Thoughts on the "Which knife" question.

Good post. I've been thinking lately that the uber-knives in my EDC rotation are just that: uber-knives that have far more capabilities to offer than I'll probably ever use. I admit that I get sucked up into the hype about the latest and greatest steel, latest lock gimmick, etc. It's just that I've been reassessing too.

Of all the knives I have sitting around, I've been gravitating to less the expensive ones that I haven't carried due to their "second class" status I've unfairly assigned them. They are perfectly fine knives, and so I've been using them more of late. And guess what? I really enjoy using them and they perform just fine. It's good to get back to the basics now and then and just appreciate the cheaper knives in our collections!

- Mark (off to buy another expensive knife I don't really need :D)
 
I guess to add a little context to what I am talking about:

On a lot of outdoor forums, there's been a rash of questions about which knife to get. These have all been questions about two or three models, usually very close in size and design. So I am pretty much talking comparing knives of similar design and purpose: most of the time, any of the designs work fine. Like comparing a RAT Cutlery to a Becker to a Bark River. Yes, some pander to a certain aesthetic, but they'll all do the job.

I wandered a bit off, but again, my thought is that ANY sharp piece of metal in roughly the configuration for a job will do. The example being a bushcraft knife -- yes, even a kitchen knife will do, it'll take more skill and finesse, but it will do. I remember Mike Stewart of Bark River doing a demo of using a Guinsu steak knife to baton maple rounds because there was a heated thread about which Bark River you had to have to baton well. His contention is that if a steak knife can be used (and it can), then just pick the knife you like the most and it'll work for you, stop arguing over needing a particular model.

Again, this isn't aimed at the experienced user looking for his preciousssssssss, but a new user looking for a place to start.

It does, however, apply to the experienced user who may find themselves in a situation where their idea of the perfect knife isn't available. Improvise. Adapt. Ovecome.
 
I like this thread:thumbup:.

I can imagine a group stone-age men gathered around a bonfire. Each of them bickering about stone material, edge geometry, and what type of serrations are best; Who the better makers are -each region could be conceived as a source of "brand recognition." One guy just uses whatever rock he can find on the ground that breaks into a decent edge, while another guy walks two hundred miles to get the best obsidian knife with a leather wrap, sheath and rig,and made by a dedicated professional who is just as nuts as he is.

I have the feeling this may be an old problem.:)

Even back when we were using stone for knife material there was quality and there was usability. I would not be surprised if there were knife nuts then too.:D Now can you imagine walking up to that bonfire as an outsider and asking...

"What knife should I get?"
 
Uhg... I'll take the obsidian edge made with an ishi stick.

I've enjoyed following this thread. My first knife was a two bladed SAK that my parents gave me at age eight when I joined cub scouts and (aside from a silly flirtation with a cheap Rambo knife at around age 12) that was enough knife for me for over 25 years. I use to do a lot of hiking and for me weight was always the driving factor - three years ago I decided not to take my Leatherman on a 65 mile hike in Yosemite because it felt heavy (nothing compared to the dang bear cans they make you pack in that park). Last year I got into bushcraft/primitive skills and my eyes were open to all the truly great things you can do with a knife (among other things) and I am amused by the compromises I use to make to save a few ounces. Now, I don't go into the woods without a fixed blade and a good folder. My first fixed blade knife was a $15 Frost knife, which is a great knife and does much of what I need a knife to do and, importantly, had a price that wouldn't freak out my wife. However, it didn't take long for the knife bug to bite - the knife exchange on this forum feeds the disease - and I've since picked-up another dozen knives or so... come on, a few are for the kids, right? Fortunately, my wife has been rather permissive of this new interest, but does point out that I don't really need all these knives. I try to explain their utility and the importance of having good knives around, but she's right, of course, in the sense that the Frost works fine as does my nearly 30 year old SAK. Even so, though I often try to help my children understand the difference between needs and wants, I'm glad to be at a stage in life where I am able to indulge in a few wants, such as some nice knives and related kit.

As an aside, a buddy of mine and I recently taught a group of boy scouts how to make and use a bow drill. Out of the nine boys, only two brought knives (both smallish SAKs, which performed admirably), and the rest had/got to use my knives. I went home that knight and was able to tell my wife how good it is that "we" have all these knives; the poor boy scouts would have been lost without them and we can't have that. I've since put her on notice that I "need" to add a few RATs to the stockpile... just in case the scout troop expands.
 
Good post JK14. Lets not forget that modern backpacking uses other gear to supplement and often times forgo our need for a knife. A SAK is a perfect do it all tool for most back packers. Lets just remember that a backpacker also often carries their own shelter (tent or hammock or tarp), stove, sleeping bag/blanket for warmth. When you have all this gear you are trying to create them from natures elements and thus you don't need the same size knife. It is sort of at the heart of 'no-trace' philosophy. Truck in all your stuff, enjoy the wilderness but use little of its resources, and then truck it out. There really isn't much need for a big fixed blade when you have all the specialized tools you need. SAKs are perfect because they do things like open packages, canned food and have a little saw to make that hot dog stick.

Really, a fixed blade is only needed when you are engaging in bushcraft and starting to process raw materials into fire, shelter, cooking etc. Your example of the bow drill exemplifies this perfectly. Most people have the specialized, and easier tool with them (lighter or matches). The bow drill represents a more difficult skill, but one where fire can be had from raw materials. Making that bow drill becomes much easier with a more general tool like a fixed blade, although it can certainly be done with a SAK.

I'm don't think either approach is any better than one or the other. They are both different ways of enjoying bush time and rely on different sets of tools. To me, a camper who has self-sufficiency on their back with a small pocket knife is no less prepared than a person with tried and true bushcraft skills going out with a more basic set of supplies. I suspect the bushcraft person will whether an emergency a bit better, but maybe not. They will both likely enjoy their outing in a safe manner and love their wilderness time all the more for the time they spend out there.
 
I generally tend to stick to trying to pack in what I can. Just a level of comfort thing for me. The more time I can spend relaxing, the better. I do keep it as basic as possible, tarps for shelter, a pot to cook on an open fire, saw and axe to make said fire. I split and cut as little as possible, and once the fire is going, burn longer sections of log in half.

I do however strive to maintain a proficiency in bushcraft. I've had all manner of tenting, shelter, stove, lights, other gear, etc, totally fail. From wind, to excess rain, to unplanned fires (opps) to missing peices. Even once had a lean to I planned on staying in totally iced out once. Whenever you go in, make sure you're prepared to survive total plan failure.
 
Well, for me, I have had a ton of knives that have worked well for me over the years, that I have ended up selling once i became "educated" on the forums about a "good knife". My Kershaw 1005 is a great example. Hollow handled, so therefore Junk, except I put mine thru hell and back a number of times, beat the crap out of it, used it to baton thru frozen oak logs for winter firewood, just about anything with it, and it never failed me. Never had the handle developed the "looseness" that all hollow handle knifes are famous for (except Chris Reeve's one piece knives) But then I stated reading about blades, and started thinking that maybe it wasn't the right blade to depend on... etc. Hell I have a couple of draws full of "junk" knives that work great for me.

But the flipside to the "just about any sharp piece of steel will do" is the fact that if you ARE using a cheaper blade and using it alot, you are likely to have issues with hot spots, hand/grip fatigue, etc. And that is where looking into a better design comes into play. I can use my Gossman's all day long, and never have a hot spot, or that kind of discomfort from it.

The Izula is a good example of this. I love this little blade, very handy, does everything well. BUT if I use it for a long period of time, the handle is small enough that my hands cramp up. Not the case with the HEST, RC-3 or TAK-1. So for a woods blade where I am going to be out a few days, and making fuzzy sticks everyday, etc etc, I want a more comfortable blade. In most cases The Gossman PSK is fine for a handy utility knife, but again, for longer term, I want a Kephart for comfort. The one "cheap" blade that comes to mind that doesn't suffer this type of issue is my Blackjack Grunt. Just simply a great blade for next to nothing. (if you can find one).

Your right that just about any el cheapo knife will work, but work long term is a different story. Which is why people inquire about which knife to buy. I get bored with the "which knife" question a lot too, but I do understand why people ask.
 
I know the "which knife" question for me really means "which one should I get first" because I always end up with both because I always wonder if the other one might be better for me.

By getting both I get to decide "which knife" not someone else(I understand not everyone can do that). Problem is I never sell the one I like less
 
kgd said:
Good post JK14. Lets not forget that modern backpacking uses other gear to supplement and often times forgo our need for a knife. A SAK is a perfect do it all tool for most back packers. Lets just remember that a backpacker also often carries their own shelter (tent or hammock or tarp), stove, sleeping bag/blanket for warmth. When you have all this gear you are trying to create them from natures elements and thus you don't need the same size knife. It is sort of at the heart of 'no-trace' philosophy. Truck in all your stuff, enjoy the wilderness but use little of its resources, and then truck it out. There really isn't much need for a big fixed blade when you have all the specialized tools you need. SAKs are perfect because they do things like open packages, canned food and have a little saw to make that hot dog stick.
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Yeah, good points... I agree with what you are saying. I haven't been able to go on a long distance hike for a few years now, but with my current knowledge and interests, I'd be inclined to take more knife with me than in the past and look to make-up the weight somewhere else... ditch the spare pair of undies perhaps.

By the way, on a totally unrelated note, its nice to see a number of Canadians on this forum. I'm originally from AB and have been living State-side for almost a decade - Exhibit #1 against all those brain-drain arguments. Before moving State-side, I was fortunate enough to live in the center of the universe (downtown Toronto) for three years.
 
I say we start answering any and all which knife questions the same way:

Get all of them, and tell US which one is best. Everyone needs at least 4x their age in knives. :;):
 
kgd said:
I have already discovered, that while the lid of a can of SPAM is great for slicing spam up, it doesn't make a very good fish spear. Despite my best efforts, I also found it failed to decapitate my buddy when threw it at him frisby style. Even when it hit him dead center in the neck with the edge....his head still stayed on his body and continued to issue curses and vile words in my general direction.

Them SPAM lids do have their uses though.
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Yea they do...keeping that vile filth INSIDE THE CAN!!! :D
 
Great point. I have also have knives all my life and feel the same way. At times i have loved blades made of 440 but now i stick to tool steels. Its all about what you like :D
 
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