How have your preferences changed over the years?

[electro-static]

I used to like bushcraft type knives because they were tough, but have found that in daily use they don’t offer much benefit same is true when I camp. I don’t see much point in long thick “chopper” knives anymore as I have found that I can get a lot more work done faster with a cheap 1/16 inch thick Tramontina without wrist pain at the end of the day. If I ever need to pack it, a 14” bolo and a Fiskars hatchet or thick knife like a Jakaripukko or Mora Garberg still weigh less than 10” “chopping” knife and will do the same tasks better.

I like thinner blades now, and I have discovered that ergonomics are much more important to me than deployment speed. I like slightly shorter folders now because I have more control on tough materials. I do more freehand sharpening now so ease of deburring is a more important steel characteristic.

Rust free matters more to me now, I’m liking CPM Magna-Cut in my custom and the care free nature of my LC200N salt series knives when I’m outdoors or just using a knife to cut up fruit because cleaning them is more worry free so I’m definitely looking forward to salt series knives with Magna-Cut in the future.

I’m looking more at custom fixed blades than production fixed blade knives now, the price difference isn’t that high between a custom and a high end production for the same materials and often times a better HT, the lead time helps me space purchases. I think the other half of it is that I know what I want more now.

[SchoonerBum]

Thanks everyone, this is a fascinating thread. I hadn't found the forum yet the last time this was posted, so here's the whole story of changing preferences:

I started EDCing an SAK as a kid, and used it for everything backpacking, camping, skiing, and climbing right up through college and past it into the beginning of my maritime career.

I got into boats and primitive skills around the same time and discovered the true usefulness of fixed-blades. A Mora went into my backpack and my "fancy" knife was a Myerchin rig knife in 440C that I took to sea with me and used daily for about 8 years. On one of those trips I discovered a Tramontina machete during a port call in Brazil and added that to my woods kit as needed.

A decade into my maritime career I went to work on a boat that didn't want us carrying fixed blades of any sort outside of the galley, but they gave me a Gerber (rescue? maybe?) to go with the job, which was nice. I carried it at work but wasn't particularly enamored of it, or folders in general.

About six years ago I decided to try carrying a folder all the time, just for kicks, and I found that it was useful enough to keep doing it. Then, I discovered H1 and Spyderco.

I started with an Aqua Salt that replaced the venerable Mora Companion as a rustproof woods knife, followed quickly by the LC200N Native Salt, which was my EDC for a couple of years, trading places occasionally with a Dragonfly Salt. I was never really excited about the choil on the Native but it didn't bother me too much until I caught myself putting my index finger in the choil on my Ladybug. That worked about as well as one would expect.

Since then I've moved away from choiled knives, and after carrying a Pac Salt 2 everywhere for a while I've settled into preferring the Salt 2 in town and the Pac Salt 2 in the woods. A couple of Atlantic Salts and a Manbug salt are my on the water work knives most days. I still prefer my rig knife if I'm sailing a big 'ol square-rigger but I haven't done that much the past several years.

I've mostly carried PE though all of this time, and I'm just barely starting to really appreciate serrations now that I know how to sharpen them. More experimentation there is needed.

I've been enjoying this deep dive into the world of knife steels (thanks Larrin!) and knife design (thanks Sal!) and it's been a hoot getting to know this community over the past couple of years. Hopefully I can make it out to the seconds sale one of these years and hang out with some of you in person in a parking lot for a few days!

[Coastal]

Changes, 1960 -> 2023:

-- One knife -> Few knives -> Many knives -> Too many knives
-- Seldom buy -> Buy for use -> Buy for fun
-- Cheap -> Expensive
-- Fishing -> Hunting -> EDC -> EDC/fishing
-- Sliplock -> Liner lock -> Backlock -> Any lock
-- Folder -> Fixed -> Folder
-- Plain -> Serrated or Combo -> Plain
-- Case/Buck -> SOG/Cold Steel -> Spyderco -> William Henry -> Spyderco
-- Any steel -> Any stainless steel -> Any good steel
-- Never modify -> Usually modify
-- Never replace clips -> Usually replace clips
-- Pocket carry -> Clip carry -> Clip and pocket carry
-- Don't care about deployment -> Obsess about deployment -> Don't care about deployment
-- Seldom sharpen -> Sharpen when needed -> Sharpen for entertainment
-- Whetstone -> Crock sticks -> Sharpmaker -> WorkSharp -> Soon to be Shapton

[JB in SC]

When this thread started, I wondered what similar changes could be observed, on average, as time passed and people got further into the hobby. I'm not seeing much of a pattern. People seem to go all different directions with this hobby! Some go light, others heavy; some go long, others short; some pursue supersteels, others don't; some experience lots of changes, others virtually no change at all.

I expected there might be some agreement or convergence as people got more experienced with knives. But it looks like diversity happens.

I guess Voltaire was right when he wrote: "Let us each cultivate our garden."

That’s a good assessment, tastes change and can swing back just as often. I’ve spent far too much money on knives, but over time I’ve figured out what works for me and what doesn’t.

[Bolster]

Changes, 1960 -> 2023:

-- One knife -> Few knives -> Many knives -> Too many knives
-- Seldom buy -> Buy for use -> Buy for fun
-- Cheap -> Expensive
-- Fishing -> Hunting -> EDC -> EDC/fishing
-- Sliplock -> Liner lock -> Backlock -> Any lock
-- Folder -> Fixed -> Folder
-- Plain -> Serrated or Combo -> Plain
-- Case/Buck -> SOG/Cold Steel -> Spyderco -> William Henry -> Spyderco
-- Any steel -> Any stainless steel -> Any good steel
-- Never modify -> Usually modify
-- Never replace clips -> Usually replace clips
-- Pocket carry -> Clip carry -> Clip and pocket carry
-- Don't care about deployment -> Obsess about deployment -> Don't care about deployment
-- Seldom sharpen -> Sharpen when needed -> Sharpen for entertainment
-- Whetstone -> Crock sticks -> Sharpmaker -> WorkSharp -> Soon to be Shapton

LOL, hilarious post, and...it cuts close to the bone! I can relate with many of these evolutions.

[standy99]

In the folder sphere it’s use what I have as I have enough to last a few lifetimes. But the crucarta PM2 and Mint LW M4 Para 3 changed that plan.

Fixed blades is the direction I have been leading to lately. The benefit of smaller sizes and better steels, and the amount of up and coming makers specialising in affordable small fixed blades with Kydex sheaths that are just as easy to carrying as a folder.
The new Spyderco Stok is a great to see added to the Spyderco fixed blade lineup.

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

Changes, 1960 -> 2023:

-- One knife -> Few knives -> Many knives -> Too many knives
-- Seldom buy -> Buy for use -> Buy for fun
-- Cheap -> Expensive
-- Fishing -> Hunting -> EDC -> EDC/fishing
-- Sliplock -> Liner lock -> Backlock -> Any lock
-- Folder -> Fixed -> Folder
-- Plain -> Serrated or Combo -> Plain
-- Case/Buck -> SOG/Cold Steel -> Spyderco -> William Henry -> Spyderco
-- Any steel -> Any stainless steel -> Any good steel
-- Never modify -> Usually modify
-- Never replace clips -> Usually replace clips
-- Pocket carry -> Clip carry -> Clip and pocket carry
-- Don't care about deployment -> Obsess about deployment -> Don't care about deployment
-- Seldom sharpen -> Sharpen when needed -> Sharpen for entertainment
-- Whetstone -> Crock sticks -> Sharpmaker -> WorkSharp -> Soon to be Shapton

LOL, hilarious post, and...it cuts close to the bone! I can relate with many of these evolutions.

Agreed

[PaloArt]

Very good topic and something I discussed over a pint with my friend last week.

I used to love super tactical overbuilt knives, dreaming about different silly scenarios, fantasies about how I would use knife for SD etc. Mind you, I was 14 when my interest in knives started.

Over the years I started to prefer knives with thinner blade geometry (one of my Opinels is always in my pocket), started to prefer shorter blades as sometimes less is better for me these days. I moved from all black knives to liking more colourful FRN handled pieces. I do like to carry my ZDP Endura and Para 2 from time to time but most of the time it is something smaller.

Good example of past carry would be:

Pacific salt SE black blade 1st gen (you know, that beast of a knife with saber grind), PPT in S90V, Military, ZT knives etc...

These days my carry consists of:

Victorinox Swisschamp (true EDC, every day in my pocket), Opinel (always No. 6, 7 or 8) accompanied with either Delica, Native, Chaparral, squeak or one of my Urbans, all in PE and FFG - great performing knives absolutely fitting my daily needs.

I wish Urban, Native, Chap would be offered in wider colour range as it makes knife less threating to non knife people and I do not like to look threatening at all and try to keep things low profile as much as possible. As my friend says "if knife is pink, it can`t be dangerous..." I am quite loyal to Spyderco when it comes to modern folders now, I own only two Italian knives in that segment and rest of my small 12 modern cutlery knives collection are Spydies. Truth to be told I was tempted quite few times to buy BM due to nice colour combinations that are not exclusive but rather standard production. There is something nice about colourful FRN.

Long story short - from overbuild, tactical bad *** impressive knives I moved to more sensible\smaller carry that fits my daily needs, doesn`t scare people, fits my urban environment as well. No need to carry 5 inch blade in the city center of the capital when you go buy some groceries.

[Paul Ardbeg]

Why would anybody buy lockbacks? If I wanted a lockback I would buy a Buck. The best knives out their have a framelock....... I bought a lot of knives in the last few months. These I bought over the last 3 weeks. Guess the common denominator You live, you learn and start appreciating

[Senfkarte]

I think, my preferences have changed more into extremes.
On the one hand, I really like the high edge retention steels. K390, CPM-15V and Rex 45. All these steels have rusted on me. But the edge stability, retention and the hardness of the blades are just phenomenal. Cuts after cuts through anything.
On the other hand salts are a very, very nice thing to exist. This feeling, that you can do anything with the knife in the pocket without any thoughts about rust is just so goor. And very easy cleaning is another big plus. I don't clean my knives that often but when the time has come a rinse under water usually is the way to go for me.

Those in between steels are not that interesting anymore. At least in a folder.
Don't get me wrong, I like the diversity and have many different steels. But für the past few months it was something from the above.

[dull&blunt]

The biggest change is how I now carry larger knifes. For years I carried smaller, ~2in knives. But I've since began to appreciate larger knives like the PM2 and Manix 2. I still carry the Lil Native or Dice more than any other knife. But the PM2, Para 3, Sage 5, and Smok now make apparencies in my pocket on a regular basis.

[USMC-88]

Yes more serrations

[mikey177]

Design-wise, my preferences haven't changed, I still prefer wharnies or leaf shaped blades in the Native 5 to Endela size range.

The biggest change would be that I am more price-sensitive now. After trying out knives costing $350 and above, I have realized that I don't appreciate the higher end materials and more intricate milling enough to justify the higher price. I am quite happy now with models that cost $200 or lower.

[Shmohawk]

I always preferred CL over BL. Most of my cutting was quick and short, often requiring frequent opening and closing of the knife. I just found CL to be more convenient for that. I had a couple of BL but I never carried them unless I needed one of those knives for a specific use. I always thought that the reason I didn't carry them much was because of the BL and I wouldn't even consider purchasing another BL. For whatever reason, I recently picked up a Native 5 despite it being a BL. It has been on me constantly. I love it and have absolutely no problem with it being a BL. I have come to realize that my dislike of the BL knives I had before the Native was really due to other characteristics of those knives. I still think the CL is generally "more convenient" for me but it will not prevent me from getting BL knives.

And so the addiction grows

[HolySteel]

I still love folding hunters and the Case GrandDaddy (and similar by other makers); however, I consider the Schemmp Bowie as a modern upgrade to the first design. I enjoy examining the new Spyderco designs, but many just excite me for a short time. Exceptions have been the PM2 and the Native 5, which have revolutionary designs IMO, especially the PM2 - nothing like it. These two and the Caribbean will always be in my arsenal.

[Duncan]

From 2010 until 2017 I carried 1 knife and one knife only. An Embassy auto. I loved that knife. Lost it. I was devastated. That bad boy was in my pocket every single day. Took forever but I found another one. But it was serrated. Not a serrated guy. Wound up not carrying it. So about a year later I saw a manix2. The cage lock sold me. Not an auto, but a great knife. Then I went on to compression lock PM’s and paras back lock natives. But in the last year or so I’ve been scout carrying fixed blades along with pocket carrying my folders in rotation. Never had fixed blades, but I’m loving them. Bunch of mules, Enuffs and even a respect. ( just can’t carry it in my state. I’ll get locked up. Such BS). It’s a great journey!!!

D

[HolySteel]

My list:
1) from non stainless super steels to well balanced Magnacut in native 5, even though it did not prevent me from buying 15V PM2, which I believe will not last long among my folders;
2) from larger folders such as military & police to mid size folders like pm2 and finally to a smaller variations like native 5
3) from an idea of having different knifes for a different tasks to an idea of having 1-2 folders for 90% of tasks. I don't go survive outdoors, what I do is just cut some food on a picnic or on a beach, open amazon cardboard boxes and have a folder for a self confidence on a hikes/trail runs -> u never know who or what you might meet during those
4) from an idea of collecting some fantastic looking knives like magnitude/harpy and barely using them to an idea of a utility first and using 1 knife as much as possible
5) from buying sprint runs to buying serial production for the sake of a instant repurchase availability (even though it is indeed challenging to find some regular production knives outside of US)
6) from liner & compression locks to a backlock
7) from PE to SE/CE as I found SE more appealing for a shorter blade knifes
8) from Micarta and G10 to FRN <=== really, really agree here

all of those happened for a 4-5 years of me being into knifes , but 1 thing still unchanged: can't buy any other brand apart from Spyderco with only 1 exception for Victorinox which is even not a competitor to Golden

Wow - your list could almost be my list. The only one that doesn't fit is #6 - although the Native 5 is my most used knife, I generally prefer liner and compression locks. Regarding #4 - the Magnitude is also a personal example of what I've been guilty of doing. I still love that knife, as it's absolutely perfectly constructed and a joy to hold/open/close. But I've never used it. The Pattada is another such example. I doubt I will ever let go of those two, but I have several others that have been fun to examine, that I'll let go of at some point;e.g-Positron, Brouwer.

[tangent]

* switched to pretty much exclusively carrying H1 and other highly corrosion resistant steels
* switched to IWB carry 95%+ of the time
* stopped carrying detent based locks
* started to prefer frn over g10
* carried SE more than PE for the first time in my life.

Vivi, this is where I started with Spyderco (circa 2006) and is pretty much still where I am at… except that I mostly have always carried plain edge but have serrated for ‘special occasions’.

Don’t get me wrong… I’ve purchased a LOT of knives (mostly Spydercos and some others) but sold or gifted most and always find myself coming back to the PacSalt (and Regular Salt for more discreet carry).

I love the salts: simple, thin, light weight, rugged (for a folder), rust proof, low maintenance, easy to sharpen, etc.

I am looking forward (hoping) for a PacSalt in Magnacut.

But I guess for me, I’ve found what works very well and I am pretty reluctant to buy additional knives. Been there, done that.

[Superflex]

I have switched the majority of my purchases from stainless to tool steels. Corrosion isn't usually a concern and patina is a good thing. No more forced patinas either.
G10 to micarta, wood, smooth CF or FRN. G10 is sometimes too grabby when coming out of my pocket. The Taichung FRN is my favorite on the Sage 5
Smaller blades (Para 3, N5, Chap) to bigger blades (Chief, Police 4, Military, Siren)
Sharpening when dull to touching up/microbeveling with the fine sharpmaker rods almost every day.
I learned how to reprofile properly but still aint worth a **** freehanding
No more combo edge blades 2 is 2 too many.