Been working on downsizing for what feels like all of 2024.. Well, I’ll be needing a new vehicle by the end of the year, so that’s motivated me to really nail down which knives are keepers, and what ones I can live with letting go. Here’s what I’m currently left with, thinking I’ll be down to 10 by the end of the year:
Spyderco Manix 2 – This one has only stayed in the collection because I have been wanting to try a chop on it / reprofile the handles a bit, and resale is just too low for me to be motivated to put it up on the swap. Not one that will likely stay in the collection forever barring maybe a crazy reblade or something.
Benchmade Bugout – Wife got me this on our honeymoon, so this will stay forever. I added Rockscale Ti scales. Has seen a ton of carry, but is now mostly just the knife I carry when I go bowling, and not much else. I haven’t tried every “bugout killer”, but of the ones I have tried, the Bugout is still king in my book.
WE Vision R – Factory clip delete and added a clip from the WE Highfin, also added Ti Connector studs for funzies. Not my favorite knife, but its very unique, which is why its in the collection.
Spyderco Bodacious – Fairly recent addition. I love the thinner blade stock and no finger choil vs the shaman. This one I chopped down to a better size. Biggest gripe is absolutely garbage factory scales, with zero contouring. I added the new RGT Ti featherweight scales (this one is ripple milling) and their matching clip. New enough that I don’t know if it will be a keeper, but I’m really enjoying it for now.
TRM Neutron 2 – Newest addition to the collection and has been the only knife I’ve carried for the past week or so. Super lightweight and easy to carry. Very smooth washer action. Thinner bladestock than what I would generally want, but man, the second I held this one I knew it would be a keeper. Got custom scales on the way from Match Anderson for it.
Oz Rosie – You love it, I love it, its (maybe?) the best folding pocket knife ever. If I could only have one knife for the rest of my life, this would be it. Best ergos I have ever felt, perfect size for EDC. Incredible action, fit/finish, etc etc etc. I think all the hype around this knife is 100% justified personally. I have a book spot for scale milling on it which is why I’ve kept this PJ one. I also added mono Zircuti clip and full length backspacer from Johnny T. One of the few knives I’d buy multiples of. I pray to the knife gods that we’ll get an inset liner lock version someday, so I can have more fun with aftermarket scales without it being a one sided affair.
Brown Cortex XL – The one and only Brown knife I have tried, and it’s a bit mind boggling how cool it is. Amazing scale milling, fit/finish and all that good stuff is top notch. I’m pretty sure the adjustable detent and lockup system is alien tech. I want to check out a mini FSD eventually.
Benchmade Anthem – This is one I hunted for a LONG time and finally got one that was not only in pristine condition, but CENTERED! (maybe it’s a lemon for actually being centered!?). The fatal flaw of this knife is Benchmade was drunk during the design phase, and decided to have the bearings running right on the titanium without any steel washer in between. Action was getting bumpy and I knew eventually, would turn to crap. So it is now running on PB washers (0.25″ x 0.495″ x 0.048″), and the action is incredible. Smooth, drop shut, everything you could ask for in PB washer action.
CRK Large Sebenza 31 – The last of about a dozen different CRK’s I’ve had. This one is pretty decked out. Chad Nicholas Damascus, Knife Lounge full length backspacer, Ti connector Zirc thumbstuds. I have the washers polished up and the action is very flickable (for a CRK at least…). Just need a zircuti clip, and maybe a fancy inlay swap and this will be fully tricked out. Doesn’t get carried much, but I like it too much to let it go at this point.
Laconico FJ – The closest I have found to a medium Sebenza. The drops for these are wild. You get about 15 seconds to get through the checkout screen before they are gone, took me I think 5 tries to get it. Action was a bit gritty when I got it, but polished everything up and added some KPL, and its nice and smooth now. Not sure if this one will hang around forever or not.
Spyderco Shaman – Basic s30v shaman that I chopped down to the size of a bugout, and added RC Bladeworks Micarta scales. I will likely swap the scales out for full contoured scales eventually, but as is this one is really sweet, one of my all time favorites. I’d say it’s the best knife Spyderco currently makes, but stock, they are too big, and I would not keep one in my collection that wasn’t chopped. Going to add a fancier steel version eventually.
Quiet Carry The Nine – My favorite of all the QC knives I’ve had, though I want to try the drift again at some point since I like the TRM N2 so much… I went through I think 4 Nines until I got this blacked out one. Ergos and action are fantastic. Maybe not a forever knife, but it hasn’t been cut (😉) yet.
Winterblade Co Factor B3 – This one is just flat out cool. I don’t carry it much anymore, but there’s nothing else like it out there, so its unique-ness will likely earn it a permanent spot in the collection. I have a Severn on the way eventually as well. Brian Winters just makes cool stuff.
CKF Evo 4.0 – This one I actually have up for sale on the swap right now. Not because I don’t like it, but because I need some funds, and these pop up often enough that I know I can grab another down the road. A very cool and unique design. Just wish it wasn’t quite as awkward to close without the blade kissing your thumb when it drops down.
by HockeyPockey603
