that the standard steel was good for EDC needs, so I learned that not having a super steel is okay for daily use for the common user. It met my needs but YMMV, and others have different needs. I consider the Cowboy a larger knife, but a smaller one could do what I need to do. I also learned that I still like small fixed blades too. That could be something I work into the carry options mentioned below.

Next, I learned I want to explore better carry options for my knife, my old nylon pouch sheath I carried my knife in has seen better days. This could be solved by a leather slip to put it in my pocket, maybe a KSF sheath with another item. However, since the the Cowboy is a little large but thin, I was wondering about attaching a lanyard to the slip and looping it around a belt loop and just tug it out of my pocket to get to my knife. Putting it back would require two hands. The other thought I had would it possible to get a kydex sheath for horizontal carry to just push the knife out with my thumb to access it? For me, neck carry is not something that appeals to me. So I will look into some carry ideas.

Another thing I learned is it easier to maintain an edge with a few quick strops or swipes on a sharpener after some use rather than letting it get completely dull. Sure, that is common sense, but sometimes we forget to do that afterwards. Lastly, always carry some kind of knife, better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
So, after it all is said and done, will you challenge yourself to try different knives in the future? What will your next knife to carry be? Just a thought.

 

[aue123]

i decided to carry an OTF.. doesn’t matter if it’s the same one, just as long as it’s OTF. mainly been the UTX-85 .. and i’ll switch between it and the combat troodon that’s currently in the mail

 

[afishhunter]

Sorry, I don't "get" what the "big deal" is about carrying and using the same knife for a week or month.
"Back in the day" when I was a youngling, most folk carried and used the same knife every day for consecutive years.
Many folks even as late as today and tomorrow, still do.

 

[cbach8tw]

I guess as collectors and users of knives, we all have quite a few knives....for me anyway.
I guess being able to acquire such a collection is what is good nowadays with the wide selection available to every sector of society and income level. Back in the day, one would use just one knife and use it until it was worn out, those are knives with history and great stories to tell, and stories from our older relatives we can enjoy. This thread was a way to explore and see if one or two knives could meet your basic needs, and to try knives that you normally would not carry, and hopefully learn something in the process. I hope people have enjoyed just trying something. Next, I am going to try carrying some of my small fixed blades, rotate in and out of course, and explore carry options. Some of my favorite JK knives are calling to be used.