Throw a nice Italian switchblade in there.
The classic Laguiole knife. Been around since 1829 and for good reason.
When you asked “of all time” I wondered, how did it begin?
View attachment 1457213
Stone core and flake from Lokalalei, Kenya, about 2.3 million years old
Image Credit: Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution
https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/behavior/stone-tools/early-stone-age-tools
Interesting to see the CS Tanto mentioned a few times. How about the Trail Master?
Medford Praetorian
Cold Steel American Lawman
I think Greg Medford and Andrew Demko are two of the most influential, and contentious knifemakers/designers of the last 10 years.
The 110/Kabar/etc. have been "all-time knives" since I got into this hobby 20 years ago. I'm not saying they aren't good, but they were somewhat stale at the turn of the century and they're positively mummified now. What's more interesting is the new designs that grab the market and push it into a different direction. I think the Medford and Cold Steel qualify. I'd wager they've both generated more discussion, sales, and competitive development during their first 10 years of production than many other knives that would make the list.
Mauser had a sawback 'pioneer' bayonet, the S98/05 S, used from 1898.guessing the usual modern folders
that run from the Buck 110 right
thru to the CR Sebenza.
through its not termed as a knife per say
i would still like to add the knife bayonet
to this list of landmark knives
most notably the soviet AKM type 1
for having pioneered a design infuence
with two notable utility features
namely a saw and an insulated wire cutter.
- Victorinox Explorer (or pick your flavor in 91 mm)
- Victorinox Rambler
- Victorinox One Hand Trekker, plain edge
- Benchmade 940 "Osborne"
- Benchmade Griptilian 550-1
- Benchmade 62 Balisong
- Cold Steel Voyager Large, clip, plain
- R2D2
- Kershaw Leek
- Spydiechef
- Spyderco UKPK
- Leatherman Surge
- Morakniv Companion
- Mercator Cat, stainless
- Microtech Ultratec
- Case Peanut, TruSharp