Traditional Knife Categories & Reasons for Owning

Another possible category for some people could be specialty knives for work situations in specific occupations. Things like a budding/grafting knife, or a box cutter, or a tree-scribe, etc.
 
Brett, great topic and interesting conversation. I feel the categories you mentioned and the others suggested pretty well encompass everything???

What I carry is an evolution from past to present, not only in cutlery but day to day items. What seems to come with age is a form of minimalism, Carl certainly hit the nail on the head in that category.

As I phase out of the trades my carries have certainly changed. I carried some very specific work related cutters in my day. Klein scissors and cable cutter knife while doing electrical, if not then certainly a sheepfoot was a need not want. My handyman business found task specific/utility knives a must. For the most part today a Clip/Pen Barlow covers all. I still carry my alox pioneer everyday.

When camping a large knife or axe rules and I'll always have some sort of Jack knife in my pocket.

My pocket carry these days is the same except for the knife changes often due to want not need. A space pen, a aaa light (see' s the most use) for my poor eyes, silver dollar (superstition) and small wallet is my edc.

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I have knifes i specifically obtain for tinkering with, i.e. project pieces for restoring. rehandling. new scales. new blade finish. yada yada
 
The only other category I can think of is "dedicated fighter"... which admittedly I have no real-world use for--but that didn't stop me anyway.
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Even more so, the old Case V-42 or a Randall model 2.

OMG what a sexy pair you have! :)
I'd love to get my hands on a Randall like that one. To the OP though I don't think there is a real justification for so many things. A SAK or Stockman would do most people fine for a lifetime honestly. The thing is that you use and own what you like. No need to justify anything :)
 
Thanks man... yeah, they are both pretty special to me, for sentimental reasons. And I agree generally, while there exist many purpose made blades and patterns, my GEC #42 Missouri Trapper can handle 90 to 95% of all the daily knife related tasks I do... it's just more fun whipping out a Lon Humphrey Gunfighter Bowie at a BBQ!
 
Traveling knife is one missing category.

I have one; a big ovebuilt Sunfish forge knife, Culpepper bone, Remington style handle with warcliffe blade and a convex edge on O1 steel. It was designed by/for a trucker, so its strong enough to cut steel belted tires and hoses, pointy/sharp enough to cut a larger drinking hole in a Pilot coffee cup lid. I carry it on every road trip. Got it second hand, dates from the '90s. There's another one out there according to the maker.
 
Brett, great idea for a thread.

Multi-Tool

One of my favorite multi-tools because it's as thin as most single-blades yet it includes a punch and a saw. Two tools I like to have with me during short walks in the woods.

Swiss Bianco's Bushmaster


Currently carried most often, usually combined with a traditional jack because it has the implements I most want with me and it's lighter than a Vic Farmer.

My EDC - Victorinox Evogrip 11


Special Gifts

This one was made by Hammer Brand (1945-1955) at a time when they were attempting to replicate vintage knives. So the blade shapes and cover colors were selected to represent what they believed were classic designs. (sound familiar?) It represents the subcategory in my collection known as "received as a gift and very special to me". (not certain that category has been mentioned yet)

Hammer Brand (cool green)


Old Knives

These two were chosen as favorites to represent this category for me simply because they are ebony bare-head Jacks.
What more needs to be said? :D:)

Robeson (top) - Valley Forge


This is a neat thread. It is thought provoking and requires nothing new. I'm enjoying all the postings and the inspiration to look more closely at what I've accumulated and even more important why.
 
I have a category of knives that I think you missed. Sentimental. Either gifts from friends or a knife of significant meaning. Like these (they were all gifts from the kind folks of this forum), and if you look close, Brett, over half of these items came from you old buddie!!

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Thanks for the post folks. There have certainly been some great ones along with some great knives. I haven't had a chance to read all but I'm looking forward to it.

Josh, I'm surprised that I missed that one brother as it is a favorite it seems for several around here. 🙂

Rookie - I'm hoping to get more specialized knives soon in a current and running gaw.😜 Even if I don't win I'm going to pick up some spoon carvers.
 
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