So what do you like more.....

[WolfyW]

I can get all my slipjoint work done with a SAK. 2-4 layer. A knife and a few small tools. BUT....the covers don't do it for me. So I carry a SAK and any old school slippy that'll fit in my watch pocket. And occasionally my Trapper on my belt just for fun.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

For me, there are a number of factors. Biggest one, aesthetics. How does it look? Beauty may be in the eye of the beer holder, but there are some around here who buy some butt ugly knives! lol
I generally want clean, classic, even elegant lines.

Function is probably next under consideration. What do I need it to do and will it do it?

Close behind but critical is size. I prefer smaller knives just as long as they don't completely disappear in my big hands. Generally find between 6-8" is all the validation my manhood requires, unless it is a filet or kitchen knife.

Finally, materials. Cheap steels generally get bypassed, though that depends on the manufacturer. I'm more than happy with 420 if it is made by Buck. I tend to prefer wood handles on my fixed blades, if only for the aesthetics. Not a fan of the synthetic handle materials but I do appreciate their benefits and function at times.

 

[Modoc ED]

Hard for me to say what pattern knife I like more. I live in a rural area and some of my recreational activities take place on farms and ranches so for those settings a heavyish knife is suitable - a stockman or trapper - maybe a robust farmer style. Until the wife bought me some Wrangler jeans with smaller pockets than my old Levi jeans, I liked a knife at 4 1/4" but with the new jeans prefer a knife at 3 7/8" or 4". Covers aren't that important but I do like a colored composite or delrin on a work knife. Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about.

 

[H2O2HI]

Recently I bought a NOS S&M No. 6 Teardrop Desert Ironwood. To me it is perfect. 3 3/4’’, beautifully grained wood. Really great workmanship! My ideal pocket knife.
W&T excellent. All my knives must be 3 3/4” or occasionally 3 7/8”. Period.
My one exception has been an unused Case 6235 1/2 with red jigged bone.
God bless those who may differ from my wisdom.

 

[afishhunter]

Slipjoints with 2 or 3 blades, or a "Scout" knife with 4 blades are my preference, although I do have a "few" (four) single blade slipjoints. However, they're mainly used in the kitchen.

I like lockbacks (Buck 110/112 and Old Timer 7OT/6OT).
I've tried liner locks, but didn't care for them. They just didn't "feel right" in my hand.

Fixed blades, I prefer a 3 to 6 inch blade.
I don't use a knife to get or split my firewood, fell a tree, or build a cabin.
A saw and axe are better tools for those jobs.

I only use my knives to cut and/or skin things, and occasionally whittling a tent stake, making a feather stick, or carving a spoon.

As for handle material ... As long as it isn't celluloid, I'm happy.

 

[Wowbagger]

So what do you like more or should I say what is the biggest determining factory when you are picking a knife aside from its function I am thinking more along the lines of what the knife is made of. I will give you a few examples to try and get my point across...

I think you guys get my point. I am finding that the handle material seems to be the biggest factor to me and determines if I really like a knife and decide to keep it. Right now I am really loving stag, smooth white bone and Ebony, then probably blade shape, I love sheepsfoot and wharies. So I ask you fellow porch sitters what is it for you?

1. Size of the knife like a certain pattern the obvious one that comes to mind are the GEC 15's they seem to be the most popular frame on the porch.

Pretty much needs to be some where around the size of a Case Trapper in length and shape.
I have a few stupid wide blades (kitchen knives excepted) and I even am strongly drawn to a Sunfish . . . but one or two of those is enough. When I want a working knife I need a blade that is narrow enough to cut curves and get down in there and probe and dig. Heck I could probably get along with just a fruit sampler knife (after I thin the edge / reprofile it).

2. Single blade or 2 blade? or even more blades.

I have a ton of SAK's and they are all users
but
almost to the knife, now adays, I want single blade knives ONLY. To the point that I remove the spay from my Trappers. I like those flat surfaces top and bottom to grip the knife and hate the back of a folded blade in the way.

3. Is it the handle material jigged bone, smooth bone, wood, acrylic etc..

No that isn't what draws me to a knife. It is mostly over all shape of handle and blade . . . ergos . . . you know?
Pretty much I want jigged and the more aggressively the better. Stag is just GRAND ! Fatter and lumpier than my other bone handled knives. GOOD STUFF ! ! !
I must admit to the occasional flirt with smooth ebony (I just made and installed some my self on one of my Trapper knives. Good bulky ones too). I sure like to look at smooth white bone; I only have one tear drop with it though. A bit slick for a larger user and my users tend to be on the large size.

4. Bolsters or no bolsters, satin blade, polished blade.

Bolsters don't draw me to a knife and I don't have any with engraving. (other than a few letters or a simple line crossing the bolster; I do enjoy those)
On my Traditionals I want bolsters on the tail end of the knife. I picture dropping it and chipping or breaking off the scale material and want some "bumper" material there. So far . . . knock on wood . . . I have never dropped one of my traditionals.
hahahaha a couple weeks ago I took some knives to work for "show and tell" to a new guy at work.
We both went through an epidemic of knife dropping. Fortunately it was on a plywood floor so no harm done.
I couldn't even get happily upset . . . I went first . . . then damned if the next day he didn't drop one. Fortunately it was "just" those funny modern knives; you know with thumb studs and flippers and such . . . just begging to be dropped what with all the one handed gymnastics

Satin is good; polished is better. I like and can appreciate a polished blade when cutting tough material or material with stiction. I'll even oil or wax the blade to make it cut easier / more precisely.

Blade finish doesn't draw me to a knife though. I might walk away from something that is too textured from a rough ground finish. Too much drag. At least intellectually that's what I'm thinking and that bugs me.

 

[Wowbagger]

Speys which I dislike the look of and have no use for.

Some one pointed out they make good peanut butter spreaders / sandwich knives.
But I agree with you; mostly I can do without them.

 

[Ernie1980]

The length is my biggest factor. For me to carry it regularly a knife has to be between 2 3/4 and 4 inches closed. This is followed by the pattern and the number of blades. Bolsters are low on the list, and cover material is as well because I like so many different types!

 

[Will Power]

Some one pointed out they make good peanut butter spreaders / sandwich knives.
But I agree with you; mostly I can do without them.

True people do, but I don't want a load of sticky rancid grease in my Stockman

 

[rdave]

"split-spring" whittler with "pick" bone covers would do the trick - I dont own one and havent seen one but there must be one out there somewhere

 

[Buzzbait]

Heritage is a big factor for me. I really love my old Boy Scout knives, and WW2 knives. I enjoy carrying a piece that has a well documented history to it.

I’m especially attracted to old jigged bone. Those wonderful molasses colors and green bone look so beautiful. Great random jig patterns are very much appreciated. But I can also live with Delrin in a pinch, and I actually love the look of certain flavors of micarta.

Then there’s the knife pattern, of course. I’m very pattern specific. Scout knives trump all in the end. A good large Barlow will hold my attention for awhile, but I eventually have need of a cap lifter and I’m right back to a scout again.

I have definite steel preferences, but they usually run at odds with the previous criteria, so steel choice is mostly out the window.

I’m picky about edge thickness. If the edge is too thick, and the knife doesn’t cut efficiently, it won’t be carried.

Also, if the pull is too strong, say a 7 or above, it generally won’t be carried. Same goes for pulls of less than 4.

But this is all irrelevant right now. I’m committed to carrying my Camillus Army engineer knife for the entire year, so there really isn’t any choice involved right now.