What is your grail knife and do you own it?

[jmh33]

Case Red Bone Loomfixer!! And no. I don’t have it.
John

 

[Murindo]

Well-worn Randall Model 1-6 bought new for $ 35 in 1966. I still have it and the hundreds of knives I've owned in the last 55 years have not replaced it.

 

[K.O.D.]

At this point in my knife collecting adventure, I often wonder how many of you have chased "grails" only to get one and either be disappointed or have it just disappear into the rest of the collection?

Disappointed? Sebenza. I had sold all of my $300+ knives and finally had put the money together and decided to try a Seb. I bought off the exchange a large 21 with bocote inlay. My big ole' thumbs and super dry skin just couldn't grip those darn thumb studs. That, and I just didn't get the hype in general. So I sold it.

For a few weeks I lusted over a Matt Bailey model 2 flipper geek edition. I had been diagnosed with stage 4 liver failure, and while hospitalized for a week my mother visited, looked at my phone, saw the knife, and bought it for me. I love the knife, and I never would have bought it (no job) but it has just become part of the collection. I fear losing it, so don't carry it often. I need to file down the flipper as it catches when drawing from the pocket which is annoying.

I refuse to keep a safe queen knife. I've also found that because of this, most of the time spending over $300 doesn't bring any more "joy" than a lesser priced knife does. Still, my grail will always be an Alan Davis of my design.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I refuse to keep a safe queen knife. I've also found that because of this, most of the time spending over $300 doesn't bring any more "joy" than a lesser priced knife does. Still, my grail will always be an Alan Davis of my design.

I have owned Alan Davis knives...years ago. A wonderful craftsman. I much preferred them when they were knives
instead of works of ART..

 

[Herma]

lusted after a Busse forsaken mistress, to me an ultimate grail, then the stars aligned and i found my grail and held it oh so lovingly, at last a knife i could relate to and interact with, fullfilling my every need, heck i can even clean my nails with it! then it dawned on me, i needed a holy grail!!! so i acquired another. now i levitate in full lotus popping rose petals outa my navel, mistress in each hand empowered and illumined, dual weilding my way to eternal bladed bliss

 

[wouter1967]

This is a grail knife to me. I do not own it.

 

[WValtakis]

This is a grail knife to me. I do not own it.

They're amazing

 

[wouter1967]

This Ansø was on my grail list for a long time. As far as I know only about 3 liner lock Haddocks were ever made.
One day walking my dog in the park I lost it since there was a hole in my pocket of which I was not aware.
I searched for hours along the route I had taken, no results. It is a day I'll never forget..(I think)

Photo is made by me.

This one is actually mine. Only 10 made and only 4 were liner locks.
The blade is deep hollow grind and nicely thin behind the edge.
Slabs of micarta date back to the 1930's, last Century.
The fit and finish, smoothness, the action (with teflon washers)... I love it.

Photos are made by me.

 

[Bob Denman]

I was lucky enough to find one that was on my "Grail" ist...
The Benchmade Mini-Skirmish.
It needs a little bit of tinkering; but is a definite keeper!

 

[54shooter]

Grimsmo Rask

 

[Pennlu]

Well-worn Randall Model 1-6 bought new for $ 35 in 1966. I still have it and the hundreds of knives I've owned in the last 55 years have not replaced it.

Can you indulge us with a picture of that one? Would love to see a 55 year old well loved Randall. I may even offer to double your money on it.

 

[Mannlicher]

I have been Jonesing for a Loveless style Chute knife. I have one coming in December. Been waiting for nearly 5 years for the maker to be in the mood to make it. Can't wait.

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

Ferrum Forge Stinger in SM-100.
Pretty sure the one I have was the actual piece Dr.Frunky reviewed.

Spent 2 -3 years chasing one and got it, FF reanodized it, and it's still my favorite. So I guess there is such a thing as chasing your grail,getting it,and being satisfied.
Along with my Olamic Wayfarer 247, and a fixed blade I love,I am 100% happy now and anything I buy is just for friends or to customize for fun and resell. What I don't have I don't need it now.

 

[Fir Na Tine]

I was lucky enough to find one that was on my "Grail" ist...
The Benchmade Mini-Skirmish.
It needs a little bit of tinkering; but is a definite keeper!

I carried the regular sized Skirmish for years. Great knife. I wish they would re release it with an updated steel, like Magnacut.

 

[Fir Na Tine]

This Ansø was on my grail list for a long time. As far as I know only about 3 liner lock Haddocks were ever made.
One day walking my dog in the park I lost it since there was a hole in my pocket of which I was not aware.
I searched for hours along the route I had taken, no results. It is a day I'll never forget..(I think)

Photo is made by me.

This one is actually mine. Only 10 made and only 4 were liner locks.
The blade is deep hollow grind and nicely thin behind the edge.
Slabs of micarta date back to the 1930's, last Century.
The fit and finish, smoothness, the action (with teflon washers)... I love it.

Photos are made by me.

Your tastes are exquisite, and retro. You probably have Lauren Bacall on your time machine wish list too

 

[killgar]

My ultimate "Grail" knife did not exist- a HEAVY DUTY stiletto switchblade. One with a very strong lock, one that opens hard and fast, and with zero blade play. One that can take an extreme amount of stress and not break apart in ones hand.

So I had to build it myself. I made it out of a Cold Steel Ti-Lite 6, which is a very strong, HEAVY DUTY stiletto to begin with.

Now I have no Grail to pursue. My search is over. And I'm good with that. In fact, I'm pretty happy about it.

 

[not2sharp]

I don’t have a grail knife. If I am on a quest, it would be to seek out interesting knives to enjoy, along with the many people that you meet over the years.

n2s

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

th

My ultimate "Grail" knife did not exist- a HEAVY DUTY stiletto switchblade. One with a very strong lock, one that opens hard and fast, and with zero blade play. One that can take an extreme amount of stress and not break apart in ones hand.

So I had to build it myself. I made it out of a Cold Steel Ti-Lite 6, which is a very strong, HEAVY DUTY stiletto to begin with.

Now I have no Grail to pursue. My search is over. And I'm good with that. In fact, I'm pretty happy about it.

This is absurdly cool. Consider making a video of bringing this knife to cut bratwurst at an Octoberfest.

 

[Aaron880]

Northwoods Chicago jack in red sawcut bone.

Spyderco Bifold (yeah I know someone in this thread has one).

Spyderco Embassy

Randall #16

Randall #1

The Northwoods were all vacuumed up years ago. I'm in Canada so switchblades are verboten, and for the Randall anyone who's got one at a gun show already knows the score. So all safely in my definition of grail. Also one of the Plaza Cutlery Halloween Sebenza's, exponentially more buyers that knives on that list.

Danke42: HA! Great minds think (almost) alike! I was going to post a reply to the question in chief that stated that ,in fixed blades, my grails are a TIE between my Randall Model 1-16 BP, with been micarta scales and my Randall a Model 18, 5.5”, with compass mounted inside tail AP. Runner-up on my list is my Emerson-Perrin black LeGriffe. Mine is plain-edged. Never could find one with serrated edge. In truth, all three of mine are Safe Queens.

 

[FRNFanboy]

Rex45 Shaman, K390 Pm2, Maxamet Para 3, all three now with micarta scales.