What makes a pocket knife truly great at everything? In Episode 676, Bob DeMarco builds a list of 10 great \"do everything\" pocket knives, and the ground rules are strict.

• The knife has to handle everyday cutting tasks without a second thought.
• It has to be a credible self-defense option with solid ergonomics and the right blade geometry.
• And it has to be something you would be glad you had if a short hike turned into an unplanned overnight in the woods.

None of the usual suspects made the list. No Griptilian, no Bugout, no PM2, no Military 1, and no Buck 110. Just 10 knives that Bob says deserve more credit in this category.

The 10 are the Spyderco Stretch 2XL, Cold Steel Karve, Microtech SOCOM Elite Ram-Lok, Ritter Hogue RSK Mk1, Manganas Steel Aurelia, Artisan Kami, Civivi Sentinel Strike 2, Kansept Deadite, Off-Grid Knives Stinger XL, and the North Mountain Blade BBMN. Bob walks through each one, covering blade geometry, handle ergonomics, lock strength, steel choice, and exactly why each knife earns a spot on the list.

Before the main segment, Bob runs through a pocket check featuring the Spyderco Military 2 in CruCarta, the Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Bison fixed EDC, the SOG SEAL Pup, and the Cold Steel Natchez Bowie.

He also shows off a generous box of fixed blades sent in by his friend Craig, known as Fishbag during Thursday Night Knives, including a Green River 4215, an Ontario Old Hickory 7026, a Cold Steel Leatherneck, an Ontario pilot knife, and a Case USMC fighting utility knife.

Knife Life News covers a GiantMouse Kickstarter collaboration with Jackass star Chris Pontius, a new modular EDC from Work Sharp called the Madrone, and expanded offerings from Pennsylvania maker Kestrel Knives.

The First Tool segment tells the story of the Gerber Mark II, a knife designed in 1966 by retired Army Captain Bud Holzman, drawing on the ancient Roman Mainz Gladius and the Fairbairn-Sykes dagger used by British commandos. It earned its name in Vietnam, appeared in The Road Warrior and Alien, and became one of the most recognizable combat knives of the 20th century.

Bob also shares the curious story of early canted-blade versions being returned by buyers who thought they were bent, making those originals among the most collectible today.

Whether you have a short list of go-to EDC folders or you are still building it, this episode gives you ten names worth considering and a clear set of reasons why each one belongs there.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/676.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our preferred platform: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

What does a serious Spyderco collection look like? In Episode 675 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco walks through his complete lineup of Spyderco folders, from the iconic Military and Military 2 in CruCarta to the Native Chief Salt series in MagnaCut to the full Yojimbo family designed by Michael Janich.

Bob shares the personal stories behind each knife, including a purple Delica 4 named Sleepy Bear by his daughter and a Police Model OG he first saw in a Philadelphia bike shop decades ago. He also gives a short but solid history of Spyderco, from Sal and Joanne Glesser sharpening knives at swap meets to the company leading the industry in steel experimentation, grind quality, and constant design updates.

Before the Spyderco rundown, Bob covers the First Tool segment on the Pattada, a traditional Sardinian folding knife carried by shepherds and craftsmen for generations. He also reviews two new pieces in the State of the Collection: the Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Bison, the first fixed blade in the Gateway line, and a Cold Steel Kobun sent to Matthew Culbertson for his custom single-scoop serration treatment. The Kobun came back with the sharpest edge Bob has ever had on that knife.

The episode also includes Knife Life News with three stories worth knowing about: the Civivi Iron Tide collaboration with Pete McKinnon of Pete Pirate Life, the Zero Tolerance ZT 0020 20th anniversary knife using Vegas Forge Lytic Damascus at 700 dollars, and three new Kershaw releases heading into Blade Show.

The pocket check features the Emerson CQC-13, the Rosecraft Blades French Broad Jack, the Hogtooth Knives NoVA-2, and a Jed Hornbeak Necromance that Bob called one of the finest knives he owns.

Whether you have one Spyderco or 20, this episode will make you look at the lineup in a new way. Bob is clear that this is not the end of his Spyderco coverage—his fixed blades are still coming. If you are a fan of the brand or just want to hear what 20-plus years of knife collecting sounds like, this is the episode.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/675.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our preferred platform: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Episode 674 of The Knife Junkie Podcast is a deep look at daggers—one of the most discussed and most misunderstood blade categories in the knife community. Bob DeMarco brings out twelve daggers for a collection update that covers everything from a World War II-era KA-BAR/EK Commando Knife to a Microtech SBD trade pickup he had been hunting for years.

The lineup includes the Randall Knives Model 2-7 Combat Stiletto, Cold Steel Peace Keeper II, Spartan Harsey Dagger, Spartan George Raider Dagger, and the Cold Steel Tai Pan in San Mai, among others. Bob talks grip technique, blade geometry, what Cold Steel gets right about the slash, and why some daggers are better suited to thrusting while others handle both jobs well.

Before the dagger segment, Bob runs a pocket check from a real working day—assembling a shed in the backyard—featuring the Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight in S110V, the Fisher Blades Harvey PK, the Edgy American Blades Junkie in CruWear, and a Cold Steel Laredo Bowie that was standing by just in case. The episode also features the First Tool segment on the Scottish Highland basket-hilt broadsword, covering its role in the Jacobite risings and its significance to Highland culture since the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The State of the Collection segment features a custom seax from Matt Chase of Hogtooth Knives—pattern-welded from 1085, 15N20, and nickel, with elk antler and Micarta scales and a hand-engraved leather sheath—that Bob called his unofficial Blade Show purchase for 2026. Bob also shows off a six-knife Cordura carrying case and hand-thrown stoneware mug from Terzuola Design, sent by merch czar Ben Odi.

Knife Life News covers Spyderco Reveal 21 highlights, including a Mickey Yurco Gunting collaboration, the CRKT Squid II with M390 and wood handles, the Boker Overnighter by FP Knives, and the upcoming Civivi Almaris slipjoint.

Whether you are a longtime dagger collector or just starting to pay attention to double-edged blades, Episode 674 gives you a thorough and entertaining look at why this category deserves a place in any serious collection. Bob wraps up with plans to keep growing the dagger side of his collection, so this is not the last time the topic comes up.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/674.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our preferred platform: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.