What Knife Do Most People Need?

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 Admittedly, since I 'officially' started my hobby of knife collecting I have been scouring local stores, the gun show, and Amazon for the next great find. And I've collected some really iconic blades. I have especially been on the outlook lately for the ideal or best EDC for me to carry.  Right now, if I'm not sporting a 'gentleman's knife' in my dress wear, like the CKRT CEO or the BUCK Nobleman (see previous posts reviewing those), I simply pack in my pocket the Ozark Trail folder I also reviewed that took the internet by storm a year or so ago.  I have read scads of reviews on it, and while diehard knife aficionados will ultimately trash its value against the more trusted mainstays (and probably in some cases for valid reasons), others have settled on the conclusion that it will do what most people need it to do.  

Which brings me to my question above: What knife do most people need?  The variety of knives, especially folders, is legion.  If you are like me, a relative newcomer to the field, your minds swims in the endless details of steel types, handle structures, release mechanisms, size, and so forth, not to mention the relation of price to value. Everyone has an opinion on what constitutes the 'best' EDC, and every list seems to change from reviewer to reviewer.  And here's where I am right now on all this:  I am not an avid outdoors man.  Yes, I hunt. I like to hike and take pictures of wildlife.  But admittedly I haven't camped since my 30 year old son was in Boy Scouts.  I'm also largely a 'white color worker'.  As a pastor I do not work with tools or heavy machinery everyday, save my laptop.  Yes, I am a volunteer firefighter, and that has some impact on my view of knives, but my use of them in that arena is surprisingly limited.  We usually are dealing with much larger tools.  To that end I have begun to carry a neck knife (see my review earlier of neck knives), especially now that we are in wildland fire season, since it is easier to access under my protective gear.  For this I'm using my GEAR AID Buri knife on a paracord.  It's serrated, small, but tough enough I think even to rescue someone from a car (with the glass breaker at the end).  See my other review of that knife, if you are interested. 

But what does the average 'Joe' (or 'Jane') need out there?  To be honest, after reading endless reviews of many of the main brands (and even the off-brands), I don't think the average person needs anything that incredibly special.  They are not going to be batoning wood.  They probably use hatchets for their backyard fires.  Or they should. They are probably not trying to slice through heavy cordage or rope.  Probably cutting string instead.  They break down cardboard boxes for recycling, which an average utility knife can accomplish (see my review of the Milwaukee earlier).  They open mail and other packages.  Many of their daily use knives are in the kitchen preparing meals, which is an entirely different category of discussion, in my opinion.    

I was going to make my next investment in a mid-priced folder to up my game beyond the Ozark Trail. My budget was right around the $60 limits, certainly not a high end target for the Spyderco and Benchmade Bugout. And I still might.  But I no longer feel pressured to do so.  I still think my EDC kit, which I carry at times in a nice canvas type belt holder suits me best (see my very first post).  In it I have a small high lumen flashlight.  A must.  We all use these.  Next I have a small multi-tool (with scissors and small saw) with a small pry bar.  Again, a handy addition for a lot of small repairs and such.  Finally, I included the Swiss Army Tinker, which has just the right combination of tools the average person is likely to need and use: screwdrivers (regular and Philips), a couple of blades, etc.  When carrying a gentleman's knife I also carry the very portable NexTool Sailor multi-tool I reviewed.  It fits nicely in my sport jacket or dress pants, while my EDC knife hangs on the pocket with a clip.

I am also falling in love with my latest purchase of the FLISSA mini knife (it doesn't have a name, as such, but I reviewed it if you wish to see it).  I wrote a very positive review for Amazon.  It's a fun knife to open and close and hold, and for me perfect for EDC.  The added bottle opener and screwdriver head is the added bonus, and I didn't spend an arm and a leg to get it. 

Perhaps if I get more serious about outdoor activities like camping and such I will 'up my game' and go to the next level.  But I'm realizing at present that my needs do not demand a high investment for a new EDC.  Perhaps you see it differently.  If by chance you stumble on this blog and see this post, feel free to comment and change my mind!

 


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