You're soulmate.

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ElCuchillo

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Hey guys. I was reading through posts yesterday and something I wrote got me thinking. What is everyone's favorite pocketknife? Not what pattern you like best, or what pattern you think is best. I'm talking about the one knife in your collection that finds it's way into your pocket regardless of whatever else you have. We switch knives every once in a while, sure, and most of us have many knives to choose from. However, I'm sure we all have that one knife that defines us, that one knife that people think of when they think of you because they always see it on you. That one knife that's like an old friend, reliable and full of personal history. Let's see some pics and maybe hear some stories about your little buddy.
 
Old gerber lockbacks that my father (and grandfather come to think of it) used to carry, and gave me when I was younger. I have sitting my drawer to this day. Brings back alot of memories. Sure, the new arch-lock SOGs I carry are a different breed, but this one still holds an edge and is a trusty knife of mine. I'm surprised I don't buy more Gerbers...

Looks like this :
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I've still yet to find "The Knife" for me, but whenever I think of my father, there is only one knife that comes to mind, the Vic Classic. As far back as I remember, my dad always carried two knives, a Buck stockman and that little Classic, but you barely ever saw the stockman. However, that little Classic was out of the pocket everyday: opening the mail, cleaning his nails, using the little screwdriver to tighten his glasses. You can guarantee that if my dad was out of bed that little Classic was in his pocket, and even if he was in bed, it was on the nightstand, within easy reach. It made such an impression that I've started EDC'ing a Classic myself. No matter which knife makes it in my pocket that day, I've always got that little classic attatched to my keys. On second thought, perhaps I have found "The Knife" after all...
 
ElCuchillo said:
... that one knife that people think of when they think of you because they always see it on you.
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Not even close!

But I do know what you mean ..... if I had to pick one, I'd say the Old Timer Middleman Jack (33OT) that was owned by my grandfather. It's a great knife that I keep going back to, despite my occasional phases of carrying a SAK or Trapper or Buck 055 or Leatherman or Spyderco. Eventually I always come back to that 33OT.

The funny thing is, when I tell people it was my grandfather's, they naturally assume he carried it for many years and so forth. Not at all. In fact, he NEVER carried it.

See, when Pop passed away, among his things was this brand new 33OT that the kids at the elementary school where he volunteered gave him for Christmas one year. Having lost an arm in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII, Pop never carried a folder after that (though I'm certain he never pointed this out to "his kids" so as to not hurt their feelings). In addition to being a superb knife, it reminds me of how much love surrounded my grandfather wherever he went. He was loved by the children he helped as a volunteer in schools. He was loved by the teachers who taught him (as he earned his high school Graduation Equivalence Diploma well into his 60s - and then his AA degree, and finally a bachelors degree!). He was loved by the countless other recovering alcoholics he helped over the years. He was loved by his kids and his huge extended family. And he was loved by his youngest grandson, who worshiped him and was lucky enough to spend two or three summers road-tripping with him across the country ...... me.
 
For me there are really 2 knives, a Benchmade Leopard Cub and a Vic, Cadet. My Shrade OT Stockman is also in the running for most carried.
 
When I was growing up, my dad and granddad always carried a stockman. Dad carried an 8ot and granddad a 34ot. I've got a bunch of different ones that find there way into my pocket; jacks, barlow, canoes, and even the occasional penknife. Ussually it's the stockman that I go back to.

Something nostalgic...weird...not sure? I just recently ordered a 301 Buck stockman to see what it is that my dad likes about it. (he received his about a year ago after his 8ot finally wore out.)
 
I really like the Silver Knight with rosewood scales I picked up, its from the post Fiskars Gerber line, and is a well made folder, but nothing compared to my Sebenzas, Benchmades and Spydercos. Hell, my Queens and Kershaw leave it in the dust. But it has character, which my others have, but I just really like it. I would say my favorite right now is a cross between my lightly used large micarta Sebenza, and abused Swamp Rat Battle Rat, but for traditionals... Yeah, I really like my Queens right now, but I guess its puppy dog love for my Gerber.
 
Mine would be either my Case yellow handle large trapper or my Schrade 8ot. No matter what new knives i get, i always go back to one of those. Usually the Case.
 
I don't know if I can pick out just one soul mate knife, as I've had several over my life. I've found that things change as we evolve and age through life.

When I was young I was a dyed in the wool stockman fan. Some of the men in my family carried a stockman, and that had a strong influence on me. Then I joined the boy scouts and met what was to be a powerful mentor in my life, Mr. Van, our scoutmaster. He carried a very nice Remington scout knife, and did amazing whitling with it, as well as teaching us survival techniques with just the scout knife. My dad gave me a Camillus scout knife one Christmas, and I carried that scout knife till I enlisted in the army many years later. Once in the army, I carried a issue Camillus all steel scout knife, but bought a Buck 301 stockman in the PX in the mid '60's.

The Buck stockman and then a sak was my knives for the rest of my army career till a medical discharge from service injuries made me a civilian. The VA got me into an appretice program for machinist and for the next 25 years the Buck stockman and sak was my edc.

Today in retirement, I still carry a sak in spite of the other knife I carry. I may have a sodbuster or Buck cadet, or peanut in my pocket, but in a belt pouch in back of my right hip is a sak with a small flashlight.

So I guess if I've had a scout knife or sak with me since I was 12, and I'm a retired "older" fart now, I would have to admit I'm a sucker for old scout knives and sak's. It's been a real life saver now and then to have a pocket knife with a few tools on it.

Okay, make it an old scout knife or sak tinker. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!
 
I'm going to let the side down and admit that I carry a $10 knife, an Opinel No. 8, around with me everywhere. There's something about wood handles and carbon steel that appeals to me - plastics and supersteels just leave me cold. With some Vasaline smeared over the blade-end the wood does not swell when it gets splashed, it's good for anything I need a knife for in my daily life. Some 2,000-grit sandpaper and a mousemat (combined value $5) keep it running just fine.

I have thinner-handled knives that fit into pockets easier, but they seldom end up in a pocket. I have a number of SAKs that I don't really use, or rather, there is no single one that I have fallen in love with. I have this hang-up about using the correct tool for the job, and find that when I'm at home or at work I can find the right tool. I also have a Leatherman I don't really use.
 
Grebo Guru said:
I'm going to let the side down and admit that I carry a $10 knife, an Opinel No. 8, around with me everywhere.
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Opinel No. 8 indeed... Whatever else I may carry, I almost always have my Opinel with me, tucked in beside my wallet. It sat in a drawer for a long time after I got it, but one day I decided to shape the handle a bit to see what would happen. A little sanding, a little satin varnish and next thing I knew I had the perfect EDC. It is non-locking, but that has never been an issue. I wish everything in my life was as uncomplicated yet efficient as that little knife.

mine.jpg
 
Not really, but if I did it would probably be a SAK. I almost hate to say it, 'cause I like some of my prettier knives better. But I tend to be the guy everyone brings stuff to and says, "Can you fix this?", and I can usually respond more positively if I have a screwdriver on me. And usually a SAK is enough; I don't need pliers or other things from a big heavy multi-tool, though I do have one.

-- Sam
 
Like most of you I tend to carry a lot of different knives. As the seasons change my needs change and so does my blade. The only exception is the knife I carry for work. That knife is an old camco elections knife with a black handle. I have had it for a good while now and it does everything i ask of it. I use the screwdriver / wire stripper blade for odd tasks. The blade has darkened up well and it takes a wicked edge. It also has done its share of cleaning trout and squirrels on the days i manage to slip out early. Joe
 
From the time I got my first SAK, in 1987 or 88 while in the Sinai Desert with the MFO, I carried one. By 93 I had picked up a Swiss Champ in Fairbanks, AK. That Swiss Champ rode on my belt all the time. I even managed to go through a couple of leather sheaths with it. I only took it off a few years back. Being at the half-century mark now, it's just a little heavy on the belt these days. But, until then, if I had my pants on, I had that knife with me. I used it a LOT!

Even though I change up a little bit now and then, it seems one knife has, at least for now, taken over the primary place in my pocket. That smooth-boned, Case, Mini-trapper, in Tru-Sharp steel, that I've yammered about too many times already. It just gives me pleasure to handle, look at, and use. It is a really great cutter. It's well made with walk, talk, and snappy half-stops, and looks nice. It caught me off guard and just took me over.

What will I be carrying down the road. I don't know, but this one is the one for now.

I do always carry a Vic Classic in my left pocket with my handkerchief. I keep it there for the screwdriver to tighten my glasses with, the toothpick, and occasionally the scissors, but I think of that as a specified tool. I don't use the blade on it at all. The Case is the one I think of as my knife.
 
I guess if I had to choose one, this Reese Bose trapper seems to find it's way into my pocket more than most-It is a perfect size, and well, is perfectly made!!!
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For my, it's definitely my Vic Huntsman. It was the first knife I bought with my own money and it has the perfect assortment of tools for most of my urban and outdoors needs. No matter what other knife I carry, my Huntsman is with me 90% of the time (I very rarely switch it for another SAK)

I've retired my original Huntsman because I would hate to loose it or damage it.
 
Yeah, A Reese "Shadow" in caramel colored bone has serious "soulmate" potential in my book too. :D I love that bolster-less look with the jigged bone. I droll every time I see yours.

I am currently dating a few knives. Right now my new Kawamura whittler (my avatar) is worthy enough to meet mom. I may be a polygamist regarding knives, though... ;)
 
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