Which Type Of Knives Are You?

rampco88

rampco88

Joined
Apr 22, 2020
Messages
95
Of course taking in full consideration you’re visibly drawn to the knife and not just following the crowd or the hype.

So, are the knives that motivate you well known popular production models? Basically the staples in most collections?

Or, are they limited production models and customs? Or, just anything flying under the radar?

Please explain your reasons and price spread.

I definitely prefer the popular models. My reasoning is there’s usually a nexus on why so many enthusiasts are drawn to them making them classics. Plus I find the custom more limited stuff an endless expensive pit. Most likely my lack of knowledge and tight purse strings are at play here. Plus I’m not a collector. The rare (under the radar) knives leave me questioning WHY they’re not more popular?

I find knives in the $150 - $300 range check all my boxes.
 
I'm all over the map, and I just buy what I'm inexplicably drawn to. I will say that my ideas for customization when I see something often drive my purchases. I don't have any particular skill at it, but my mind runs wild with ideas and I can't stop until I hack them out the best I can and make something my own. I've always been that way, with everything. I couldn't stop it if I tried.
 
I tend to buy what piques my interest at a random time. I have a few customs, but they are all because I like the person making them. I tend to carry higher end pocket knives simply because I have exhausted what I like in the sub $200 range. Fit and finish are now more important to me than value. Then again, I tend to bundle my carry. Today I have $600 Microtech in one pocket, a $30 little titanium prying bar in the other, and $50 Leatherman that will probably see all of the work I need done doing today

That said, if I could have only one, it would be a multitool of some sort. Preferably a Leatherman. However, if I had to choose between a single edge titanium/wonder steel piece of functional art and a lowly Victorinox Climber to handle any task I may need handled for the rest of my days? SAK, please.

Thankfully that is not the case, so one day I may buy a Benchmade Axis, the new week might be an OTF, I may get nostalgic and pick up another Buck 110 (before remembering that I really don't dig the weight), and then I might go buy a cheap Cold Steel hawk to beat on so that I don't mess up my ATC Model 2 too much. I have no rhythm to my reason. I just buy what I feel like I can afford when the mood strikes.
 
I've found that the most popular knives - the "fan favorites", if you will - don't appeal to me. Not a fan of the Buck 110. I don't like the PM2 (though it's somewhat better with aftermarket scales). Sebenza - nope.
Don't worry about the masses...carry what you like.
 
I feel as if I'm slowing down...
Three are ordered, and on the way, one is almost on the way, and I only have 2 more to design and order...
 
I’m and action and design guy. I love cool designs, and I love drop shut smooth action.

Reate is probably my ideal knife company.

But I also appreciate things like intricate milling and tiny little details.

In between $200 and $350 seems to be the right range for me.

I have a little value chart in my head of what I’ll pay for what level of knife.

I’m not big on hype or crowd ideas. I don’t like the XM-18 or CRKs. Don’t like many spydercos or Benchmade.

I can get behind people that enjoy the quality of some specific brands, makers, and models, but that’s because I also appreciate it, not because they do.
 
I find for me it is a bit of a roller coaster of interest, some days I like a knife and I buy it, other times I do not think about new knives or my own knives for months. I would say my collection is made up of the popular brands and also the obscure ones as well. I like what I like when i see it, although that is subject to change over the years. I have over 30 different brands of folding knives, 10 brands of fixed blades and 6 brands of multi tools. To add to that mix I own over 35 brands of kitchen knives, most of which are the more obscure custom Japanese variety
 
I am no longer a collector. Sold off 85 knives of various brands last couple of years.

I now only have what I want to carry and use: small Spyderco mid-locks and small OTFs.

Down-sizing was good for me :)
 
Lately I have gravitated towards knives I can design and make unique. The other two families of knives I buy come from Russia and Idaho. Price does not enter into purchase.
 
I enjoy the value hunting game. Looking for value, which for me translates into inexpensive and good quality. Civivi is the preeminent example. Ontario Joe Pardue Utilitac II is another example of what floats my boat. Lately, I have been buying small fixed blades with blades at or under 2.5 inches. Belt horizontal carry for the most part. Not a neck knife kinda guy.
 
I am in a CRK-Hinderer phase so I think I am in the 400-550$ range
But for users IMO you can find better value for less
I like the PM2, Bugout or CQC-7 a lot so I guess an optimal spot will be in the 150-250$
 
About a year and a half ago, I asked a friend via phone some specific things about cooking, this guy was a professional cook and a restaurant owner in the past. Somehow the conversation turned into kitchen knives. As a result I ended in buying a $50 Tojiro Santoku made from Shirogami steel. Then I got some oil stones and had many frustrating hours trying to learn freehand sharpening. For practicing, I got the most inexpensive scandi grind and flat grind carbon steel knives, just because I did read online that these are easier to sharpen, and I did not want ruin this whoopingly expensive Tojiro :D. That's how it all began.

Now I have about twenty knives, mostly slipjoint or friction traditionals with carbon blades. My only stainless is a Case Swayback, and the only locking one is a Mercator Black Cat. These two are my least favorite knives. My next purchases will be a Case Swell Center, and an Otter-Messer small anchor, and, you guessed, both with carbon steel. I do not think I will ever have a knife over $100, probably one or two GEC, but it is up in the air. First, my wife will be really unhappy and angry, and second - I will be uncomfortable to use them, because they may be damaged. I use all of my knives, no safe queens.
 
Carbon steel and micarta. I like ugly knives that cut. I like patina. Convex, flat, saber. Green micarta makes everything better. Green micarta, convex, patina - perfect.

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Natural micarta is nice as well.

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