I have no decent knife. What's the best all around, all purpose knife to get?

[TheOtherOne]

My current collection includes a few butter knives in the kitchen, a swiss-army knife that has 2 blades in it and a toothpick, and my pair of fingernail clippers has what I think is suppose to be a fold out blade in it but it won't cut anything.

Obviously, I know nothing about good knives but want to get ONE (yeah, that's what I said about guns over a year ago and now they are my number one money pit). What one knife would you own? I want one that will be good for opening a box when UPS comes, cutting a rope now and then, leaving in the pocket for self-defense, and even gutting a deer if you had to. Oh, and preferably with a price of less than $100.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Look at the Benchmade Griptilian. (http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/product1.cfm?SID=1&&Product_ID=70).

I carry one every day and it's a great knife. I got the model with the modified sheepsfoot blade and no serrations.

 

[TrapperReady]

I second the Griptilian. I carry a mini-Griptilian all the time, and it gets used many times each day. I like the Axis-lock and non-serrated, modified drop-point version myself.

 

[TheOtherOne]

I like the Axis-lock and non-serrated, modified drop-point version myself

Two suggestions is good enough for me but how do I know which version that one is? On the link, the choices that look relevant are "Plain Edge" and "Plain Edge OD Handle"?

 

[Telperion]

The OD handle just refers to the color of the handle.

 

[TrapperReady]

On the link Dave Markowitz provided, the one with the thumb stud is the modified drop-point, while the one with the hole in the blade is the modified sheepsfoot. Anymore, I always get a plain edge, just because it's so much less hassle to sharpen.

All of the Griptilians at the link have the Axis lock, although I think there are some early variants out there that don't. After carrying mine nearly every day for the past six months, I have to say that I prefer the Axis lock more than any other system. One nice thing is that by retracting the lock and giving a slight flick, the blade will deploy almost instantly. However, when you want to be a little more PC (like in front of the in-laws), you can just open it with your thumb, nice and smoothly.

 

[hso]

There is no "one best knife", but there are a huge number of good knives out there. Many can be had for well under $100. The most important thing to decide is what are the things you want to do with the knife and then look at the blade shapes that work well for those roles.

With the exception of the lock the Benchmade Griptillian is almost the same knife as the venerable Spyderco ProGrip. The materials are almost the same (Spyderco's AUS-8 is very slightly better than Benchmade's use of 440C). The Axis is a great lock, but the backlock on the PG is just as reliable. So which is better? Neither. They're both great knives that were intended to be folding skinners. It just means that you get more choices.

The better question to ask is "what should be avoided?". Any knife that doesn't say which 440 is used in the blade. Any knife that doesn't fit Your hand. If you don't know how to sharpen, any knife without a primarily straight blade. Any knife that the lock doesn't engage so solidly that there is no wobble in the lockup.

 

[Baba Louie]

You'll beeee sooorrryyy!!!!
Don't open Pandora's Box. Stick with your SAK, learn how to really sharpen it. You can use it for all of the above stated requirements in a pinch...
Oh sure, its "Just ONE knife" NOW!
But then, once you get that first one and feel and see others and realize how much cheaper they are than one of those real expensive guns you've been buying...
I hear ya.
BTDT
I've now got a footlocker full of edged little thingies.
They're all worthy of purchase. They all cut and carry fine.
I just want...one more. That's it, just one. I can stop anytime...
Yeah...
Right...

Anything by AG Russell, Spyderco, Benchmade, CRKT for value, Gerber, Kershaw or even pocketknives by Case, Camillus, Boker will do.
And just let us know how soon you end up with one of Chris Reeve's Sebenzas or a MicroTech folder or a Randall Made or two, OK?

Just one.... sheesh. I wish.

 

[hso]

Now, now BL, we wouldn't want the fellow to get the idea that he's testing the edge of a slippery slope, would we . We know that most people have just one knife. We know plenty that have 2 or 3 or even 4. It's the unfortunate amongst us that have 2 or 3 or 4 dozen (ranging in price from $50-$500-$2,500) that we want to caution him against emulating. When you start saying "they're less expensive than guns", "they reflect the personality of the maker", "they're easier to get into the house so that the Warden doesn't know they weren't already there ", is when you've gotten carried (or about to be) away.

Repeat after me - "I'm own name and I'm a knife collector and I haven't bought a knife in 6 days, 10 hours, and 32 minutes (or whatever period has elapsed since you got on the net or went to a show)."

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_purpose/camping/a_g_russell_gents_hunter_wooly_mammoth_bark.html

 

[commygun]

I second baba louie's warning. I was an innocent man, making do nicely
with my battered Spyderco Endura and saving my discretionary income
for the next firearms purchase. Then I started to read this forum and
the blades have begun to accumulate at an alarming rate. The Benchmade
Griptilian will be my next purchase.

 

[redneck]

Spyderco and Benchmade both offer a wide range of knives that are garaunteed to please. It doesn't matter what you pick from their lineup, it will be top quality. The only challenge is picking which one you want.

 

[LawDog]

*snort*

I was doing just fine with a Cold Steel medium Voyager.

Then a lady friend of mine said, "You can do better than that." and bought me a Kershaw/Ken Onion Whirlwind.

Little later, I decided the Whirlwind was way too fancy to carry around work, so I bought a Spyderco Endura -- just for work.

All very nice, and such, but the above knives are all stainless steel and black plastic grips -- business-like, but not really spiffy.

So, I bought a bone-handled Case Russlock for dressy occasions.

Well, the lady who bought me the Whirlwind is very dear to me, and I didn't want her gift to get lost or damaged, so I bought a Kershaw/Ken Onion Blackout for off-duty carry.

There are times when I need to be more formal than jeans, but less formal than evening wear and the Russlock really isn't as big a knife as I'm used to and Benchmade makes one called the Ares that's a full-sized locking blade, but still kind of spiffy...

SOMEBODY STOP ME!

LawDog

 

[David]

I agree with the others -- Griptailian.

 

[Kingcreek]

If I was to have only ONE knife, it would be a good fixed blade and not one that folds in the middle.
If it has to weak enough to fold in the middle, there are atleast a hundred decent production models out there to choose from. Get decent blade steel with proper heat-treat. I prefer D2, BG42, ATS 34...
One knife? thinking like that gives me nausea...

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Large Crawford/Casper folder by CRKT. Big enough, but legal almost anywhere. Don't have to worry about your hand sliding up if you stab something, and the lock is very strong with the LAWKS -- it won't fold unless you want it to.

And you can get it for under $40. What more could you ask for?

 

[TheeBadOne]

Lots of good (toys) ideas!

 

[fawndog]

Shiva Ki anyone?

 

[Sunray]

Knives are tools. Each has a different purpose. Your Swiss Army knife will do all those things. It'll just take longer to gut a deer with one. Except for defending yourself, which you really don't want to do with a knife, it's the most handy tool there is. Great steel that holds an edge and all the attachments actually work. Get a belt pouch for it and you'll wonder why you wanted anything else. Been carrying one for 20 plus years and I'm lost without it. And with your's, you can get that bit of gristle out of your choppers.
The 'blade' on your nail cutters is for getting the deer bits out from under your finger nails.

 

[Inspector Callahan]

Spyderco Dodo

The rockin' Dodo.

 

[Bob41081]

Or you could just get the best: Chris Reeve Sebenza.

Bob

 

[Sulaco]

I also vote for the Benchmade line. I carry a Mini Griptillian daily and love it. Here's a picture.

I got the blue one because I am forever laying it down and black is so hard to find (for me). Blue shows up much better.

I like this blade design for opening boxes and if I ever need it, self defense. The benchmade pocket clip is the best I have used thus far, the new style lock is much better than anything else I have used, the blade is easy to keep sharp and stays sharp and the overall feel and quality of the knife is hard to believe.

I had an older Benchmade that was a liner lock. It broke and I sent it in. A few days later I had this one to replace it. Great service and warranty.

Also, I like the size of the Mini for everyday use. I think the full-size is more of a workhorse or defensive size. The Mini is what you would want to carry anywhere (in my opinion, anyway).

 

[TheOtherOne]

Is The Cutlery Shoppe a reputable business? Considering how long it's been and the status still hasn't changed from pending shipment, my guess is they don't stock much and just order it when you order it.

 

[SapperLeader]

Ive never ordered from them, but one of the best deals around is New Graham knives at http://www.newgraham.com

My brother and I have ordered a lot from them and they have awesome customer service and better pricing. We even made a trip to thier shop a few weeks back. Its a awesome setup, run by a pharmacist, and the webmaster is a local policeman. Two great guys, that we stayed and talked with for over 90 minutes. (most of that time was spent after the pharmacy closed.)

As for a knife suggestion, of all my knives, the one that gets carried about everyday, no matter which what, is my benchmade griptilian plain edge, with od handles. Great knife, smoothest of all my axis locks, and a steal at its price.

 

[H&K Fan]

Microtech is another good name in factory knives. Don't be fooled by msrp, they are available for around $100 or so, depending on which model knife you are looking for.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Spyderco makes excellent knives. Lots of Paramedics swear by them.

Anything by Cold Steel is a sure bet.

As far as an everytday knife I can assure you a Swiss Army Knife can open a box AND dress a deer.