The "End All" Knife

[K.O.D.]

Oh, I've said, "Man, I think I'm done buying knives. This one is amazing! Why would I need another one?" more than a few times over the years.

Sometimes I'll go six months or a year without thinking about buying a knife, but the itch always returns. I've come to view it as part of the hobby.

I've been "done" or close to it every so often. Usually it's because either nothing interests me for a few months or so, or because my other hobbies demand my attention (and wallet).

I am in the final stretch I feel. I have a custom folder coming in November (I hope) and then a very short list of knives to buy/try out.

Arno Bernard iMamba with warthog tusk
Seamus custom flipper in Stellite 6k
Cheburkov Scout with inlay.

I hem and haw over the Microtech Star Wars series. I really don't care for the Ultratech series, but I'm a major SW fan boy. I'm waiting that since Heretic has a bounty hunter model that they will come out with more SW models. I'd buy a Stormtrooper model to match my Canik TP9 SFX Whiteout, and a Jedi Master with green blade.

 

[Alone]

I scored an Ares today as well. Within 5 minutes, they were gone. Joe X sold me on this one a while ago. I don’t often buy knives because of that guy but the fact that he couldn’t put a scratch on it impressed me

This is correct. No choil either, I need all of that sweet, sweet edge.

Congrats to both of you guys!


I poured myself a Jack & Zero and went to watch the melee and insanity. (*Hell, I almost made popcorn) Quite frankly, it had a very "Carothers-esque" feel to it. When I took into account that Nathan drops 20 knives, and Vic probably dropped between 200-400, it was equally impressive. If I'm not mistaken, I think the black/orange/choil blade went to "zero", first.

I can't wait for you guys to get them and educate me a bit on that K340. (*I believe the originals were executed in WTG's well-respected SK85...can't recall) Depending on what day I "Google" K340, I come-up with references to D2, M2, and PD1. I've found myself wondering why, for that kinda' knife, Victor didn't use the K329 (*A8Mod) that he's been using as of late. However, I wouldn't dare question the man, as I own several of his "Alex B" Aurora Borealis Kodiaks. Judging by the performance of those knives, it's quite apparent to me that Vic will forget more about knifemaking than I will ever know or understand.


Enjoy those brutes, guys!

 

[kobold]

As my collection is getting more and more saturated with knives for every use case, i managed to slow purchases down to one knife a year. And because a year is a long time, each new knife feels like the be all-end all, for the foreseeable future at least.

 

[rlewpolar]

Congrats to both of you guys!


I poured myself a Jack & Zero and went to watch the melee and insanity. (*Hell, I almost made popcorn) Quite frankly, it had a very "Carothers-esque" feel to it. When I took into account that Nathan drops 20 knives, and Vic probably dropped between 200-400, it was equally impressive. If I'm not mistaken, I think the black/orange/choil blade went to "zero", first.

I can't wait for you guys to get them and educate me a bit on that K340. (*I believe the originals were executed in WTG's well-respected SK85...can't recall) Depending on what day I "Google" K340, I come-up with references to D2, M2, and PD1. I've found myself wondering why, for that kinda' knife, Victor didn't use the K329 (*A8Mod) that he's been using as of late. However, I wouldn't dare question the man, as I own several of his "Alex B" Aurora Borealis Kodiaks. Judging by the performance of those knives, it's quite apparent to me that Vic will forget more about knifemaking than I will ever know or understand.


Enjoy those brutes, guys!

Thanks! Strangely enough on this drop, it looks like they dropped exactly 4 Ares, one of each model (green choil, orange choil, green no-choil, orange no-choil). As soon as I moved mine to my cart, it went to zero And it was at a weird time too, like 5pm Pacific time in the US which is not even Sept 29th in Taiwan anymore, the day of the drop. I don’t understand why they don’t just produce a thousand of these at a time, like the Skramas for example. Everyone would get one and they would still probably sell all they could produce till the next run. But I’m not in the knife making business so have no idea what goes into making these. I just think Taiwan, with their world-class factories, could still crank these out in large numbers and keep the quality up

 

[Terry M.]

Guy at work who likes knives enough for me to share with him what I’m carrying for the day recently told me I have a problem.

“Hello, my name is Terry and I’m a knif-a-holic”

 

[Wild Willie]

I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't exist. Therefore, I carry a small battery of knives every day.

More often than not:
Small sebenza for the heavy lifting and for the off chance I get into a pickle climbing or in the bucket.
Case medium stockman for detail work such as bark tracing on a torn branch collar, and as my general lunchtime knife.
Swiss champ, because you never know.
Rambler, for the tiny phillips, and to trim any broken or torn fingernails.

In my bag/work truck
Imacasa machete, for clearing brush in fence lines and around pins/trees to be felled.
Sheath knife for the silly things I shouldn't do with a folding knife.

Some, with the exclusion of the vics are subject to occasional shake up, but it's usually the same stuff.

 

[Shorttime]

You guys ever tell yourselves "okay just this last knife and I'm done collecting?" I just bought mine off WTG and am wondering if it will really be the end. Mind you I said this about the Paramilitary 2 and Bugout and that was about $1200 ago.

It's a journey, not a goal.

I'm taking that journey much slower (and at considerably less expense) than I used to. I got to a point where I had tried so many different blade shapes and sizes, so many different versions of the hold-in-your-hand part, that everything I looked at, I already had something that would do the job in the role that I imagined the new thing filling.

There are a few I still want. I'm under no illusions that those will be "the last". Paradoxically, since I know the road never ends, I'm in even less of a hurry to buy more, since I have a list of things to look at and sigh, and tell myself I'll get to them.

 

[Deadshot138]

Thanks! Strangely enough on this drop, it looks like they dropped exactly 4 Ares, one of each model (green choil, orange choil, green no-choil, orange no-choil). As soon as I moved mine to my cart, it went to zero And it was at a weird time too, like 5pm Pacific time in the US which is not even Sept 29th in Taiwan anymore, the day of the drop. I don’t understand why they don’t just produce a thousand of these at a time, like the Skramas for example. Everyone would get one and they would still probably sell all they could produce till the next run. But I’m not in the knife making business so have no idea what goes into making these. I just think Taiwan, with their world-class factories, could still crank these out in large numbers and keep the quality up

My receipt said 7:03pm central time lol if it's true they only made 4 knives, I'm shocked I was able to snag one.

 

[dialton]

I should already be there. Years of buying, selling and upgrading/rearranging more than have all bases covered with high quality blades yet here I am.
I do however have a somewhat unrealistic fantasy “if you will” about being happy with much less. Being less materialistic. Not counting kitchen knives for food prep and razor knives and such for my toolboxes or toolbelt, If I hand picked a high quality: folding lock blade pocket knife with a thumb stud & a clip for carrying on me every day everywhere, a 3” EDC fixed blade (cause I’m that guy), a 5-6” fixed as well as a 10” chopper and a dedicated filet knife (optional) I could be happy. That’s 4-5. Pretty minimal by my standards.
The problem lies in picking the “one” in every category and giving up the stash knives lying In the knife drawers, emergency bag, truck, side by side, 4 wheeler etc.
Realistically, if you have the right folder and fixed blade on you all the time, they will do most everything “I” need to do with a knife and those “stash” mentioned ones are then mostly unnecessary.
One hurdle is: I have some really great blades that would have to go to get to this.
Next would be to leave the forum and get away from the posts and pictures which makes me think there’s always something out there that is a better fit for my uses. That would likely prevent any more buying after going much more minimal. I haven’t bought myself a knife from a brick and mortar store in decades.
Everyone has to know their personality and this is strictly said about me.

Am I likely to do that? Doubtful. Hey, I said it was a somewhat unrealistic fantasy.

 

[K.O.D.]

I should already be there. Years of buying, selling and upgrading/rearranging more than have all bases covered with high quality blades yet here I am.
I do however have a somewhat unrealistic fantasy “if you will” about being happy with much less. Being less materialistic. Not counting kitchen knives for food prep and razor knives and such for my toolboxes or toolbelt, If I hand picked a high quality: folding lock blade pocket knife with a thumb stud & a clip for carrying on me every day everywhere, a 3” EDC fixed blade (cause I’m that guy), a 5-6” fixed as well as a 10” chopper and a dedicated filet knife (optional) I could be happy. That’s 4-5. Pretty minimal by my standards.
The problem lies in picking the “one” in every category and giving up the stash knives lying In the knife drawers, emergency bag, truck, side by side, 4 wheeler etc.
Realistically, if you have the right folder and fixed blade on you all the time, they will do most everything “I” need to do with a knife and those “stash” mentioned ones are then mostly unnecessary.
One hurdle is: I have some really great blades that would have to go to get to this.
Next would be to leave the forum and get away from the posts and pictures which makes me think there’s always something out there that is a better fit for my uses. That would likely prevent any more buying after going much more minimal. I haven’t bought myself a knife from a brick and mortar store in decades.
Everyone has to know their personality and this is strictly said about me.

Am I likely to do that? Doubtful. Hey, I said it was a somewhat unrealistic fantasy.

I get your "fantasy" or maybe the opposite? I could live with 3 folders and a fixed blade.

Folders:
Large: Biryukov #12 S390
Small: Cheburkov Strizh small
SD: Kershaw Launch 8

Fixed:

Warpath Strategies Camp Chef

 

[Smaug]

Yep, but it never has been yet.

I just got my grail folder, the Benchmade 390 Arcane.

Daughter stole my Dragonfly again, so I’ll probably “have to” replace it.

I’m borrowing a Becker BK9 that I’ll probably buy or buy one like it?

Nope, it’s hopeless. It’s just a matter of when it flares up or goes into remission.

 

[Smaug]

Sometimes, I go through my collection after telling myself: “I’m going to pick the FAVORITE in each category and sell the rest.”

Then I agonize over which one is my favorite. Then I realize the ones I would sell are not really worth selling, and that I would miss them even though they’re not my current favorites.

Then, I say: “screw it” put them away and continue on this mad journey.

A year from now, I’ll sell some that I think I won’t use, feel good about it. Then find something I just MUST HAVE.

The collection just changes and hopefully doesn’t get bigger.

 

[Danny Linguini]

Sometimes, I go through my collection after telling myself: “I’m going to pick the FAVORITE in each category and sell the rest.”

Then I agonize over which one is my favorite. Then I realize the ones I would sell are not really worth selling, and that I would miss them even though they’re not my current favorites.

Then, I say: “screw it” put them away and continue on this mad journey.

A year from now, I’ll sell some that I think I won’t use, feel good about it. Then find something I just MUST HAVE.

The collection just changes and hopefully doesn’t get bigger.

I go through this every once in awhile, and then I apologize to the ones I was thinking of considering selling for possibly making them think they aren’t my favorites. Except for the Microtech I just sold, because it was made by Marfione, who has no soul.

 

[kobold]

I go through the collection and if I see a knife in unused condition like two or three years after I bought it, it's a sign I can sell it and not miss it much. Unless it is one of my favorite and expensive gents folders that I carry all the time but use sparingly. They can look like new and I usually just strop them and carry them in leather slips...

OTOH, if I customized a knife, reprofiled the edge and there is a nice patina developing on the blade, it's not going anywhere. It's mine.

 

[Landshark99]

I used to just keep adding, finding a need for each new knife. Well I think I am pretty much at the end, and am now in the mode of reducing the size of this collection. I too look in my knife storage box and think do I really need three versions of the same knife that I rarely use or carry. I have over the last two years sold or given away more knives than I thought I would ever own when I started down this road, but still have way too many. I used too think I needed a lot of variety in blade shapes, handle materials and deployment styles, but have come to realize that I really like some and the others while really cool looking I never want to use. As I go forward there will still be a few I take out look at and hold only to go back into storage unused but from now on most of my collection will be users of all price ranges. One only lives once might as well enjoy the toys you have.
The same thoughts are now being applied to the wine collection but instead of selling we are drinking those.

 

[Danny Linguini]

I used to just keep adding, finding a need for each new knife. Well I think I am pretty much at the end, and am now in the mode of reducing the size of this collection. I too look in my knife storage box and think do I really need three versions of the same knife that I rarely use or carry. I have over the last two years sold or given away more knives than I thought I would ever own when I started down this road, but still have way too many. I used too think I needed a lot of variety in blade shapes, handle materials and deployment styles, but have come to realize that I really like some and the others while really cool looking I never want to use. As I go forward there will still be a few I take out look at and hold only to go back into storage unused but from now on most of my collection will be users of all price ranges. One only lives once might as well enjoy the toys you have.
The same thoughts are now being applied to the wine collection but instead of selling we are drinking those.

I think that’s probably about 99% of us.

I often wonder how many of us collected Matchbox and/or Hot Wheels cars when we were much, much younger, and this is all just a further manifestation of that ‘addiction’. I probably looked at most of them way more than I actually played with them, not at all unlike my knives … almost 60 years later.

 

[rlewpolar]

My receipt said 7:03pm central time lol if it's true they only made 4 knives, I'm shocked I was able to snag one.

7:03pm Central is 5:03pm Pacific . They released at 5:00pm Pacific. You were on it . I was one minute behind you. Like I said, they were gone in 5 minutes

 

[Smaug]

Sometimes, I go through my collection after telling myself: “I’m going to pick the FAVORITE in each category and sell the rest.”

Then I agonize over which one is my favorite. Then I realize the ones I would sell are not really worth selling, and that I would miss them even though they’re not my current favorites.

Then, I say: “screw it” put them away and continue on this mad journey.

A year from now, I’ll sell some that I think I won’t use, feel good about it. Then find something I just MUST HAVE.

The collection just changes and hopefully doesn’t get bigger

 

[GB940Rookie]

Try the GB1, it's even better.

Had 2 of them. Gave one to one of my best friends and another to my brother.
The 1 is an all time great, but I just like the 2 a little better.

 

[Deadshot138]

7:03pm Central is 5:03pm Pacific . They released at 5:00pm Pacific. You were on it . I was one minute behind you. Like I said, they were gone in 5 minutes

I honestly thought this would be a larger drop with some stock available on Knifecenter. Now I'm just awaiting shipping notification. Probably Monday since it's the weekend in Taiwan.