What the ESSENTIAL knives that everybody should own/collect?

Buck 110/112
SAK
Opinel
Superknife
Ka-Bar
Endura/Delica
Khukuri

What the heck, add a Sebenza too.
 
Opinel
Spyderco Calypso Jr. FRN
Swiss army knife of some sort.
possibly others
 
I agree with others that everybody should own a SAK.

Other knives depend on needs and taste, personally I want at least a stockman, a 4 or 5 inch fixed blade, a chef knife and a parer, all should be good users, not necessarily fancy or expensive.

I think of me as a user not as a collector.

Luis
 
We've done this before I think. It depends on what type of knife buyer you are, a serious collector, accumulator, or swapper. Me, I'm an 'accumulator'. I buy whatever interests me and as a result have a very eclectic mixture of 150+ blades. I like knives of different styles, knives by different brands, knives with unusual mechanisms, knives made from different materials...

Here's a short list of knives that will get you started down my path, including many knives that are often discussed on these forums. Each is less than $100, and most are less than $50:
1- Buck 110, Pathfinder, or Special
2- Spyderco Endura, Delica, or Native; or KaBar Dozier
3- something classy, like AG Russell's Gent's Lockback or a Queen Doctor's pattern
4- Schrade Old Timer
5- Swiss Army Knife
6- Opinel
7- military bayonet
8- antique Bruckmann, or similar
9- kukri
10- traditional hunter - Northwoods, Marbles, Bark River, etc.

That'll keep you busy for a while. Have fun in yoru quest!
-Bob
 
Spydie Caly jnr. You haven't experienced pure slicer til you get one of these.
Buck 110, the folder that started it all
 
Depends on if you're a USER or a COLLECT (or like me, both) a COLLECT can buy anything they choose to collect, but a USER would probably be good with just a few good knives, here are my user recommendations:

Fixed blade: Becker BK7 and a Ka-Bar

Big Lockback: Spyderco Chinook II or Manix

Medium Lockback reg everyday carry: Spyderco FRN Delica

Multitool: Leatherman Charge

Dressy Carry: Case or Queen Canoe with some form of fancy handle.
 
freddy1 said:
for me "essantial knife" is the knife i own and i use often. The one i would regret not to have. The one i recommand to friends that have no knife: "hey Buddy, if i were you, i would buy this stuff first ...."

It's a bit different than "knife i like", because i like really much my BM nimravus, but i almost do not use it, i just like it !
Click to expand...

Right.

The knife that everyone should have is the knife that they feel the most comfortable using. It may not be a collector's piece, or a very expensive knife. The essential knife in my collection is my Kershaw Vapor II... it was cheap, but it's sturdy, big enough to do most jobs that I need a knife for (if it can't handle it, no EDC can), it's simple to take apart and clean, and it takes and holds an edge like very few knives I've had over the years.

This is the knife that I suggested a friend get as his first "good" knife. He thinks my assisted openers, automatics and big fixed blades are nice, but he doesn't need an auto or a Ka-Bar; he just needs a knife that he can cut boxes open with, and he's been very happy with the Vapor II.

So, it's my essential knife.
 
Ed Fowler's Pronghorn
Chris Reeve's Shadow IV
Strider Damascus SnG
William Henry ZDP-189 folder (damascus)
Bruks Gransfor hunter axe

Those above are my Dream Team knives. What I actually have are listed below:

A dozen variations of golok
Six versions of SAK
HI Ang Khola
Greco MST
Combat Bowie

Now all I need is a big jungle and a darn good guide! :D :D
 
Emerson Commander.-Chiseled secondary bevel, wave feature, and black G10
handles are a trade mark for his products.
Benchmade 710.-Just the axis lock alone says Benchmade.
Spyderco Endura.-The round hole and leaf shaped blade are distinctively
Spyderco.
Buck 110.- A timeless classic.
Cold Steel Trailmaster.-Big, brawny and beautiful. No collection could
do without this one.
Microtech Ultratech.-Sophisticated and loads of fun to play with.
Strider tigerstriped fixed blade.-One word says it all, "Commando."
 
I fall into the "accumulator" category. I tend to buy what I like (though, these forums keep coming up with more to like :D ). I guess I started with the standard "user" category - Buck 110/112, etc, Gerber, several SAKS - then to collaboration stuff, CRKT, of course there, Kershaw, Camillus, and then I bought a BM Mini-Ambush and just recently a Spyderco Delica. Now I'm on a BM and Spydie kick. I find this lots of fun..... :D What I tend to do, is buy one that's on my mind, stick it in my pocket and use in my day to day for a week or so. It's actually pretty amazing how often you will use a knife and what you use it for. Different blade shapes, weight, etc - is a real discovery opportunity for what works for you and what doesn't. At my job, I have the occasion to have to knock down computer boxes every few weeks that show up for staging/certification (I test software for a living). I found that my CRKT/Crawford Falcon and my CRKT/Lightfoot M1 were great for cutting up the cardboard (the Dell Server boxes have THICK cardboard) for recycling, BUT both were bit heavy carrying. So.......when the Camillus Heat became available ....... :D If you start making knives and/or kits, it catches you like a fever. I started with kits, and then to stock removal. Started to learn about steels and on...and on.....

I'm having a great time - you'll enjoy the journey.

- gord
 
Spyderco Military, Endura and Calypso jr., Cold steel SRK and Master Hunter, Benchmade AFCK (and mini), Camillus Heat. Great users, not much $.
 
1. Buck 110 (I recommend the Cabela's S30V or something from the Buck custom shop.
2. 2 Spydercos -- 1 from Golden Co., (I recommend the Manix) and 1 from Seki Japan (I'd pick the Calypso, Jr.)
3. Benchmade with Axis lock -- (I recommend the 710HS)
4. Victorinox SAK -- your pick as to model (I like the Tinker best)
5. CRK Sebenza (my current fav is a small regular)

The list could go on and on . . . .
 
I used to collect knives, then i bought a sebenza...now all i collect are sebenzas. Once you own one, you will know why everyone raves about them. :D
 
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