most important knife to purchase

[Lycosa]

IMO you can't go wrong with a Mora. It's my EDC knife and has been for 15 years. I have a multi tool as well, and I may be the minority here, but if I only have 1 choice, I'll take the Mora hands down.

I've had many multi-tools over the years by Gerber, Leatherman, Schrade, and Victorinox. The one that lasted the longest and took the most abuse was the Schrade believe it or not. The Gerber broke after a couple months and the Leatherman felt clunky to use.. but I don't remember which one it was since it's been years.

Personally, I've found an amazing job saw by Milwaukee that allows you to use sawzall blades and it's well built saw and packs light. With my Mora, my job saw, and a decent awl there's little else that I need for just about any situation I could find myself in.

But again, if I could only have 1, it would definitely be a Mora Classic #2.

[SkidvonArk]

I put a vote in for the folder. But that's just because out of all of the knives I have, that's the one that's on my person the most. I also have a multi-tool so can definitely agree with what everyone else is saying. I also got a Mora not too long ago and I am pretty impressed with it. It stays in my BOB/camping bag. My folder gets the most use though.

[Karis]

You can't go wrong with the Becker companion or the Bk-16 it's like the mini version of the bk2 an for under $60 can't beat it

[squinty]

poll Q says it all , im trying to decide which to buy.

IMO for day to day? Get a quality multitool like a Leatherman Wave or Charge.

ETA: and I'll cast another vote for the Mora as well. I just bought, for seven bucks, the cheapest of the Moras - the carbon steel "utility" knife with red plastic handle and fingerguard. My first Mora. It seemed flimsy, like a glorified paring knife but it came sharp as a razor and sailed through hard wood that I'd have had to pound a stouter blade through.

[tookieblueeyes]

I personally like Machete's because they can take the place of an axe and a saw if you get one with a saw back, they clear overgrowth and can be an effective self defense tool BUT... A large fixed blade can do just as well. A good fixed blade knife is absolutely worth its weight in gold in a bug out or survival situation. At least that is my opinion. And arrowheads? You can make those if you need them with proper knapping skills, so there is no need to invest in expensive broad heads.

[roykin]

you can never go wrong with a marine corps k-bar tested and true for decades

[praharin]

Victorinox ALOX Farmer for me. Oh how I would love one of the mil-spec anodized, pocked-clipped custom ones. But my standard blue one is going quite strong, and sees use daily. I've been thinking of getting something similar without the saw, since it sees the least "everyday" use of all the tools. About the time I'm about to break down and buy a Pioneer, I use the saw for something and renew my faith keeping it for a while

I try to avoid multitools for tools I expect to use frequently. They are uncomfortable to hold, and always feel "unstable" somehow in hand. I have a few, stashed away in kits, but for EDC I'll stick to the good old Swiss Army Knife.

[squinty]

Victorinox ALOX Farmer for me. Oh how I would love one of the mil-spec anodized, pocked-clipped custom ones. But my standard blue one is going quite strong, and sees use daily. I've been thinking of getting something similar without the saw, since it sees the least "everyday" use of all the tools. About the time I'm about to break down and buy a Pioneer, I use the saw for something and renew my faith keeping it for a while

I try to avoid multitools for tools I expect to use frequently. They are uncomfortable to hold, and always feel "unstable" somehow in hand. I have a few, stashed away in kits, but for EDC I'll stick to the good old Swiss Army Knife.

Same concept as the multi-tool though. The tool I use most in everyday circumstances is the Wave - constantly using the pliers or wire cutters or driver bits, and I get a decent amount of use out of the saw blade, as well as the knife.
The folding knife I EDC is a Cold Steel Spartan, but it's too big for some tasks. Last time I used it was as an impromptu machete to clear thick weeds and shrubbery away from the base of a crawl space door at a neglected house. Couldn't force the door open otherwise, Spartan was all I had.

Can't legally carry a fixed blade in my AO. Not concealed, nor can I go about with one openly unless I can prove I was engaged in a legal task the required it's use (not a hard stretch, but squishily vague statute.) The leatherman and the folder can go with me everywhere, and the most useful tool is the one you actually have with you.

[nyarlotep]

I voted for fixed blade utility knife, but IMO a Swiss Army Knife or multitool, or a medium-to-small utility knife is going to be a more versatile option than the options presented.

[Dawgboy]

This is my actual daily carry(SAK), a great knife, but not the best pliers... But I have vise grips in the bag.

[ineffableone]

While large fixed blade knives are popular, as are combat knives, really your most used knives tend to be small to medium.

A 2"-4" bladed knife is really much more useful than most large knives. The common uses for a knife tend to be more suited to a smaller knife. Thus the popularity of the Mora knives. I would suggest a nice medium to small fixed blade knife over any of the ones in the poll.

[M14fan]

The most important knife to purchase is the one you will always have on you. The others have their place but a real survival knife is the one you have with you when disaster strikes. For most of us, a good folder is the knife we are most likely to carry at all times and therefore would be your most important choice.

[masayako]

In zombie apocalypse, I will take a machete over anything else. It has the reach, the weight to take care business.

[spyderco monkey]

The most important knife to purchase is the one you will always have on you. The others have their place but a real survival knife is the one you have with you when disaster strikes. For most of us, a good folder is the knife we are most likely to carry at all times and therefore would be your most important choice.

Nailed it.

The only tools you truly posses are the ones physically on you. A Leatherman Squirt on your keys and a solid $50-$100 tactical folder can be carried at all times, and can handle most realistic tasks.

[praharin]

In zombie apocalypse, I will take a machete over anything else. It has the reach, the weight to take care business.

I'll take a rifle. To each his own, I guess...