The Perfect Knife?

[sitflyer]

For me the perfect knife is the one in my pocket when I leave the house, because you never know...

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

my perfect knife is the one I have in me when I need to use a knife

 

[bayouace]

The one in your pocket for that day that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.

 

[Modoc ED]

September 2021 Buck of the Month

 

[euroken]

Barlows

 

[cudgee]

But they are sharp and oiled!!

The perfect knife/tool. . Happy Easter.

 

[Just Tom.]

I think this would be the perfect knife if somebody still made one. At least it covers my 2 main blade needs:

 

[Ironbut]

I've always been a big fan of the Barlow & medium stockman patterns. I got a Case/Bose Eureka Jack a couple years ago & that's joined the favorites short list.

But, to me, the perfect knife would be to take the #35 Churchill, and make it with a modern steel, like M390.

 

[5K Qs]

...
But, to me, the perfect knife would be to take the #35 Churchill, and make it with a modern steel, like M390.

I've never held or used a Churchill, but just based on photos, I'd think a Churchill with a spear replacing the clip would be VERY desirable and approaching perfection!

- GT

 

[Angry Waiter]

I like a Barlow. I like a Lambfoot. I like a caplifter. And I like fixed blade too. The perfect knife meets your daily objectives, what ever those are.

 

[Old Engineer]

I believe in the " Right Tool For The Job " so the Perfect Knife changes depending on what I expect to do on any given day . These 2 will handle almost any cutting chore that I might have on any of my normal days . Both made by Taylors Eye Witness .

As for a Perfectly Made Knife , I would have to put these up for consideration . All were made by Arno Bernard and they were not Custom Made


Then there are some that are so nice that they are made of Unobtainium



Then there is the Sentimental Issue and What You Really Really Like and They are also made of Unobtainium

The Perfect Knife is IMHO is subjective thing .
Sorry to ramble on my friends .

Harry

 

[draggat]

As for a Perfectly Made Knife , I would have to put these up for consideration . All were made by Arno Bernard and they were not Custom Made

Warthog ivory? Absolutely beautiful! I've been checking that handle material out... Someday!

 

[mrknife]

the perfect knife? thats hard to say, i suppose we are still hunting for said mythical object. Some day though, some day.

 

[black mamba]

My perfect knife is capable of doing anything and everything that I would do with a knife, so needs multiple blades. It needs to be big enough for anything, but still pocket friendly. And it needs to be aesthetically and ergonomically beautiful. I present:

PERFECTION

 

[christusvictor]

Schrade also had an Uncle Henry 893 in jigged delrin. They could be had for $40-50 recently. If you find a SAK electrician apprentice, you can at least lose the second layer. Also Boker made a carbon knife just like this in olive wood many years back, but good luck finding that under $80. There is one for $350 out on the bay right now. I personally love the 29 stockyard whittler in this role. No spey, but a handy punch blade. But again, if you find one under $80, hats of to you.

 

[JohnDF]

I can't think of the perfect knife. There are too many situations that come up where one knife just won't be perfect for every job and handle every situation, they are all a compromise. In a perfect world I'd have three knives on me that would be perfect for the jobs I run across in every day life.

Knife #1
A small watch pocket knife, like the GEC #14 frame. This would be a knife I could pull out and use anywhere. I could use it legally at work, or to help a lady open a package or cut a string. Preferable it would have a straight edge blade like a Sheepsfoot or Lambsfoot, perfect for opening small packages. It would be my go-to knife for small every day chores. But these knives are horrible for larger chores...

Knife #2
A larger knife for for chores like cutting up an apple or cardboard boxes. This could be a solid Sodbuster type knife with the drop point blade. Perfect for cutting up my steak or trimming away leather on a busted saddle. It has a robust design that will hold up to serious use and a blade large enough to cut a big sammich in half. But these knives are horrible for chores that require a really pointy tip or even a lock...

Knife #3
This would be my quick access knife for emergencies, awkward chores, or one handed use. Face it, there's times when it's just not practical to reach in your pocket and open a knife with two hands. Anybody that has worked around horses or done construction knows this first hand. You get a horse with a lead wrapped around its leg and you need something quickly and on the run. You're up on a ladder holding a large awkward item, you only have one hand free. Or sometimes you have to reach into an awkward space and you're afraid the knife will close on you. So, this is typically where a fixed blade knife would be handy. But fixed blade knives scare the general public and aren't legal in all places...

So ya, there is no perfect single knife.

 

[christusvictor]

I should add that my "perfect" knife is an imaginary 29 that someone sketched up here on the forums (can't remember where): sheepsfoot main, punch and caplifter/flat head secondary blades.
Also, as some others have noted, 'perfect' most days means perfect for what I doing.

 

[Peregrin]

It has taken me 3 decades, at least, to come to the following conclusions. Of course these are my opinions, based on my needs and what I like in a knife. They are also subject to change, since hanging out on this forum has most of our heads spinning on the subject of traditional knives.

I had the opportunity to chicken eye and coon finger a Case-Bose Eureka Jack at the Case Zippo store in Bradford, some years ago. That brief inspection left me wanting one. Just this year I managed to pick one up at a more than fair price. For me it fits my perfect pocket knife definition. A decent sized spear point blade for most of my everyday pocket knife tasks, a small Wharnclffe for when a sharp pointy blade is needed, decent stainless steel blades, nice looking and pocket friendly. I find it hard not to carry it everyday, but I do switch it up, since I have so many nice knives to choose from.

I had a similar epiphany when I became aware of the Boker BFF Barlow fixed blade. It has become my perfect everyday fixed blade knife. It's the right size, the blade shape handles most of what I see for everyday small fixed blade tasks, it's easy to carry, decent stainless blade steel, nice walnut handle and a good looking knife. Living in NYS has some negatives, but I'm able to carry a fixed blade most anywhere I go. Here's the two of them together.

Fun thread!

 

[CEOh]

I should add that my "perfect" knife is an imaginary 29 that someone sketched up here on the forums (can't remember where): sheepsfoot main, punch and caplifter/flat head secondary blades.
Also, as some others have noted, 'perfect' most days means perfect for what I doing.

The Imaginary 29! The Alox Electrician checks a lot of those boxes.

 

[315]

My perfect knife is capable of doing anything and everything that I would do with a knife, so needs multiple blades. It needs to be big enough for anything, but still pocket friendly. And it needs to be aesthetically and ergonomically beautiful. I present:

PERFECTION

I’m with Jeff on this one, I think a two spring stockman pattern is as good as it gets. The one thing I would prefer though is to at least have a pinch able sheepsfoot blade so I didn’t have to take gloves off if I needed a blade. This 34OT and the Master Mechanic branded 89OT both have a Pinchable sheepsfoot, so that’d be my one criteria.