The 20 best knives ever made

[xl_target]

I found this while perusing Field & Stream and thought some of you might like to see it. This is not my list but is made up by the author of the article.

Roughly 2 million years ago, a particularly bright specimen of Homo habilis needed to cut something and decided to invent the knife. We've come a long way since then. And for the last 40 years we've been experiencing something of a boom in the development of ever better knives. Here are 20 knives that I consider great - head and shoulders above the competition. By David E. Petzal

You may or may not agree with his lineup but here it is.

[dr.jayakumar]

each of these are unique,and has a purpose for how it is made.should be the best 20.
thanks for sharing.
regards
dr.jk

[brihacharan]

> Thanks for sharing - Imagination & craft at its best!
> No wonder they are rated as amongst the top 20 blades ever made
Briha

[slingshot]

Thanks XL for the link. Very cool. I think the list covers some good blades. Though I like the High End collector blades...I end up with production blades Maybe someday I will be able to own on some of these gorgeous platinum blondes. In the meanwhile...i am adding some names of blades to these awesome blades and some observations.

I think that everyone in this world needs to keep a Victorinox Swiss Champ or Ranger. The Ranger has less tools, but I seem to use it more than the Champ, since it is lighter and has all the tools that one would need. And definitely one Leatherman...my favourite is the Charge Ti, though the Wave or Surge are close second options. These two are must haves.

In the medium fixed blade category, I think for all round use, the Cold Steel SRK is a great knife. Especially the high carbon steel version rather then the AUS 8. It is an unsung hero. I like it because its light, compact, doesnt draw attention and is suitable for almost all tasks. Takes a superb edge. And very affordable. Other notable good blades (and more expensive) in this category include the ESEE 6, ESEE 5, ESEE 4 and the Becker BK2. Though the other Beckers including the BK 16 are good options too. On the higher scale the BRKT range has some great blades, including the Fox River and the Aurora. Another great knife in this category is the Buck 119 Special.

In the small fixed blade category, I think that the ESEE range is outstanding. Especially the ESEE 3 and the Izula 2. Both blades punch way above their size. The BRKT, Woodland Special, Mini Fox River are great options too.

In hunting knives, some of the Buck & Schrade range make the world a better place. The Buck Vanguard with the coco bolo handles is outstanding. And the Schrade hunting knives are classic. The Buck Kalinga range is very iconic too. The BRKT Drop Point Hunter is an excellent blade in this category. Puma blades ioj this category were also excellent.

In folding knives...The Buck 110 is still one of my favourites. I have two of them and they are my most trusted folding knives. I have many folders, but if I have to trust knife for unfailing service....it has to be a Buck 110. There are many notable exceptions in the folding category. Case knives & Schrade Old Timers...Sowbellies or Toothpicks. America was built on these blades. Chris Reeves or Rick Hinderer blades. Or for that matter, Balisongs. Also no mention of the Opinels or Douk Douk or Laguiole or Puma. The Tactical Folder category seems to have been missed too...though I am not a tactical knife junkie.

No switch blades either. I would have expected at least one.

I am not a tactical knife junkie in the fixed blade category either. And though the KaBAR or the Bowies are legendary...in the same category, there are other classic blades like the Fairbairn Sykes combat daggers that seem to not find mention. I also like the Cold Steel Recon Tanto. Just wicked. Modern day knives include Busse. But there are some very good options from other brands too. Gill Hibbens or even Cold Steel Trailmaster. Or the ESEE Junglas or the Buck Hoodlum.

I am surprised that there is no mention of Khukuris. Especially since they seem to have captured the imagination of many. The Khukuri, continues to be an inspirational blade and is extremely versatile too. From food prep to zombie annihilation...can do all. Also, no mention of machetes and other big fixed blade knives.

And the whole range of outstanding Japanese blades also exist. In addition, there is the full range of Scandinavian blades. These include Helle, J Marttiini, Haugrud, Mora etc.

And one of the most used blades are kitchen knives. I love kitchen knives...in fact my love for blades born in the kitchen. The Solingen blades, Japanese blades are sheer poetry.

So many knives....so little money

[Moin.]

Hi XL; Thanks for sharing the list, but highly debatable. Too broad a category to shorlist in select 20, a too much of a mix of Production /Custom, Combat/utility etc etc. The list has a custom loveless and a Busse Mistress in the same league as a Ulu or a Standard $60 Production Kabar. Lets see what guys like Mack or Slingshot have to say.

Regards
Moin.

[Vikram]

Excellent read, XL. Thanks for sharing. Despite not being a knives collector, I can appreciate the art and science of it. However, my money, if I have any, would go to a few working production examples than speciality ones that go beyond the range of $100-150+.

Guns, well that is a different topic.

Best-
Vikram

[knifejunkie]

The list mentions some great designs but "The 20 best knives ever made" yeah !! I don't think so,since they are obvious designs from US and their great neighbour to the north (Canada) what about the khukri or shamsheer design. On top of that the 'ever made' includes current knives in production like emerson folders or Spartan fixed blades and the likes, where are they mr author .

[knifejunkie]

Thanks XL for the link. Very cool. I think the list covers some good blades. Though I like the High End collector blades...I end up with production blades Maybe someday I will be able to own on some of these gorgeous platinum blondes. In the meanwhile...i am adding some names of blades to these awesome blades and some observations.

I think that everyone in this world needs to keep a Victorinox Swiss Champ or Ranger. The Ranger has less tools, but I seem to use it more than the Champ, since it is lighter and has all the tools that one would need. And definitely one Leatherman...my favourite is the Charge Ti, though the Wave or Surge are close second options. These two are must haves.

In the medium fixed blade category, I think for all round use, the Cold Steel SRK is a great knife. Especially the high carbon steel version rather then the AUS 8. It is an unsung hero. I like it because its light, compact, doesnt draw attention and is suitable for almost all tasks. Takes a superb edge. And very affordable. Other notable good blades (and more expensive) in this category include the ESEE 6, ESEE 5, ESEE 4 and the Becker BK2. Though the other Beckers including the BK 16 are good options too. On the higher scale the BRKT range has some great blades, including the Fox River and the Aurora. Another great knife in this category is the Buck 119 Special.

In the small fixed blade category, I think that the ESEE range is outstanding. Especially the ESEE 3 and the Izula 2. Both blades punch way above their size. The BRKT, Woodland Special, Mini Fox River are great options too.

In hunting knives, some of the Buck & Schrade range make the world a better place. The Buck Vanguard with the coco bolo handles is outstanding. And the Schrade hunting knives are classic. The Buck Kalinga range is very iconic too. The BRKT Drop Point Hunter is an excellent blade in this category. Puma blades ioj this category were also excellent.

In folding knives...The Buck 110 is still one of my favourites. I have two of them and they are my most trusted folding knives. I have many folders, but if I have to trust knife for unfailing service....it has to be a Buck 110. There are many notable exceptions in the folding category. Case knives & Schrade Old Timers...Sowbellies or Toothpicks. America was built on these blades. Chris Reeves or Rick Hinderer blades. Or for that matter, Balisongs. Also no mention of the Opinels or Douk Douk or Laguiole or Puma. The Tactical Folder category seems to have been missed too...though I am not a tactical knife junkie.

No switch blades either. I would have expected at least one.

I am not a tactical knife junkie in the fixed blade category either. And though the KaBAR or the Bowies are legendary...in the same category, there are other classic blades like the Fairbairn Sykes combat daggers that seem to not find mention. I also like the Cold Steel Recon Tanto. Just wicked. Modern day knives include Busse. But there are some very good options from other brands too. Gill Hibbens or even Cold Steel Trailmaster. Or the ESEE Junglas or the Buck Hoodlum.

I am surprised that there is no mention of Khukuris. Especially since they seem to have captured the imagination of many. The Khukuri, continues to be an inspirational blade and is extremely versatile too. From food prep to zombie annihilation...can do all. Also, no mention of machetes and other big fixed blade knives.

And the whole range of outstanding Japanese blades also exist. In addition, there is the full range of Scandinavian blades. These include Helle, J Marttiini, Haugrud, Mora etc.

And one of the most used blades are kitchen knives. I love kitchen knives...in fact my love for blades born in the kitchen. The Solingen blades, Japanese blades are sheer poetry.

So many knives....so little money

Did you use "knifejunkie" unintentionally or to get back at me for something?

[Mack The Knife]

Did you use "knifejunkie" unintentionally or to get back at me for something?

Oh dear....some mothers do 'ave 'em.

[Vikram]

Did you use "knifejunkie" unintentionally or to get back at me for something?

Are you serious? I don't think he even knows that there is a member with your handle. The adjective is such a common one. Take it easy.


Best-
Vikram

[knifejunkie]

I am not complaining or fighting or fuming etc ... Just confirming bhai, besides i love slingshots collection more than him (just kidding), can't hurt a man who has such great knives and knowledge to appreciate them.

[slingshot]

I am not complaining or fighting or fuming etc ... Just confirming bhai, besides i love slingshots collection more than him (just kidding), can't hurt a man who has such great knives and knowledge to appreciate them.

Knifejunkie...absolutely no reference to you in my earlier comment Glad you like my blades and this thread.

[xl_target]

Slingshot,
I have my own theories about the authors choices. Most probably they are knives he has used at one time or another. A lot of the traditional hunter/conservation types shy away from anything remotely "tactical" so he probably would prefer to use more traditional knives. Some of them would even consider the USMC Kabar mentioned to be tactical. Most of them would never use a Balisong or an Opinel in the field. So what we are seeing is kind of a specialized outlook that influences his selection. I was surprised about the lack of mention of the Puma or Case knives. It's the younger guys who are more open minded about some of this stuff and will not hesitate to use anything if it looks like a good idea. Still its hard to cover every type when you can only pick 20 of them (as Moin mentions).

About Buck knives: I was on a hunt many years ago and one of the guys had a fancy new Buck fixed blade knife with about a six inch or so blade. When we gutted out his deer, he inserted the point in the cartilage in the pelvis area. Usually a quick twist of the knife blade will spring the joint open but when he did that there was a "piiiing" and about an inch of his point broke off. Granted, it could have been a fault in that particular blade but since that day, I have never looked twice at a Buck knife.

[slingshot]

Slingshot,
I have my own theories about the authors choices. Most probably they are knives he has used at one time or another. A lot of the traditional hunter/conservation types shy away from anything remotely "tactical" so he probably would prefer to use more traditional knives. Some of them would even consider the USMC Kabar mentioned to be tactical. Most of them would never use a Balisong or an Opinel in the field. So what we are seeing is kind of a specialized outlook that influences his selection. I was surprised about the lack of mention of the Puma or Case knives. It's the younger guys who are more open minded about some of this stuff and will not hesitate to use anything if it looks like a good idea. Still its hard to cover every type when you can only pick 20 of them (as Moin mentions).

About Buck knives: I was on a hunt many years ago and one of the guys had a fancy new Buck fixed blade knife with about a six inch or so blade. When we gutted out his deer, he inserted the point in the cartilage in the pelvis area. Usually a quick twist of the knife blade will spring the joint open but when he did that there was a "piiiing" and about an inch of his point broke off. Granted, it could have been a fault in that particular blade but since that day, I have never looked twice at a Buck knife.

Maybe I know this Buck knife ...I think its the Buck 119 Special.

buck119c.jpg

It has an exaggerated and very fine clip point and is hollow ground. Good for fine work. But I think if you applied any significant leverage, especially if it was very cold, this will snap. But there are some good Buck blades too. The Buck Vanguard is a good option. Will try to post pictures of it tomorrow.

And I am sure that you are correct that the author is writing about knives that conform to hunting and traditional uses. And ones that the author has used. BTW, what is your preferred hunting blade?

[xl_target]

Yes, that is most likely it. It was almost 30 years ago so I couldn't be sure.

As far as what I use when hunting; the old (from the 1970's) Japanese Air Force pilot survival knife that I have is surprisingly robust, even though it is pretty beat up. I posted a photo of it in my shotgun thread. I also have a 30 year old Chinese folder that takes and holds a good edge that works very well for finer work. It is pretty much a Buck 110 rip-off. I am just very careful using it as I don't completely trust the lock on it. When we bag a deer, we just field dress it and then tag it and haul it to the meat-locker (butcher shop). They do every thing else and in a little while you get a bunch of neat white paper wrapped packages to put in your freezer. That's the advantage of hunting in this part of the country. You just have to haul it to the pick up truck that can usually get to within a couple of hundred yards of you.