Who has found THE knife?

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I don't know if I'll ever find the ONE KNIFE, but the more I search, the more I learn about just what it is that I'm searching for.

But I cannot deny that, right now, the Spyderco Keating Chinook II is everything that I want in a folder.

And the funny thing is, from looks alone, I would have probably NEVER bought this knife for myself (I received it in trade here on the forums).

I did'nt know what I was missing.

Allen.
 
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This and I found TWO!!!! :D :eek:
 
Well, I know that in terms of a fixed camping/SD knife, I have never bought another to fit that category since buying a Sdydie Fred Perrin Street Bowie a couple years ago. For me, that niche is filled - every time I see a cool design & begin to drool, I remember the Perrin and realize it fulfills all my knife lust for those 2 dimensions.

Folding knives are a different matter, for me anyway, because the aethetics are more than 50% of the deal compared to function. So many knives can serve as a decent EDC, and, like watches, it's nice to have a variety for different moods and outfits. Wood handles with a brown suit; steel or titanium with grey; black on black; jigged bone or G10 with jeans; etc etc. Iv'e given up on finding "the one" pocket knife, and just enjoy rotating through new purchases. Of course, some of us are prone to higher end action than others, but the great part is that their changing desires mean the rest of us get a shot at their cast-offs at good prices!

Hey Gary - I must say that probably the 2 closest pocket knives I've found, the ones I always keep, are (1) the mini-AFCK in M2 and (2) the limited-edition S30v reverse-tanto black leek that you turned me onto. That thing is an absolute dream of design!!!!!
 
fishface5 said:
...Hey Gary - I must say that probably the 2 closest pocket knives I've found, the ones I always keep, are (1) the mini-AFCK in M2 and (2) the limited-edition S30v reverse-tanto black leek that you turned me onto. That thing is an absolute dream of design!!!!!
Click to expand...

Good sir! I do miss that knife, very quick blade and sharp, my only pic was it's lean handle and too smooth grip, otherwise, bladewise it is very nice...my favourite blade shape though is the Benchmade 941, but that too has a handle for me that is too slim and smooth for edc...

G2
 
In the slipjoint department, I seem to most always gravitate to my Schrade Walden trapper.

For a hunter, the Marbles 52100 Fieldcraft is definitelt IT.

Wouldn't think of going deer hunting without it.
 
Gary,

Sorry man, but you are doomed. But it's gotta be nice to know that your not alone.

Now, for me I "could" live with any of my production 3 1/4" - 4" (closed) stockman style knives pretty easily or even my Victorinox (Tinker, Super Tinker, Centurian) knives. I mean, for my needs, I really just don't need anything bigger. I don't really need locks, pocket clips or thumbstuds, heck, I don't even need any of the newer super-duper steel blade material. I mean I have knives with all that, but I could easily live without it all. To tell you the truth, I just haven't found all that "stuff" much better (for my needs anyway) than my stockmen or Vics. I've actually made my way full circle back to slipjoints full time and couldn't be happier. I'm even hand sharpening more and more and using my EdgePro less and less. "Simple" is the word that comes to mind, simple user knives, simple sharpening on a stone. Yep, "simple" fits what I'm getting back to, which gives me peace of mind. I'm not sure if I will even continue to keep acquiring knives, I have more than I need now (all users), besides I can only use one at a time anyhow.
 
For full size folder I love my Benchmade Skirmish- I have long fingers and the big handle feels solid in my hand, plus it locks up like a bank vault. Safe-queen runner up has to be the Civilian... I'll never get tired of those aesthetics.

I work a corporate management job, so my OTCEDC (on the clock EDC) is my auto-Benchmite. I simply can't say enough good things about this knife- from the "gee-whiz" factor of the mechanism, to the fact that it's small enough to not draw any flak at the office, the fact that it holds an edge to hell and back, to the fact that it was a parting gift from a close friend before he moved across the country... I love that little bugger.

As for the knife that makes me say "this is it, I'm never buying another knife;" I hope I never find it because without knife collecting, I dont' know *what* I would do!
 
My little CRKT M-16 CF has served me so well , I know it will be a keeper, even if it's not The One. The more I learn about knives and the more knives I acquire, the closer I get to knowing what I want. As result , I have bought one model 3 times(the M-16) because it keeps on doing what I expect of it. Small enough not to offend, big enough to handle what I use it for. I have given up what others would call "better knives " (William Henry, couple of BMs, countless Spydies) and clipped this one back in my pocket. I know it's not the BEST, but so far, I've learned that price doesn't mean the knife will better suit my needs. For me, there is no doubt searching for The One is a life-long passtime. I almost think I would be dissappointed to actually find it.
 
I've gotten close.

I've carried a Buck Mayo TnT every workday since January 2003.

The rest of the time, I was carrying a Dozier K1 "General Utility", but lately it's been replaced by a Buck SBMF (Model 889CB).

When camping or hiking, I tend to carry a Rinaldi TUK.

Mike
 
Hi Mike!
Well, my collecting days are waning, replaced with the house and for a while Home theather, then photography and now and again the vehicles 'mr ford what have you done ;)'
But I had a Buck/Mayo for a while and for me it was a great knife, excellent
cutter only thing that kept me back was that curvy tip, I find I'm more prone to want a knife where the tip lies below mid line of the blade, or a bit lower than that, more utility for me than hunting/skinning type of blade.
I have a small fixed blade on order with Tom Krein in CPM3v with desert iron scales, that I hope will fit the bill, not a folder but one that will serve in that way, small enough not to draw too much attention when in use.

So I'm banking on that one for now!
:)
G2
 
Oddly enough, I think I've found THE folder for myself. On last December 17th I spotted a Lonewolf Harsey T-2 Tactical Ranger with cocobolo handles (damn, I sure didn't fall in love with it's humble short title!) I knew I had to have it. Since then it has ALWAYS been with me. I carried it during the construction season this year and used it incredibly hard, cutting 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and plastic bands with it on a daily basis. Used it to cut roots and trash out of machines, dropped it, had it get soaked, did light prying with it, etc. and it held up wonderfully. The handle fits my largish hands perfectly, the blade takes and holds an incredible edge, it's smooth, attractive (now) I can't ask for a better EDC than this one. I sometimes think that I'd like something more fancy and tactical for special occassion, but truth is that this one handles everything I've ever thrown at it, and I'm used to it, so why change a good thing?

It started out beautiful, but by the end of the construction season was uglier 'n homemade sin. So last Friday while I was at home injured I sanded the handles down, refinished them with four coat of stain and four coats of oil finish. Also took all the metal parts and mirror polished them. Now she's purtier than when I got 'er, an' you'd never guess what it's been through by looking at it. :D one year might seem too soon to tell, but for a guy that's traded off Microtechs, Emersons,Benchmades, and Spydercos, often within a single day of ownership, averaging two or three weeks, from purchase to trade, that's quite a milemark.

Oddly enough the other knives I have that may be "the ones" are all ones I've gotten for really cheap prices. Including a 17 inch Chiruwa AK Villager I paid like $45 for. Oddly enough it's outchopped much bigger heavier Khuks. I think it's just got alot better edge geometry.

For a medium camp knife I got my beloved BK5 (You really don't wanna get me goin' on this one!:D )

As far as skinning and smaller camp knives I've got a Bark River Highlander I paid $35 for that I dearly love and an A.G Russell Woodswalker.

But, happily I still usually find myself needing "one more knife" so the fun's not over yet, although it has slowed down significantly.
 
Yearly update ;)

I think, really do think, this time I have found it,
A William Henry Quest, it's the Tom Brown Quest model that has the
Tom Brown signature on one side along with a paw print, sucker is
amazingly smooth opening, very solid lockup with a button lock and
the edge, thanks to the ZDP-189, is quite sharp and seems to keep
it's sharpness a while too...

Here is an image compared with a small Sebenza;

wh_crk.jpg


I did have the black bladed version with carbon fiber scales, but I'm in the
midsts of exchanging that for one with san mai damascus blade and snakewood
scales, hmmm nice too, but this is a real worker, so I made the saying up
"one to abuse and one to amuse" :)

Anyone else finally find their knife?

this by the way only covers my folding knife position, fixed blade is still out
there, but I don't use one that often to worry about that right now.
G2

edited to add,
now finding THE knife doesn't mean you quit looking at or buying other knives...
hmm maybe I better check that definition again, lol...
 
Great thread.
I've noticed that i've stopped buying drop points after I bought my Fallkniven F1.Since then I've bought only clip points.Now that I have a Fallkniven S1 (clip point) perhaps I'll stop buying clip points.:D
 
I have three knives I'd consider.

Opinel 10

Victorinox Farmer

Spyderco Manix


The Opinel is my favorite oldschool folder. Cuts like a demon, enough blade length to effectively baton in the outdoors, round handle is extremely comfortable. The Farmer is an Alox SAK, a soldier with a saw. Beefy main blade and a useful collection of secondary implements. Namely, the saw, which sees a lot of use with woodworking. I love the aluminum scales. The Manix is my favorite modern folder, with amazing ergonomics, extremely grippy scales and a very well done flat grind. I'm extremely content with any of these in my pocket.
 
I always think ive found the final word in knives,but when something new & cool comes out, like many others, that becomes the one i think will do it.i have,though,become much more selective than i did compared to years ago. ill never find that holy grail of knives,but i dont have a problem with that.as long as i get a quality folder,i dont mind switching off.......
 
Hands down, I found THE KNIFE in my plain large Classic Sebenza. After being smitten a few weeks ago I am in awe of the quality craftsmanship and beauty of this knife. I'll admit that I do have other folders and one fixed blade BUT I always gravitate back to the Sebenza for my EDC knife.
 
Good to see you keeping this thread alive Gary.

I am almost positive that my quest will end with the new Spyderco ZDP Lum Chinese.
 
Ive found it (at least for now ;))! It's the newest sprint run of the Spyderco Military...this is probably the final evolution of the current design before a new lock is incorporated for the updated version. Tip-down, opening hole, duel nested liners, BG-42, checkered & grippy carbon fiber, light, thin, unmatched ergonomics down the the fine jimping...the original design was so close to what I wanted, but this new sprint run is truly (as quoted by someone else) "greater than the sum of its parts." It's what I have always wanted. Sal & Co. have refined this model so much over the past 10 years and it really shows in this particular knife. I'm really in awe to how they fit so much knife into such a light & thin package, while keeping the cost at such a minimum...not to mention the (what I consider) high-tech materials that were used.

Truly an exercise in engineering genius! :thumbup:
 
For now my knife is the one hand trecker. Does almost everything. I just wish it had scissors instead of a saw.
 
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