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What do you guys think is the perfect knife?
- Thread starter NateReed
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2008
- Messages
- 609
My take on this... I'm approaching this from a folder-edc perspective...
1-Price point - Under $500, I will pay for "perfection" if it exists
2-Blade steel - Might be one of the following, or maybe not (D2, M390, ELMAX, CPM154, M4, S30V, VG10)
3-Ability to take abuse - High, flat grind, 0.11"-0.15" thick, solid lock, tough handle material
4-Ability to take and hold an edge - see blade steels above
5-Ergonomics - thin enough for the pocket, but round enough for extended tough use, I like G10
6-Deployment - I prefer thumbstuds, but that is personal
7-Lock-up - lock type?
8-Utility (How many roles can it fulfill) - blade shape, length, blade thickness, and other features
The closest thing I am finding to "perfect" for edc, for me these days, is the Benchmade small Bone Collector with G10 handle. It still falls short in some areas. I'm also liking the Hogue EX-01 3.5" G-mascus. If I could build my perfect edc, it would look like this:
Reference numbers from above...
1 - Under $500, but preferably under $200
2 - ELMAX @ 60HRC
3 - 0.13"-0.14" thick blade, high-flat grind, contoured G10 handle
4 - refer to #2
5 - Ergonomics very similar to the Benchmade small Bone Collector, drop point, very little or no swedge, radiused spine, tip-up and right-hand carry, small blade-spine jimping, slightly forward grip indexing, no choil, partial length steel inserts, medium deep carry clip, 4.5 oz or less
6 - thumbstuds
7 - AXIS lock
8 - blade length of 3.3", blade shape very close to that of the Bone Collector, small glass breaker on grip-end
That's about it for me. Who's gonna make one for me?
I agree with mcrow...no such thing as perfect for me. My opinion on what is best changes over time. If I could only have one knife and had to decide today it would be either a William Henry Gentac or Spearpoint assuming budget was not an issue. If budget were more of a concern I would probably pick a Benchmade 940.
- Joined
- May 23, 2012
- Messages
- 15
Hmmm either the Kershaw CF Blur or the ZT 560 with small changes to both. For the Blur just a deep carry clip would make it sooo much better for me IMHO. And I truly, truly wish the 560 came with a 3.5 inch blade option.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2001
- Messages
- 3,157
Sebenza.
It is a steal for how and where it's made.
S30V/S35VN are absolutely perfect IMO. Every single other steel I've used may offer more in some areas but definitely loses in others.
Not only are they impeccably machined, they are impeccably constructed. One point softer RC than pretty much everyone else means the blade will be tougher than anyone else's S30V/S35VN. If you break a Sebenza you did something stupid.
I find my Sebenzas more difficult to sharpen than other S30V knives. My guess is the softer burr is just more difficult to remove. Other than that, edge holding is better than most and as good as many modern, similar steel I've tried.
Ergos are up to the particular user. For me, the Seb is hard to beat though.
With deployment, nothing beats a hole in the blade IMO. However the larger the hole in the blade, the larger the void in the blade. I think the Sebs thumb lug is very well done & super attractive. It's like a cherry on top.
One of the first Frame locks... Often imitated, never duplicated.
It is the best "do all" knife I've ever owned.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Messages
- 2,159
Boker Trance and CRKT Premonition. Yup there not expensive, Nor do they have the best steel. I dont have a big knife budget so these are perfect budget knives. But the fit and finishes are beautiful, and the trance is the most comfortable knife I have 
(by the way, I know these aren't perfect, but for me, there close to it )
(by the way, I know these aren't perfect, but for me, there close to it )Boker Trance and CRKT Premonition. Yup there not expensive, Nor do they have the best steel. I dont have a big knife budget so these are perfect budget knives. But the fit and finishes are beautiful, and the trance is the most comfortable knife I have
I'm in much the same boat. College kid budget. That's why the Endura is my top. No problem with Sebenzas or XM-18s, just can't afford them
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Messages
- 2,159
Ya same here, I'd love a sebie, but I'm a sophmore in high school, I gotta get a job pretty soon. Start funding my knives more haha
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2012
- Messages
- 387
SAK or any "Scout knife".
If it can't turn screws it's just a blade.
If it can't turn screws it's just a blade.
Been looking for the "One" for a long time. I've narrowed it down a lot by straying off the reservation and then suffering for the lack of service or performance.
154 or ATS34 - other steels are either too soft and won't hold and edge, or too hard and can't sharpen easily. S30V is great - but for me, a lot like D2, it never dulls, and I can't get it sharp enough.
G10 scales - cold metal handles have a place, but not for me. FRN is too soft and malleable, micarta isn't used enough, and anodized aluminum won't hold up. G10 does.
A drop point, flat ground blade. Saber grinds might look cool, but they don't cut cool.
A lock that works is nice. I've gone from lockbacks to liner locks to frame locks. But a frame lock is really a knife with two different scales, one always metal.
Deployment - I like the blade to come out if I use one hand. They all work when done properly. And a clip - because when I need it, I need it now, not digging in the pocket of a pair of jeans.
The next knife is on order, a Benchmade Risk 950. Maybe it will be perfect. Likely not, but it won't be very wrong.
154 or ATS34 - other steels are either too soft and won't hold and edge, or too hard and can't sharpen easily. S30V is great - but for me, a lot like D2, it never dulls, and I can't get it sharp enough.
G10 scales - cold metal handles have a place, but not for me. FRN is too soft and malleable, micarta isn't used enough, and anodized aluminum won't hold up. G10 does.
A drop point, flat ground blade. Saber grinds might look cool, but they don't cut cool.
A lock that works is nice. I've gone from lockbacks to liner locks to frame locks. But a frame lock is really a knife with two different scales, one always metal.
Deployment - I like the blade to come out if I use one hand. They all work when done properly. And a clip - because when I need it, I need it now, not digging in the pocket of a pair of jeans.
The next knife is on order, a Benchmade Risk 950. Maybe it will be perfect. Likely not, but it won't be very wrong.