The traditional Ka-Bar comes with a seven-inch blade in 1095 carbon steel. There is a version with D2 steel. There are versions with leather or Kraton grips. There is a 5.25 inch version. You can drive yourself nuts without leaving the KaBar catalog.

One of the things I have noticed in these discussions-and there have been many-is that there are a few knives which everyone who has used them recommend with only a few minor complaints. Minor complaints such as how the grip fits the hand or sheath design are very personal.

The Gerber LMF is usually noted without complaints (besides size). The Fallkniven F1 as well. The Doug Ritter Mk3. (Most other knives made by Benchmade as well.) The Cold Steel SRK has its vehement fans-and some detractors.

When I was working at a cutlery store some years ago we had several folders with VG10 blades from a major manufacturer come back from customers with chipped blades. The general conclusion was that there had been a bad batch of heat treating, because it was neither a common or repeated problem.