One Knife to Rule them all.

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One folder: Hinderer XM-24
One fixed blade: Busse Fusion Battle Mistress

I own both and would trust either to pretty much any task I have. I'd really hate to be in a position to only have one knife though...
 
JShirley said:
I just don't trust liner-locks. If I could only have a single knife, it would have a sturdier lock.

Yes, I love Spydercos, and they make quality knives, but mechanical devices are subject to fail. Other lock systems are just stronger, even the old lock-back.
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I agree, and that's exactly why the original Spyderco Manix (PE) might be the "one folding knife to rule them all" - at least in its price range.

If I had to pick a fixed blade, it would be an ESEE-3 or ESEE-4.
 
The original Manix was a tank, for sure.

I think the Manix 2/Manix 2 Lightweights are stronger than almost anyone will ever need them to be, and a better fit in most pockets.

I have a Manix 2 XL that I beat the hell out of in Afghanistan. Great knife, but definitely too large for some people all the time, and some environments at any time.
 
I have a strong preference for Barlows, SAKs, and and a good 3 blade Stockman. I've carried a Stockman more than any other EDC knife. The 3 different blade profiles do almost anything I need. I've used them for cutting anything I have any business cutting with a folder, for carving wooden fishing lures, and field dressing small and large game.
I carry a Schrade Stockman everyday at work, along with a Gerber Multi Plier.
The stockman is one of the last US made Schrades, and I got it off Knives Live, or Saturday Night Gun/Knife Show. I forget which. It's identical to my 1978 Uncle Henry 897UH, except for having jigged bone scales, instead of the Staglon scales of the UH.
I use the ceramic tube from an industrial light bulb (metal halide or sodium, I forget) to keep it sharp.
I like the US military 4 blade knife, as made by Schrade, Camillus, and Ontario. The one with the stainless steel scales, a spear blade, screwdriver/bottle opener, can opener, and leather punch.
For a fixed blade, an HI Bonecutter suits my needs, as does a USMC Ka-Bar.
 
JShirley said:
The original Manix was a tank, for sure.

I think the Manix 2/Manix 2 Lightweights are stronger than almost anyone will ever need them to be, and a better fit in most pockets.

I have a Manix 2 XL that I beat the hell out of in Afghanistan. Great knife, but definitely too large for some people all the time, and some environments at any time.
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I also like the Manix 2 and the Manix 2 XL, but I'd trade in an ounce of weight for a sturdy backlock.

I EDC'd a Chinook I for some time, which is even a tad heavier than the old Manix. I never felt those knives were too big for any environment. They are just a little bigger than a cell phone and weigh less than most wallets.

What eventually stopped me from carrying the Chinook or other similarly-sized folders were new German knife laws that prevent me from carrying folders with locking mechanisms. Now I'm EDCing an ESEE-4... because we all know that's a much less dangerous knife :rolleyes:
 
I had a Chinook. Gave it away (to Andy of Fiddleback Forge, come to think of it). It was just too big to carry.
 
This has gotten ridiculous. I'm wanting a folding knife with a lock blade that doesn't have anything that can break like switch. That's the first thing, then a fixed blade, and a tomahawk...and that's just to start. I guess I'll start with the folder, but I can see how this could get expensive. How is United Cutlery as far as quality goes?
 
United Cutlery = poor quality overall. Chinese stuff although some of the Chinese blades have been improving. Most good knives have gotten more expensive relative to 20 years ago.

Added: When it comes to knives and guns, everyone has an opinion. It's hard to choose. Looking for a basic knife > Buck, Case (for basic folders), Great Eastern Cutlery (for basic folders), Spyderco, some kershaws, SOG (okay, but you can do better for the price), Colt Steel (about the same as SOG).

Generally speaking US made is usually good. Some US companys import all of their knives. Many SOG blades made in Japan & Taiwan; the less expensive stuff made in China now. I am a fan of the SOG Twitch (Japanese made).

Cheap but fairly good knives but Chinese made > Rough Rider. Forget about Schrade (all chinese made now that they went out of business and I believe purchased by United I think.) Forget about brands like Colt, Winchester, or S&W.
 
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22r is pretty much on the money. Browning and HK (Benchmade) are notable exceptions in firearms manufacturer-licensed knives.
 
Benchmade are okay knives. Be selective. Remington knives are made by Bear & Son (US). They used to be made by Camillus until Camilus went under. I believe United bought the Camillus trademark too and they are Chinese made now.

I also don't particularly care for liner locks like JShirley.

Great Eastern knives are excellent overall. They sell under three brands. (They are my current favorite. Generally a bit more expensive than Case, but very well made knives.) Queen are good, but unless the new owner has changed things, you frequently have to work on a good edge from them as they come from the factory. Never really understood why they often came poorly sharpened.

Lots of pretty cost effective choices with fixed blades however. These are traditional single thread topics rather than a wandering into a discussion from "One knife to rule them all"....

In general, don't be afraid of Japanese made knives. They are overall very good.

Mora's are good. But I don't care for the laminated steel. Many people love them (cost vs quality kind of issue). They are inexpensive and hold an edge.

Frost Cutlery (US) is another one that are low quality. But they sell the heck out of their $8 > $12 knives.
 
Add to that a Spyderco tenacious or persistence. Made in China, but the quality is excellent and prices are great. There is no reason to dive into the knife world with a fist full of money. There are plenty of good quality folders below $75 dollars that will provide a lifetime of service if properly cared for.

sent from my Galaxy Note II.
 
I just don't trust liner-locks. If I could only have a single knife, it would have a sturdier lock.
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I can understand that. I have to say, though, that I have never had a liner-lock fail or seen one fail. Of course, I don't use my knives as prybars, splitting wedges, digging tools, screwdrivers, or any of the 101 other ways people think up to abuse (IMO) their knives. YMMV. ;)
 
There should be no problem with quality liner-locks, but on an inexpensive knife especially, or in an emergency, a back-lock is stronger.

I've seen liner-locks on $11 knives. :scrutiny:
 
I'd consider those to be "liner-lock-like" just because they're a cheap low quality pass at putting a "lock" in place. Heck, those things are more dangerous than no lock at all since they give the impression of nonexistent safety.

I've abused several knives, Spyderco's included, with real liner locks without any hint at failure so I disagree with the general idea that liner locks are a poor choice. A badly made knife will fail you in any number of ways and a poorly fitted back/mid/tail lock will fail just like a poor "liner lock" will. My one complaint about "good" liner locks is when they're designed to be too easy to get to so a person with a meaty hand can unlatch them when twisting.
 
Hey, no way I could get away with carrying a large fixed blade every day. If you can and do, more power to you.
 
In my opinion, fwiw, there is no one knife. This is an interesting thread not unlike the EDC thread. One knife for me would be a stout fixed blade, but my original post was the Spartan Blades Arkibis. Upon further reflection, if I could only have one knife to rely upon it would be a fighter as in my Randall Model 1 at 5" or perhaps the 7" which I also have.
Just some random thoughts....

Jim
 
Or maybe my 5" Utilicat which is thin and very light.All three knives fit in this sheath I had made BTW
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Gordon,

I said what I would take, if I could only have one knife for everything: a Spyderco Manix 2 Black Lightweight. Many states specifically outlaw carrying "bowies" or double-edged blades.

Of course certain knives work better for some tasks than others! My Daily Kiri zips through cardboard. The Camp Defender will outchop the longer and heavier RTAC-2.
Some folks have to ask themselves where to start with a firearms battery, and the answer always depends on what they want most, and can afford. In a similar way, no matter what knives we think are neatest (Camp Defender is my favorite knife), I carry a Spyderco every day. On the other hand, someone who lived on the trail would probably want to start with a sturdy 3-5" fixed blade. Priorities.

John
 
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