Best all-purpose knife?

Hey y’all! I’ve been looking for a good all-purpose knife I can carry with me everywhere I go. Something that stays sharp & works for everyday tasks as well as self-defense. Any suggestions? Thank you!

The Hori Hori knife looks to be a perfect one for all purposes.

Obviously, this is a highly individual issue.  I have other knives, but the one that sees regular use is a cheap, under $10 pocket knife.  I have 4 identical ones ….. so I don’t worry if one gets misplaced.  My oldest one is over 12 years old and still working fine. It does 95% of what need a homestead knife to do.  

General purpose knife a small Mora for me. Inexpensive and in 98% of the time you just use 3 inches of a blade. Mora makes a chisel pointed one as well that I find handy in my tool belt while working wood. A Hori would be a good defensive weapon as well as a tool and could be passed off as a un-scary tool. Unlike a purely defensive knife a double edged knife is kinda useless for everyday tasks.

Would love a good recommend for a compact folding knife!

I used to have an Air Force survival knife that I used for camping.  It was a great all-around knife.

I might also consider some type of kukri.

Eric

Two that I always have in the garden
A hori hori and my Buck 110 folder.

Welcome back

Tala Chebib wrote:Would love a good recommend for a compact folding knife!

A few that come to mind, based on your parameters:

Kershaw/Emerson CQC-4K
Kershaw Volt SS
Ruike P801

Tala Chebib wrote:Would love a good recommend for a compact folding knife!

I have had the same Buck folding knife for over 55 years.  Couple new sheaths for it.  Even managed to take it with me when the "Man" sent me to the jungles.

That is one tough knife.

Buck Knives Bantam BBW 2.75 inch Folding Knife.

Have had this for a year, and very happy with it in all respects.

Dennis Barrow wrote:

Tala Chebib wrote:Would love a good recommend for a compact folding knife!

I have had the same Buck folding knife for over 55 years.  Couple new sheaths for it.  Even managed to take it with me when the "Man" sent me to the jungles.

That is one tough knife.

Did you order new Sheath ? My snap is not very secure anymore?

I have a Gerber Freeman Guide. It's a folder but a heavy one. It minimally meets your criteria and it was 22 bucks last year. Really for what you are saying you need a full tang knife. I like Buck knives for that but I wouldn't carry one everywhere.

I have everything from a tiny neckmuk to a huge OKC spear point Bowie (I am partial to spear/drop points)…Joker Montes 2 is my main buschcrafter, buck 119s are awesome all around workhorses with a great feel, SAK always is in the kit, benchmade 162 is nice but not worth what they cost now imho when joker has 30 models like it for a third of the price…

if I HAD to pick just one to walk into the woods alone - OKC bowie. General day to day ? Joker or my 4 inch Hogue drop point ex4…or the SAK

I’m a gear ho though, so grains of salt all around…

I like my CIVIVI Baklash flipper. I am a lot more of a knife-as-cooking-tool expert than any other knife type but it is nice to grip and easy for me to carry out and about without it being visible, functions well, and has held an edge nicely.

Hi Denny,

At this point I have ended up in the same place as you …..a Hori in the garden and a Buck 110 in my pocket.

Spring assisted knives like the Kershaw Chive are really great for that, they stay sharp for a while and you can easily carry them around. Plus, they're super handy for everyday tasks and relatively affordable. That’s what I carry with me; it’s been working out perfectly. Hope that helps!

Donner MacRae wrote:

A few that come to mind, based on your parameters:

Kershaw/Emerson CQC-4K
Kershaw Volt SS
Ruike P801

I am happy with my Kershaw/Emerson. The steel isn't amazing, but the wave feature is great. That little hook catches on the edge of your pocket when you pull it out. So it can open automatically. When I don't want it to open, I just cover the backside of the blade with my hand.

EDIT: It now sells for more than $50 USD. I bought mine when it was ~$30. I don't think I would buy one at the current price. I see that the Buck 110 has a warranty and comes in at $70. Just remember, the best knife is the one that you have on you when you need it.