What's the fewest knives that you could get away with owning?

Chris Pierce

Chris Pierce

Joined
Nov 15, 2006
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I joined Blade Forums nearly 5 years ago looking for ONE good knife after going through years of breaking cheap knives. In the last 5 years I have gone through hundreds of knives. In my EDC rotation I've carried $7 knives and I've carried $300 knives. But finally I've come to my senses and I am down to 4 knives for EDC. Two one hand knives and two slip joints. The one hand knives are a Cold Steel American lawman and a CRKT Hammond Cruiser that was a gift from my wife (which ironically is the same model knife that I broke 5 years ago when I started looking for a better folder) The slip joints are an Alox Vic Farmer and an Imperial Boy Scout knife that was my fathers. Everyday I carry one of the slip joints and one of the modern folders. I do have a few other folding knives, but they are sentimental and not for real use. I also have one slip joint reserved for my son when he turns 5 or 6.

I do camp and hike, so I do own fixed blades. I have a cold steel master hunter that a member here re-handled and I have an Ontario Pilot Survival knife that I modified. I have 4 Machetes, a folding saw and an axe too.

I am quite happy with these knives and see no reason to replace them. I enjoy sharpening my knives so the super steels don't appeal to me anymore. The "cheap" steels on my users tend to chip less frequently anyway. These tools will last me the rest of my life I am sure. And they will probably last my son the rest of his life as well.

Anyway, here's the question.

What is the MINIMUM number of knives/cutting tools that you could get by with owning and using for your every day tasks? I'm not talking about kitchen knives, although please include them as well if you want.

I could probably get away with losing one of the fixed blades, but I like to have a back up. Same goes for my EDC knives.
I know I could get away with losing a machete or 3, but they were so inexpensive that, with shipping costs the way they are, I'd probably only make a dollar or two if I sold them.

I know a lot of folks like to collect or just like variety. But I've come full circle and I'm back to ONE good knife. OK maybe 10 good knives..... and a saw, and an axe. But you get the idea :D
 
Used to have 11 balisongs, of various types. Sold them all.

Now I have 10 knives, 2 are backups of my EDC, breakdown further:1 is old CRKT Point Guard AUS6 that's more sentimental, 1 balisong, 1 semi EDC, one EDC in wallet, 1 SAK in bag, 1 SAK OHT.. I'm ready to let go one more balisongs and one of the SAKs but selling them won't cash out much.

I've come to also use all my knives. No more mere collecting.
 
One. (message is too short if I just put the word "one" so this is to make this message longer. Stupid forum software)
 
I'm sure I could get by with maybe 8 but it would have to be life or death before I'd choose to go less than 30. Equipping my family is a strong part of my gear drive. For just me, a SAK/ multitool, righty and lefty folder, large and small fixed blades, axe and sword, backup ambi folder and backup fixed blade at a minimum. That makes 9 but the longer I think the more it will be. People laugh about all my flashlights but when the hurricanes come through me and mine are comfortable and illuminated :)
 
I'd imagine the theoretical answer to that would be one. Any less and you're out of the game, any more and you're not trying hard enough.

Me, I don't like games. I'll stick with a bunch.
 
Now that is a very hard question as I would say 30 ~~ have all the BK's but the BK10 and then I can't leave out my Buck 112's~~ 18 ~~ ooops I think maybe 50 as I have already gone over 30.!* Rats...
 
Assuming they could be replaced if lost/damaged/worn out, I could probably get by just fine with 3 or 4*:

Small SAK on keychain
Smallish 2 or 3 blade slipjoint for EDC
All around fixed-blade (think "camp knife")

*Optional (since I almost never carry anymore but still find nice to have just in case I feel the need for it) - 3" to 3.5" or so one hand opening folder w/pocket clip
 
ac1d0v3r1d3 said:
You'd really feel comfortable using one knife for everything for ever?
Click to expand...

I don't go camping/hiking. The toughest material I cut with a knife is cardboard. Yes, I'd be fine with one knife. If I buy a knife it's almost always replacing an existing one. That one either gets given away to a friend or sold.
 
I could get my with four.

One solid , well done 'tactical' style.
One , well done Toothpick.
One outdoors type knife with say a 6-8 inch blade.
One machete type knife for larger chores.

I have all four of those and I know which ones I would choose for the latter three choices , the first choice though would be a hard pick.

Tostig
 
I admit, I have too many knives right now. I do not have the least amount of knives I've ever had, I do not have the most amount of knives I've ever had either. Gradually, my knives have risen in quality over the years.

A gun nut friend told me you need a good centerfire pistol, a good rimfire pistol, a good centerfire rifle, a good rimfire rifle, a good shotgun, a good revolver and a good muzzleloader. He of course, had a ton of guns.

I would say you need a good SAK, geared to YOUR lifestyle. This might mean a Spartan or a Super Champ, depending on your needs. My choice is a Vic blue alox farmer. The scales on mine are heavily worn down
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You need a good multitool. Leatherman, Victorinox or SOG for me. My favorite is the Victorinox Swisstool Spirit.

You need a good fixed blade, about bushcraft size, for EDC, hunting, camping.

You need a good axe for when you're out camping.

Everything else is just window dressing.
 
three would be my bare minimum.

1 buck 110 beater for work and field use.

1 nice and shiny buck 110 for goin out dancing, to church, funerals and what not.

1 12inch cold steel bowie machete for heavy work.

if axes and other edged weapons besides knives are an option then swap out the machete for my firestone throwing axe.

luckily i don't live in a world that imposes such restrictions on me so i have a whole mess of knives scattered all over hell's half acre for all sorts of specific roles and tasks.
 
The minimum for me is one decent folder, I have a box cutter in the tool box, so one good quality medium sized folder, about 3 inch blade is all I need. However, I like and do own many more. Something like the SPyderco Sage 2 or Small Sebenza would be perfect.
 
Four would be my answer a good 3" folder Skyline is my choice a good 5"-6" fixed blade have a 119 currently but I might go with something from Ontario EESE or Busse overkill yes but for a camp/heavy use blade that's a good thing. A smaller fixed blade for skinning or use where easy maintenance/cleaning is a plus such as the Queen premium hunter. And a good filet knife for fish as well.*
 
I could live with 6.......

Three folders, three fixed blades.......But I would hate to have to.:D
 
Puukko for batoning and outdoor use
Kukri for chopping
Mini-Grip for EDC
Tomahawk for home defense
I'm not giving up anything though.
 
I would have to say for me at least four, and that is just for EDC rotation. There would be no limit to how many knives I need to collect, that is another story there.
 
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