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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
2023: A Knife Odyssey
- Thread starter d.2.the.p
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d.2.the.p
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I subscribe to the Tom Haverford “Is it a Banger?” methodology.
d.2.the.p
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2/12
It’s cold and rainy here in the Distrcit, so a lazy soft pants Sunday it will be. I picked up this Fox Livri last year on a whim around Black Friday and am very happy that I did. I have seen this called “coyote” micarta on some websites, but since that’s not helpful at all, it is actually what appears to be an undyed or “natural” burlap. Either way, coming in with a ~3 1/2” closed length and a linerless construction ensures it is slim and light, and the M390 blade is sharp and slicey. All in, it makes for an admirable sweatpants knife.
It’s cold and rainy here in the Distrcit, so a lazy soft pants Sunday it will be. I picked up this Fox Livri last year on a whim around Black Friday and am very happy that I did. I have seen this called “coyote” micarta on some websites, but since that’s not helpful at all, it is actually what appears to be an undyed or “natural” burlap. Either way, coming in with a ~3 1/2” closed length and a linerless construction ensures it is slim and light, and the M390 blade is sharp and slicey. All in, it makes for an admirable sweatpants knife.
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d.2.the.p
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2/13
Back to the grind. Speaking of grinds, I have a Tom Krein Hydra in my pocket today, and its grinds are as crisp as can be. Sporting a satin finished hollow ground Nitro-V blade and some beautifully dyed Russian Mauser Birch burl, this bad boy is as tough as it is pretty. The black liners, copper hardware, and mosaic pin really tie the room together.
Back to the grind. Speaking of grinds, I have a Tom Krein Hydra in my pocket today, and its grinds are as crisp as can be. Sporting a satin finished hollow ground Nitro-V blade and some beautifully dyed Russian Mauser Birch burl, this bad boy is as tough as it is pretty. The black liners, copper hardware, and mosaic pin really tie the room together.
d.2.the.p
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2/14
Happy Valentine’s Day and Trapper Tuesday, BF! Today’s trapper is from Enrique Peña. At the heart of it is a hand-rubbed satin CPM-154 blade, surrounded by stainless liners, brown burlap micarta covers, crosscut canvas micarta faux bolsters, and orange accent liners. As expected, walk & talk and fit & finish are all perfect - Mr. Peña is a machine. At a hair over 3 1/2” closed, it is slim with a negligible footprint in the pocket and is a delight to carry and use.
Happy Valentine’s Day and Trapper Tuesday, BF! Today’s trapper is from Enrique Peña. At the heart of it is a hand-rubbed satin CPM-154 blade, surrounded by stainless liners, brown burlap micarta covers, crosscut canvas micarta faux bolsters, and orange accent liners. As expected, walk & talk and fit & finish are all perfect - Mr. Peña is a machine. At a hair over 3 1/2” closed, it is slim with a negligible footprint in the pocket and is a delight to carry and use.
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Pretty sweet...
d.2.the.p
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2/15
It’s Wharncliffe Wood Wednesday, and today’s sharp thing is another GEC 99 Wall Street, but this one comes decked out in American Chestnut covers and satin hardware with a 440c blade with a satin finish. These stainless 99s are as good as it gets for me in the GEC lineup. I wish GEC would use more satin finishes on their knives. It is a nice departure from the usual mirror polish.
It’s Wharncliffe Wood Wednesday, and today’s sharp thing is another GEC 99 Wall Street, but this one comes decked out in American Chestnut covers and satin hardware with a 440c blade with a satin finish. These stainless 99s are as good as it gets for me in the GEC lineup. I wish GEC would use more satin finishes on their knives. It is a nice departure from the usual mirror polish.
d.2.the.p
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2/16
Welp, it happened. I broke my rules and bought a knife that was too good to pass up.
I regret nothing.
Here we have a small bird & trout by Stoil Manchev of Bulgaria. Coming in at a hair over 5.75” OAL, it is slim, light, and the perfect size for pocket carry. This one is decked out in some gorgeous dyed maple burl and is rocking a K110 blade with a really cool distressed finish applied to the blade. This knife is amazing, and I am going to have to fight the urge to get more. You can find his work posted over in the Knife Makers’ Market on the Exchange.
Welp, it happened. I broke my rules and bought a knife that was too good to pass up.
I regret nothing.
Here we have a small bird & trout by Stoil Manchev of Bulgaria. Coming in at a hair over 5.75” OAL, it is slim, light, and the perfect size for pocket carry. This one is decked out in some gorgeous dyed maple burl and is rocking a K110 blade with a really cool distressed finish applied to the blade. This knife is amazing, and I am going to have to fight the urge to get more. You can find his work posted over in the Knife Makers’ Market on the Exchange.
d.2.the.p
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2/17
I’ve got an oldie but goldie on me today. The OG Spyderco Sage 1, with its textured carbon fiber laminate and S30V blade, was a constant companion for me a decade or so ago when I first got into nicer knives. This has got to be at least the 4th one of these I have owned over the years. This model is pure classic Spyderco goodness, and while this particular version has been discontinued, the Sage series is still going strong and is well worth checking out.
I’ve got an oldie but goldie on me today. The OG Spyderco Sage 1, with its textured carbon fiber laminate and S30V blade, was a constant companion for me a decade or so ago when I first got into nicer knives. This has got to be at least the 4th one of these I have owned over the years. This model is pure classic Spyderco goodness, and while this particular version has been discontinued, the Sage series is still going strong and is well worth checking out.
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d.2.the.p
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2/18
I was out and about around town and then seeing some friends later today, so something small and useful is what I needed, and Tom Krein’s TK-1 is precisely that. This one is sporting a satin finished CTS-XHP blade with gorgeous koa covers over black liners with brass hardware and mosaic pin. This one is a particular favorite of mine.
I was out and about around town and then seeing some friends later today, so something small and useful is what I needed, and Tom Krein’s TK-1 is precisely that. This one is sporting a satin finished CTS-XHP blade with gorgeous koa covers over black liners with brass hardware and mosaic pin. This one is a particular favorite of mine.
d.2.the.p
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2/19
Happy Sebenza Sunday, and what a fine one it is. This small Sebenza 31 is sporting some beautiful box elder burl inlays in a glass blasted frame with a stonewashed S45VN blade and gold hardware. This was my first 31, and purely by coincidence, it was also the first Sebenza I have owned that happened to be born on my birthday. This was a pleasant surprise when I happened to check the birth card a few months into owning it.
Happy Sebenza Sunday, and what a fine one it is. This small Sebenza 31 is sporting some beautiful box elder burl inlays in a glass blasted frame with a stonewashed S45VN blade and gold hardware. This was my first 31, and purely by coincidence, it was also the first Sebenza I have owned that happened to be born on my birthday. This was a pleasant surprise when I happened to check the birth card a few months into owning it.
Beautiful, and super classy collection! My favorite so far has to be that small 21 with basketweave Damascus (also my favorite CRK Damascus) and the spalted beech, that's a grail for me, doubt I'll ever find one for sale! You're also making me realize I need few more small EDC fixed blades in my collection, I'll be checking back here for some ideas on that front!
Given that you have such an impressive EDC fixed blade collection, do you have any suggestions for options that come stock with a nice scout carry belt sheath? I'm realizing how important a good sheath is for me to actually carry a fixed blade given that I'm so used to pocket clip carry with folders. Appreciate it!
d.2.the.p
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Thank you for the compliment! Regarding a scout carry sheath, I unfortunately don’t have a good suggestion for you. I pocket carry knives up to 7.5” OAL or so, and anything larger gets a hip sheath or goes in/on a pack.
d.2.the.p
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2/20
Happy President’s Day, folks! On this auspicious Micarta Monday, I have a Bret Dowell sowbelly in my pocket. This guy is 3 3/4” closed and has some beautiful vintage green canvas micarta and a hand-rubbed satin CPM-154 blade. This knife not only is wonderful in hand with its curvaceous handle, but its slim body and sunken joint promote an extra comfy carry experience as well. This particular Dowell just might have the smoothest action of any slipjoint in my collection.
Happy President’s Day, folks! On this auspicious Micarta Monday, I have a Bret Dowell sowbelly in my pocket. This guy is 3 3/4” closed and has some beautiful vintage green canvas micarta and a hand-rubbed satin CPM-154 blade. This knife not only is wonderful in hand with its curvaceous handle, but its slim body and sunken joint promote an extra comfy carry experience as well. This particular Dowell just might have the smoothest action of any slipjoint in my collection.
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d.2.the.p
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2/21
Today we have a True Saber Seneca with a convex ground CPM-154 blade. True Saber is the brainchild of Todd Wielinski and has been produced and warrantied by Bark River Knives. For my particular preferences, the Seneca is likely the most “perfect” design that has been produced by Bark River.
The blade stock is neither too thin or thick and is thinly ground. The blade is tall enough to allow the blade to thin out pretty nicely, but not so tall as to be space prohibitive. It has a good amount of belly and a nice point that is neither too thick nor too fragile. There is also a nice finger guard and sharpening choil.
The handle is long enough for most of a full grip for my average-sized hand. The pear shaped handle promotes a variety of comfortable grips and tapers in a way that won’t allow the handle to slip out of your hand if slippery. The design also brings your index finger and thumb very close together, allowing for maximum control and easy pinch grips.
This particular Seneca started life with black canvas micarta handles, but that’s boring, so I had it rehandled by Matt Davis of Davis DogPaw Knifeworks. It is now sporting leopard wood scales over black accent liners with copper hardware and mosaic pin.
Unfortunately, i just learned that Mr. Wielinski has recently passed, so my condolences go out to his friends and family. If you get the opportunity to own a True Saber, I would act quickly because they are very well designed and will not be made again.
Today we have a True Saber Seneca with a convex ground CPM-154 blade. True Saber is the brainchild of Todd Wielinski and has been produced and warrantied by Bark River Knives. For my particular preferences, the Seneca is likely the most “perfect” design that has been produced by Bark River.
The blade stock is neither too thin or thick and is thinly ground. The blade is tall enough to allow the blade to thin out pretty nicely, but not so tall as to be space prohibitive. It has a good amount of belly and a nice point that is neither too thick nor too fragile. There is also a nice finger guard and sharpening choil.
The handle is long enough for most of a full grip for my average-sized hand. The pear shaped handle promotes a variety of comfortable grips and tapers in a way that won’t allow the handle to slip out of your hand if slippery. The design also brings your index finger and thumb very close together, allowing for maximum control and easy pinch grips.
This particular Seneca started life with black canvas micarta handles, but that’s boring, so I had it rehandled by Matt Davis of Davis DogPaw Knifeworks. It is now sporting leopard wood scales over black accent liners with copper hardware and mosaic pin.
Unfortunately, i just learned that Mr. Wielinski has recently passed, so my condolences go out to his friends and family. If you get the opportunity to own a True Saber, I would act quickly because they are very well designed and will not be made again.
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d.2.the.p
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2/22
Today’s entry for Wood Wednesday is an AG Russell A340 lockback with a stainless damascus blade (technically San Mai, I suppose), Chinese quince burl covers, and nickel silver bolsters. At 3 3/4” closed, it is enough knife for a full grip but not too much to be annoying in the pocket. Made in Japan, these are truly gorgeous and well constructed knives.
Today’s entry for Wood Wednesday is an AG Russell A340 lockback with a stainless damascus blade (technically San Mai, I suppose), Chinese quince burl covers, and nickel silver bolsters. At 3 3/4” closed, it is enough knife for a full grip but not too much to be annoying in the pocket. Made in Japan, these are truly gorgeous and well constructed knives.
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d.2.the.p
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2/23
Today’s carry is the grail-worthy Ricardo Romano small Zulu in vintage Westinghouse ivory micarta over black liners with a black G10 shield with a hand-rubbed satin CPM-154 blade. For those unaware, Mr. Romano is the premier custom slipjoint maker coming out of Brazil, and he is known for his clean aesthetic and flawless execution. Needless to say, this is no exception, and fit & finish and walk & talk are all perfect as can be. Just look at the fit of the shield. And at 3 11/16” closed, this small version is much more pocketable than the full sized 4 1/4” version and makes for a perfect EDC.
Today’s carry is the grail-worthy Ricardo Romano small Zulu in vintage Westinghouse ivory micarta over black liners with a black G10 shield with a hand-rubbed satin CPM-154 blade. For those unaware, Mr. Romano is the premier custom slipjoint maker coming out of Brazil, and he is known for his clean aesthetic and flawless execution. Needless to say, this is no exception, and fit & finish and walk & talk are all perfect as can be. Just look at the fit of the shield. And at 3 11/16” closed, this small version is much more pocketable than the full sized 4 1/4” version and makes for a perfect EDC.
d.2.the.p
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Thank you for following along! We have quite a ways to go…
