Single or Multi bladed?

Which do you prefer?

  • Single blade knife

    Votes: 41 39.4%

  • Multi blade knife

    Votes: 63 60.6%
  • Total voters
    104
stevekolt

stevekolt

Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
3,081
I'm just curious, do you prefer single blade knives or multi blade knives? For me, I MUCH prefer single blade knives, as the only multi blade knives in my collection are a Case Peanut and Stockman, and they rarely see any pocket time. I do have a Victorinox multi blade on my desk with a cigar cutter blade.

So, what say you?
 
stevekolt said:
I'm just curious, do you prefer single blade knives or multi blade knives? For me, I MUCH prefer single blade knives, as the only multi blade knives in my collection are a Case Peanut and Stockman, and they rarely see any pocket time. I do have a Victorinox multi blade on my desk with a cigar cutter blade.

So, what say you?
Click to expand...
Voted single blade because that's what I tend to carry the most, and it's certainly adequate, but I LOVE my stockmans and trappers, and looking to get a canoe soon.
 
For traditional folders I usually prefer multi-bladed knives, particularly square bolstered stockmans (stockmen?) or trappers. During the week I generally only have pocket space for one folder and like having two or three blades for separate uses: (i) the main clip/drop point sharpened with a relatively robust edge for general use, (ii) the sheepfoot with an acute edge and reserved specifically for controlled slicing tasks, and/or (iii) the spey/coping blade kept sharp but used for tasks not generally recommended for a knife (scraping corrosion from car batteries, stripping/cutting electrical wires, light prying, etc.).

That said, I have several single-bladed traditional folders in my rotation and certainly enjoy using them. Sometimes my preferences vary day-to-day.
 
No choice in voting; I like both. I always carry my Vic Tinker in right pocket and a single blade manual flipper clipped in/to my left pocket.
Rich
 
The only single blade I carry is my 15 boy's knife. Otherwise I much preffer two bladed knives (spear or clip main and pen secondary), be it in a jack or penknife configuration. I don't mind knives with two springs, imo they lie good in the hand. Stocmmen are fine too, but I consider more than 3 blades unnecessary, unless it's a camp/scout knife or SAK.
 
My preference is pocket knives with more than one blade, probably because that's what almost everyone I knew carried when I was a kid back in the 1950s and 1960s. In fact, when I first came to Blade Forums, I had almost no interest in single-bladed knives. But then I won a Sodbuster Jr in a GAW, and I bought some knives in Spain that were all 1-blade models, and I found out they work just fine for me. I still think of myself as a multiblade guy first, but I've gained much appreciation for single-blade knives over the past 5 years.

- GT
 
I've always leaned to the multi bladed. I have found the single blade too limited in many ways for me use. The choice of having two or even three blades/tools to choose from depending on the situation, is too versitile for me to give up. I've tried single blade knives, but sooner or later they get put in the sock drawer and the two blade jacket or pen, or three blade stockman or even a SAK goes in the pocket instead. Different blades, different edges, more choices.

As far as blades go, I will always go with a multi.
 
Multi-blade most of the time. When I just grab a knife, it is usually a stockman, trapper, or 2-blade jack. I usually have a SAK on me too. I have a few single-blade knives and carry them occasionally, but the majority of the time I go multi.
 
Interesting poll; it made me think.

I suppose I should have voted multi-blade, as I'm a Victorinox SAK fan through-and-through. There is always one within arm's reach. Nevertheless, when it comes to American traditional knives I'm a single blade guy all the way. While I love the idea of having multiple blades for different tasks--and I think the various stockman/whittler/congress/etc. patterns are beautiful--in practice the slim simplicity of the single blade knife is where it's at for me.
 
Both.

Large traditional folder (Buck 110 or Opinel 9) in my right rear pocket.
Leatherman Micra in the right front pocket.
 
Multi blade for me Stockman patterns and trappers are my favorites for aesthetics and function. The only single blade pattern I really like is a single blade barehead trapper with a clip point that’s besides a clip bladed lockback
 
Make mine a single. Multi-blades are more versatile, but single blades are easier to carry. They feel better in use too. And they look so good. :thumbsup:

46572093205_1aeb576482_c.jpg
 
The real question is not how many blades you want on a knife, it is how many blades do you want with you. I want a “normal”, bellied blade and a straight edged blade. An Opinel and an Okapi Biltong usually does it for me, but it could be an Improved Muskrat or a two-bladed stockman like the 2018 Forum knife. Adding an Alox Electrician gives some redundancy plus a few extra tools. My RFP comfortably has room for four smallish knives, butI am usually content to leave it at three.
 
I voted multi. Over 40 years of owning, using, amassing, and collecting, it has been a super-majority of multi-bladed knives. However, in the last 10 or so years, single-blades are catching my eye more and more and perhaps even spending more time in my pocket.
 
If it wasn't for "My Precious" I might have picked multi. As it is right now the 4" stag Lloyd trapper in the pic is in my pocket 90% of the time. There's also the advantage of a more comfortable grip and a slimmer profile in the single blades I have.
That said, I do frequently carry this pinched peanut that comes in handy in many situations.
These were in my pocket yesterday and again today. I'm pretty predictable when it comes to what knives I carry.
3ubNIQl.jpg
 
I easy fall into the multi-blade category, particularly 4-bladed traditionals, specifically the scout pattern. But I also dig stockmans, and 2-blade Barlows and jacks as well.

If I carry a single blade knife, it's usually a larger knife carried in additonal to a regular sized multi-blade.

ZTb4O0th.jpg
 
Multi blade defines traditional folder for me.
There was a time when knives with three blades were still in a thinner package than today’s single blades...those are my favorites...
 
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