what kind of knife person are you?

I like medium to large sized single blade folders. They can be tactical in style (to a degree) or a little more gentlemanly such as with Mcusta.

I haven't gotten into customs yet (except for a fixed blade from J-siah)

I require a pocket clip for my folders. And although I have most of today's super steels, I prefer to use the standard stuff for EDC like S30V, D2 and VG-10.

My price range is typically $50 to $300. I like medium to high level production knives. I also like to collect well regarded discontinued knives.

Right now I probably have 75 knives in my collection but I would guess 50 of them are the real nice ones.
 
I prefer larger "tactical" folders 3.5" to 4" blade, satin finish , and serrated . I've found that's the combo that works best for me , and what I tend to search for when buying a new blade.
 
When I first started collecting blades in my teens, I tended to gravitate more towards hi-tech or "tactical" designs with fancy synthetic handles and stainless steel blades. Spyderco, Gryphon, Blackjack, et cetera. In my early twenties, my sights turned to authentic Asian blades... khukuris, keris, dha/darb.

Took a hiatus from knife collecting for about 7-8 years until I was almost 30. Got a Himalayan Imports 15". This was probably the turning point where the tactical/hi tech aesthetic was pretty much purged fom my system. If it's made of carbon/spring steel, with natural handle materials and looks like it could have been fashioned prior to the industrial revolution, I'm there. I love the look of such tools when they've seen use and acquired a nice patina and overall wear. For everyday use, I can't shut up about Douk Douks and Opinels. For woodcutting and such, I often turn to an HI Samsher and Valiant golok or parang. I'm also guilty of buying other blades/swords for pure fun or as eye candy when I can spare the change.

I'd guess that on average, the big blades I buy are probably around $150-$170. I like handforged stuff, and I like not having to pay through the nose for it. My choice of folders are cheap and mass-produced, but otherwise fit my personal aesthetic.

I love sharpening my users, be it a trip to a belt grinder, a touch up on ceramic, the swipe of a chakma, or stropping on denim. Shaving sharpness seems to be good enough for me. I enjoy the "hair whittling" folk, but accept that such refinement is probably beyond my means.
 
gazz98 said:
True. MPC 750.226 classifies a blade 3 inches or more as a dangerous weapon w/ unlawful intent. The hard part is proving intent. Rather then role my dice in court, I essentially limit myself to blades under 3 inches to avoid this problem. I live in Wayne and the police officers of Wayne and Canton both suggested I just stick to 3 inches or less to avoid any problems.
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I understand your point, although I think that it is the prosecutions burden to prove intent in this case. As I said since I live in the suburbs and go into Detroit proper nearly every day, I'm under the 3" limit anyway. This Detroit ordinance is how I realized that state law must not be explicit about the size limit, as if it were Detroit would not have needed it's own 3" ordinance. When I'm in northern Michigan, I will carry folders up to 4" and fixed blades about that big and I have never even gotten as much as a stray glance. But in the city I suppose a 3" folder is about all you need.
 
Definately a very anal one! As for my likes; my main likes are what most term "tactical folders". I like a solid, hefty, single bladed knife with a 4.0" blade or longer, but will go with a 3.5" blade if I like the knife.A deep carry clip is also a must so that I can carry it in my right front pocket unnoticed. Don't matter if it EVER sees much use, I just enjoy carrying a quality and unusual bit of steel. I also like slipjoints of good quality, and also SAK's.

I always carry 2 knives at least, and very rarely more. The slipjoint/SAK I carry in my left front pocket always seems to be enough to get the job done for my daily knife needs. But that will not stop me from carrying the larger knife in my rf pocket!! Been doing things this way for the past 10 to 15 years and don't see it changing anytime soon.


Btw, guess I need to explain anal. I tend to look for certain things in whatever knife I am considering, especially if it is a right pocket knife. Blade has to be perfectly centered when closed. Lockup has to be solid and if a liner/framelock, then the spring bar must be stiff. This usually means That I have to take the knife apart and put more bend into the spring. Another almost must is that the blade needs to be thicker than the standard .125"/ 1/8". There are several knives out now with a 5/32"/ .157" thick blade standard. As far as blade styles, I am most inclined towards a clip point and/or a false edge spearpoint, but will accept other styles if it has everything else and I like it. Guess that about does it for me!:D
 
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jill jackson said:
I'm a folder, single blade strong lock, robust, upper end in size, one hand opening, makes me feel like it's got me covered, type of knife packer. (and I'll carry something small sharp and unnoticeable to use so I can keep the bigger one unused, cause I'm weird like that:o)
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Just read your post JJ. Join the club!:thumbup::D;)
 
You guys ready for this?

I have a few knives, more than some of you, less than a lot of you. Tacticals, slippies, fixed, Khuks, Axis Lock, liner lock, etc.

A knife is not really a knife to me unless it has been made for 15-20 years or so and continues to be made.

Why?

Because fads come and go, but timeless designs endure.

That's why I carry an Ontario Pilots knife.

That's why I carry a Buck 112

That's why I carry a Case Medium Stockman with a bone handle.

The downside is, ya gotta wait 20 years to see if a new design is really revolutionary enough to stand the test of time. Luckily, there are some fantastic designs already there.
 
I like folders that are well engineered and made with care and precision. To me, a good folder is as much a work of art as a tool. I tend to like flat and hollow saber grinds, but one of the knives that I carry most, is a full flat grind (CF BG-42 Millie).

I have a healthy number of Spyderco, Custom Buck, Kershaw and some Benchmades, of which a black blade RSK Mk1 is my favorite. It is not unusual that I buy more than one of a particularly good knife. A good example are Carbon Fiber Millies, of which I own four (2x S90V and 2x BG-42).

I will only buy from companies that display good customer service and ethical business practices, and are ideally N.American.

For me, a good knife has a spirit that has been vested in it by it's maker and designer. Many won't understand what I mean, but I suspect that many here will.
 
I have a 6 dot case xx 'big coke bottle' in CV steel that's not for sale.. a couple RAT-3's in D2 and an Outcast in D2 and 3 Ek Cammando #2's in D2 and a Dozier Thorn in D2.. see a pattern here?

Also a pair of Air Force Pilots Survival Knives, and a Ranger 9, and a couple Buck/Seki ultralight 2 blade folders (close to Byrd Wings in style) and a handful of generic pocketknives for nieces and nephews.. and 3 CRKT M16 spear points as 'in town' knives.. nice little clickers and cheap enough to be disposable without weeping..

I *don't* like fan clubs and dodge 'em wholeheartedly, along with the hype that goes with.. and I treat knives like purpose built tools and don't abuse em, so I'm fondest of simple and sturdy and lifetime longevity.. don't think a RAT-3 is gonna wear out THIS decade, or the next one either..

That Case XX 'big coke' I have because it had a spot of rust on it.. and the previous owner was going to toss it in the trash.. "Cause It's RUSTY"..

That was in 1990, the knife was 16 then, and is 34 now.. and hasn't gotten rusty again, nor will it GET rusty again.

Shaves, though.. And, *if* I had one I would sell, it'd be maybe 125$, to pry it loose from my clenched fingers.. I LIKE it..

what kinda knife guy I am is the kind with 50 knives and 75 whetstones, not counting kitchen cutlery.. (which is another 50 knives).. and a full set of opinions. :)
 
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