I've been trying to assemble an "ideal" set of knives..., one that's tough and versatile enough to help me "survive" through the rest of my life... come what may. I don't think any *one* knife can do it all.
I figure I need maybe an "extra large" (> 10") knife, a large (8-12") knife, a medium large (6-8") knife, a medium knife (4-6"), and a small (< 4") knife.
Ideal "extra large".., I'd lean toward an Ontario machete.., or Rick Fowler's machete (www.fowlerknives.com Camp Knives section), or the "Lopper" I've seen displayed in a couple of Blade magazines (can't remember who the maker is).
I'm supposed to get my Busse Battle Mistress in the next three weeks. I think that qualifies as an "ideal" large knife, for me.
Medium large..., I've got a Mad Dog ATAK, and a Rick Fowler "Indian belt knife" (picked it up at the Knifemakers Guild show last weekend..., it feels surprisingly good in the hand, and, I think, can handle most jobs you'd expect from a knife that size (7") blade, O1 steel). Either, or both, of those knives would be my ideal "medium large" pick.
"Medium" is where things get muddy. I'm having a 4.5-5" "utility" hunting knife made by Keith Kilby. L2 and 1095 forged damascus steel. Won't see it 'til November.., but it's a likely candidate. I also like the Lile #5, in D2, the Dozier Pro Guide or Yukon Pro Skinner (also D2), my old 4 1/2" Custom Gerber Fish and Bird knife, in M2 steel... and I have a 3/16" stock pATAK on order.
Maybe I ought'a include *all* of them
And for "small"..., I'd lean toward a Cetan, or maybe a Dozier Slim Outdoorsman (both in D2).
Of course.. a lot of folding knives would qualify for the "small" range. But I really prefer fixed blades.
But whatever your preferences..., I'd be interested in seeing what others might lean toward. Maybe there's a flaw in my logic
I figure I need maybe an "extra large" (> 10") knife, a large (8-12") knife, a medium large (6-8") knife, a medium knife (4-6"), and a small (< 4") knife.
Ideal "extra large".., I'd lean toward an Ontario machete.., or Rick Fowler's machete (www.fowlerknives.com Camp Knives section), or the "Lopper" I've seen displayed in a couple of Blade magazines (can't remember who the maker is).
I'm supposed to get my Busse Battle Mistress in the next three weeks. I think that qualifies as an "ideal" large knife, for me.
Medium large..., I've got a Mad Dog ATAK, and a Rick Fowler "Indian belt knife" (picked it up at the Knifemakers Guild show last weekend..., it feels surprisingly good in the hand, and, I think, can handle most jobs you'd expect from a knife that size (7") blade, O1 steel). Either, or both, of those knives would be my ideal "medium large" pick.
"Medium" is where things get muddy. I'm having a 4.5-5" "utility" hunting knife made by Keith Kilby. L2 and 1095 forged damascus steel. Won't see it 'til November.., but it's a likely candidate. I also like the Lile #5, in D2, the Dozier Pro Guide or Yukon Pro Skinner (also D2), my old 4 1/2" Custom Gerber Fish and Bird knife, in M2 steel... and I have a 3/16" stock pATAK on order.
Maybe I ought'a include *all* of them
And for "small"..., I'd lean toward a Cetan, or maybe a Dozier Slim Outdoorsman (both in D2).
Of course.. a lot of folding knives would qualify for the "small" range. But I really prefer fixed blades.
But whatever your preferences..., I'd be interested in seeing what others might lean toward. Maybe there's a flaw in my logic
