The one knife for 365 days challenge

[vivi]

It's funny. I completed this challenge 8 or 9 consecutive times before I came across Spyderco.

Now I'm not sure if I could do it. :)

I've done it with a Military five times over, and a few times with a Police 3 and Para 2. I've come close with my PE Pacific Salt, but a Millie or Manix always snuck in some days. The first 8 years I owned one my Pacific Salt was my beater / summer EDC, and I always carried something else during cooler months.

[The Meat man]

It's funny. I completed this challenge 8 or 9 consecutive times before I came across Spyderco.

Now I'm not sure if I could do it. :)

I've done it with a Military five times over, and a few times with a Police 3 and Para 2. I've come close with my PE Pacific Salt, but a Millie or Manix always snuck in some days. The first 8 years I owned one my Pacific Salt was my beater / summer EDC, and I always carried something else during cooler months.

Actually I know I could do it easily. It's just that with the variety now available to me it would be pretty hard to pick just one and refrain from using any of the others.

If push came to shove though, I'd probably end up going with my S110V Military.

As a matter of fact I'm already in the middle of my own one-knife challenge - to carry my Pacific Salt SE, exclusively, for at least a month, in order to give a full SE blade a fair trial.

[vivi]

It's funny. I completed this challenge 8 or 9 consecutive times before I came across Spyderco.

Now I'm not sure if I could do it. :)

I've done it with a Military five times over, and a few times with a Police 3 and Para 2. I've come close with my PE Pacific Salt, but a Millie or Manix always snuck in some days. The first 8 years I owned one my Pacific Salt was my beater / summer EDC, and I always carried something else during cooler months.

Actually I know I could do it easily. It's just that with the variety now available to me it would be pretty hard to pick just one and refrain from using any of the others.

If push came to shove though, I'd probably end up going with my S110V Military.

As a matter of fact I'm already in the middle of my own one-knife challenge - to carry my Pacific Salt SE, exclusively, for at least a month, in order to give a full SE blade a fair trial.

What are your thoughts so far? I used to dislike SE so much I ground the serrations off an Endura 3. Once I did the same thing as you and forced myself to learn how to sharpen SE knives, I became a convert.

[The Meat man]

It's funny. I completed this challenge 8 or 9 consecutive times before I came across Spyderco.

Now I'm not sure if I could do it. :)

I've done it with a Military five times over, and a few times with a Police 3 and Para 2. I've come close with my PE Pacific Salt, but a Millie or Manix always snuck in some days. The first 8 years I owned one my Pacific Salt was my beater / summer EDC, and I always carried something else during cooler months.

Actually I know I could do it easily. It's just that with the variety now available to me it would be pretty hard to pick just one and refrain from using any of the others.

If push came to shove though, I'd probably end up going with my S110V Military.

As a matter of fact I'm already in the middle of my own one-knife challenge - to carry my Pacific Salt SE, exclusively, for at least a month, in order to give a full SE blade a fair trial.

What are your thoughts so far? I used to dislike SE so much I ground the serrations off an Endura 3. Once I did the same thing as you and forced myself to learn how to sharpen SE knives, I became a convert.

I'm learning that SE is not as specialized as I thought; in other words, that it can handle pretty much anything a plain edge could. Of course I know there are a few things that a SE can't do as well as a PE, but I've been carrying it for about a week so far, and I haven't come across anything that made me wish for a plain edge.

(For context, at work I'm usually cutting up cardboard and tough plastic strapping, zip ties, etc. At home, food prep, garden work, and the like.)

The snagging of the serrations when cutting bothered me at first, but since I'm becoming more proficient at sharpening SE, it's become less and less of an issue. I use the Sharpmaker at 40°, going from medium to ultra fine with a few de-burring strokes on the other side at 30°. After that it pops hair and can easily push cut/slice phone book paper.

I'm starting to appreciate the superior cutting power of a razor sharp serrated edge. There just isn't a whole lot that knife can't cut through in one slice. Yesterday I had a bundle of 6 plastic straps that I looped over and cut through in one stroke. That's over a quarter inch of hard plastic! :eek:

As far as cons, I can't really find any. It's a great knife with stellar performance so far. I still love my PE but forcing myself to become more familiar with SE has really opened my eyes to it's capabilities.

[Doc Dan]

I think I will go in the opposite direction, here. Though I would be tempted to say that I would choose a Manix 2 LW (and I might), I think I would choose a Delica or a Chaparral. The reason is that knives are frowned upon, here, and most of my cutting chores have to do with things I can do best with one of those easily carried pocket sized knives (I might even consider an Urban LW seriously).

[elena86]

For one year I would carry my beloved K390 Urban. For the rest of my life...the best allaround spydie aka Pac Salt SE.

[Pelagic]

It's funny. I completed this challenge 8 or 9 consecutive times before I came across Spyderco.

Now I'm not sure if I could do it. :)

Same!!

[The Mastiff]

I carried a G2 ( Gin1) Endura for longer than one year when I started out on Spydercos. I used it and had it with me everywhere except the facility I worked my full time job or when flying.I carried it at my part time jobs where it was legal. I had a smaller and less expensive knife for that I wouldn't have minded all that much losing for flying though I never did lose it or have it taken.

Joe

[vivi]

I've done it with a Military five times over, and a few times with a Police 3 and Para 2. I've come close with my PE Pacific Salt, but a Millie or Manix always snuck in some days. The first 8 years I owned one my Pacific Salt was my beater / summer EDC, and I always carried something else during cooler months.

Actually I know I could do it easily. It's just that with the variety now available to me it would be pretty hard to pick just one and refrain from using any of the others.

If push came to shove though, I'd probably end up going with my S110V Military.

As a matter of fact I'm already in the middle of my own one-knife challenge - to carry my Pacific Salt SE, exclusively, for at least a month, in order to give a full SE blade a fair trial.

What are your thoughts so far? I used to dislike SE so much I ground the serrations off an Endura 3. Once I did the same thing as you and forced myself to learn how to sharpen SE knives, I became a convert.

I'm learning that SE is not as specialized as I thought; in other words, that it can handle pretty much anything a plain edge could. Of course I know there are a few things that a SE can't do as well as a PE, but I've been carrying it for about a week so far, and I haven't come across anything that made me wish for a plain edge.

(For context, at work I'm usually cutting up cardboard and tough plastic strapping, zip ties, etc. At home, food prep, garden work, and the like.)

The snagging of the serrations when cutting bothered me at first, but since I'm becoming more proficient at sharpening SE, it's become less and less of an issue. I use the Sharpmaker at 40°, going from medium to ultra fine with a few de-burring strokes on the other side at 30°. After that it pops hair and can easily push cut/slice phone book paper.

I'm starting to appreciate the superior cutting power of a razor sharp serrated edge. There just isn't a whole lot that knife can't cut through in one slice. Yesterday I had a bundle of 6 plastic straps that I looped over and cut through in one stroke. That's over a quarter inch of hard plastic! :eek:

As far as cons, I can't really find any. It's a great knife with stellar performance so far. I still love my PE but forcing myself to become more familiar with SE has really opened my eyes to it's capabilities.

Sounds like the same conclusion I came to. I was really surprised at the push cutting ability of a freshly sharpened SE blade in particular.

[steelcity16]

For one year I would carry my beloved K390 Urban. For the rest of my life...the best allaround spydie aka Pac Salt SE.

The Pac Salt SE gets a lot of well desrved love here. As I stated in the beginning of this thread, that would be my choice as well if I was going to do this challenge. I've said it many times, but I would love to see H1 SE blades in the Golden folders as well. A Military with H1 SE would be amazing! As would a PM2, Manix, Native, etc ,etc. If they could do H1 in golden logistically, I would love to see all salt models coming out of golden have H1 in SE and LC200N in PE. And if of they could do LC200N in Japan it would be cool to see the Japan Salts with LC200N in PE.

[rodloos]

Sounds like an interesting challenge, one which I would not be able to commit to.

Owning somewhere over 350-400 knives (plus kitchen knives and machetes) I'd be more likely to carry a *different* knife every day for a year :). In fact I can't remember the last time I carried *less* than 3 to 6 knives with me, other than jury duty/courthouse visits.

My first Spyderco was an Economy model, and I carried it for years, even on flights (pre-9/11 days) but always had a SAK of some sort with me as well. Even if I just limited it to different versions of the Military, I could still go 3 or 4 weeks without carrying the same one twice - yes, I have a knife problem. Out of all of my knives, the majority would not leave me under-equipped if that were my only knife, excepting of course trying to use the Bug to cut a watermelon, or opening mail in an office environment with my Tatanka without frightening someone.

Very little that I do would really need more than a Dragonfly salt, but I just have too many other nice knives to be able to leave them at home for a year.

[steelcity16]

Very little that I do would really need more than a Dragonfly salt, but I just have too many other nice knives to be able to leave them at home for a year.

Yep, this was my first Spyderco. Such a great little knife and fully capable of most tasks required by me. I prefer a Native LW most days for a little bit bigger and beefier feel, but the DF2 is awesome, especially in salt form. I wish they would do a blacked out DF2 salt. That would be sweet.

[curlyhairedboy]

Definitely couldn't do this challenge, but I can see why the SE pac salt is a strong contender.

[The Meat man]

For one year I would carry my beloved K390 Urban. For the rest of my life...the best allaround spydie aka Pac Salt SE.

The Pac Salt SE gets a lot of well desrved love here. As I stated in the beginning of this thread, that would be my choice as well if I was going to do this challenge. I've said it many times, but I would love to see H1 SE blades in the Golden folders as well. A Military with H1 SE would be amazing! As would a PM2, Manix, Native, etc ,etc. If they could do H1 in golden logistically, I would love to see all salt models coming out of golden have H1 in SE and LC200N in PE. And if of they could do LC200N in Japan it would be cool to see the Japan Salts with LC200N in PE.

Isn't the Autonomy 1 made in Golden? It's serrated H-1.

[Daveho]

I’ve done this with an ambitious however I doubt i could do it again as I’ve just got too many to pick from now

[kodai78]

I couldn’t do it. I could conceivably get down to a few knives but not one. I’m too fickle. I could drive one car for the rest of my life though.

[Termite Toothpick]

Day one; I lost! I have two on me right now…WC Delica and M4 Para3…

Years ago I have done this out of ignorance and bliss. This was before knew what I know now. But, now with the selection and choices I have, I don't think I would last! I like having the options, I like changing it up as I feel the need.

[Cycletroll]

Great thread Vivi!
My EDC is reliably comprised of two knives: a Vic Cadet (for screw driver, can opener, and prying and a Sheeple friendly blade) and and a large Enduraesque blade for effective cutting tasks/defense, etc.
In my mind the only single knife that could well replace these two mainstays is the C208GP Clipitool.
I don't, however, currently own one of these! Will have to fix that!
I am also intrigued by Vivi's Pac Salt SE- will have to get one of those too!. I have a PE Pac Salt and it is a favorite.
I won't be limiting myself tho a single choice for 365 days but will be doing some month long stints with various setups to garner better familiarity with some of my options.

[vivi]

I've been having second thoughts about this "challenge."

If I weren't posting here, I'd carry the Pacific Salt every day because it's my favorite knife, and my EDC. So this isn't a challenge to me.

I think it would be more interesting if starting in August, I carried a different knife each month, but no others during that month. I'll have to buy one or two more Spydercos to make that possible, but I can live with that.

I figure at the end of each month I can do an in depth write up comparing that month's knife to my Pacific Salt...pros and cons...that sort of thing.

What do you think?

[Sumdumguy]

I've been having second thoughts about this "challenge."

If I weren't posting here, I'd carry the Pacific Salt every day because it's my favorite knife, and my EDC. So this isn't a challenge to me.

I think it would be more interesting if starting in August, I carried a different knife each month, but no others during that month. I'll have to buy one or two more Spydercos to make that possible, but I can live with that.

I figure at the end of each month I can do an in depth write up comparing that month's knife to my Pacific Salt...pros and cons...that sort of thing.

What do you think?

Sounds like a plan! I would be more likely to do this than only one for a year. I've become too nutty for the 365 challenge.