What's one fixed knife and one folder that every enthusiast should own least once???

Opinel, absolutely. Beech and carbon, preferably. For fixed, I would think some variant of the pilot's survival knife would be good.
 
Doesn't matter, an enthusiast buys what they want based on research and their interests, not on what someone else researched based on their interests. Unless a guy who owns every catalog model of Randall and no Busses, or every Spyderco and no BMs can be said to not be an enthusiast because they didn't spend enough or didn't buy enough quality.
 
Best bang for your $buck folder and fixed blade in my opinion that everyone should check out:

Folder:
ZT0550

Smaller Fixed:
BK14 or BK24

Larger fixed:

BK16 or BK2
 
Perfection:

Folder: CRK Sebenza 21
Fixed Blade: Survive! GSO 4.1 (CPM-3V)

Great Value:

Folder: Benchmade 710 (Honorable Mention: Spyderco Gayle Bradley, Spyderco PM 2, Benchmade 940)
Fixed Blade: BK 2

Dirt Cheap But Amazing:

Folder: Cold Steel Voyager XL
Fixed Blade: Mora Companion
 
My must have in the future as far as the one folder I must own is Hinderer XM-18 it is hard for me to say on a fixed blade because there is so many good ones out there.
 
must have

Spyderco Paramilitary 2
Bark River (Bravo or Gunny) / Follkniven (S1 or F1)

must have if $$$ is what you can afford

Chris Reeve (Sebenza or Smnumzaan)/Hinderer XM 18
Busse (NMSHNO or TGLB)
 
Not a big fixed blade guy, but for folding, definitely a Sebenza, probably a small. I think the love happens when you start carrying a small Sebenza and realize how freaking useful it is.
 
nemesis said:
My must have in the future as far as the one folder I must own is Hinderer XM-18
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I've had both blade lengths and types. One handle is too small for my hand; the other (3.5") is overbuilt for my needs. Both are excellent quality. The great thing is that you should be able to buy a slightly-used one from the Exchange in the $600-700 range, try it out, and sell it if you don't like it...without losing many (if any) dollars.
 
honesty, the buck 110 and a kabar marine fighter.... simplicity at its best and the price most people can afford and aesthetically pleasing if youy enjoy clip point shaped blades, they are both classics, hardworkers and are both made in the U.S.A. and can both be upgraded with higher grade steel
 
Everyone should at least handle, if not own, a production knife like BM (Griptilian)or Spyderco (Para 2), a mid-tech like Hinderer, Chris Reeve, William Henry, Strider, and finally, one or two customs (too many to name).

Then you will have a general idea of what you get for the money, and what you should shoot for as your grail knife.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I've had both blade lengths and types. One handle is too small for my hand; the other (3.5") is overbuilt for my needs. Both are excellent quality. The great thing is that you should be able to buy a slightlyo-used one from the Exchange in the $600-700 range, try it out, and sell it if you don't like it...without losing miany (if any) dollars.
Click to expand...

I plan to order one straight from hinderer, I'm a firefighter and first time purchaser so from what I ha e seen about how he takes orders I should qualify then it should be under 500 from what I saw of his pricing so that's even better. It sucks that yours didn't fit you, but there is something out there for everyone. I have never had my hands on one just basing it off of how awesome the st 561 is and they are close in size
 
Budget:
(fixed) Mora #1
(folder) Opinel #8

Value:
(fixed) Kellam Wolverine
(folder) SAK
(folder) Opinel #8

NO LIMITS:
(fixed) Anything made by Andy Roy at Fiddleback Forge
(folder) Chris Reeve Sebenza

There is really no need to go the NO LIMITS route unless you have extra cash to play with. I have had my Sebenza for 10 years now, and I carry it nearly every day. I have never felt the urge to replace it with anything else. That said, I also carry a SAK everyday and could not be happier with it (I use it primarily for the scissors, screwdrivers, and the all important bottle opener). As far as fixed blades go, I tend to gravitate toward tools that are comfortable, durable, reasonably light, and cut well (duh). I use mine mostly out in the woods, so most tasks come down to processing wood or food. The 'budget' knives will run you a total of $30 for the pair, excel at these tasks, and with a little care should last you at least 10 years (likely more).

Get what you feel works for you, though I would recommend experimenting on the cheap stuff first just to see what you like. Then move on from there if you feel the need.

Happy hunting.
 
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