Everyone should have one...of what?

[alaskanativeson]

In another thread I suggested that everyone should have a Victorinox Classic. This got me thinking, what are some knives that you think everyone should have on their list? I don't mean to be as broad as "everyone should have a folding knife" but it doesn't have to be a specific model knife, either.

So what are some knives that you think everyone should have?

 

[Jmacalpine]

at least three

I'd say everyone should have a decent multi-tool for the utility, a one hand opening folder and a good fixed blade sheath knife. Brand and style is personal preference.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

A kitchen knife.

 

[sm]

Ladies and Gents-

-Dress/Formal knife: Something along the lines of a Tuxedo, Eisenhower, or Peanut pattern.

Something to slice a chocolate so a lady does not mess up her lipstick, or to slice a lime for her drink.

-Fixed Blade: Something small along the lines of a Bird-n-Trout, or Small Skinner

-General Use: This will be dictated by any knife restrictions, where one lives and tasks.

Stockman, Trapper, Mini Trapper, Barehead Slimline Trapper, Sodbuster, Sodbuster Jr, Peanut, Equal End Jack, Douk-Douk, ...

 

[BCCL]

Buck 110

 

[hso]

We did one of these recently (past 6 mos).

Everyone should have a light ax. Gransfors Bruks

Everyone should have a machete. Tramotina

Everyone should have a 5" fixed blade of carbon steel or super rust resistant steel. Blackjack/Bark River/etc.

Everyone should have a multitool. SOG PowerPlier/Vic

Everyone should have a SAK. Farmer

Everyone should have a one hand opening folder. Spydie Native/Sebe

Everyone should have a "gent's knife". William Henry/MOP Case

 

[mole]

One of the Mora knives so everyone will realize that there's nothing wrong with plain old 1095 and that price or fancy looks does not equal quality.

A utility knife. Why abuse your pocket knife cutting cardboard/car hoses/striping wires/etc. when you can tear up the razor and then slap in another cheaply?

 

[blendingnoise]

like the guy above I feel everyone needs to get one or two good kitchen knives and throw out those blocks with 5000 knives for every purpose. 'everyone' is not going to carry knives everyday.

 

[mgregg85]

How about a plain old bayonet? Cheap, good carbon steel and with the appropriate gun you can make a spear out of it.

Seriously though I was surprised at the quality of the used m-7 bayonet I bought and it took a razor edge after a few strokes of a diamond hone. Even if you don't own a gun that can accept it, it would make a fine knock around knife.

 

[JShirley]

I would say the light ax and machete can be replaced with the right kukuri/bolo/bowie.

J

 

[SleazyRider]

On shoes and knives

A knife is like a pair of shoes. If you want to keep them in nice shape, have a "utility" pair for rainy days, yard work, and walking the dog.
My SOG Blink is my utility EDC. I beat the heck out of it opening boxes, cutting apples, shaving wood, et cetera, and save my Twitch XL for more noble tasks.

 

[mercop]

Emerson La Griffe

 

[JShirley]

In some states there are restrictions on knives "designed for offense and defense". The La Griffe and similar knives are clearly in that category. More innocuous blades are better choices in those states.

J

 

[hso]

light ax and machete can be replaced with

Can't agree.

A light ax, not a hatchet, will do much heavier work far more efficiently than a kukri or bowie. (a bolo is just a type of machete)

A machete will do much lighter work, grass, vines, than a kukri or bowie.

The question isn't what one knife should everyone have, but what knife should everyone have one of.

BTW, everyone should have a kukri, also.

 

[sm]

BTW, everyone should have a kukri, also.

Well I don't have a kukri, light ax, hatchet, machete...

I have sliced lemons and limes for drinks as well a fine chocolate for ladies, with a nice dress knife, such as a Hen & Rooster penknife with ivory handles, or Boker 240 with rosewood handles...

These Fine Southern Belles ran chain saws, brush hawgs, wood splitters, and the like later on.

Never underestimate what a small pen knife can do. *southern boy grin*

 

[JShirley]

Well, I have substituted a light-bodied 19" OAL HI Chitlangi kukuri for the machete my mortar squad TOE allowed us. Since everyone else had an E-tool, I carried the kuk instead, with the sergeant's permission. I have used this same kukuri to take down a lot of brush, in addition to small trees. I'd take it over a machete any day for the same tasks.

I will agree that an ax is more efficient than a kukuri, though not as versatile. I would say the least amount of gear anyone could have to cover their cutting needs would be
ax
one large blade
a well-designed folder
multi-tool or SAK

Of course, these would not be ideal for ever situation, but I don't feel the user would be horribly inconvenienced for any one task, unless they are spending an inordinate amount of time doing a single task (like cooking for a whole crew every day, or working in a slaughterhouse).

John

 

[hso]

These Fine Southern Belles ran chain saws, brush hawgs, wood splitters, and the like later on.

A chain saw has a blade so shouldn't everyone have a chain saw (or a Southern Belle with one)?

 

[Quilbilly]

A GOOD leatherman. One with no plastic on it. I have mine with me almost 24/7 and end up using it every day.

Also, everyone needs a beater
knife. Something solid, but well worn for when you dont want to use your nice ones.

Though they are cheap pieces of crap, the folders that hold a utility knife are really nice to have around sometimes. Gerber makes a really small one for like $10 that I love.

 

[sixgunner455]

hso said:

A machete will do much lighter work, grass, vines, than a kukri or bowie.

Agree. I use my old machete to trim bushes and grass at my place. The loppers are just too slow, the shears not strong enough for really doing the spring chopping. Machete for the win there. And the overgrown, dead grass in the alley? Yeah, it gets the machete, too, for cleaning up. Don't have a weed whacker, so ... gotta run what I got.

Roses are more carefully trimmed, but the big, overgrown bushes that are just there to be green (I don't even water them) -- machete.

 

[Rupestris]

Everyone needs:

A Fillet knife or a 5" to 6" flexible boning knife for the things that swim.

 

[conw]

Definitely a sodbuster jr, cv/ylw delrin...also a 3" or so fixed blade with a pocket sheath. Perfect combination - PC hard-use knife you can take out almost anywhere, easy to resharpen, plus a better option for last-ditch defense and other more immediate needs in the fixed blade. Minimal pocket real estate used, no clip showing.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I'm relatively new to knives, but if I had suggest 6 "must-have" categories to someone just starting a collection, and had to pick from my small personal collection of blades, they'd be:

1. EDC/Utility/General Use Folder - Kershaw Blur Tanto Serrated
2. Large Fixed Utility/Camping/Survival - Standard KA-BAR
3. Small Gentleman's Folder/Deep Concealment - Boker Titan II
4. Multi-Tool - Gerber Sliding Pliers Model
5. Hatchet - No-Name Brand
6. Machete - No-Name Brand

Among my whole collection, these are the most-often used, and all have proven rugged and dependable.

 

[kilo729]

A pair of comfortable shoes.