Hmmm. I voted that I could, but would not like it. I am glad I don't have to, but it did get me to thinking. If I really only could have 3 knives, do I own those three today? I know I own one, my Shun Santoku or 8" Chef's knife would serve all my kitchen needs. I rarely pick up a different knife in the kitchen. The next would be a folder or small fixed blade. I have a BAD that I love and would meet the small fixed blade, but I don't know if I have a folder that I would classify as the "one". I have lots, but I may have to rethink my next knife purchase. If it was only one folder it might be a Doug Ritter Griptillian or a Chris Reeve Sebenza. I don't own either of these... As for the last knife it would be a 5-7" fixed blade. I have a Yard Guard that would certainly work, but I don't think it is the perfect knife at that size for me. I feel my wallet getting lighter.

Great question Unsub.

I couldn't limit myself to three knives. Hell, I can't limit myself to ANY number of knives. That's like asking me "how many AK-47s will be enough?"

Can there ever really be enough?

Andy, don't you know chocolate is bad for dogs? Tsk.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As far as machete versus DF, it really depends what you're doing. A machete is much much better for hacking up light brush and succulents due to the length and the speed you can get on it... But using one to chop and split wood usually isn't a great idea because they are made relatively thin for efficient slicing. The DF is a brutally thick slab of steel, and bending the edge is effectively beyond human strength. You can use it do the same work as a machete, it just takes longer, whereas trying to use a machete to do the same work as the Dogfather has a potential to damage it.

I've never used a really high quality machete granted, but that's my take on things given my current experience.

Basically I already do what the Ted talk guy says. I am happy not because of things that happen or accomplishments but because I prefer being happy and have decided to not let all the other stuff bother me. I have also found I enjoy buying
knives more fun than having them which is why I often sell them on unless they really appeal to me like the SS4 and the mule.

I think it would be OK if like Steelfan you prefer a small EDC fixed blade.
I had the 3 knife set in mind more for nonknife people which is why the folder.

I agree with Vic about the machete ,my skills with one need a bit of work though.
There is an excellent article on the technique used in one of the knife mags where they try out the new Gerber machete with the saw blade on top.

I have a nice 18 inch Tramontonia latin style with a not bad sheath that may get the HornDog method done to it.

You can chop some thick wood with a machete but it takes some technique. You need to be relaxed and let the speed of the end of the edge do the work and chop
from the side like with an axe so it does not hang up.

Tikigod what is the BAD? I love the Shun that is a great choice for a kitchen knife.

If i had to make do with 3 knives I already own I would pick the Mule instead of a folder although the Caly3 is nice Canada is not as folder friendly as it used to be. I would have a hard time choosing between the SS4 and the new Skookum that is coming tommorow

BAD = Boney Active Duty.

How about a pic of the Boney-M knife?


The original bowie knives were actually Spanish camp and butcher knives.
The French also had similar knives but the spanish style was quite popular in the area and time of the Sandbar fight. I was amazed at what a wicked fighter my friends nice Henkel knife would be. It was superbly balanced and very very sharp.
I am going to try my hand at a very primitive style sheath for my peasants knife so it can be used as a camp knife.

Yes that gives me a headache <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> . I like a 5 option better <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I could do 3 guns as well. A good .308 (or in my case .303) rifle a shotgun and a rimfire rifle. No handguns but you got the shottie for home protection.

I would go with my parker hale no4 custom ,a Mossy like Andy's with full stock and nice ghost ring sights and because it is legal in Canada a very short spare barrel for home and car and bear defence. Probably one of the nice CZ model .22's but if I could find a nice old Parker hale one I would grab it.
Actually since I am on a PH binge I may replace my old classic no 4 with one of the later Parker Hale .308's the CF used for a sniper rifle before the TimberWolf.

No.
I won’t play this particular game. It’s impossible for me.
Note there is some overlap between categories. EDC helps whatever is in the emergency kit. Emergency kit knives may serve while camping.

KITCHEN:
1 Chief knife/Chinese cleaver knife/Santoku for working on a cutting board
1 5” Utility/Straight boning knife
1 Paring knife
1 Flexible fillet knife
1 Long carving knife
1 Serrated/Granton bread knife
1 small, very sharp knife for slicing the tops of French Loaves before baking on a stone
1 Real meat cleaver/axe, not the lightweight fakes you buy these days (Yes, I could use a FBM as a cleaver, but it’s too long to serve well in that capacity. Unless I’m quartering a steer. I’ve never had occasion to quarter a steer in my kitchen.)
Others I haven’t thought of

WORK:
1 Sheet rock/utility knife (with triangular blade)
“ (with Formica blade)
“ (with other specialty blades, depending on job)
1 Hawksbill knife for carpet/flexible floor tile
1 Long knife for cutting fiberglass insulation
1 Carpenter’s Broad Axe also works for cutting fiberglass insulation
1 Jackknife for assorted uses—e.g. cutting plugs for holes in plywood in concrete forms
1 Scoring knives for layout
1 Electrician’s knife
1 Electrician’s hawksbill knife for skinning big cables
1 Rig Axe
1 Carpenter’s Half Axe
1 Shingling Hatchet
1 Sheetrock Hatchet
1 Light duty froe
1 Machete or chopper for clearing in ground when laying out new building. (Most of that will be done by the backhoe or bobcat which prepares the site. But somebody has to lay out where the catskinner will dig. To clear anything bigger than brush you call in a power tool, not an Axe.)
1+ Others I haven’t thought of

EDC:
1 Jr. Stockman, stag scales (Politically correct, don’t scare the liberals)
1 Medium Stockman or trapper, stag scales (Politically correct, don’t scare the liberals)
1 Large Benchmade Axis Lock Rittergrip
1 Leatherman Surge or Charge

HIKING CAMPING:
Fixed blades such as:
1 Meaner Streets or Yard Keeper
1 If vehicle camping, perhaps Machete plus Dogfather or FBM

EMERGENCY KITS:
Fixed blades such as:
1 Dumpster Mutt or Yard Keeper
1 Machete and/or Dogfather or FBM
1 In vehicle, full size Axe
Others, depending…

I voted for the first solution.

I can live with three knives, even if I don't like to.


- a small fixed, like the Yard keeper CG or the Fallkniven F1
- A 6" one, like the Scrapper 6 LE or the Kelsey Creek Combat ( that I just received )
- a tough working tool , like the Bark river Golok or an hatchet like Roselli, Gransfors, or Wetterlings.

Synthetic happiness? Everybody knows our whole economy would collapse without always getting more and more. The more stuff we buy and possessions we have, the happier we will be. Of course, as soon as we get the newest happiness creator, it becomes old. I will have reached total nirvana and inner peace once the NMFBM arrives. And as an added bonus, I will be a superior human being to all those who lack one. Consume! Spend! Buy! Accumulation of matierial goods is almost as uplifting and enlightening as gaining power over others or worldwide notoriety! Remember, above all else, we are what we own.

sounds like it's exactly what the knife community has been waiting for. SHTF.