Two Tradional Knives - Two Types - Two Blades

[WhittlinAway]

Who's up for another "if you had to choose..." thought experiment? Non-binding, of course.

You're in? Wonderful! Please read on.

For this particular pondering, suppose you had to choose two knives(*) to be your only ones for the foreseeable future. Both must be traditional knives as defined by the Sub-Forum General Guidelines. One must be a folder and the other fixed, each having only one blade. Two traditional knives; two types; two blades.

Which two knives would you choose and why? And, in what ways do you think you might find your chosen combination lacking?

The second question is intended to delve more deeply into the trade-offs that underlie these types of questions. I find that exploring these trade-offs together is a great opportunity not only to learn about interesting knives but also about my fellow Porch members who carry them.

(*) I say knives, but picking patterns is perfectly fine. You're welcome to call out a specific knife or maker if it makes a difference in your choice, but you're also welcome to simply specify two patterns that fit the criteria.

 

[WhittlinAway]

My choices would be a lambsfoot and a puukko.

I chose both because of their versatility. I carry a lambsfoot the vast majority of the time because it handles pretty much every task that comes up in my day-to-day life from opening envelopes and slicing limes to breaking down cardboard and cutting through rubber garden hoses. That last duty is also shared by my puukkos and I favor them for outdoor use around my yard and garden. Puukkos also fine wood carvers. Both patterns are sturdy workhorses and both are easy to keep sharp.

What might I find lacking? Food prep. Both patterns work, and I've even broken down a whole chicken with a lambsfoot and it went surprisingly well, but neither is ideal. I've found the thickness of the puukko blade to be a challenge for precision slicing and the relatively shortness of the lambsfoot to limit it in other applications. I'll make that trade-off, though, because I can't think of a combination that would handle food prep better without sacrificing the overall versatility that this combination brings.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other people would choose. I'll no doubt learn something and perhaps may even be persuaded to revisit my choices.

 

[JohnDF]

This was a pretty easy choice for me...
First, my folding pocket knife of choice is the Regular Lambsfoot. It's the knife I carry the most because it fits my lifestyle so perfectly. I like the way it looks, feels, and functions. It's a pretty rugged "user' that doesn't intimidate anybody because it looks so "traditional". Added bonus, it's super easy to sharpen. Just a great all-around pocket knife.

Next, the fixed blade was an easy choice too. I am NOT a "fixed blade guy" and don't hardly ever carry a knife on my belt. It's not sociably acceptable in my area and it would just draw too much unwanted attention. So, I'd opt for a smaller fixed blade with a pocket sheath. My favorite for this is the AG Woods Walker. It has a great blade shape that is super for prepping food, cleaning fish, cutting steak, whittling sticks, cutting rope, and a host of other fun things to do. Great knife for around camp or at home.

This gives me a knife with a straight edge and a knife with some belly.
Please note that although I'm not a "fixed blade guy", I do own a few. I mostly throw them in my Jeep when I go wheeling or in a pack when I go camping, just in case I need a hard use knife. But when it comes to carry, I prefer the pocket sized models.

A Wright Ebony Lambsfoot, AG Woods Walker, and custom made pocket sheath.

 

[black mamba]

Well, making the folder a single blade really limits my choices, but here goes. For the folder it would be my Fantoni Dweller, as it's size (3.83"), weight (1.8 oz.) and most utilitarian Zulu spear blade in stainless steel would tick off a lot of boxes. (But . . . I'd rather have a stockman!)

My fixed blade, mainly for hunting, would be a mid-sized skinner in the classic Marbles pattern, like this West Cut K-5 @ 8.67" OAL.

 

[afishhunter]

By the rule of a single blade traditional folding knife for my only one, I'll have to sit this one out. I usually only carry a multi blade (truthfully, I carry three, sometimes four of them) for versatility.
This week's EDC is a large stockman, a canoe (full size; not a "butter bean" or "mini"), and a 4 blade "Demo" knife.
The two stockman I ordered a couple days ago were shipped today, so next week's EDC will include one of them instead of the stockman in my pocket now. A Demo knife or a 4 blade scout/camp knife is a constant part of my EDC. (EWC Every Week Carry since I only make changes once a week?)

The fixed blade would probably be a Mora Classic Number 1. (alternative is a Western L66)
However, I normally don't carry a fixed blade as part of my EDC, unless I'm wearing my kilt.
(since the kilt gots no pockets, the three folding knives go into the sporan, and the fixed blade goes in the traditional strong side in the sock location.)

 

[kamagong]

Are kitchen knives exempt from this exercise?

 

[Scott J.]

I'd go with my Buck 119 and Case Tribal Lock. I cant think of anything except detail work that these two couldn't handle. At first I thought 110 and 119, but my 110 would get annoying to carry every day. That Tribal Lock carries easy for its size. I'd miss out on my new pass time - whittling.

 

[WhittlinAway]

This was a pretty easy choice for me...
First, my folding pocket knife of choice is the Regular Lambsfoot. It's the knife I carry the most because it fits my lifestyle so perfectly. I like the way it looks, feels, and functions. It's a pretty rugged "user' that doesn't intimidate anybody because it looks so "traditional". Added bonus, it's super easy to sharpen. Just a great all-around pocket knife.

Next, the fixed blade was an easy choice too. I am NOT a "fixed blade guy" and don't hardly ever carry a knife on my belt. It's not sociably acceptable in my area and it would just draw too much unwanted attention. So, I'd opt for a smaller fixed blade with a pocket sheath. My favorite for this is the AG Woods Walker. It has a great blade shape that is super for prepping food, cleaning fish, cutting steak, whittling sticks, cutting rope, and a host of other fun things to do. Great knife for around camp or at home.

This gives me a knife with a straight edge and a knife with some belly.
Please note that although I'm not a "fixed blade guy", I do own a few. I mostly throw them in my Jeep when I go wheeling or in a pack when I go camping, just in case I need a hard use knife. But when it comes to carry, I prefer the pocket sized models.

A Wright Ebony Lambsfoot, AG Woods Walker, and custom made pocket sheath.

Nice duo, John. You know That I agree with the lambsfoot choice, and that Woods Walker looks like a nice little fixed blade.

I wouldn’t consider myself a fixed blade guy, either, if that entails carrying them out and about. But I do appreciate them and own a few that see use around the house and yard and when camping.

Well, making the folder a single blade really limits my choices, but here goes. For the folder it would be my Fantoni Dweller, as it's size (3.83"), weight (1.8 oz.) and most utilitarian Zulu spear blade in stainless steel would tick off a lot of boxes. (But . . . I'd rather have a stockman!)

My fixed blade, mainly for hunting, would be a mid-sized skinner in the classic Marbles pattern, like this West Cut K-5 @ 8.67" OAL.

That looks like quite a capable combo, Jeff. Thanks for sharing!

Is the handle of your K-5 stacked black leather or brown that has darkened with age? Either way, it looks really nice.

I'd go with my Buck 119 and Case Tribal Lock. I cant think of anything except detail work that these two couldn't handle. At first I thought 110 and 119, but my 110 would get annoying to carry every day. That Tribal Lock carries easy for its size. I'd miss out on my new pass time - whittling.

Two that look like they’d get the job done, for sure. Thanks for sharing, Scott!

 

[WhittlinAway]

Are kitchen knives exempt from this exercise?

If you mean “do you get to keep your kitchen knives in addition to the one fixed and one folder?”, then no: just the two knives picked for the exercise.

If you mean “can one of the knives be a kitchen knife?”, I’ll defer to the sub-forum guidelines and the moderators on that one. I don’t know the answer, but haven’t noticed many kitchen knives here.

UPDATE: You can keep your kitchen knives, but they can only be used in the kitchen. The knives you choose here have to cover all other tasks. And, of course, you can use them in the kitchen, too, if you like.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I just gotta ask why ?

Well more specifically why only a single blade folder ?
Why can I no longer have knives in my kitchen for this scenario?
I also own multiple machetes for use around the yard which I'm sure would be a no go as well.
I was almost halfway there till I saw I could not even have knives in my kitchen.

If I could keep my kitchen knives and if I could have a folder with two blades ( don't need both, but my favorites do have two ) then I've got two very practical and capable pairs for my needs but I just cannot make a choice otherwise.

I'm not being difficult here either, I've tried and tried and without my kitchen knives I simply cannot come up with anything that's practical enough.

 

[WhittlinAway]

I just gotta ask why ?

Why not? Constraints drive creativity, as they say.

It's meant as an exercise in thinking about what you value in a knife for the things for which you most often use them. The second question about what you'd find lacking after you did your best to cover everything with just two blades is even more interesting to me than the first.

And, you can keep your machetes. We'll consider them beyond-normal-knife-sized cutting tools.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Why not? Constraints drive creativity, as they say.

It's meant as an exercise in thinking about what you value in a knife for the things for which you most often use them. The second question about what you'd find lacking after you did your best to cover everything with just two blades is even more interesting to me than the first.

And, you can keep your machetes. We'll consider them beyond-normal-knife-sized cutting tools.

I understand this, but I'm going to have to bow out because I simply cannot choose.

I can do without a belt knife and have the perfect choice for a blade I can take care of everything in the kitchen, but this brings me back to the folder and I just don't have one with a single blade I would choose.
Not that the secondary blade is that important to me, but any I would chose happen to have them.

 

[CHNeal]

Can I just have a multi blade knife and skip the fixed blade? I don’t own a fixed blade knife other then kitchen knives and I don’t ever remember wishing I did. So I’ll just take a Buck 307. If that’s not fair because 3 blades How about I just snap the Spey blade off? Pretty sure it will do everything I’ll need a knife for because in the last 55 years I’ve never needed more.

 

[WhittlinAway]

I understand this, but I'm going to have to bow out because I simply cannot choose.

I can do without a belt knife and have the perfect choice for a blade I can take care of everything in the kitchen, but this brings me back to the folder and I just don't have one with a single blade I would choose.
Not that the secondary blade is that important to me, but any I would chose happen to have them.

Fair enough. I appreciate the time and thought you put into reaching your conclusion that it's not possible for your tastes and needs. That's an interesting result in itself.

 

[kamagong]

If you mean “do you get to keep your kitchen knives in addition to the one fixed and one folder?”, then no: just the two knives picked for the exercise.

If you mean “can one of the knives be a kitchen knife?”, I’ll defer to the sub-forum guidelines and the moderators on that one. I don’t know the answer, but haven’t noticed many kitchen knives here.

I could make do with a pocketknife. Maybe my Ohta or my Aitor Castor. I like the cutting characteristics of this blade shape best.

I don’t think it is any sort of handicap to limit myself to a pocketknife given that many, if not most, people go around without any sort of sharp tool.

As for my fixed blade, I’ll choose a 8” chef’s knife. Food prep is one my primary uses for a knife, it makes sense to have a dedicated instrument. Frustration sets in quickly when I’m not using a proper tool for the task, especially if I had to do so everyday.

 

[black mamba]

Greg, the K-5 handle is age darkened brown leather.

 

[Old Biker]

I'm out. I refuse to be limited to only one blade.

O.B.

 

[Henry Beige]

For my pocket, I like to have a straight blade and a bellied blade. Right now, that is two knives for me, an Opinel and an Okapi Biltong. It could be something like an Improved Muskrat, or the two-bladed Buck 301 forum knife. Limited to one, I would want a straight blade. The lambsfoot is appealing, but I missed the feeding frenzy on those and haven’t got one yet. The Okapi would serve, but they don’t make them any more, and it does not strike me as a knife to last a lifetime. There is still an embarrassment of choices for a single straight-edged folder. I guess I would punt and take one of the recent Forum sheepsfoot knives.

For the fixed blade, a Kephart. There are some nice customs around, but I don’t have one. Of the ones I own, the BK62 would be it. Probably the most versatile blade, even good in the kitche. I wouldn’t carry it. If carry were a stipulation, I’d pick something small enough to go in a front pocket.

I’d take a lot of machetes, too.

 

[WhittlinAway]

I could make do with a pocketknife. Maybe my Ohta or my Aitor Castor. I like the cutting characteristics of this blade shape best.

I don’t think it is any sort of handicap to limit myself to a pocketknife given that many, if not most, people go around without any sort of sharp tool.

As for my fixed blade, I’ll choose a 8” chef’s knife. Food prep is one my primary uses for a knife, it makes sense to have a dedicated instrument. Frustration sets in quickly when I’m not using a proper tool for the task, especially if I had to do so everyday.

Thanks for sharing. I’ve used neither an Ohta nor an Aitor Castor, but every time I see the latter I think I should give one a try. Definitely looks like a capable all-arounder.

I hear you on the chef’s knife. I considered that as well, and, for my day-to-day life, it honestly would have been a better choice. I didn’t want to give up something capable of sloyd-style carving, though, and kept the puukko, deciding to let the lambsfoot tackle most kitchen duties.

I continue to ponder my choices, though, and may share an improved personal pairing if I arrive at one.

For my pocket, I like to have a straight blade and a bellied blade. Right now, that is two knives for me, an Opinel and an Okapi Biltong. It could be something like an Improved Muskrat, or the two-bladed Buck 301 forum knife. Limited to one, I would want a straight blade. The lambsfoot is appealing, but I missed the feeding frenzy on those and haven’t got one yet. The Okapi would serve, but they don’t make them any more, and it does not strike me as a knife to last a lifetime. There is still an embarrassment of choices for a single straight-edged folder. I guess I would punt and take one of the recent Forum sheepsfoot knives.

For the fixed blade, a Kephart. There are some nice customs around, but I don’t have one. Of the ones I own, the BK62 would be it. Probably the most versatile blade, even good in the kitche. I wouldn’t carry it. If carry were a stipulation, I’d pick something small enough to go in a front pocket.

I’d take a lot of machetes, too.

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Well thought out, Henry. Thanks for sharing both your choices and the thought process behind them.

I have no experience with Kepharts, but, from what I’ve seen of them on the porch they seem to have a solid reputation as an all-around knife for the outdoor adventures. Which, of course, should mean doing a decent job with food. Glad to hear that’s been your experience.

 

[JohnDF]

Oh wow, I really messed up then.
I didn't realize that there would be no knives in the kitchen.
I thought these would be knives that we carried on our person every day.
That pretty much does away with the AG Woods Walker then, it couldn't be my only kitchen knife.

Rethinking the whole scenario...

I'd change my pocket knife to something a little heavier with a locking blade. There are times when I'm out wheeling , fishing, or camping where a locking blade comes in handy... Like digging lock rings out of a broken hub, or opening a can without a can opener, or many other weird situations. And since I'm leaving my fixed blade back in the kitchen, I'm forced to carry a sturdy locking knife like the GEC #73 Liner Lock.


Now my fixed blade knife will have to remain in the kitchen, at home or at camp. For that I'd just pick my most used kitchen knife (besides my paring knives). I use this knife to carve meats, I guess I'll use the GEC #73 for food prep now. So my fixed blade has to be best length and shape for a variety of kitchen duties.


This scenario also means that I can no longer carry a knife at work, neither of these are legal carry for my work environment. Hmmm... This isn't easy, I'll have to re-think it all again... Or just give up and be glad it's not a real situation.