Working knife collection

[bratch]

I went through 10 pages of results and couldn’t find anything like this but if it’s out there point me in the right direction.

I’ve spent most of Covid spending time and money getting my supplies back in order; batteries and bulbs in the flashlights, new nylon gear, med supplies, etc and now I have turned my focus to my steel collection (see Truck knife thread).

I feel pretty capable helping someone design a firearm collection to cover just about anything but don’t trust myself to do the same for knives.

For those more knowledgeable than I am, what would you consider a fully equipped working knife collection? I’m thinking along the lines of hunting, camping, general purposes, around the house, defense, etc. No need to try and scrimp and get an 80% answer when two would be better (I.e. big and small game hunting knife versus a single midsized knife).

Or another way to think about it is if a friend with nothing gave you their credit card and said buy me a set of knives that would cover every reasonable use and expectation; what all would you buy them? General styles and/or specific recommendations

 

[hso]

if a friend with nothing gave you their credit card and said buy me a set of knives that would cover every reasonable use and expectation

That could get to be expensive and I'd have to have them list "reasonable use and expectations" since my "reasonable" probably goes beyond that of most folks. They'd need a limit as well since I carry a Sebenza.

 

[bikerdoc]

I get by with a 5 inch fighter/camp knife a 3 inch general purpose, a 4 inch lock back folder, a small folder, and a small hatchet. All good steel and heat treat, and kept scary sharp.
Bed time but Ill post pics tomorrow pm.

 

[jmr40]

The knives we choose are such a personal choice that I find it hard to say what is "best". There are lots of good choices and very few are bad choices. If someone asks about a specific purpose, with a specific budget I might be able to offer some specific choices that I like personally. Your question is pretty open ended but when someone says "working" knives I think of mid priced knives. Here are some of my favorites. Not that other choices are not just as good.

Heavy duty folder.

https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Man...602117866&sprefix=spyderco+man,aps,231&sr=8-1

Everyday carry

https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Man...602117866&sprefix=spyderco+man,aps,231&sr=8-1

Survival

https://www.amazon.com/Bradford-Kni...&sprefix=bradford+guardian+4.5,aps,156&sr=8-2

Hunting

https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Mor...1602118297&sprefix=spyderco+mo,aps,167&sr=8-2

I have all of these, and many more. Exactly which I choose to carry at any given time is somewhat whimsical. I have some costing, more, some much less. But I think these choices are a good balance between quality and reasonable cost.

 

[Mk-211]

ESEE 6, for heavy work.
Falkniven A1, for fine work.
ZT 350, because you need a good pocket knife to back both up!
SOG or CRKT Tactical Tomahawk.
Don't forget a good set of folding pliers like SOG or Gerber.

 

[SharpDog]

Here are my current choices (not counting multi-tools, axes, hatchets nor shovels)

EDC:

Kershaw Launch 1 (no longer available):



Gerber EAB:



Utility:

Knives of Alaska Yukon:



Spartan Harsey Difensa:



Buck Hoodlum (no longer available, fancy one shown, I also have the standard variety for utility):

 

[bratch]

That could get to be expensive and I'd have to have them list "reasonable use and expectations" since my "reasonable" probably goes beyond that of most folks. They'd need a limit as well since I carry a Sebenza.

May be too wide of an ask but I was imagining something like this. There is probably an argument to be made between a high cost to value option and a top end option like the Sebenza.

EDC:
Light carry: Benchmade Bugout
Heavy Carry: ZT350
NPE: Case Stockman

Car Camping:
Chopper
Kindling prep
Food prep

Backpacking: ESEE Izula

Hunting:
Big game
Small game
Gut hook

Fishing:
Filet knife

Stash/bag knives: Mora

General use

These are my initial ideas but like I said in the ordinal post I feel a little out of my lane even making the list.

 

[hso]

Hunting https://www.diamondbladeknives.com/Store/african-ph-combo-set/african-ph-combo---od-g10

Fishing https://www.knivesofalaska.com/Store/steelheader/steelheader-suregrip

Car Camping https://www.kellamknives.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_40&products_id=810 https://www.swissarmy.com/us/en/Products/Cutlery/Chef's-Knives/Fibrox®-Pro-8''-Chef’s-Knife,-Extra-Wide/p/5.2063.20

Backpacking Yeah, the Izula is a good choice (I have one in the console), but you need a second "knife"for the rest of the tasks backpacking. https://www.kellamknives.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_40&products_id=809

Stash knives Yep, lots of Moras to fill the bill.

EDC That can be a huge range from the simple Opinel to the Sebenza or any number of small fixed blades (custom and production). Always get something you like the feel of in your hand with a blade steel that holds an edge well so you have a comfortable knife that is enjoyable to use. You gotta have a favorite SAK and a favorite multi pliers. I carry a Master Craftsman that Victorinox no longer makes (so I have them built) or the Locksmith in the 110mm. Others would prefer the Ranger or something smaller like the Tinker. I like the Leathermans for multi pliers.

Small axes I have the GB Small Forrest that I think is about perfect in that size, but I also have the Council in a slightly larger size I like a lot. https://counciltool.com/shop/velvic...bay-bush-craftcamp-axe-with-sheath-24-handle/

​

 

[Fiv3r]

I could get by with very little, but as far as covering bases I would lean toward the following just based on my preferences.

EDC: Chris Reeve Inkosi or Sebenza. Spendy, yes, but built to be used hard and maintained by the owner (not the factory).

Woods carry: Fiddleback Forge Woodsman. Its not a model I think is made anymore, but mine was hand-spun by Andy Roy when he first got into the knife game. Extremely well thought out and designed. Good belt size knife for 99% of what you may need a blade for in the wilds. Probably my "dropped into parts unknown" knife of choice. Love it.

Camp knife: quality khukuri of 15-18". Most likely one with some good belly like and Ang Khola or M43 by Himalayan Imports. Covers what the Woodsman can't as is a formidable weapon. With practice, it makes a hatchet redundant.

Absolutely without a doubt and would never go anywhere without it: Quality multitool. Like guns, we tend to get myopic when it comes to what we need in regards to a knife or tool. A good multitool boosts your options and allows you flexibility if you get creative. There is not one piece of kit that has saved my butt more often than the basic tool set of a multitool. Personal choice: Leatherman of some flavor with a leaning preference toward the Free P4.

 

[Boattale]

Small Fixed blade: Bob Dozier Personal
Medium Fixed blade: Bob Dozier White River Hunter
Largish Fixed blade: Ka Bar USMC fighting knife
Small Filet: good old birch handle Rapala
Large Filet: Dexter Russell w. 8" blade
EDC folder: BM griptilian
GP folder: SAK officer model
Just because everybody needs one: Opinel #8 carbon steel
Multi tool: Needle nose Gerber multi plier
Small hatchet: small Estwing
Medium hatchet: Gransfors Bruk small forest axe
Small Axe: Council velvicut boy's axe
Every vehicle needs a folding e-tool
Every truck needs a quality forged short handled shovel.

 

[jeepnik]

Milwaukee has a line of work knives. Reasonable priced and very durable. On the plus side they look like a tool with the red handle and logo.

 

[rust collector]

Swiss army Super Tinker, Hogue Ritter RSK, Esee JG5 Nessmuk camp knife, and Kershaw Camp 10 Kukri. Marbles branded Imacasa hatchet with long handle for kindling and pounding.

 

[bannockburn]

Some of my knives are older and out of production. Cost to obtain them nowadays would be rather expensive but I do have some current knives that should qualify as making for a good working knife collection:

Benchmade Mini-Griptillian

Kershaw Scallion

Swiss Army Knives

Ontario Knife Co. Rat-5

Mora Kniv

USAF Survival Knife

USMC Ka-Bar Fighting Knife

Glock Model 81 Field Knife

Gerber Mk.I Boot Knife

Gerber Applegate-Fairbairne Folder

AL Mar SERE Survival Knife

Corneta Model 127 Machete

Nordlund Hatchet

 

[bannockburn]

Duplicate post

 

[Trunk Monkey]

This is what I carry every night at work



Top to bottom
Gerber Multitool I bought at the PX on Ft. Carson 20(ish) years ago.

Buck 110 with an aftermarket thumb stud. Bought at the same PX at approximately the same time.

Benchmade 710 given to me by a friend right before Coronageddon started.

This is what I carry when I'm not at work



Top to bottom

Same Multitool
Buck 110 Slimline I bought right before I was gifted the Benchmade. It's basically a 110 with an unpolished blade and a polymer handle. Well worth the 30 bucks I paid for it.

And if you look at the date symbol on the blade it's a Glock sight

 

[spraay]

what all would you buy them? General styles and/or specific recommendations

I've chosen these from my stable:

Victorinox Explorer- SAK General Do Everything. I carry one every day.
Leatherman Charge TTI Multitool - Better Do Everything Tool.
Chris Reeve Inkosi - Cadillac EDC folding knife for all reasons (Large or Small according to your taste)
ZT 350BW - Heavy EDC folder
Spyderco Native 5 G10 Carbon Fiber S90V - Lightweight EDC folder (or any Spyderco Native)
Bradford Guardian 4 - Great fixed blade for many purposes - last-ditch defense
Nick Allen Knives Sierra Scout in S30V - Custom fixed-blade for camp and kitchen
ESEE Gibson Axe - For wood processing around camp
Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner - Hunting/Dressing Deer
Benchmade Saddle Mountain Hunter - Sadly discontinued, but an excellent knife for fine work in processing game.
White River Traditional Fillet Knife - Well, for filleting fish.
Spyderco Salt - Tackle box knife.

 

[sparkyv]

This is what I have and use as my actual working knives:

Pocket folder: Case Doctor's Knife
EDC: ZT 0566 or Kershaw Dividend
Multitool: Fix-it Sticks kit and an old Leatherman
Bush craft: Schrade SCHF37 Frontier
Fillet: Schrade basic model
Skinner: Buck 110 and Mora Companion (I need a better skinner option)
Hatchet: SOG basic model
Axe: Walley World generic
Machete: I don't have one yet

 

[huntsman]

Working knives? That’s going to vary by person and activities.

I had 80lbs of chicken to cut and trim for freezing, kitchen knives are Cutco but after a hour of use they became a pain so I went for the most ergonomic knife I have.

Finished the job with a DH Russell #1, normally that’s a field dressing knife but I expanded my thinking and it worked great.

EDC is mini-grip, game knives are the DH and a AG Russell woodswalker.

Those are users, really all I need for around the homestead and day to day.

 

[JShirley]

Small folder: Spyderco Dragonfly, Bokker Keycom

OR

Small fixed blade: Spyderco ARK, Spyderco Enuff, CRKT Minimalist or S.P.E.W.

Mid-size folder: Spyderco Native, Spyderco Manix 2, Manix 2 LW, Spyderco Delica

Larger folder: Spyderco Endura, Spyderco Manix 2 XL, Spyderco Shaman, Buck 110

OR

Medium fixed blade: Spyderco Street Bowie, Spyderco Ronin 2, Spyderco Fish Hunter, ESEE 4

Large fixed blade: RTAK 2, HI Kukri, machete

OR

Hatchet or tomahawk:

Multi tool:

Ultimately, you could get by with one small-medium knife, and one large blade, but more options= better. I, for instance, usually carry a midsize folder, but in uniform usually carry a Manix 2 XL.

 

[AFSG]

My EDC is a Boy Scout pocket knife.
My woods knives run from Mora to Jeff White.

 

[e rex]

My everyday carry/working knife is a Case full size Stockman.