The Best All-Around Knife?

[WILL]

I've been on almost a life long journey to find the best all-around field knife. I've tried almost every type to include custom knives and Mora’s. I'm still working on it. To help others save some time and money, I thought a thread discussing the best knife options would be a good idea. I realize everyone has their own preferences, but I'm sure some good ideas will come from it.

While I still love and use big chopping blades for processing larger wood, and I'm sure they would be good for combat, they lacked the ability to do fine work, which encompasses alot of what I do outdoors with a knife. I also found that a 1/4 inch thick blade is a bit too thick for alot of field use, and unecessarily heavy for packing. For general field use, the big iron was just too much knife.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I've tried several Mora knives. I've found they don't have a full tang, their blades have a scandi-grind and their blade steel is too thin. All these issues led to field failures.

I've owned carbon, D2, exotic and stainless blades. When new, they all cut about the same. The question is, how long will they hold an edge and how easy is it to field sharpen them? I've found the stainless is nice for corrosion resistance, but no matter whom the manufacturer, they don't hold an edge as well as carbon steel. The D2 and "exotics steels" are a PITA to sharpen compared to carbon steel. I prefer a coated carbon steel blade for that reason.

So far I've learned that a 5-6 inch long, coated carbon steel blade, about .18 thick is just the right size to handle finer work, but still able tackle moderate wood processing chores. I didn't really want to get into brand wars, but here's where I settled...

www.knifecenter.com/item/ON9447TM

What do you guys think about best all-around field knife? Crashdive especially…

[Pinpin]

If ESEE made their 5 in a 3/16" full flat grind, that would be it.

[thywar]

It's pretty clear the best all around knife to have is the one you have on you when you need it.. having said that.. I think if I decided on what the best all around knife would be for me, I PM Crash or let's see.. Carney? Sharpeblades? .. who else makes knives on here?... I'd send them pictures, measurements, grind, all the stuff that I wanted in a knife.. and I have the perfect knife for best all around use. Between the cost of all the knives I own (and I own 2 crashblades) I could probably have two custom made knives designed just like I wanted.. Just a thought

PS.. I bet I could even have my name engraved on it..

[Freedom57]

I like my Ontario 12'' machete for most camp chores. I keep mine extremely sharp,personal preference. It has always done what I need a knife to do. I use a Buck 110 and Old Hickory 6'' kitchen knife for the small camp chores. The best thing I learned about knives over the last few years was how to sharpen them! It all boils down to what YOU like, not what someone else tells you what you need to like. Good luck on your knife hunting journey. Jeff

[crashdive123]

I like the one that you have picked, but it has been my experience that "the best" is so subjective that I really shy away from those discussions. The reason being - nobody uses a tool identically - not everybody has the same needs - many have a "favorite" which influences their decision - some are brand loyal - you like a coated blade while some do not. What is best for one may not even be close for another.

All of that being said - we each determine our own needs based on our experiences. The knife you have chosen would probably serve most very well. Is it the best? I don't know.

[Deleted]

I have been making knives a long time and ime still in the search for the perfect knife,i have many customers who say i made them the perfect knife.But ime still in search for it.There is always a lot of conversation on the right length and the right thickness and the right handle and the right steel the right heat treat and the right maker but i dont anybody has figured it out

[Ceorlmann]

The best knife is the one that always works for you when you need it. In that sense I'm really digging my Nepalese kukri, but that's only based on what I've had to use it for.

[alex]

I like my BK-2. I've got a maxpedition pouch mounted to the sheath and in it I have an Old Hickory paring knife that is of the old design and has a full tang. I made a micro sheath/blade cover for it and it packs very well in the Maxpedition pouch. This way I've got the best of both worlds for under $75.00.

All that being said...I really like the blade you've chosen. I've looked at it many times but never pulled the trigger.