A Few of My Favourite Things

Will Power

Will Power

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Friends, often we see people wanting to carry one knife, or showing their latest, discussing the merits of one pattern over another, rotations, key manufacturers etc. Traditional knives offer the richest of seams, the variety and scope ensures that there are so many temptations and areas to pursue. Thinking of that, I start this thread as a homage to Traditionals and understanding that all our tastes vary and this can be from day to day even. My favourites may vary from time to time, I put these three together as a trio that would cover my needs if I went on an extended journey. They are all compact knives, which I currently like, they are from 3 different countries. USA, France ,Finland. One slip joint 3 blades, one locking knife, one fixed. D2 steel, Sandvik stainless, carbon. Bone jigged, Dark Horn, layered woods.

These are my Current Favourite Things in my knife rotation, what's yours? Can be any number of knives, just TRADITIONAL ones only of course. When we think of a few of my favourite things, let's not forget John Coltrane master of the cool. Listening to that this morning gave me the idea:cool:

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No pictures :(
Stockman*, Barlow, Canoe, Scout/Camp knife* in the pocket.
A Buck 110* and/or a large Sunfish on the belt.

*365.25 days a year.
 
I like to rotate my (modest number of) knives to enjoy my collection, but I always carry one knife for food (Le Francais, L-08, Le Thiers are the traditional-styles I use, if those count) and a knife for dirty tasks (lionsteel roundhead, GEC Churchill, Boker Barlow, Le Garonnais) and then I keep a couple of Case knives that were gifts from students on my desk at school (a small Texas toothpick and a teardrop two blade). All are loved.
 
In no particular order.
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That is one I put Wenge scales on.
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A Stag 25.
And this last one I made for my wife to fit her hand 20 some years ago. The blade was ground from a file and has been sharpened soooo many times it doesn't fit into the frame properly anymore and has been retired (for the most part ).
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That is the original super glue finish over Bocote. It has held up surprisingly well.
 
Here are a few of mine.

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This Ohta is my finest slipjoint. The only thing wrong with it is that it was not a gift. Had it been a present from my wife and daughter this knife would probably be in my pocket every day.

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A remarkable knife, close at hand when I'm spending time outdoors. I like everything about it. The only thing I would change is the belt loop. I wish it were more durable than a piece of leather with two slits cut into it. I can see the rest of the tuppi lasting a very long time, but anticipate having to replace the kantolenkki.

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The bowie is perhaps my favorite knife of all. Too bad I don't have much use for it. Then again, I'm thankful I've never had to put it to its intended use. The khukuri is an old favorite. A good exemplar of the style, it is heavy enough to utilize the advantages of the design, yet not so heavy that it is overly cumbersome. The proportions are spot on for me, as if it was crafted bespoke to my specifications.

Good idea for a thread.
 
Nice idea for a thread, Will. Nice choices too.
I thought about this for a little bit and figured that this picture represents my favorite carry knives.
The two temporarily on the lid of the box are an AG Russell Pinched Peanut and a small Dozier that I pretty much carry everyday, and have for the last few months.
The knives on the bottom are chosen from everyday, left to right is what I'd say is their order of preference.
1.John Lloyd, Stag Shadow Trapper.
2. Brent Cramer, Lanny's Clip Jr.
3. Jerry Halfrich, Small Rounder.
4. Joel Chamblin, Small Wharncliffe Trapper.
I have no explanation for why I prefer one over the other. They are all great knives and do everything I'd want done in a normal day. I have, however, been carrying the Lloyd stag shadow on the left probably >90% of the time since I got it early last year.
If I'm woods-walking I'll have something on my belt. If I'm fishing I'll have a B&T with me, etc.
But day to day this pretty much is it.
Of course there are times when another slippy rides along instead of the favorites. I will say that since I got the little Dozier that hangs in my right pocket like a buckaroo pouch (actually it's a Kydex neck sheath suspended from my belt with paracord), I haven't carried a modern knife.
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2F533EAF-C6F9-4BC7-8A7A-2D1E3E2BC0A4.jpeg 6DDC6718-15F3-496A-ABF3-8FD7C3B16EEF.jpeg 49CA8024-B266-47D4-8CA0-DA6BC5355FFE.jpeg I need to take some new photos but these always seem to ride with me. My reground #49h(or f ), the BF HJ. (Would still like a second and/or an ebony version. Although, I’d probably use the ebony:rolleyes:). And at the top(sorry about that funny plastic and metal thingy, not my picture. Waaaaay better than I could do...:)), is what I hope can be considered traditional-a whittler style pattern from Tom Krein called a JTS. I need to get some leather for it, but it comes in right about 7” or so. Brand new, and very happy with:D. Obviously I like Tom Krein, for any who might not know, he worked for Bob Dozier for awhile and A.G. Russell. Peregrin Peregrin -Gary some crazy nice pieces there! kamagong kamagong -always so nice to see and hear about that Ohta! I really would like one of his long, slender B&T/Gentleman’s knives. FOG2 FOG2 -kitty! Good kitty.:thumbsup:
Thanks, Neal
 
Great thread Will. Here's my favorites. If I had to cut the collection down to 4 this is it. The mini craftsman hatchet is a very versatile tool. If I had to drop down to only one cutting tool it's the one. It's as sharp as my knives, it slices tomatoes very thin. Tips the scale at 14.5 ounces with the sheath and a 12" overall length. The Steingass and the mini craftsman are my hunting carries.
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rockman0 said:
Great thread Will. Here's my favorites. If I had to cut the collection down to 4 this is it. The mini craftsman hatchet is a very versatile tool. If I had to drop down to only one cutting tool it's the one. It's as sharp as my knives, it slices tomatoes very thin. Tips the scale at 14.5 ounces with the sheath and a 12" overall length. The Steingass and the mini craftsman are my hunting carries.
ET8oo21.jpg
Click to expand...
Vaughan & Bushnell sure did produce a good little hatchet.
 
neal70 said:
View attachment 825282 View attachment 825281 View attachment 825280 I need to take some new photos but these always seem to ride with me. My reground #49h(or f ), the BF HJ. (Would still like a second and/or an ebony version. Although, I’d probably use the ebony:rolleyes:). And at the top(sorry about that funny plastic and metal thingy, not my picture. Waaaaay better than I could do...:)), is what I hope can be considered traditional-a whittler style pattern from Tom Krein called a JTS. I need to get some leather for it, but it comes in right about 7” or so. Brand new, and very happy with:D. Obviously I like Tom Krein, for any who might not know, he worked for Bob Dozier for awhile and A.G. Russell. Peregrin Peregrin -Gary some crazy nice pieces there! kamagong kamagong -always so nice to see and hear about that Ohta! I really would like one of his long, slender B&T/Gentleman’s knives. FOG2 FOG2 -kitty! Good kitty.:thumbsup:
Thanks, Neal
Click to expand...
Thanks, Neal. I like that Krein. I've got a few of his pieces and they're very nice knives.
 
rockman0 said:
Great thread Will. Here's my favorites. If I had to cut the collection down to 4 this is it. The mini craftsman hatchet is a very versatile tool. If I had to drop down to only one cutting tool it's the one. It's as sharp as my knives, it slices tomatoes very thin. Tips the scale at 14.5 ounces with the sheath and a 12" overall length. The Steingass and the mini craftsman are my hunting carries.
ET8oo21.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks! That's a really fine outfit you show there, very impressed with that hatchet too, real quality job :cool:

I like the way everybody is showing what's on their current favourites list, all subject to change without notice:D:thumbsup:

Regards, Will
 
FOG2 said:
One more.
I ground this Wharncliffe blade from a file and am going to handle it with the Cholla Cactus shown. The deaf cat is also one of my favorite things!
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Very cool project. But I'm envious of your cat's patience, my Tabby is one of my favourite things but she's so hyper&playful that you could not get any co-operation like that:D She'd swallow the knife with terrible results:eek: I think she must have Scottish Wild Cat heritage...;)
 
Hickory n steel said:
Vaughan & Bushnell sure did produce a good little hatchet.
Click to expand...

Did you post this particular one in the mini hatchet thread ? Did you make the sheath ?
Btw nice knives.
And to keep this on topic, here's 2 more favorites of mine that I like " just because " they have no sentimental value or anything, I just like them.

The 119 fits this thread perfectly because it's a very recent acquisition that's probably my favorite knife right now.
Of course the newness will wear off and those sentimental knives will make it back to the top of the list.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Did you post this particular one in the mini hatchet thread ? Did you make the sheath ?
Btw nice knives.
And to keep this on topic, here's 2 more favorites of mine that I like " just because " they have no sentimental value or anything, I just like them.

The 119 fits this thread perfectly because it's a very recent acquisition that's probably my favorite knife right now.
Of course the newness will wear off and those sentimental knives will make it back to the top of the list.
Click to expand...

Yes it's in the mini hatchet thread. I posted it shortly after I hung it on the salvaged haft. I bought the sheath. 3 of them, one for the mini I made a handle for and gifted to a friend, one for my straight handle mini and the one in this pic. Glad I did as that dealer no longer stocks this sheath. Thanks for your comments :thumbsup:
 
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