OK, I have been going over my knife list and I would Ideally have 4 knives. (Well 6 counting a folder).

The Folder: Either my GTI folder or Umnumzaan. Dwell on this more I must.

SWAMP WARDEN:
Probably the skelly one, for a Necker. I chose this over the Cupid/scarpivore because I just feel as if this slightly larger blade is more useful for more varied purposes. I would REALLY like this in INFI and would probably trade my Wardog HACK for one.

MUD PUPPY:
I keep forgetting I have this knife and I really like the blade shape/size and the way it feels in my hand. It's probably the best feeling (To me) knife I have. FFG blade 3.5 inches long with full Mudders, just a really good knife.

S5:
VERY hard decision. I like the handling of the Mud Mutt, but the S5, which Patty picked out the colors of, has a special place in my heart. I wanted to pick the Wardog for it's ease of maintenance, but in the end the Edge holding ability won out. Now if it was a grab and go EOTWAWKI situation, I WOULD pick the Wardog. but the S5 would be packed away somewhere for JUST IN CASE.

TALI-WHACKER:
IF I was going to have a Medium size blade, it would have to be this one. I know, I know, but it's the only blade that size I have that isn't a third of an inch thick or more, Plus I like the way it feels in my hand and TO ME has a better UTILITY style handle. I wish (Yeah I know) I would have gotten the 711.

BUSHWHACKER MISTRESS:
Nothing more really needs to be said. Fantastic size for a Chopper and not to heavy, plus it's INFI for ease of maintenance. Even though the 1311 actually (for me) carries lighter and might be a better chopper due to it's extra length, The maintenance issue won out.

OK, In a Got to have to survive situation it would be:

GTI folder. I REALLY like the weapon aspect of the Umnumzaan but for versatility I think the GTI wins out, plus that really wide 3.5 inch blade would be wicked if used for defense. This would then suffice as a folder AND the Necker and small fixed blade, replacing both the Warden and Mud Puppy.

Wardog. For the reasons stated above, namely because of it's ease of maintenance/sharpening.

Bushwhacker Mistress. Again for the reasons stated in my above post. Now I just need to put a sharpening hone (Diamond of course) in the sheath pocket so I'll have something to keep em all sharp.

I know my choices changed between the two posts, but I hope I adequately explained why. One post was for an Ideal brace of knives the other for a bare bones gotta have it to survive loadout.

BUT I have all my Busse/Kin blades in a bag, so all I would have to do is Grab And Go!

I prefer slightly larger knives so I will have to come up with things that fit though they are going to look like they belong in a different category.

There are some really well thought out posts in this thread. Great job guys.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this, and will be starting a companion thread. However, for here I've decided I actually want more knives than the "just enough" or even "more than enough". This decision is based upon experience trying to use the wrong tool.

For my lifestyle (I live in the country, periodically drive 2 hours round trip to professional office job three towns away, am starting a small organic farm, am "self preservation" minded, tend to take care of things myself, etc etc.). Basically, I'm an individualist. As such I think I really need:

EDC FOLDER (everywhere everyday): Spyderco Delica4 or Endura4

NECKER/POCKET FIXED: Swamp Rat Warden

WARM WEATHER (LIGHT COVER GARMENT) BELT CARRY FIXED EDC (for going into town): Busse Leaner Meaner or Boss Street

COOL WEATHER BELT CARRY FIXED EDC (going into a "rough area" or further from home): Busse SAR-5

FARM WORK EDC: Swamp Rat RMD

GET HOME BAG (when commuting to the office where I can't wear a fixed blade on my belt): Busse SAR-5 or Busse ASH-1 Skinny

WOODSCRAFT & SURVIVAL: Swamp Rat Vex or RMD + Busse SAR-5 or ASH-1 + Busse NMSFNO or NMFSH or ASHBM

HUNTING: Swamp Rat Vex + Busse ASH-1

FENDING OFF THE ALIEN ZOMBIE INVASION: Busse ASH-1 or Axe Hammer or Tank Buster or TGLB




This will probably change as soon as I hit "submit".

Folder, belt knife, chopper, and machete. And I need two sizes of each.

I guess if money were tight,
Spyderco Persistence
Mud Mutt
EESE 6
1111

I like a small folder, 3" max blade; then a medium belt knife (4 to 5 inches); then a chopper and a hatchet.

Currently, I'm carrying a Kershaw CQC-6 for my folder, a cheap Mora for my belt knife and I have a Kershaw Outcast behind the truck seat. No hatchet to speak of right now.

Ideally, I'd be carrying my Spyderco PPT for a folder, my 411 on my belt and a 11-11 for the chopper. Plus some sort of traditional hatchet stowed behind the truck seat.

My decision making categories are basically.
1 Do I really want it.
2 Can I afford it.
3 Does it serve a purpose for me.

mp1000, good to hear from you again!

All of them. LOL but I do want them to be capable of being used.