What is your grail knife and do you own it?

Back when I was first starting out, I used to. Then I bought (and sold most of) them all in due time over the years. I discovered that it's primarily a matter of money. I am grateful to be able to say that I have owned virtually every knife I've ever badly wanted, but sadly, in doing so, it's made me understand that I don't have any grails, because there's always going to be another knife. Hell, earlier this year, I got one of what I'd thought was my last "grails", a one-off Custom from Ray Laconico, a maker whose designs I've loved for years. YEEEAAARS.

I owned that knife for about two weeks before I was using it to open the package containing the Spartan Harsey SHF Runes & Staves model that's in my pocket today (and truthfully most days since I've had it). My Custom Laconico? I carry it sometimes on weekends. Excellent, beautiful, perfect knife, flawless in every respect.

But there's always another knife.
 
Dream big, right? I definitely do not have this one.

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I'd like anything made by Tony Bose. Everything he made is so well proportioned, the bone color is perfect and he used the best looking stag....at least in my opinion. But for something that's actually obtainable, I'd like a small Sebenza 31 with macassar ebony or cocobolo. Just waiting on another drop of them and hoping it'll be soon....
 
An Alan Davis custom, someday will be mine. I almost had one in 2015, to commemorate 25 years brain tumor free, which would have been 2/27/2016. I had been discussing materials, etc, with him, but alas my ever expensive ex-wife made me reallocate funds.

This year marked 30 years brain tumor free, 3 years since my liver transplant. and December will mark 3 years cancer free. I plan to someday own that custom Alan Davis, but not anytime soon. A new car is next on the list.

For those unfamiliar with Alan's work, here is one I like in particular:


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My grail was a Tsourkan 240mm WH in 52100 steel. I still have it but it's being squashed by my Yoshikane Hamono SKD Nashiji 240mm Gyuto so it may need to be passed on.
 
In the distant past it was definitely this:
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But I ended up selling it. It’s not a strong design with the hollow handle, it rusts too easily, the cool looking spikes make it hard to actually grip, and the sheath scratches it.

Since then, I’ve bought a bunch of great high end knives (almost all folders), but I’m not sure any have made me think grail. Maybe it doesn’t exist for me any more.
 
Miller bros T1 folder. Such a beast of a knife and the I love the design. I've had one of th8er fixed blades and the quality is amazing, just holding it makes you want to chop down a tree or something. I've neve even had the chance to hold a T1 but one day I'll have one!
 
My grails were a Carothers FK2, a CRK Inkosi and a Farid K2. Got them and am happy for now. Maybe a Demko will be next. I dont want a knife I am afraid to use so my grails will be fairly normal knives.
 
My grails I have owned and unfortunately sold because I was young and stupid when I got into knives.

I noticed my grails are knives I would actually use.

Grails I own; Spyderco Paysan, FIF20, 4v para 2, xm18 fullered

Grails I want; Marfione MSG 3, CRK Sebenza BG42, 3v XM18
 
Years ago it was the CQC-6, TODAY is a Microtech knives combat troodon all black D/E that I don't have as with the abfore mentioned knife as well.
 
I don't really have a grail knife, but if I'd find a dealer who has a plain Jane Sebenza 31 in stock I'd snatch it up real quick. Not that I've worn out any of my other CRK.:)
 
1) Vintage Old Timer 8OT stockman with the then standard 1095 blades.
No got yet.

2) C&C Buck 103 "Skinner" with 5160 blade. Brass Guard and Pommel with wood handle would be nice ... and more or less match my 110 with a 5160 blade.
No got, likely never will.
Might/Maybe/Will probably settle for a standard production 103 someday ... even if my hunting days have ended.

3) C&C Buck 110 with Oak covers and 5160 blade.
Got.

4) Warthog SAK Huntsman and matching Classic SD.
No got, out of production, so likely never will.
 
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