5 Traditional Knife "Must Haves"

Well, we won't close it, Deke, unless folks start taking liberties with the category and start pushing the list toward something more appropriate elsewhere.

I'm glad you're having fun with it and hope it provides food for thought.
 
Disclaimer: I don't have the years or breadth of experience like some here to make a more expert objective list, but here are some favorites that are more current must-haves, in my opinion:

1. A Bose-pattern by Case such as Back Pocket or Sway Back
2. Canal Street Half Moon Trapper
3. Wenger SI
4. Case stockman
5. Something from GEC
 
My must have is:
Queen 3 1/4" stockman
Queen 4" stockman
Queen 4 1/4" Cattle King
Canal Street 1/2 Moon
Queen Canoe

But if someone was starting and asked what basic 5 knives they should buy then:
Case Stockman in Chestnut bone in CV or the 4" Buck Stockman
Case Soddie in CV
Case Peanut
Boker 3 5/8" Congress with non redundent blades
Case Swayback
 
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I see a lot of votes for a "Sodbuster". By Case I assume? Also a lot of votes for the Buck 110. A good knife I'm sure, but my vote in that category goes to the U.S.A. made LB7 by Schrade. ;)
My choices are;
1. A good locking blade folder with a blade about 3-4".
2. A good fixed blade knife.
3. A gentleman's small pocketknife with scissors.
4. A Swiss Army knife.
5. A large knife with a Kukri style blade.
The problem here is there are many more than just five. ;)
-Bruce
 
stockman, specificallyBuck 301 or Schrade 8OT (Schrade 34OT or Buck 303 if you want to go smaller)

trapper (I had an avg size Queen model that was a perfect knife, I forget who I traded it to, but I know they used it at a bbq after they got it :thumbup:)

Opinel, just to have one, #8 model for me.

Buck 110 or Schrade 7OT Cave Bear

scout style or SAK knife
 
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#1 Buck 110 > $30
#2 Buck 119 > $40
#3 Buck 301 > $35
#4 Vic SAK Farmer > $30
#5 Opinel#8 > $12
Total ball park price of about $147 not including shipping or taxes. I think these 5 knives traditional knives would be tools that would cover most uses without costing much money.

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I'd probably take the Puma Gamewarden over the Buck 110

But then again, there is a bunch of bucks' difference
 
My personal Top 5:
Queen Cozy Glen Canoe with 1095 and bone scales
SAK Farmer (any Alox Soldier variant should suffice)
Hen & Rooster 4 inch stag scaled carbon steel stockman
Case Sodbuster Jr CV (in yeller)
Opinel no. 8
 
Buck custom shop 110,any Vic SAK,Case Peanut(mines Damascus),a large Stockman,For a decent sized fixed I'd pick the Buck 119.
 
Stockman or Jack (Case, GEC, Queen)
Trapper (Case, GEC, Queen)
Buck 110 or old Schade Old Timer
Basic Vic SAK or two
Spyderco Endura

Sorry, The Endura is not a traditional folder.
 
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I like Schrade knives and Camillus made knives. Particularly fond of Old Timers. And I like OLD knives.

I would say:

Stockman
Peanut
Sway Back Jack/Peanut
TL-29
Scout/SAK

Sharpfinger if we're counting fixed blades.

This is a good thread.
 
gruntmedik said:
OK, I have a question, and if it has been asked before, I trust I will be made aware of it.

What, in your opinion, are the 5 "Must haves" any self respecting Traditional knife knut should have? Be as specific as you like--brand, pattern, materials, but lets limit it to production knives right now.

Great thread!
Tough question to answer when you add "Traditional knife knut" to it.
I took the liberty of adding the 5 most useful IMO

5 basic knives for the Traditional collector
Stockman ( USA )
Peanut ( Case)
Split spring Whittler ( USA)
Sodbuster ( Case)
Locking folder( ie Buck 110, Case Mako, Schrade etc.)

An easy question when you consider the person who uses a knife but doe not appreciate the same way as many here, on this site

Now, for the most useful 5
Stockman ( 3.5 to 4.0 ")
SAK w/ alot of gadgets, but not too many
Sodbuster ( Jr.)
Locking folder ( i.e Case copperlock, Schrade 194OT )
Fixed blade w/sheath
Click to expand...
 
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For me, I break it down by size and function:

1. Small Knife, 2 7/8 - 3 1/8". SAK Cadet would be my choice.
2. Daily Knife, 3 1/2 - 3 5/8" single-blade Mini-Trapper or Case Copperlock.
3. Often Used Knife, 3 1/2" two-blade, Case Wharncliffe Mini-Trapper
4. Outdoors Knife, 3 7/8" single-blade GEC #48 or Scagel Fruitport.
5. Knife as a tool, Sodbuster Jr or a medium Stockman.
 
A peanut. Preferably a Case.
A trapper. Of High carbon non stainless steels.
An alox SAK; soldier or farmer.
A Buck 110.
Something done up in Real stag.
 
As I consider the possibles, I see that this is not as easy as it first seems.

Let's take a first cut at it though:

Folding Hunter
Clasp knife
Scout/Camper (SAK) knife
Small "Gent's" Knife
Stockman pattern knife

Hmmm. I seem to have left out a fixed blade outdoor/hunting knife.

Let's try again . . .

Fixed blade outdoor knife, e.g. Buck 102,105,119 or Mora style Scandi knife
Folding Hunter (full-sized folder), e.g. Buck 110 or Case Folding Hunter
Clasp knife, e.g. sodbuster or similar single blade
Scout/Camper (SAK) knife, four or more blades
Multi-blade slipjoint, e.g. Stockman or Peanut pattern knife

Better, but still kinda fuzzy, so let's do specifics . . . (I reserve the right to change my mind). :)


The American (USA) Selection:
1. Buck 105 -- medium sized traditional fixed blade suitable for a wide range of uses;
2. Case Folding Hunter -- full-sized two-blade folder suitable for camp, hunt, general use;
3. Case Sod Buster Jr., yellow handled, CV steel -- light, robust, general use knife;
4. Imperial US Officers Ulster 916 -- main blade, punch, screwdriver/bottle opener, can opener;
5. Case John Deer Medium Stockman, green bone, stainless -- simple, attractive, useful, personal "gent's" knife.


The "Offshore" Selection:
1. I'm going to surprise myself and take the Helle Tollekniv over the Mora #2 -- classic Scandinavian outdoor knife, nuff said;
2. EKA Swede 82, Sandvik stainless, Bubinga wood -- full-sized folding hunter, classic clip-point backlock, camp, hunt, general use;
3. Böker Gaucho Jr. sodbuster in carbon steel -- same features as the Case Sod Buster above;
4. Wenger Commander -- traditional SAK with main blade, punch, screwdriver/bottle opener, can opener, nail file, corkscrew;
5. Boker Medium Stockman, Jigged Red Bone handles, carbon steel blades -- simple, elegant, useful, personal "gent's" knife.


I'll check back in a few days and see if my tastes have changed substantially.

:)


Oh, wait, you wanted pictures!

Here's a quick grab of some of the knives mentioned above . . .

Imperial US Officers Ulster 916:
2009_1005-Knife001.jpg

2009_1005-Knife013.jpg



EKA Swede 82 . . . which does not appear in the linked sequence, so imagine the (Normark branded) Swede 92 here with Bubinga scales like the Nordic T8 below it has:
2009_1024-Knife046.jpg



Case yellow Sod Buster Jr. in CV:
2008_0220-Knife-01.jpg



Case John Deer Medium Stockman, stainless, green bone:
2008_0822-Knife007.jpg



Case Folding Hunter:
2008_0418-Knife042.jpg



Wenger Commander SAK: (Okay, so I don't have one of those, but I do have the EKA/Wenger Executive Major, which is very like the Commander, except that it also has scissors)
2008_0327-Knife002.jpg



Boker Gaucho Jr.: (Not absolutely positive, but I believe the top/left knife is the Gaucho Jr.)
2008_0322-Knife020.jpg



I don't own a Helle, so no picture. No pictures yet of my 105, sorry. No Boker Stockman, so no picture.

So . . . how'd I do, boss?

:D

 
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ArfinGreebly said:
As I consider the possibles, I see that this is not as easy as it first seems.

<--- SNIP ---->

I'll check back in a few days and see if my tastes have changed substantially.

:)

Click to expand...
Maybe this list would be easier if we were allowed 10 or 15 knives? ;)
-Bruce
 
Enjoyed this thread. Over in the Buck forum the 110 guys already have swollen chests so I am not gonna say anything over there.
I like to see everyones specific list and those with just a model list. I will add my two cents worth but with the idea that I LIKE all knives to handle and look at. But, with many that have come and gone, I now only get/own a slim few for the dresser. I am a Buck collector, BUT don't throw the rope over the limb to hang me for what I USE.
On Sunday I carry a SAK Officer, because sometimes I have to tinker/repair stuff. Usually dealing with electronics. I EDC rotate a Schrade TL-29. Buck 303 with custom scales by ME and a elk scaled 309. Going to the woods I carry a Buck 112 and a SAK Dep. (because of the saw). I sometimes sneak a second small knife in the watch pocket if I am wearing jeans. If deer processing is involved I will have a couple of Buck fixed blade knives also.

To tell someone with NO knives what five they need to have. I would just say look around on this forum and then get a few that appeal to you by the photos and the descriptions. You will deal with functionality as you handle them and may go on to something else. Maybe just say a medium folder, small folder and a large folder for certain.
Funny thing is, I have only one old 110 and never carry it....ha 300Bucks
 
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1. GEC #56 Dogleg Jack in ebony
2. Case Sway Back Jack in chestnut bone and CV
3. Buck 110
4. Case Large Stockman in amber bone and CV
5. GEC #25 Easy Open in stag or elk

-and don't forget the 2011 Forum Knife!
 
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