What is the One "Must Have" Knife?

[Mo2]

Sebenza 21.

There are nicer, newer, sexier, better steel, faster opening, more smooth action, sleeker, flashier, etc. knives out there but;

None of them are as nice at being a slim sleek strong pocket knife that you just want to carry. There are many contenders but Sebbie is gold standard for a reason.

This or an inkosi

 

[Lesknife]

I have been interested in the lever switch blade knife John Wayne used in Big Jake. The research I’ve found says it was a Hubertus knife and no specific info. I’ve been looking every since and the ones I found were very pricey but always sold out. I’d like to have one just for fun while I’m watching the Duke.

 

[Wild Bill 1]

Loveless !

 

[22-rimfire]

Must haves? For me >at least one Victorinox SAK, a Buck 110, probably a Case or similar Trapper slip joint. Probably a Spyderco lock back; the knives that started them on their current path. I don't use either the Case Trapper or Buck 110 as I have other knives that do the same job. But I'm glad I own at least one of each.

 

[Stumpy72]

Sebenza 21. There are nicer, newer, sexier, better steel, faster opening, more smooth action, sleeker, flashier, etc. knives out there but; None of them are as nice at being a slim sleek strong pocket knife that you just want to carry. There are many contenders but Sebbie is gold standard for a reason.

This or an inkosi

Agreed.

 

[BenchCo Spydermade]

Benchmade Crooked river
Spyderco dragonfly

 

[FullMetalJackass]

Buck 110
Opinel
SAK Soldier
and any of these:
Inko
Zaan
XM-18
The Emerson that got your testosterone level peak

 

[Spikediesel]

I most definitely agree with the Sebenza 21. A Gen 6 XM-18 skinny slicer will forever change your thoughts on RHKs. HDFK or TRC k-1 for fixed blades.

 

[Pharmagator]

I've carried a Spyderco Military for nearly 15 years... even my Shiro Cannabis can't knock it out of my pocket...

(mostly because I have lost several knives over the years... and I would rather lose $150.00 than $1500.00)

 

[Frozen Bear Trading]

Buck 110

 

[- SpyderMan -]

CPK HDFK
CRK Sebenza 21
Spyderco PM2
SAK Cadet

 

[Blacplastik]

Paramilitary 2.

 

[FullMetalJackass]

I was categorizing One “Must Have” as:
Legendary
Best All around
Most useful
and then Over the top class
YMMV

 

[McFeeli]

Benchmade Rukus 610 -- best knife of all time

I don’t think I’ve seen one of these before.. Now I need one! Damn it, haha.

 

[GIRLYmann]

Obviously, this is not a very good question in many respects because everyone has different tastes, ..

So the question is, if you are a knife enthusiast, what knife should you absolutely try owning and/or using at least once?

Gotta have some tastefully designed kitchen knives .. and what could be more fun than a tacky knife that can tackle any cutting chore inside and outside of a kitchen?

 

[Wowbagger]

Sorry I was going to get very general now I see you want an off the shelf knife; I shall try to comply . . . eventually.
First off I would say get something with a very thin blade of decent length. Thin meaning something under two millimeters. What the heck is "of a decent length" ? That is up to you. For me that means four inch or there abouts. While one is at it aim for a handle that is full and round or square like a Buck 110 or a Cold Steel Ti Lite.
Why : the thin blade demonstrates how well a knife can cut for most tasks. The handle shape allows many grips and is neutral. It provides a bench mark standard to compare other knives to.

Next I would say as far as another must have . . . get something that is NOT stainless steel and that is made of seriously well hardened steel anything from White Paper Number One to some high alloy tool steel (M4, HAP40, CPM REX 45 etc.).
Why : it demonstrates how nice a steel can sharpen without fighting a stubborn bur and if one has to cut challenging / abrasive materials it gives another bench mark as to how long a knife can hold a seriously sharp edge.

Now I have to suggest a knife one can actually buy that has all of the above features . . .
er . . .
hmmmmmmm
I keep buying up knives with potential and modding them to fill the above bill . . .
w e l l l l l l l l l l l l . . . er
I guess I've failed you here.

There are some knife modders here that can help you out.

Look at it this way . . . it gives you a reason to buy a collection of knives . . . buy at least one knife that has at least one of those characteristics.

 

[416isToronto]

Sebenza 21.

There are nicer, newer, sexier, better steel, faster opening, more smooth action, sleeker, flashier, etc. knives out there but;

None of them are as nice at being a slim sleek strong pocket knife that you just want to carry. There are many contenders but Sebbie is gold standard for a reason.

Couldn’t have said it better.
Sebenza 21...Large/Small, dp/insingo/tanto...take your pick.
The simplicity of needing one tool for disassembly, no setting the pivot tension, ease of sharpening...just some of the many reasons that make the Sebenza 21 such a great knife.
And also the warranty...so if it was one folding knife...it would be a Sebenza...

Fixed blades...now that would be much more complicated to choose one...

 

[007Airman]

Anything Walter Brend, but no collaborations.

 

[miso2]

Opinel to remind you how a knife is supposed to cut.

 

[21bangbang]

I really want a busse. A few models look nice but I lust over the battle mistress. Gimme one of those on a hike in the woods and i'd be like a kid on Christmas, not one sapling would be safe.

On the more practical side I've been on the hunt for a shiro. Still undecided on the exact model, but the turtles and neon look great.