Help Finding A Traditional That Is MY Style

Ares1307

Ares1307

Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
545
I these kind of posts are a dime a dozen and most people hate them, but I really need some help. I dont know anything about traditionals, but I like them. I have an old Colt and Schrade that my Grandfather gave me a long time ago, but I dont like to use them because they are very old and have alot of sentimental value to me, and I would hate to lose or ruin them. Im thinking about getting myself a nice traditional knife, but Im having a hard time finding something that really suits me. I like big blades, my favorite knives are the Benchmade Griptilian 550HG, ZT 350SW, and ZT 303. I like blades that are wide, from the cutting edge to the spine, and look good. I like the blade shape of the single blade stag trapper, but I wish it was bigger and wider, and could never afford it. I also really like the Big Creek Trapper with the double blades, and thats sort of what Im looking for. Something with a big blade like that but not as high priced.

Im looking for a traditional with a single blade preferably but double blades are okay too, lockback or slipjoint, big/wide blade, a nice shape of the blade, not too thick on the handle (which I doubt will be a problem with a traditional), and something that I could use as a gentlemans knife. It doesnt have to be pearl with gold or anything, but just a nice looking traditional, which most of them are. Also, the price needs to be under $75, if possible, its been a long long time since I bought a traditional so I dont know what they really go for anymore. But I really dont want to spend alot at all because Im not going to use it all that much. Its just a nice little knife for special occasions, dates, holidays, whenever I dont want to pull out my ZT 303 or ZT 350 to do a little cutting.

Thanks in advanced for any and all help/advice given.
 
You might want to have a look at the Queen Mountain Man . It's a large single bladed knife and they make a locking version.
The blade steel is D2 and they have a few handle variations.
I have an amber bone version and I love it. They have lanyard holes too.
Another to consider is a Case back pocket folder.
They're slimmer but no lock.
 
You said you like big blades and you are ok with two, how about a GEC Tidioute #54 Moose, large spear blade, large clip blade, a little bit more $ I paid $ 89, but you have two full sized blades.

ef9b0876.jpg
 
GEC's #23 series is big, with a 3,5 inch blade and 8.25 overall length, that gives you the option of either slipjoint or linerlock, single or double big blades, or jackknife pattern. There are many options for scale materials. Prices vary a lot because of scale material, but there should be a few nice ones in the 70-90 dollar range. Alternately there is GEC's #42, which is a little smaller but has a single blade lockback option.
 
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Those are very good suggestions. I like the blade of the Case, but I wish it was wide, Im just too used to my ZTs. I like the GEC, especially that spear blade, thats a good size. Thats more of the size Im looking for, or wider. I like blades that look either like that spear blade, or the case back pocket but wider. And the two I mentioned in my first post are also great shapes. I know its weird to want a certain blade style, but all my knives have very modern looking blades, and I want a traditional knife with a modern or just unique but wide blade shape. The bigger the better! I have a while before I buy so please keep the info pouring in! I want the 'perfect' knife and need to know whats out there, but google isnt much help so I thought I would ask the experts. :D Thanks again!
 
Id look into the GEC farm and field tool. Nicer version of a sodbuster in 01 and its only about 50 bucks. I know i want one!
Brian
 
Folding hunter sounds about right as well as the mountain man by queen

The 23 by GEC is also quite large.

As an alternative you can have a look at AG Russell his lineup. Big folding knives with very wide blades. The 2012 Texas rangeris a nice hunting lockback. And there is the sunfish if you want a really wide blade.
 
A Case Carbon Fiber Sodbuster will cover all bases but yes, check out AG Russell too.
 
#1. GEC's #23 pioneer model 4 1/2" closed.
#2. GEC's #53/54 cigar model. Take a good look at the 'Big Jack' and the 'Moose'. These are about 4 1/8" closed.

I carry a mix of the cigar's and a pioneer, but the pioneer is usually in a bag.
 
JPD1998 said:
You might want to have a look at the Queen Mountain Man . It's a large single bladed knife and they make a locking version.
The blade steel is D2 and they have a few handle variations.
I have an amber bone version and I love it. They have lanyard holes too.
Another to consider is a Case back pocket folder.
They're slimmer but no lock.
Click to expand...
I'll second this: Queen Mountain Man (#3L) gets my vote. Nice large size (almost as big as a Buck 110, but without being unnecessarily heavy). Comes locking or non-locking, the D2 blade steel is great, and it's got plenty of 'traditional' appeal. Great price point, too.

Here's mine. Comes with me to work every day, and has held up to all sorts of work for several years now, going strong.
 

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Ares1307 said:
Im looking for a traditional with a single blade preferably but double blades are okay too, lockback or slipjoint, big/wide blade, a nice shape of the blade, not too thick on the handle (which I doubt will be a problem with a traditional), and something that I could use as a gentlemans knife. ... Also, the price needs to be under $75, if possible ...
Click to expand...

I highly recommend you check out Great Eastern Cutlery's various single-blade 73 models. Some of the wood-handled ones are in your price range.

-- Mark
 
Ares1307 said:
I these kind of posts are a dime a dozen and most people hate them, but I really need some help. I dont know anything about traditionals, but I like them. I have an old Colt and Schrade that my Grandfather gave me a long time ago, but I dont like to use them because they are very old and have alot of sentimental value to me, and I would hate to lose or ruin them. Im thinking about getting myself a nice traditional knife, but Im having a hard time finding something that really suits me. I like big blades, my favorite knives are the Benchmade Griptilian 550HG, ZT 350SW, and ZT 303. I like blades that are wide, from the cutting edge to the spine, and look good. I like the blade shape of the single blade stag trapper, but I wish it was bigger and wider, and could never afford it. I also really like the Big Creek Trapper with the double blades, and thats sort of what Im looking for. Something with a big blade like that but not as high priced.
Click to expand...

If you really want a blade that is as wide as the Zero Tolerance knives (btw, did you catch NCIS last night?), then I think the Sunfish pattern is what you are looking for. Schrade (USA) used to made the 51OT lockback with a 3.5" blade. Prices are out of sight for the old US made carbon steel ones and dirt cheap for the new Taylor brand Schrades (replicas?). GEC made some knives in this size range. I would expect them all to be thicker and heavier than you're used to though.

I think traditional spear point blades are awesome due to their extra width. Canoes and old camper/BSA style knives have this style blade, but the lengths tend to be in the 2.75" range and will be overall smaller than the knives you currently carry. If you're looking for an overall smaller, more people friendly knife that keeps as much width as possible, any slip joint with a traditional spear point will do that.

Sodbusters tend to have more belly than many traditionals, so that is another option, but again, these will be slip joints.

Lastly, I tend to agree with others who are steering you towards traditional lockback single blade hunters. I'll put in a good word here for the Buck 112. I tend to strongly prefer drop point blades with lots of belly, but the 112's clip point works for me. It's a solid 3" blade with plenty of width spine to edge. They can be found for around $45 regularly and in terms of authenticity, Buck invented this style of lock. The rest are copies. Some are really, really nice copies. But, they're copies. The 112 is the second one down in this picture.


Buck Folders by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
A.G. has some fine knives on his site. Thanks for having me take a look. The A. G. Russell™ 3-5/8" Gunstock and the one Jeff mentioned...just beautiful!
 
I can understand, that you don´t want to carry your grandpa´s knives in danger of losing them.

If you want a large, single bladed slipjoint - I would recommend a GEC #73 (or #23 which is a little bigger). There are several materials to choose etc. It should be in your price range, I think.
 
I've never held a ZT of any description, but if you want a gent's knife with a wide blade, how about a GEC #25, specifically the easy open jack with a spear blade? It's small, but it's a handful and closer to being a gent's knife than any of the other suggestions. Or start with a Queen mountain man/ or a GEC #73 and get something smaller when you have more funds.
 
Wow, a whole lot of suggestions! :D I havent read them all but Ive been looking up each knife suggested one by one and Im liking all of them. Yesterday I didnt see ANY traditionals that really suited me, today Ive seen about 7 and Im not even half way done reading your replies. A.G. Russell makes some gorgeous blades, there are a few of them by him that Im considering. Also a few GECs have caught my eye, the 23 and 79, are very beautiful. And the Taylor Made Sunfish Whittler is also on my list now. Im very excited to be looking for a good traditional, I have other knives and they are all modern and I love them, but theres just something about a traditional that makes you proud to own one. My older daughter is only 4, she will be 5 in a few days, and she wants to get into knives so for her birthday I bought her first little knife. And I know when I pass she, and her little sister, will love my knives as I have loved them... BUT there is just something different about passing down a traditional knife. Thank you all for your help, and keep it coming!

BTW, I saw a knife on A.G. Russells site that had a spey blade, I am a fan of that blade style as well.. I just didnt know what it was called. Also I like the Sunfish style blades like the Taylor Made Sunfish Whittler, but I was wondering if there are any that are similar but with a bit longer of a blade.

I would like a blade that is 3.25-3.75 inches long.
 
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Alright now Im all caught up. I finally had a chance to read all of the replies. ALOT of nice knives are mentioned. I love the wide spear and sunfish blades. I like alot of different knives that were suggested, some are a bit out of my price range, but the ones that arnt are amazing and Im going to have a hard time picking just one. So far I like the A.G. Russell Sowbelly and the A.G. Russell Sunfish the most. I like the shape and size of the Sowbelly, and I like the added wharncliffe blade. I also like the shape of the Sunfish and how huge it looks. They are both very nice and a good size to be functional yet still nice enough and traditional looking so I could carry either one in formal wear and use in public without anyone thinking its a weapon. I really like all the knives mentioned and might choose something other than the two Ive mentioned but so far these two are on the top of my list. I like how unique they look while still looking traditional.

I like alot of the other knives suggested, but some are over my price limit and some Im still researching, so the two knives I mentioned are NOT the only knives Im considering, just the two Ive looked at the most that caught my eye first. Ill be doing alot of research on all the knives suggested in the next couple of days.

@ Pinnah,
YES I saw NCIS, it was AWESOME! I loved the ending. (Not sure if you saw it so I dont want to spoil it for you) I bought my ZT 350SW and ZT 303 after seeing it on NCIS, I didnt buy it JUST because of NCIS, but I had seen it a few times and loved the knife but didnt know what it was and NCIS + BladeForums help me figure it out. I wish I could have found a ZT 302 for the price I paid for my ZT 303, but now Im in love with my ZT 303... Maybe later on Ill buy myself a custom tan scale made of smooth G10, which makes G10 almost look like wood because you can see rings inside the G10.
 
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