5 Traditional Knife "Must Haves"

So it looks like the 5 must have knives are about 15 of them :p:D

I'm still new to traditional knives so I'll follow the thread but probably refrain on posting knives. To me, there are just so many patterns, let alone specific knives, to just list 5.
 
Victorinox Classic - The seminal, ubiquitous SAK that's on everyone's keychains. I can get most everything I need to done with this knife.
Case Chestnut Swayback Jack - One of the most affordable Bose collaborations I've seen, with a great CV wharncliffe blade and great fit and finish. A favorite
Schrade 34OT - American made, of course. Another example of a bullet proof design and materials.
Yellow peanut - They've appeared in jackknife's stories so often that I've lost track. Mine's a Case, which I love.
Trapper pattern - Need at least one large blade, right? I have a large, yellow Case (bought it with my peanut). Been thinking about getting a GEC one, too.
 
This is the "traditional knife forum" folks...keep your responses appropriate to this sub-forum please.
 
Some interesting responses so far. I actually have some that are listed. :woohoo:

Elliott, I'd like to hear your opinion as well.
 
Just my opinion based on experience.

1. Friendships. (without them my collection and enjoyment would not be close to being what it is. I have been very fortunate to have knife opportunities due to friendships and always have my eyes open not just for myself, but also for friends whose interest may or may not be similar to mine.)
2. A trapper.
3. A barlow.
4. A peanut.
5. A Sod Buster.
(One of the knives above should be pre-1970 made by Case.)
 
gruntmedik said:
Some interesting responses so far. I actually have some that are listed. :woohoo:

Elliott, I'd like to hear your opinion as well.
Click to expand...

Deke, I'm not sure how well I'd do whittling it down to just five (and it might change pretty regularly).

Here's what comes to mind immediately at the moment when I think of "classic" traditional knives:

Folders:

Stockman
Cattle Knife
Barlow
Trapper
Whittler

(All preferably in jigged bone with carbon steel blades)

Fixed Blade:

Green River "Dadley" or "Hunter"
Marble's "Woodcraft"

(Definitely carbon steel. Most likely wood scales on the Green River and "leather wrapped" or stag on the Marble's.)

Gimme an hour and I'll change my mind...(since I haven't even gotten to "doglegs" and "eureka jacks" yet) ;)

(P.S. I see my brother Gus replied while I was posting...spot on as usual.)
 
Case CV Sodbuster (ya gotta think of Ben Johnson in Shane when you say this!) in yella delrin
Queen D2 Mountain Man in stag or stag bone
S&M File & Wire series III Large English Jack
Buck 301 Stockman
Case CV #18, #32, or #47 pattern in old red bone
 
Case Trapper
Buck 110
Old Timer / Uncle Henry Stockman (USA made of course)
SAK (any kind but preferably a small key chain one)
One fixed blade hunter, USMC, or bowie

Alternate: Case SBJ Chestnut bone CV

AND come next December (hopefully) a GEC Easy Open Jack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Two blade Barlow (non-stainless) (Utica)
Hunter lockback (Boker cronidur stainless)
Victorinox Swiss Army hiker (smallest with saw blade)
Stockman (non-stainless) (Utica)
Half congress (carbon steel dress knife) (GEC)

*I edited out kabar because this list is just folders
 
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Hard to pick only 5; tried to include mix of patterns, handle materials, countries, steels:
Stockman (perhaps Boker carbon/stag)
Peanut (maybe Case with Yellow Delrin / CV)
Trapper / mini trapper (bone scales of your choice, perhaps stainless)
Buck 110 (or Schrade LB7 harder to find)
Alox SAK (Vic Soldier or Wenger Standard Issue with Bail)

At least my thoughts for now, folders only included.
Too many "honorables" to mention (tl29, Vic Classic, Scout Pattern (Case Jr Scout my favorite); Sodbuster type, Opinel, wow too many good ones.....
Fred
 
After this thread gets ridiculously long, hopefully the OP will run some stats on the answers. I'll keep it generic...

Full-szed trapper
Trad. Locking single blade
Large/jumbo stockman
Barlow
Peanut
 
My top 5

Case TB lockback whittler
Schatt and Morgan Harness Jack
Queen Dan Burk barlow
Pre 70' Case mid size Congress red bone
From Scahtt and Morgan Heritage series in bone scales

Mike
 
Case with carbon blades and yellow handles
Queen with D2 steel
Buck 301/303
Buck 110/112
A few GECs couldn't hurt
 
wharncliffe Trapper ( Case, Custom for sure):thumbup:

Old Remington (2 blades):thumbup: * This is a must*

Dogleg Jack( Remington, Robeson, Winchester, Custom for sure..):thumbup:

Swayback Jack ( Case, Custom For sure ! ):thumbup:

Sowbelly ( Winchester, Case, Custom for sure):thumbup:

-Might want to "oil the joints" and keep a nice edge... imho.:D



Jason
 
buck 110
sak alox soldier
shrade 8OT
hunter boker stag
case cv sodbuster
 
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Yella CV Peanut
Any Opinel (au carbon of course)
Any Sodbuster (preferably Herder Solingen)
Douk Douk
Victorinox Pioneer and Classic
 
A good fixed blade
A SAK
A trapper
Any two of these three but one of them should be a stockman(and in any traditonal handle material....
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Wow, some great responses. I've kinda crunched some numbers, and have come up with a few favorites so far.

The top spot for a specifically named knife is the Buck 110. Have had the same number of votes for a SAK not specified. But if we add in 4 specific votes for a Vic Soldier, 3 Vic Classic's, 1 Vic Hiker, and 1 Vic Pioneer, the SAK is the overwhelming favorite.

The third favorite is for a Generic Stockman pattern. There were some specific Stockman makers mentioned that were not included in this total.

Next were a generic Trapper/Mini Trapper/Wharnie Trapper, followed by a Peanut, with the majority being Case.

This has been fun, and I hope you will continue to add your "Top 5". There were a few surprises here for me, and I am happy to say I have many that are listed here. Like Elliott said, It will probably change. I know my taste in knives is constantly changing, sometimes as quick as a few hours, so I expect (meaning I would like) this to be an ongoing thread, but realize that probably won't happen.
 
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